⦗120–121⦘ “It was not fitting for the people of Medina and the Bedouins around them to remain behind the Messenger of Allah or to prefer their own lives to his. That is because neither thirst, fatigue, nor hunger afflicts them in the cause of Allah, nor do they tread any ground that enrages the disbelievers or gain any advantage over an enemy, except that a righteous deed is recorded for them because of it. Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost. * Nor do they spend any amount, small or great, or cross any valley, except that it is recorded for them, so that Allah may reward them according to the best of what they used to do.”

Allah Most High says—urging the Emigrants and Helpers of Medina, the Radiant City, and the surrounding Bedouins who embraced Islam and whose practice of it was sound—: “It was not fitting for the people of Medina and the Bedouins around them to remain behind the Messenger of Allah.” That is, such conduct is neither appropriate for them nor befitting their state.

“Or to prefer their own lives”—their preservation, comfort, and repose—“to his” noble and pure life. Indeed, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has a greater claim upon the believers than they have upon themselves. Every Muslim must therefore be willing to sacrifice his own life for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and give him precedence over it. Thus, the sign of venerating and loving the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and of having complete faith in him, is that they do not remain behind him.

Allah then mentions the reward that motivates them to set out: “That is because they”—those striving in the cause of Allah—“are afflicted by neither thirst nor fatigue,” meaning weariness and hardship, “nor hunger in the cause of Allah,” meaning starvation.

“Nor do they tread any ground that enrages the disbelievers,” such as penetrating their lands and taking possession of their territories, “or gain any advantage over an enemy,” such as defeating an army or military detachment or taking wealth as spoils, “except that a righteous deed is recorded for them because of it,” for these are outcomes produced by their deeds.

“Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost”: those who excel by hastening to obey Allah’s command and fulfilling their duties toward Him and His creation. These outcomes are among the consequences of their deeds.

Then He says: “Nor do they spend any amount, small or great, or cross any valley” while journeying toward their enemy, “except that it is recorded for them, so that Allah may reward them according to the best of what they used to do.”

These deeds are included in that reward, provided they undertake them sincerely for Allah and carry them out faithfully. These verses contain the strongest encouragement and inspiration to set out for jihad in the cause of Allah, to seek His reward for the hardships suffered therein, and to recognize that these hardships raise them in rank and that a servant receives a great reward for the consequences resulting from his deeds.