for you”—to the end of the verse. He thus commanded jihad, although people naturally dislike it, because its benefits outweigh the pain it causes them. This is like someone who drinks unpleasant medicine to recover his health: the benefit of regaining his health outweighs the discomfort of drinking the medicine. Likewise, a merchant travels far from his homeland, stays awake at night, experiences fear, and endures these hardships because the benefit of the profit he gains outweighs them.

In the two Sahīh collections, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is reported to have said:

“Paradise is surrounded by hardships, and the Fire is surrounded by desires.”

Allah Most High says concerning the magician:

“The magician will never succeed, wherever he may go.”

And He Most High says:

“Yet the two would not teach anyone without first saying, ‘We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve’”—up to His words—“How wretched was the price for which they sold themselves, if only they knew!”

He, glorified be He, thus makes clear that these people know that the magician will have no share in the Hereafter. They seek through this only to attain some of their worldly aims.

“Had they believed and been mindful of Allah, a reward from Allah would have been better, if only they knew!”

Had they believed and been mindful of Allah by doing what He commanded and refraining from what He forbade, what He would grant them in return, in this world and the Hereafter, would have been better for them than what they obtain through magic.

Allah Most High says:

“We certainly help Our messengers and those who believe, both in the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses stand forth.”

And He says:

“Whoever does righteous deeds, male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life.”

And He says:

“As for those who emigrated for Allah’s sake after suffering injustice, We will surely grant them a good home in this world.”