in the Quran. Likewise, jihad and those who undertake it are exalted in Surah al-Saff, in which He says:

“O you who believe, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment?

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in Allah’s cause with your wealth and your lives. That is better for you, if only you knew.

“He will forgive your sins and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, and pleasant dwellings in Gardens of everlasting residence. That is the great triumph.

“And another blessing that you love: help from Allah and a victory near at hand. So give good tidings to the believers.”

And He, Most High, says:

“Do you regard providing water to the pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque as equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in Allah’s cause? They are not equal before Allah. Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

“Those who believe, emigrate, and strive in Allah’s cause with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank before Allah. It is they who are successful.

“Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him, His pleasure, and gardens in which they will have lasting bliss,

“Remaining there forever. Indeed, with Allah is a great reward.”

And He, Most High, says:

“Whoever among you turns back from his religion, Allah will bring forth a people whom He loves and who love Him, humble toward the believers and firm toward the disbelievers. They strive in Allah’s cause and do not fear the reproach of any critic. That is Allah’s bounty, which He grants to whom He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.”

He, Most High, also says:

“That is because no thirst, fatigue, or hunger afflicts them in Allah’s cause, nor do they tread any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor inflict any loss on an enemy, without there being recorded for them