Not holding back

O believers, do not be like those who disbelieve and say about their brothers who travel or go to battle, ‘If they had stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed.’ Allah makes such thoughts a source of regret in their hearts. It is Allah who gives life and causes death.

3:156O ye who believe! Be not as those who disbelieved and said of their brethren who went abroad in the land or were fighting in the field: If they had been (here) with us they would not have died or been killed: that Allah may make it anguish in their hearts. Allah giveth life and causeth death; and Allah is Seer of what ye do.

3:168Those who, while they sat at home, said of their brethren (who were fighting for the cause of Allah): If they had been guided by us they would not have been slain. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Then avert death from yourselves if ye are truthful.

4:72Lo! among you there is he who loitereth; and if disaster overtook you, he would say: Allah hath been gracious unto me since I was not present with them.

If fortune comes your way, they say, as if no bond ever existed between you, ‘Oh, I wish I had been with them to gain such success!’

4:73And if a bounty from Allah befell you, he would surely cry, as if there had been no love between you and him: Oh, would that I had been with them, then should I have achieved a great success!

Those who remain seated while others strive in Allah’s cause are not equal, except those with valid excuses. Allah has elevated those who struggle with their wealth and lives above those who stay behind. He has promised all believers a great reward, but He has granted a higher rank and special forgiveness to those who strive.

4:95Those of the believers who sit still, other than those who have a (disabling) hurt, are not on an equality with those who strive in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives. Allah hath conferred on those who strive with their wealth and lives a rank above the sedentary. Unto each Allah hath promised good, but He hath bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary;

Do not lose heart in pursuing the enemy. If you suffer, they suffer too, but you hope for Allah’s reward while they do not.

4:104Relent not in pursuit of the enemy. If ye are suffering, lo! they suffer even as ye suffer and ye hope from Allah that for which they cannot hope. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.

O believers! When you meet the disbelievers in battle, do not turn your backs.

8:15O ye who believe! When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them.

Whoever retreats that day, unless manoeuvring for battle or joining another group, will incur Allah’s wrath.

8:16Whoso on that day turneth his back to them, unless manoeuvring for battle or intent to join a company, he truly hath incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey's end.

Some people warned them, ‘Your enemies have gathered against you, so fear them!’ But this only strengthened their faith

3:173Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefor fear them. (The threat of danger) but increased the faith of them and they cried: Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust!

So, they returned with Allah’s blessings, untouched by harm, seeking only His pleasure.

3:174So they returned with grace and favour from Allah, and no harm touched them. They followed the good pleasure of Allah, and Allah is of Infinite Bounty.

O believers! When you encounter an enemy force, stand firm and remember Allah often, so that you may succeed.

8:45O ye who believe! When ye meet an army, hold firm and think of Allah much, that ye may be successful.