God Making Deal with Believers
This is according to Hani Chitchian, a member of the Quran and Etrat School of the University of Tehran, speaking in the 23rd session in a series on Surah At-Tawbah. Following are excerpts from his remarks in the session:
The topic of Surah At-Tawbah is the confrontation with shirk (association of others with God) and the Muslim community is set to fight this sin. People fall into three categories against divine orders. Some hear the orders and implement them. Some others defy the orders. And a group are bystanders who wait to see which of the first two wins and then join them.
The surah specifically addresses the believers who have deep faith in divine orders.
Characteristics of true believers
Who is a true believer? True believers are those who prevent the establishment of harmful groups in society or shield society from their harm. Verses 111-112 of this chapter define these true believers:
“Allah has purchased from the believers their selves and possessions, and for them is Paradise. They fight in the Way of Allah, slay, and are slain. That is a binding promise upon Him in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran; and who is there that more truthfully fulfills his covenant than Allah? Therefore, rejoice in the bargain you have bargained with Him. That is the mighty winning.” (111)
“Those who repent, those who worship Allah and praise (Him); those who journey, those who bow, those who prostrate themselves; those who order righteousness and forbid evil, and those who observe the limits of Allah give glad tidings to the believers.” (112)
So what does Allah bestow in this deal? Paradise. Believers that the verse point to are those who are on the battlefield and they either defeat shirk or are killed by disbelievers. This is a serious battle.
This promise is not limited to Islam as fighting for God’s path have been mentioned in all Abrahamic religion. God surely fulfills his promise and so glad tidings should be given to the believers who abide by divine orders.
