The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 61
II - Commencement of Jihād by the Sword & Fundamental Discussion on Jihād 61 “When Jihād was prescribed for the Muslims, a section of them feared the disbelievers to the extent that this fear was greater than their fear of God; and these people would say, ‘O our Lord! Why have you prescribed Jihād upon us so soon; would you not grant us respite yet a while?’” 1 Then He states: “O ye Muslims! We are aware that Jihād of the sword has been ordained for you at a time when it is a difficult and burdensome task for you to bear; but remember, it may be that you consider a thing to be a means of difficulty for you, while it is good for you, or it may be that you consider a thing to be good for you, while it is bad for you. Undoubtedly, Allāh knows all things, and you know not. ” 2 First Qur’ānic Verse Regarding Jihād Historians write that the very first Qur’ānic verse regarding Jihād by the sword was revealed to the Holy Prophet sa on 12 Ṣafar 2 A. H. 3 , or 15 August 623 A. D. 4 , when a period of approximately one year had elapsed since the arrival of the Holy Prophet sa to Madīnah. That verse is as follows: 1 An-Nisā’ (4:78) 2 Al-Baqarah (2:217) 3 Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 2, p. 218, Kitābul-Maghāzī, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 4 At-Taufīqātul-Ilhāmiyyatu Fī Muqāranatit-Tawārīkhil-Hijriyyah, By Muḥammad Mukhtār Pāshā, p. 34, Sanatu 2 Hijriyyah, Mu’assasatul-‘Arabiyyah, First Edition (1980)