The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 763
PT. 11 R. 15. AT-TAUBAH CH. 9 يَا يُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ O ye who believe! fear. 119 الصدِقِينَ and be with the Allah truthful. 1266 مَا كَانَ لِأَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُمْ مِّنَ It was not proper for the. 120 people of Medina and those الْأَعْرَابِ اَنْ يَّتَخَلَّفُوا عَنْ رَّسُولِ اللهِ around them from among the "3:103; 5:36; 39:11; 57:29. voice; 'Rejoice, O Ka'b bin Mālik. ' I concluded that I was pardoned and hastened to the Holy Prophet and found him in the Mosque. He received me with a radiant countenance and said 'Rejoice, O Ka'b, for this is the happiest day that has ever dawned upon you since you were born. My soul was lifted up from the depths of despondency and in the transports of gratitude, I offered my whole wealth in atonement of my error. 'Nay,' said the Holy Prophet, 'Keep a part of your wealth and give away the rest to be spent in the cause of God. ' I also said to the Holy Prophet, 'It is through my speaking the truth that God has done me this favour. So I make a solemn (2) In spite of this discipline the Holy Prophet was loved and revered by his followers to an extraordinary degree; (3) His true followers always strove their best to set an unparalleled example of sacrifice, devotion and piety. 1266. Commentary: This verse directly following the verses that speak of hypocrites and those weak of faith, lays down one of the most important rules of conduct that contribute to the building up of a person's moral character and to his spiritual growth and development. This consists (1) in one's own effort to perfect his righteousness by developing the fear of God and (2) in seeking the company of the truthful and sticking to it. As a matter of fact, to keep company with the righteous and the truthful is highly essential. It serves to remove moral and spiritual rust from one's heart, and exercises a very wholesome influence on it. It leads a believer to the fountain of purity and righteousness. It provides a moral and spiritual environment for man. That was one of the advantages enjoyed by 1203 promise that I will never speak but the truth so long as I live. ' And by God, I have strictly adhered to this promise to the present day and hope God will help me to observe this promise in future as well" (Bukhārī, ch. on Maghāzī). The above narration forcefully leads one to the conclusion that: (1) The Holy Prophet kept strict discipline among his followers but this discipline was tempered with mercy;