As-Saff (The Ranks)

4. Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in ranks as if they were an iron structure.

The Arabic word bunyan denotes construction. The word marsus is cognate with rasas denoting lead. The phrase bunyan marsus connotes a construction resembling lead in terms of solidity. The criticism mentioned in the preceding Verse may be addressed to those who were engaged in sloganeering but failed to act upon such slogans. Thus, God Almighty is saying that Divine Wrath is in store for those who did not act upon their words but those who act upon their words and loved by Him.

Therefore, the blessed Verse is saying that God Almighty loves those who wage war in His Cause like a construction of iron and a stronghold of steel.

Thus, the form of battle is of no significance, but what is important is that such war should be in Allah’s Cause through perfect unity and solidity the similitude of which is a construction built of lead or iron. It is mentioned in ‘Ali ibn Ibrahim exegetic work that the blessed Verse is saying that warrior waging war in Allah’s Cause form ranks like a construction which is never subject to ruin.¹