At-Tawba (The Repentance)

46. “And if they had intended to go forth, they would have certainly provided equipment for it, but Allah was averse to their going forth, so He withheld them and it was said (to them): ‘Sit you with the sedentary!’”

These very hypocrites, who came to the Prophet (S) and asked him to give them permission not to participate in the Holy Struggle, had formerly decided not to go to the Holy Struggle and that asking permission was an external action which was done formally, since whether the Prophet (S) gave them permission or not, they would not go to fight.

The same matter, from their situation, is stated through this verse. It says:

“And if they had intended to go forth, they would have certainly provided equipment for it…”

They never provided any preliminary preparations for their going out, and the very thing indicated that they were not decided to go forth.

After that, the verse points to an important matter denoting that, as a result of their intention and their action, Allah basically was not pleased with their participation in the Holy Struggle. So, He cast this idea into their hearts that they would stay at home and refrain going forth.

Therefore, they were told to remain in Medina with those who had not taken part in the Holy Struggle such as children, women, and the sick. The verse says:

“…but Allah was averse to their going forth, so He withheld them and it was said (to them): ‘Sit you with the sedentary!’”

However, the averse of Allah to their going forth toward Holy Struggle is a negation of Divine succor, not a practical prohibition.