At-Tawba (The Repentance)

52. “Say: ‘Do you await for us but one of the two excellences? And we await for you that Allah will afflict you with punishment from Himself or by our hands. So await; we (too) are awaiting with you’.”

This verse addresses the Prophet (S) to convey this answer to them, too, that whether they expect to reach Muslims one of the two goodnesses, victory or martyrdom. The verse says:

“Say: ‘Do you await for us but one of the two excellences?…”

Muslims either defeat the enemy in the war and come out from the battlefield victoriously, or they will be killed and drink the glass of martyrdom honestly. Whatever comes forth welcomes, and it is the cause of their honour and the light of Muslims’ eyes. There will be, however, no failure in their policy.

But, on the contrary, concerning the opponents, Muslims await for them one of the two afflictions. Either they meet the punishment from Allah both in this world and the next world, or Muslims make them contemptible and destroy them by their hands.

The verse says:

“…And we await for you that Allah will afflict you with punishment from Himself or by our hands…”

Now that the status is like that, both parties may await with each other. The verse continues saying:

“…So await; we (too) are awaiting with you’.”