A Path to Getting Distanced from Mukhallafun
This is according to Hani Chitchian, a member of the Quran and Etrat School of the University of Tehran, speaking in the 15th session in a series on Surah At-Tawbah. Following are excerpts from his remarks in the session:
In this session we want to talk about the Mukhallafun. Why are they called this? Because they disobeyed the Holy prophet’s (PBUH) command, according to verse 42 of the Surah:
“Had the gain been immediate or the journey shorter, they (hypocrites) would certainly have followed you, (Muhammad), but it was too far for them. They will swear by God, ‘Had we had the ability, we would certainly have marched with you.’ They destroy only themselves and God knows that they are lying.”
Their problem is not war itself. If they are to have short journey and are sure to win, they will take part in the battle. However, if there is possibility that they may be trouble ahead, they will say they can’t take part in the battle.
Such persons will not be ready to be in the field if they have to pay for the religion and religious government. They will make up excuses. They asked for permission not to go to the battle and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave them the permission. And God says: “Allah pardon you! Why did you give them leave until those who spoke the truth had become manifest to you and you had known the liars?” (Verse 43)
And in Verse 45, God says: “They only ask leave of you who do not believe in Allah and the latter day and their hearts are in doubt, so in their doubt do they waver.”
Then there is Verse 49: “Among them are some that say: ‘Give us leave and do not expose us to temptation.’ Surely, they have already succumbed to temptation. Gehenna shall encompass the unbelievers.”
So a group of Mukhallafun do not go to the battle under the pretext of not being exposed to temptation and Fitna whereas this is the very falling into Fitna. If the Islamic government is successful, they will be disappointed and if the Islamic society is defeated, they will get happy to have stayed away. “If you gain success, it grieves them but if you suffer hardship, they turn away from you saying, ‘It's good that we took our affairs into our own hands’.” (Verse 50)
The next verse is one for those who want not to be part of Mukhallafun. “Say: ‘Nothing will befall us except what Allah has ordained. He is our Guardian. In Allah, let the believers put their trust.’” (Verse 51)
Paying attention to this verse keep one away from being one of Mukhallafun. The worst thing that can happen is defeat but that would not be a problem if one puts his trust in God. Those who are in the group of Mukhallafun are afraid of calamities, worrying that they might become poor, sick, etc. It is because they do not put trust in God.
