Transliteration:( Innal laaha yuhibbul lazeena yuqaatiloona fee sabeelihee saffan ka annahum bunyaanum marsoos )
"Indeed, Allah loves those who fight [5] in His way in full formation ranks as if they were a firm wall cemented with lead [6]."
[5] "Those who fight in His way" (يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِهِ)
This refers to engaging in Jihad for the sake of Allah — fighting in His way.
The purpose is to defend and promote Islam, without the greed for spoils of war or territorial gains.
It should be clear that this verse does not imply fighting among Muslims. Fighting among themselves is prohibited in Islam.
[6] "Full formation ranks as if they were a firm wall cemented with lead" (كَأَنَّهُمْ بُنْيَانٌ مَّرْصُوصٌ)
The ranks of the Muslim warriors represent discipline and unity on the battlefield.
The comparison to a firm wall cemented with lead illustrates their steadfastness, unity, and how tightly-knit they are, standing shoulder to shoulder without any gaps.
The warriors should be united in heart and action, their hearts in total unison.
This unity and commitment are seen in another verse, "O believers! When you encounter any army, then stand firm, and remember Allah much, that you may attain the goal" (S8:V45).
The tafsir of Surah As-Saff verse 4 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Saff ayat 1 which provides the complete commentary from verse 1 through 4.
(61:4) Allah indeed loves those who fight in His Way as though they are a solid wall cemented with molten lead.[3]
3. First, it shows that only those believers are blessed with Allah’s good pleasure and approval, who are prepared to fight in His way, disregarding every kind of danger. Secondly, that Allah likes an army which has three characteristics:
(1) It fights in Allah’s way with full understanding, and does not fight for a cause disapproved by Allah. (2) It is not undisciplined, but is well-organized and wellarrayed for battle. (3) It offers stiff resistance to the enemy as though it were a solid cemented structure. Then, this last quality is by itself highly meaningful. No army can stand in the battle array like a solid structure unless it has the following characteristics.
(1) Complete agreement in the faith and the objective, which should smite soldiers and officers in a well-knit body.
(2) Confidence in one another sincerity, which cannot be created unless everybody is genuinely sincere in his aim and free from impure motives; otherwise the severe test of war will not allow anyone’s insincerity to remain hidden, and when confidence is lost, the members of the army start suspecting instead of trusting one another.
(3) A high standard of morality without which neither can the officers and soldiers of the army have love and respect for each other, nor can they remain immune from mutual clashes and conflicts.
(4) Love of the common objective and a firm resolve to achieve it, which should inspire, the whole army with an invincible spirit of gallantry, devotion, and self-sacrifice, so that it may actually face the enemy like a solid cemented structure in the battlefield.
Such were the foundations on which a powerful military organization was raised under the leadership of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Mighty powers of the day clashed with it and were annihilated. No power of the world then could dare face it for centuries.
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