سُبُلَنَا

11:57, 89; 12:68.

Commentary:

The expression, when He has showed us our ways, signifies that the superiority of a Prophet lies in the fact that he proves that man stands in need of God’s assistance by demonstrating his weaknesses. The expression also hints at the great truth that Divine law embodies only such injunctions as are for the good of man himself, the words "our ways" meaning the ways by following which man can make all kinds of progress.

By the words, And we will surely bear with patience all the harm you do us, the Messengers of God make a confession of their weakness. Far from claiming any superiority over their opponents, they admit that their opponents excel them in material means and that if Divinehelp does not come to their succour, they would have to suffer untold pain and persecution at their hands. As, however, they had undertaken their task by the command of God, they would bear all hardships with patience and would thus prove that it was not their own exaltation and aggrandizement that they had in view. And, as their trust was in God, they also knew that final success was assured for them.

Commentary:

The verse gives the essence of jihad as ordained by Islam. Islamic jihad does not consist in killing and being killed but in striving hard to win the pleasure of God. This can best be done by following a Divine Reformer when one has appeared and the safest and surest way to test the truth of his claim is to seek God’s guidance by praying to Him. Thus to serve the cause of truth with all one’s might under the command and guidance of a Divinely-appointed Reformer is jihad in the truest sense of the word. There can be no greater jihad than this. It may take the form of preaching and dissemination of the teaching of Islam by peaceful means or of defending it by the sword from being destroyed by its enemies.