Tafsir of Al-Fath 48:17

Surah Al-Fath (The Victory) - Verse 17

{لَيْسَ عَلَى الْأَعْمَى حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى الْأَعْرَجِ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى الْمَرِيضِ حَرَجٌ} (There is no blame upon the blind, nor upon the lame, nor upon the sick...)

This verse clarifies who is permitted to abstain from Jihad (striving/fighting) and the reasons that justify this exemption. The justification lies in conditions that prevent effective engagement in attack (al-karr) or retreat (al-firr).

The verse specifies three categories:

1. The Blind (al-A'ma): He cannot advance upon the enemy, nor can he take precautions or flee.
2. The Lame (al-A'raj): Similarly restricted.
3. The Sick (al-Marid): Also restricted.

Clarifications on Exemptions:

• The meaning of the lame (al-A'raj) includes the amputee (al-Aqt'a) and the paralyzed (al-Muq'ad); indeed, their excuse is stronger.
• If a lameness does not prevent effective attack or retreat, it is not an excuse.
• Minor illnesses that do not impede attack or retreat, such as spleen issues (al-Tihal) or coughing, are not excuses, even though they cause weakness. Some joint pains are also not considered excuses.

Issue 1: Types of Excuses These mentioned excuses pertain to the condition of the fighter himself. There are external excuses, such as poverty preventing one from bringing necessary provisions, or being occupied with someone who would suffer if left alone (like a child or a sick person). These external excuses are learned in Fiqh (Jurisprudence); here, we focus on matters related to Tafsir (Exegesis).

Issue 2: Specificity of the Mentioned Excuses These excuses are mentioned because they relate to travel (Jihad often involves travel), and unlike lameness or blindness, other excuses might be temporary or removable.

Issue 3: Limiting the Excuses to These Three Categories The excuse is either due to a defect in a limb or a defect in strength.

1. Defect in a Limb: This defect either affects the limb used for reaching the enemy and maneuvering in battle (the leg/foot), or the limb used for gaining advantage in combat and reaching the objective (the eye—for sight). The ear, nose, tongue, and other limbs do not play a role in these two essential functions.
2. The Hand: What about the one with both hands amputated? This is a clear excuse, yet it was not mentioned.
   • Reasoning: The function of the leg (movement) is nullified even if only one leg is impaired. The function of the hand (striking and grasping) is only nullified if both hands are gone. The doubly amputee is extremely rare. Perhaps no one in the Prophet's company had both hands amputated, so it was omitted.
   • Alternative Reason: A one-handed person can still be useful in Jihad (e.g., by looking, or if another fighter relies on him), so he is not excused, unlike the blind man.
   • Addressing a Counter-Argument: If one argues that losing one eye does not nullify the function of sight as much as losing one hand does not nullify the function of striking, we reply: The loss of one hand still leaves the capacity for striking, whereas the source of light is singular; the affliction of one eye often affects the other, as they are interconnected. Furthermore, the blind are common, while the doubly amputee is rare.

Issue 4: Prioritizing Defect in Apparatus over Defect in Strength The defect in the physical apparatus (limb) is mentioned before the defect in strength (sickness) because a defect in strength can pass or occur temporarily, whereas a defect in the apparatus, once it occurs, does not cease (e.g., the blind man will not regain sight). Thus, the excuse related to the apparatus is more definitive.

Issue 5: Prioritizing the Blind over the Lame The blind is mentioned before the lame because the excuse of the blind persists even if he is present in the fighting location. The lame person, if he attends via riding or another means, might still be able to participate in fighting through archery or other means.

{لَقَدْ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنْزَلَ السَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَابَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيبًا * وَمَغَانِمَ كَثِيرَةً يَأْخُذُونَهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا} (Allah was certainly pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with an imminent victory, And abundant spoils which they will take. And Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.)