| Verse: (4) Indeed, Allah loves...

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Readings of the verb: Zayd ibn Ali recited it as {يُقَاتِلُونَ} (yuqātilūna - they fight) with an open tā’. It was also read as {يَقْتُلُونَ} (yaqtulūna - they kill).

{صَفًّا} (ṣaffan - in ranks): The meaning is that they describe themselves in battle as if they were a solid structure (a tightly packed edifice).

Al-Farrā’ said: "It means packed with lead (raṣāṣ). They say raṣaṣtu al-binā’ (I packed the structure) when you make no gaps between the stones and bring them close together until they become like a single piece."

Al-Layth said: "They say raṣaṣtu al-binā’ when you join it together. Al-raṣṣ is the joining of things to one another."

Ibn ‘Abbās said: "Stones are placed upon stones, then they are packed with small stones, and then mud bricks are placed upon it. The people of Mecca call this al-murassūs (the packed structure)."

Abū Isḥāq said: "Allah, the Exalted, informs that He loves those who remain steadfast in Jihad and hold their ground like the steadfastness of a packed structure." He added: "It is also possible that it refers to their state being equal in fighting their enemy, such that they are united in purpose and mutual support, like a packed structure."

It is also said: "This simile was struck to indicate steadfastness, meaning when they line up, they remain firm like a stable, settled, packed structure."

Another opinion suggests: "It indicates the virtue of fighting on foot, because the Arabs line up in this manner."

Regarding the Love (of Allah): The love mentioned here, in its apparent sense, has two aspects:

1. Approval (al-riḍā) concerning the creation.
2. Praise for what they do.

Connection to the Previous Verse: What is the relationship between this verse and the preceding one, which is the Almighty’s saying: {It is most hateful to Allah that you say what you do not do} [61:3]?

We say that the previous verse is a condemnation of those who fail to comply in fighting—those who were promised to fight but did not fight. This verse, however, is praise for those who comply in fighting—those who fought in the cause of Allah and excelled in it.

[ Then Allah, the Exalted, said:

! 7 < { And when Moses said to his people, "O my people, why do you harm me when you certainly know that I am the Messenger of Allah to you?" But when they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people. } > 7 !

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