Tafsir of Al-Baqarah 2:216

"And it is hateful to you"

It is from al-karāhah (hatred/aversion), as evidenced by His saying: "And it may be that you hate a thing" (2:216).

It may be interpreted in two ways:

1. As a verbal noun (maṣdar) used in the place of an adjective for the sake of hyperbole, as in the saying: "She is but an 'iqbāl' (coming) and an 'idbār' (going)." It is as if the fighting itself, due to their intense hatred of it, is the very embodiment of hatred.
2. As a noun in the sense of a passive participle (mafʿūl), like khubz (bread) meaning makbūz (baked). That is: "It is hated by you." Al-Sulami recited it with a fatḥah (karah), meaning it is something "burdened" upon you, like ḍaʿf (weakness) and ḍuʿf.

It is also permissible that it means "compulsion" (ikrāh) metaphorically, as if they were compelled to do it due to the intensity of their hatred for it and the hardship it caused them. From this is His saying: "His mother bore him with 'karhan' (compulsion/hardship) and gave birth to him with 'karhan'" (46:15).

Regarding His saying: "And it may be that you hate a thing," this applies to all that they have been tasked with, for the soul naturally hates and recoils from such things, preferring the opposite.

"And Allah knows" What is beneficial for you and what is best for you.

"While you do not know."

"They ask you about the sacred month—fighting therein. Say: 'Fighting therein is a great [sin], but to obstruct [others] from the way of Allah, to disbelieve in Him, [to prevent access to] the Sacred Mosque, and to drive its people out of it is greater in the sight of Allah. And fitnah (persecution/disbelief) is greater than killing. And they will continue to fight you until they turn you back from your religion if they are able. And whoever of you reverts from his religion and dies while he is a disbeliever—for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire, they will abide therein eternally. Indeed, those who have believed and those who have emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah—those expect the mercy of Allah. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful."