One should not remain behind without an excuse

Those believers who stay behind—other than those forced to by necessity—are not the same as those who strive in the Way of Allah, sacrificing their wealth and themselves. Allah has given those who strive with their wealth and themselves a higher rank than those who stay behind. Allah has promised the best to both, but Allah has preferred those who strive over those who stay behind by an immense reward.” (Surat an-Nisa’; 95)

In this verse, Allah explains the situation of those Muslims who do not feel and display the zeal becoming to a believer. That is why they cannot be given much responsibility and are left to their own devices. Avoiding due effort for the cause of Islam without suffering any guilt is a moral weakness. Such believers are described as lower in rank compared to those who make a strenuous effort for the cause of Islam and risk their lives and possessions to earn the good pleasure of Allah. The words,“Allah has preferred those who strive over those who stay behind by an immense reward”in the verse above imply the vastness of the difference between the two groups. To risk noble rank in the Hereafter for a minor benefit in the life of this world never befits believers. There can be no question of reluctance or lagging behind in the intellectual struggle on Allah’s path for a true believer who loves Allah above all things and has no aim other than pleasing Him. The believer wages an intellectual struggle to bring about the dominion of the moral values of the Qur’an, using all the means at his disposal, and takes great enjoyment from doing so. The joy that comes from striving to earn Allah’s approval and laboring on His path is incomparably more valuable than any worldly blessing. In short, intellectually striving on Allah’s path is a delight and a blessing for the believer.