Surah 48. Al-Fath, Ayah 16

This is evidently a prophecy relating to the future wars against Byzantium and Persia.

Lit., "before", i.e., at the time of the expedition which resulted in the Truce of Hudaybiyyah.

 This refers to Hawâzin and Thaqîf, two pagan Arab tribes.

While they are reproached for their supineness in the march which led to Hudaibiya, where there was danger but no prospect of booty, they are promised, if they learn discipline, to be allowed to follow the Banner of Islam where (as happened later in the Persian and Byzantine Wars) there was real fighting with formidable and well-organised armies.

Cf. xxvii. 33.

There may be neither fighting nor booty. But all who obey the call to Jihad with perfect discipline will get the Rewards of the Hereafter. The blind, the maimed, and the infirm will of course be exempted from active compliance with the Call, but they can render such services as are within their power, and then they will not he excluded from the reward.