EVERYTHING FOR THE SAKE OF GOD. (VERSE NO. 23)
Some of the believers had their fathers and near relatives among the idolaters in Mecca, and in the commercial firms some had shares there with the pagans. Even there were some believers whose spouses were unbelievers, and this matter could weaken their hearts, and tempt them to have some sort of joined venture with the pagans. So also some of the Emigrants had splendid houses in Mecca which were confiscated or unattended, which could be ruined.
The above verse refers to such matters, and wants the believers to separate their lines and accounts, from that of the pagans. Here the believers are strictly warned not to let their kith and kin, and hearth and homes, debar them from God's way and love.
In other word; if we prefer the love of our worldly ties, over the love of God; It is not God who may suffer. Even if all His creatures in the universe deny Him, no harm can be done to him. His purpose will be accomplished with or without us. So:
``If your fathers, sons, brothers, spouses, clans, trades, properties, and your homes are dearer to you than Allah, then wait and see when and how Allah brings his purpose to effect; meanwhile know you that Allah will not guide those people who debauch.''
We should keep in mind here that the above verse does not imply that we should not love our kith and kin, and observe not our bonds of relationship, or leave our homes, properties, commerces, and means of sustenance unattended, to prove that we are in love with our Lord. On contrary, God's Love is mingled with most of our living affairs. God or other than God? That is the question. When we reach a siding point. in our way to evolution, and we have only two options; either to leave God or to leave the others, of course God must be preferred over all.
The above verse applies to the past as well as to the present and future for all Muslims. Time and space will have no room to abrogate it and we should never think the instruction to be out of date.
