Believers, what is the matter with you that when you are asked to go forth in the cause of God, you cling slothfully to the land? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, compared to that of the Hereafter. 38 If you go not forth, He will chastise you with a painful chastisement, and instead of you He will substitute another people; and you will not hurt Him anything, for God is powerful over everything. 39 If ye succour him not, then surely Allah hath succoured him when these who disbelieved drave him, the second of the two, when the twain were in a cave, and when he said unto his companion: grieve not, verily Allah is with us. Then Allah sent down His calm upon him and aided him with hosts whom ye saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved nethermost, and the word of Allah! that is the uppermost. And Allah is Mighty, Wise. 40 March forth whether light or heavy, and strive in the way of Allah with your belongings and your lives. That is best for you if you only knew it. 41 Had it been a near gain (booty in front of them) and an easy journey, they would have followed you, but the distance (Tabuk expedition) was long for them, and they would swear by Allah, "If we only could, we would certainly have come forth with you." They destroy their ownselves, and Allah knows that they are liars. 42