And why should you not spend in the cause of Allah, while Allah is the ˹sole˺ inheritor of the heavens and the earth? Those of you who donated and fought before the victory ˹over Mecca˺ are unparalleled. They are far greater in rank than those who donated and fought afterwards.4 Yet Allah has promised each a fine reward. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.
And what cause have you why you should not spend in the cause of Allah.- For to Allah belongs 5285 the heritage of the heavens and the earth. Not equal among you are those who spent (freely) and fought, before the Victory, 5286 (with those who did so later). Those are higher in rank than those who spent (freely) and fought afterwards. But to all has Allah promised a goodly (reward). And Allah is well acquainted with all that you do.
5285 To Allah belongs the heritage of. . . : see n. 485 to 3:180; also n. 988 to 6:165; and n. 1964 to 15:23 .
5286 This is usually understood to refer to the Conquest of Makkah, after which the Muslims succeeded to the power and position which the Pagan Quraysh had so misused at Makkah. Thereafter the Muslims had the hegemony of Arabia , and in a few centuries, for a time, the hegemony of the world. But the words are perfectly general, and we must understand the general meaning also: that the people who fight and struggle in Allah's Cause and give of their best to it at any time are worthy of praise: but those are worthy of special distinction who do it when the Cause is being persecuted and in most need of assistance, before victory comes.
And why should you not spend freely in the cause of God, seeing that God’s [alone] is the heritage of the heavens and the earth? 8 Not equal are those of you who spent and fought [in God’s cause] before the Victory 9 [and those who did not do so]: they are of a higher rank than those who would spend and fight [only] after it - although God has promised the ultimate good to all [who strive in His cause]. 10 and god is aware of that you do.
8 I.e., "that to God belongs all that is…", etc.: see note 5 above; also note 22 on 15:23.
9 I.e., before the conquest of Mecca in 8 H., when the Muslims were still weak and their future uncertain.
10 The above principle applies, of course, to the relative merits of believers of all times who strive in God’s cause before and/or after success has been achieved.
4 Prior to the victory over Mecca, Muslims were outnumbered and perceived as weak. Once Mecca surrendered to the Muslims, many tribes either accepted Islam or made peace agreements with the Muslim victors. Therefore, the believers who donated and strived at the time of hardship and weakness deserve more rewards than those who did so at the time of ease and prominence.