{ Oh you who have believed, what is with you all? Whenever it is said to you: “Mobilize in the cause of Allah”, you sink down to the ground; Are you pleased with the life of this world over the hereafter? But how little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the hereafter. If you do not mobilize, He will punish you painfully, that He might substitute other people, and you can not harm Him at all; Allah has power to do all things } Al-tawba 38-39

{ Oh you who have believed, what is with you all? } and the rest of the verse; in it is an urging from Allah the Exalted to the Messenger of Allah’s (SAW) Companions towards the attack on Tabuk. This is because the Messenger of Allah (SAW), when He returned from Ta’if, ordered jihad to make an attack on the Romans. This was during a time of hardship for people, and drought in the land, and intense heat; the date palms had become parched and the fruits were ripe, and it was distressing for people to attack the Romans, as they preferred the shade, remaining at home, and their earnings. Thus it was burdensome on them to set out to fight. So the Messenger of Allah (SAW) minimized it – He went out on an attack only by alluding to it and making a play on words, calling it something other than the attack on Tabuk, to put away the hardship and the large number of the enemy, so that people would get ready, then He ordered them to jihad and announced his intention. But when Allah became aware of people’s sluggishness, Allah Most High sent down: { Oh you who have believed, what is with you all? } … { Are you pleased with the life of this world over the hereafter? } : that is, are you all pleased with this world and its good feeling instead of the bliss of the hereafter and its reward? { But how little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the hereafter } . Then He threatened them against neglecting jihad.