The Quran

100

Preface

وَالسّابِقونَ الأَوَّلونَ مِنَ المُهاجِرينَ وَالأَنصارِ وَالَّذينَ اتَّبَعوهُم بِإِحسانٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنهُم وَرَضوا عَنهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُم جَنّاتٍ تَجري تَحتَهَا الأَنهارُ خالِدينَ فيها أَبَدًا ۚ ذٰلِكَ الفَوزُ العَظيمُ

Yusuf Ali

The vanguard (of Islam)¹- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well- pleased is God with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow², to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity.

The vanguard of Islam?those in the first rank?are those who dare and suffer for the Cause and never flinch. The first historical examples are the Muhājirs and the Anṣār. The Muhājirs ?those who forsook their homes in Mecca and migrated to Medīna, the Holy Prophet being among the last to leave the post of danger, are mentioned first. Then come the Anṣār, the Helpers, the citizens of Medīna who invited them, welcomed them, and gave them aid, and who formed the pivot of the new Community. Then are mentioned all who follow them in good deeds: not only the early heroes and ordinary men and women who had been Companions of the Prophet or had seen him, but men and women in all ages who have lived noble lives. In spite of all their sacrifices and suffering they rejoice in the precious gift of the Good Pleasure of God, and their Salvation is the Supreme Felicity which such Good Pleasure gives, symbolised by the Gardens of Heaven.
Note the description of the final accomplishment of the destiny of man. In mathematical science it would be like a letter or formula which would sum up a long course of reasoning. In this very Sūra it occurs before in 9:72 and 9:89, where see n. 1341. (R).