9:118
(He turned in mercy also) to the three who were left behind; (they felt guilty) to such a degree that the earth seemed constrained to them, for all its spaciousness, and their (very)souls seemed straitened to them, – and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah (and no refuge) but to Himself. Then He turned to them, that they might repent for Allah is Oft- Returning, Most Merciful.
Ali explains that within the community of believers there were different levels of response to the challenges they faced. The majority remained steadfast and consistently fulfilled their duties, thereby attaining God’s approval and favor. Another group initially wavered due to weakness of resolve and fear of the difficulties before them, but through God’s grace they overcame their hesitation, fulfilled their responsibilities, and were ultimately forgiven when they repented (Ali, 1989).
Ali also refers to the historical example associated with the expedition of Tabūk. In this case, some individuals failed to respond to the Prophet’s call, not out of deliberate rebellion or hostility but because of human weakness, negligence, or lack of foresight. As a result, they were temporarily excluded from the communal life of the Muslim community and were required to account for their absence. The Qur’anic description portrays their emotional condition vividly: despite the vastness of the earth, they experienced a sense of constriction and distress within themselves. Although they possessed worldly comforts, they felt spiritually burdened and recognized that true refuge could only be found by returning to God. Their sincere repentance was demonstrated through their actions, and God ultimately accepted their repentance and extended His mercy to them. While the example refers specifically to individuals such as Kaʿb ibn Mālik, Murārah ibn al-Rabīʿ, and Hilāl ibn Umayyah, Ali emphasizes that the moral lesson of repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual return is universal and applicable across all times (Ali, 1989).
References:
Yusuf Ali, Abdullah. Translation and Commentary of the Quran. (surah 9 verse 118).