The Situation of the True Believer and the Sick-Hearted when the Command for Jihad was revealed

Allah mentions that the believers were hoping that Jihad would be legislated. But when Allah ordained it, many of the people turned back, as Allah says,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّواْ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَقِيمُواْ الصَّلَوةَ وَءَاتُواْ الزَّكَوةَ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ يَخْشَوْنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً وَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيْنَا الْقِتَالَ لَوْلا أَخَّرْتَنَا إِلَى أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ قُلْ مَتَـعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَالاٌّخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقَى وَلاَ تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً

Have you not seen those who were told: "Restrain your hands (from fighting), establish the Salah, and give Zakah.''

But then when fighting was ordained for them, you find a party of them fearing the people as they fear Allah or more.

They said: "Our Lord! Why have You decreed fighting upon us If only You have postponed us for a short period.''

Say: "The enjoyment of this world is little. The Hereafter is far better for him who had Taqwa of (Allah), and you will not be dealt with unjustly, even as much as a thin thread (inside a date's pit).'' (4:77)

Similarly, Allah says here,

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ ...

Those who believe say: "Why is not a Surah sent down (for us)?''

means, a Surah containing an order to fight.

Then He says,

... فَإِذَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ نَظَرَ الْمَغْشِيِّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ ...

But now that a decisive Surah is sent down mentioning fighting, you can see those in whose hearts is disease looking at you with the look of one who is about to faint for fear of death.

meaning, due to their fear, terror, and cowardice concerning meeting the enemies.

Allah then encourages them by saying,

... فَأَوْلَى لَهُمْ ﴿٢٠﴾

طَاعَةٌ وَقَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ ...

But it was better for them, obedience and good words.

which means that it would have been better for them to listen and obey in that present situation.

... فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الْأَمْرُ ...

When the matter (of fighting) is resolved.

which means when the situation becomes serious and the time of fighting truly arrives.

... فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا اللَّهَ ...

if they had been true to Allah,

meaning, by making their intentions sincerely for Him.

... لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ ﴿٢١﴾

it would have been better for them.