This verse was revealed regarding the merit of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), for he steadily devoted his life and wealth to the cause of Islam and jihad and stood as a complete paradigm of one who strives in the path of God.
Verse 95 of Surah an-Nisa
لَّا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْقَـٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُو۟لِى ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلْمُجَـٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَـٰهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ عَلَى ٱلْقَـٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةًۭ ۚ وَكُلًّۭا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلْقَـٰعِدِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا
Those believers who stay at home-except those with valid excuses-are not equal to those who strive in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives above those who stay behind ˹with valid excuses˺. Allah has promised each a fine reward, but those who strive will receive a far better reward than others-
On the day of Eid al-Ghadir, Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him), through al-Ghadir pilgrimage supplication, paid visitation to his noble forefather, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).
Verse 95 of Surah an-Nisa
In a passage of al-Ghadir pilgrimage supplication, it is stated:
“You are the one whose superiority the Quran declares. God, the Exalted, has said: Allah has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives above those who stay behind ˹with valid excuses˺. Allah has promised each a fine reward, but those who strive will receive a far better reward than others”
Verse 95 of Surah an-Nisa speaks of the difference between those who struggle in the path of God and those who do not, and it sets forth the features of the mujahidin. This verse is counted among the Alawi verses of the holy Quran that refer to the merits of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), as he is known as one of the most distinguished strivers in the cause of Islam.
Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him), narrating from his father Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him), in a tradition referring to this verse and to the striving of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), stated:
“When you intend to visit Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), stand at the threshold of the door of his noble dome and say… I bear witness that you are truly the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), regarding whose guardianship divine verses were revealed. You are the friend of God, the brother of His Messenger, and the supporter of the religion of God. You are the one whose virtues are proclaimed by the Quran, and God has said: ‘Allah has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives above those who stay behind ˹with valid excuses˺. Allah has promised each a fine reward, but those who strive will receive a far better reward than others.’”
