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wa-lladhīna hājarū fī llāhi min baʿdi mā ẓulimū la-nubawwiʾannahum fī d-dunyā ḥasanatan wa-la-ʾajru l-ʾākhirati ʾakbaru law kānū yaʿlamūna
Those who migrate for the sake of Allah after they have been wronged, We will surely settle them in a good place in the world, and the reward of the Hereafter is surely greater, had they known
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah An-Nahl – Verse 41
41. “And those who migrated in Allah’s cause after they had been oppressed, undoubtedly We will give them a good abode in this world, and certainly the reward in the Hereafter is much greater, if they know (this);”
Occasion of Revelation
As for the occasion of the revelation of this verse and the following one, it is quoted that some groups of Muslims like ‘Bilal’, ‘‘Ammar’, ‘Sahib’ and ‘Khab ab’ fell under great pressure in Mecca after they embraced Islam, and after the migration of the Prophet (S), they went to Medina for the strengthening of Islam and for propagating their religion to others. Among them Sahib, who was an elderly man, proposed to the pagans of Mecca to confiscate all of his property in exchange for allowing him to go to Medina, to which they agreed.
The above verse was revealed which reiterated the victory for him and for the ones like him in this world and the next.
The Reward of the Emigrants
In pursuance of the previous verses, which dealt with those who rejected the resurrection as well as the obstinate pagans, this verse deals with the true Emigrants, so as to make the situation of the two groups clear as compared to each other. At first, He proclaims that those who went on exodus after being oppressed for the sake of Allah undoubtedly will be given a decent abode in this world, for they gave up everything they had with utmost sincerity for the propagation of Islam.
The verse says:
“And those who migrated in Allah’s cause after they had been oppressed, undoubtedly We will give them a good abode in this world…”
This reward is given to them for this world; and if they know, they shall have greater rewards for the world to come. The verse continues saying:
“…and certainly the reward in the Hereafter is much greater, if they know (this);”
At the end, migration, perseverance and trust are the codes of conduct for victory over the enemies, and one must rely on his own resistance, trust, and faith whenever confronting the oppressors and he should not rely on the powers and forces of external foreign sources. Hence, those who give up their belongings and homeland and go on exodus while preserving their own lives for the propagation of religion, will benefit most.