(الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا…) (The ones who have believed, emigrated…): The early immigrants (muhajir) have the precedence, as they struggled and were the pioneers of Islam. They left their homes and wealth for the sake of Allah (swt), migrating from Mecca to the al-Medina with the Messenger of Allah (saws).

(…وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ…) (and striven in the cause of Allah): This refers to the battles of Badr, Uhud, and the Trench.

 (…بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ…)(with their wealth and their lives): Jihad is carried out with both one’s self and one’s wealth to prepare for the necessities of combat.

(…أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ اللَّهِ ۚ…) (are greater in rank in the sight of Allah.): Those are the individuals who have the preferred and foremost status.

(…وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ…) (And it is those who are the attainers [of success].): ‘Those’ refers to the believing immigrants and the fighters in the path of Allah (swt). To them belong success and prosperity with Allah (swt).