The previous verses discuss the Battle of Tabuk, which was the first encounter between Muslims and the Romans. The Romans initiated hostilities by attacking the outskirts of Madinah Al-Munawwarah from the direction of Tabuk, aimed to reach Al-Madinah to destroy it. Thus, the Prophet (saws) set out on the Tabuk battle, just after returning from the Battle of Hunayn. So, the people were exhausted, additionally, it was during the intense heat of mid-summer, and this particular year was a year of hardship. However, the hypocrites began to dishearten the believers. As a matter of fact,  when Allah (swt) commands humans to do something, definitely it is for their own benefit. Allah (swt) does not burden individuals beyond their capacity, as stated in the Quran:

  لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا 

(Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear) (Al-Baqara: 286)

 

Here, Allah encourages the believers to join the Prophet (saws) in the battle to Tabuk:

(انفِرُوا خِفَافًا) (Go forth, whether light): “light” refers to those sound of health.

 (وَثِقَالًا) (or heavy): Refers to someone who is sick, or with slow movement, or even to someone who cannot move.

This is a general command for all believers to go forth in all situations in support of the Messenger of Allah (saws). After that, there is a specification that there is no hardship on the sick, the blind, or the lame.

(ذَٰلِكُمْ) (That is…): Refers to the mobilization and striving with the Messenger of Allah (saws) with wealth and lives.

(خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ) (better for you): It is better than staying behind and remaining in Madinah Al-Munawwarah without supporting the Prophet (saws). The Arabic word translated to ‘better’ can either be a comparative form, meaning ‘better than,’ or it can refer to absolute goodness. When there is something good and something better, the Arabic language uses this same expression.

(إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ) (if you only knew.): Meaning, despite that going to Tabuk with the Prophet (saws) involves hardship, difficulty, and fatigue, however, this is good for you if you just know. As if Allah (swt) is saying that, ‘your knowledge is limited to the apparent aspects of worldly life, and your consideration is limited according to what your human mind can comprehend.