Bustan al-Huda (The Garden of Guidance).
Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:
"O you who believe!
“O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” (4:94)
investigate and ascertain the truth,
“O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” (4:94)
offering you peace,
'You are not a believer,'
seeking
the fleeting gains of the life of this world.
For with Allah are abundant spoils.
“O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” (4:94)
but Allah conferred His favor upon you.
So investigate and ascertain the truth;
indeed, Allah is ever Aware of what you do."
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
"O people!
Actions are judged only by intentions,
and every person will have only what they intended.
So whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger,
his emigration is for Allah and His Messenger;
and whoever emigrated for worldly gain
or to marry a woman,
his emigration is for whatever he emigrated for."
Agreed upon.
Benefit:
It is mentioned that this verse
was revealed concerning a man who was killed
by a military expedition sent by the Messenger of Allah,
peace be upon him,
after he had said,
"I am a Muslim,"
or after he bore witness to the testimony of truth,
or after he greeted them with the greeting of peace,
on account of some spoils of war he had with him
or other property belonging to him,
which they took from him.
And when news of that reached the Messenger of Allah,
peace be upon him,
he became intensely angry
and invoked against the killer.
Thus, since actions are judged by intentions,
and intentions are known to none but Allah,
we can judge people only by their outward actions,
while Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is the One who judges the hidden secrets.
Through this principle, many tribulations are averted.