Whoever Leaves Home Emigrating to Allah and His Messenger Then Death Overtakes Them — Emigration by Intention
tadabbur
Level: intermediate
hijrah
td-360
وَمَن يَخۡرُجۡ مِنۢ بَيۡتِهِۦ مُهَاجِرٗا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ
— النساء 100
Verse: "Whoever leaves his home emigrating to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him — his reward has already fallen upon Allah." (4:100) — "Has fallen upon Allah" = an obligatory debt, not a favor. Death during emigration does not nullify the reward. Context of revelation: Damra ibn al-Ayas was carried ill toward Madinah for hijrah and died en route — this verse was revealed. The principle: sincere intention paired with beginning action makes the full reward binding even if prevented from completion. Lesson: begin righteous deeds even in their first steps — Allah counts the translated intention.
Source: Ibn Kathir (2/332); Al-Sadi; Lubab al-Nuqul (Al-Suyuti)
Question: What does "his reward has fallen upon Allah" mean in the emigration context?
Answer: The reward is binding like a debt — not cancelled by death before completion when intention was sincere and action had begun.