How should we understand the statement that those who do not migrate will be thrown into Hell in verse 97 of the chapter of an-Nisa?

It is stated in verse 97 of the chapter of an-Nisa that those who do not migrate will be thrown into Hell. Will you explain it?

Dear Brother / Sister,

"When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: "In what (plight) Were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed Were we in the earth." They say: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (From evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell,- What an evil refuge!" (an-Nisa, 4/97)

When this verse was sent down and up to the conquest of Makkah, it was fard for the believers to migrate to Madinah. For, it was difficult for the believers to stick to their religion when the polytheists mocked them, caused doubts in them and oppressed them. On the other hand, it was important for the believers to live together, practice Islam and to be educated like Muslims. In addition, it was necessary for the Muslims to form a power by coming together, to defend their own rights and not to be left to the mercy of the unbelievers.  

The verse above was sent down about some people who became Muslims in Makkah and did not migrate when migration was rendered fard. So, it is a sin and oppression of one’s own soul, though not unbelief directly, not to migrate and to live in compliance with unbelievers when migration is wajib.  

According to the explanations of tafsir scholars, the verse above indicates that it is necessary for a person who cannot practice his religion in a place to migrate from that place. The following is stated in a sound hadith of the Prophet (pbuh):

"If a person escapes from a place for the sake of his religion, he deserves to enter Paradise even if the place he covered is a very small distance. He becomes a companion of his father Ibrahim and his prophet Muhammad." (Qurtubi, Tafsir, 4/347)

According to a narration, when this verse was sent down, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sent it to the Muslims in Makkah. Jundub b. Damra said to his sons, "Mount me on something. For, I am neither among the weak nor those who do not know the way. By Allah, I will not sleep in Makkah tonight." His sons placed him on a stretcher and carried him in order to take him to Madinah. He was a very old man and died on the way.

So, migration is a kind of jihad when it is necessary. To remain under the oppression of unbelievers and not to be able to serve Islam to spread it will bring about a bad transformation; it means oppressing one’s own soul not to avoid it though one has some power to do it. In the verse above, those who did not migrate to Madinah during the time of the Prophet and remained among the polytheists are described as “those who die in sin against their souls”. Some of them preferred their comfort, habits, families, wealth and other interests to their religion. Therefore, their excuse “we were people who lived under oppression in our land” was not accepted. They were threatened with a terrible ending, penalty in Hell.  

However, the excuses of the old men, weak men, women and children who really could not migrate were accepted by verse 98: 

"Except those who are (really) weak and oppressed - men, women, and children - who have no means in their power, nor (a guide-post) to their way."

The obligation to migrate during the time of the Prophet ended when Makkah was conquered. However, the verse indicates that in case of the existence of the circumstance of the period of Makkah, migration can be necessary again. However, men who are deprived of everything and cannot find any means to migrate, women and children are exempted. For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive: For Allah doth blot out (sins) and forgive again and again. (an-Nisa 98-99)

Only the weak and helpless men who cannot find anything to migrate with, who cannot migrate on their own or on a mount, women and children are exempt. For, it is hoped that Allah will probably forgive those helpless people. The risk of becoming unbelievers gradually is possible for them; therefore, it cannot be said that they will definitely be forgiven; children deserve to be forgiven since they are not held responsible yet and old people are excused if they maintain their belief in their hearts. "Allah is the Forgiver and Hider of faults."

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