this bargain glad news for them

e path of God benefits enormously.

The Quran offers a beautiful perspective on martyrdom on the path of God. It considers martyrdom not just self-sacrifice but refers to it as a deal.

We read in Verse 111 of Surah At-Tawbah, “God has purchased the souls and property of the believers in exchange for Paradise. They fight for the cause of God to destroy His enemies and to sacrifice themselves. This is a true promise which He has revealed in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran. No one is more true to His promise than God. Let this bargain be glad news for them. This is indeed the supreme triumph.”

In this verse, God introduces Himself as the buyer and believers as sellers.  

In this deal, God purchases the souls and property of the believers in exchange for Paradise.

There are five main components to any trade: buyer, seller, commodity, price, and document.

In this verse, God points out all of these components: He calls Himself the buyer, believers the seller, their souls and possessions the commodity, and Paradise the price. Then God introduces a firm document saying, “This is a true promise which He has revealed in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran.”

God considers this bargain very profitable and thus congratulates the believers who enter into it: “Let this bargain be glad news for them.”

Of course, this covenant also carries a heavy responsibility. A believer who enters into this covenant must remain faithful to his vow and, without fearing the difficulties along the way, put his life on the path of God with courage and pure intention.

The Quran greatly praises those who make this pledge and remain committed to it: “Among the believers there are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah. Some have fulfilled their vow dying, and others await, unyielding to change.” (Verse 23 of Surah Al-Ahzab)