JIHAD SECTION · 19 – Abrogation of a verse with a specific meaning related to mobilizing for war.
According to a narration from Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, he said:
Regarding the verse, “(If you do not go forth wholeheartedly [for jihad], then Allah will afflict you with a painful torment),” and the verses up to (verse) 120 and 121, which state, “Allah has forbidden the people of Medina and the bedouins around her from lagging behind the Messenger of Allah and not being eager to share in the hardships that He bore,” – regarding the word "ya'melun." Also, verse 122 of Surah At-Tawbah, which states, “It is not incumbent upon the believers to go forth [to war] all together,” abrogates these verses.
EXPLANATION:
Ibn ‘Abbas and others said that these two verses are muhkam (clear and unambiguous), and have not been abrogated. They say that sometimes everyone goes out to war, and at other times only a portion of them do.
Necdet ibn Nu’ayf relates: I asked Ibn ‘Abbas about the verse in Surah At-Tawbah, “[If you had not gone out in force, Allah would have afflicted you with a painful torment].” Ibn ‘Abbas said, “Rain was withheld from them, and the withholding of rain was their torment.”