Al-Ahzab 33:16

<div class="arabic uthmani">يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بُيُوتَنَا عَوْرَةٌ وَمَا هِىَ بِعَوْرَةٍ إِن يُرِيدُونَ إِلاَّ فِرَاراً</div><p>("Truly, our homes lie open." And they lay not open. They but wished to flee.) If the enemy had entered upon them from every side of Al-Madinah and from every direction, then demanded that they become disbelievers, they would have promptly done so. They would not have adhered to their faith or remained steadfast in it if they were faced with the slightest fear. This is how it was interpreted by Qatadah, `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd and Ibn Jarir. This is a condemnation of them in the clearest terms. Then Allah reminds them of the promise they had made to Him before this fear struck them, that they would not turn their backs or flee from the battlefield.</p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَكَانَ عَهْدُ اللَّهِ مَسْئُولاً</div><p>(and a covenant with Allah must be answered for.) means, Allah will inevitably ask them about that covenant. Then Allah tells them that fleeing from battle will not delay their appointed demise or make their lives any longer; on the contrary, it may be the cause of their being taken sooner, and in a sudden manner. Allah says:</p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَإِذاً لاَّ تُمَتَّعُونَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً</div><p>(and then you will …

Say: Flight will not avail you if ye flee from death or killing, and then ye dwell in comfort but a little while.

Say: "Running away will not profit you if ye are running away from death or slaughter; and even if (ye do escape), no more than a brief (respite) will ye be allowed to enjoy!"

Say (O Muhammad SAW to these hypocrites who ask your permission to run away from you): "Flight will not avail you if you flee from death or killing, and then you will enjoy no more than a little while!"

Say, “Flight will not benefit you, if you flee from death or killing, even then you will be given only brief enjoyment.”