Repentance
At-Tawbah
التوبہ
LEARNING POINTS
This surah begins by canceling all the peace agreements broken by the idol-worshippers.
Muslims are asked to be fair with those who honoured their agreements.
Allah always supported and protected His Prophet, especially during his Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah and the Battle of Hunain.
Victory comes only from Allah.
Life is full of tests.
The faithful joined the Prophet when he marched for the Battle of Tabuk.
The hypocrites were exposed and criticized for making up excuses to avoid marching with the Muslim army.
It is haram to joke about Allah, His Prophet, or the Quran.
Allah is willing to forgive those who are honest and sincere.
Muslims should always be ready to protect their community.
It is important to gain more knowledge about Islam.
The Prophet came as a mercy to all of humanity.
BACKGROUND STORY
To really understand this surah, we need to know its historical background. As far as the new Muslim Community in Madinah was concerned, there were 4 main groups in and outside the city: 1. Muslims who had true faith in Allah and worked hard to build a strong community. 2. Hypocrites who accepted Islam publicly but worked secretly against the Muslims. 3. Non-Muslims (mostly idol-worshippers, Jews, and Christians) who honoured their agreements with the Prophet. 4. Non-Muslims who broke their agreements and were a threat to the Muslim community.
This surah talks about all these 4 groups. The faithful Muslims are promised great rewards for supporting Allah's cause. The hypocrites are criticized and warned repeatedly for their evil actions and attitudes.
As for the non-Muslims who honoured their agreements and didn't threaten the Muslim community in any way, the Prophet is ordered to honour his agreements with them. As for other non-Muslims who were a threat (by attacking Muslims, supporting others against them, breaking their agreements with them, or preventing them from inviting others to Islam), they are given 3 options (mentioned in an authentic hadith reported by Imam Muslim): accept Islam, pay the protection-tax (jizyah), or go to war. (Imam Ibn Al-Qayim in his book Ahkam Ahl Az-Zimmah 'Rulings Related to Protected Peoples'})
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, 'Why doesn't this surah start with the basmalah as all other surahs do?' It's true that this is the only surah in the Quran that does not begin with: 'In the Name of Allah-the Most Kind, Most Merciful.' The scholars mention different reasons for this:
1. Maybe because this surah and the previous one (Al-Anfal) are considered to be twin surahs that complete each other. So, there was no need to add the basmalah in between.
2. Or maybe because this surah begins by declaring war against the enemies who kept breaking their peace agreements with the Prophet. So, it was not suitable to mention Allah's kindness and mercy in the basmalah and then declare war in the same breath!
According to Imam Al-Qurtubi, the chosen opinion is that this is the way the surah was revealed to the Prophet and this is the way he ordered it to be written down, period!
RESPONSE TO BROKEN AGREEMENTS
1Allah and His Messenger have cancelled all the 'broken' agreements you 'believers' made with the idol-worshippers. 2So, you 'idol-worshippers' have four months to travel freely through the land. But keep in mind that you will have no escape from Allah and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers. 3An announcement from Allah and His Messenger will be made to all people on the greater day of hajj that Allah and His Messenger have no obligation towards the idol-worshippers. If you 'idol-worshippers' repent, it will be better for you. But if you refuse, then keep in mind that you will have no escape from Allah. And give good news 'O Prophet' to the disbelievers of a painful punishment. 4As for the idol-worshippers who have not broken their agreement with you in any way and have not supported an enemy against you, honour your agreement with them until it expires. Indeed, Allah loves those who are faithful. 5But once the holy months have passed, kill the idol-worshippers who broke their agreements wherever you find them, capture them, detain them, and ambush them on every road. But if they repent, pray salah, and pay zakah, then leave them alone. Surely, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 6And if any idol-worshipper asks for your protection 'O Prophet', give it to them so they can hear the Word of Allah, then take them to the place where they feel safe. This is because these people do not know 'the truth'.
بَرَآءَةٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ 1فَسِيحُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَرۡبَعَةَ أَشۡهُرٖ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّكُمۡ غَيۡرُ مُعۡجِزِي ٱللَّهِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡزِي ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 2وَأَذَٰنٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡحَجِّ ٱلۡأَكۡبَرِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَرِيٓءٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ وَرَسُولُهُۥۚ فَإِن تُبۡتُمۡ فَهُوَ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّكُمۡ غَيۡرُ مُعۡجِزِي ٱللَّهِۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ 3إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَنقُصُوكُمۡ شَيۡٔٗا وَلَمۡ يُظَٰهِرُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَحَدٗا فَأَتِمُّوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡ عَهۡدَهُمۡ إِلَىٰ مُدَّتِهِمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ 4فَإِذَا ٱنسَلَخَ ٱلۡأَشۡهُرُ ٱلۡحُرُمُ فَٱقۡتُلُواْ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ حَيۡثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمۡ وَخُذُوهُمۡ وَٱحۡصُرُوهُمۡ وَٱقۡعُدُواْ لَهُمۡ كُلَّ مَرۡصَدٖۚ فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَخَلُّواْ سَبِيلَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ 5وَإِنۡ أَحَدٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ٱسۡتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرۡهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسۡمَعَ كَلَٰمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبۡلِغۡهُ مَأۡمَنَهُۥۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَوۡمٞ لَّا يَعۡلَمُونَ6
Verse 3: 1 The 10th of Zul-Hijah, an imnportant day in hajj.
Verse 5: 2 Meaning inside or outside the Holy House in Makkah.
THOSE WHO BROKE PEACE AGREEMENTS
7How could Allah and His Messenger keep agreements with such dishonest idol-worshippers? As for those 'tribes' who have made an agreement with you near the Holy Mosque, as long as they stay true to you, be true to them. Surely Allah loves those who are faithful. 8Again, how? If such people had the upper hand over you, they would have no respect for family ties or peace agreements. They try to please you with their words, but their hearts are against you, and most of them are troublemakers. 9They chose a little gain over Allah's revelations, preventing 'others' from His Way. Evil indeed is what they did! 10They have no respect for family ties or peace agreements with the believers. They are truly out of control. 11But if they repent, pray salah, and pay zakah, then they become your fellow believers. This is how We make the revelations clear for people who know. 12But if they break their word after making an agreement and attack your faith, then fight the masterminds of disbelief—who never keep their word—so perhaps they will stop.
كَيۡفَ يَكُونُ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ عَهۡدٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَعِندَ رَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّمۡ عِندَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِۖ فَمَا ٱسۡتَقَٰمُواْ لَكُمۡ فَٱسۡتَقِيمُواْ لَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ 7كَيۡفَ وَإِن يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَا يَرۡقُبُواْ فِيكُمۡ إِلّٗا وَلَا ذِمَّةٗۚ يُرۡضُونَكُم بِأَفۡوَٰهِهِمۡ وَتَأۡبَىٰ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَأَكۡثَرُهُمۡ فَٰسِقُونَ 8ٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلٗا فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّهُمۡ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ 9لَا يَرۡقُبُونَ فِي مُؤۡمِنٍ إِلّٗا وَلَا ذِمَّةٗۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدُونَ 10فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَإِخۡوَٰنُكُمۡ فِي ٱلدِّينِۗ وَنُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡلَمُونَ 11وَإِن نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَٰنَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ عَهۡدِهِمۡ وَطَعَنُواْ فِي دِينِكُمۡ فَقَٰتِلُوٓاْ أَئِمَّةَ ٱلۡكُفۡرِ إِنَّهُمۡ لَآ أَيۡمَٰنَ لَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَنتَهُونَ12
ORDER TO FIGHT
13Will you not fight those who have broken their word, made plans to expel the Messenger from Makkah, and attacked you first? Do you fear them? Only Allah deserves your fear, if you are 'true' believers. 14Fight them and Allah will punish them by your hands, put them to shame, help you beat them, and heal the feelings of the believers— 15removing rage from their hearts. Later on, Allah will show mercy to whoever He wants. And Allah has perfect knowledge and wisdom. 16Do you 'Muslims' think that you will be left alone before Allah proves who among you 'truly' makes sacrifices in His cause without taking others as trusted partners instead of Allah, His Messenger, or the believers? And Allah is fully Aware of what you do.
أَلَا تُقَٰتِلُونَ قَوۡمٗا نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَٰنَهُمۡ وَهَمُّواْ بِإِخۡرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۚ أَتَخۡشَوۡنَهُمۡۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَوۡهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ 13قَٰتِلُوهُمۡ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَيُخۡزِهِمۡ وَيَنصُرۡكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَيَشۡفِ صُدُورَ قَوۡمٖ مُّؤۡمِنِينَ 14وَيُذۡهِبۡ غَيۡظَ قُلُوبِهِمۡۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ 15أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تُتۡرَكُواْ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا رَسُولِهِۦ وَلَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةٗۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ16
Verse 15: 3. By guiding many of the Makkan enemies to accept Islam.
TRUE KEEPERS OF THE KA'BAH
17It is not right for the idol-worshippers to be the keepers of Allah's places of worship, when they keep proving their own disbelief. Their deeds are worthless, and they will be in the Fire forever. 18The keepers of Allah's places of worship should only be those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, pray salah, pay zakah, and fear none but Allah. It is right to hope that they will be among the 'truly' guided. 19Do you 'idol-worshippers' consider providing water to those on hajj and taking care of the Holy Mosque as equal to believing in Allah and the Last Day and making sacrifices in Allah's cause? They are not equal to Allah. And Allah does not guide those doing wrong. 20Those who have believed, emigrated, and made sacrifices in Allah's cause with their wealth and their lives have the highest ranks with Allah. Such people are the true winners. 21Their Lord gives them good news of His mercy, pleasure, and Gardens with eternal enjoyment, 22to stay there for ever and ever. Surely with Allah is a great reward.
مَا كَانَ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ أَن يَعۡمُرُواْ مَسَٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلۡكُفۡرِۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَٰلُهُمۡ وَفِي ٱلنَّارِ هُمۡ خَٰلِدُونَ 17إِنَّمَا يَعۡمُرُ مَسَٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَلَمۡ يَخۡشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَۖ فَعَسَىٰٓ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَن يَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ 18أَجَعَلۡتُمۡ سِقَايَةَ ٱلۡحَآجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ كَمَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَجَٰهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ لَا يَسۡتَوُۥنَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 19ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَٰهَدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ أَعۡظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَآئِزُونَ 20يُبَشِّرُهُمۡ رَبُّهُم بِرَحۡمَةٖ مِّنۡهُ وَرِضۡوَٰنٖ وَجَنَّٰتٖ لَّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَعِيمٞ مُّقِيمٌ 21خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٞ22
WARNING TO THE BELIEVERS
23O believers! Do not take your parents and siblings as trusted partners if they choose disbelief over belief. And whoever of you does so will be the ones 'truly' doing wrong. 24Say, 'O Prophet,' 'If your parents, children, siblings, spouses, relatives, hard-earned wealth, good businesses at risk, and lovely homes are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and making sacrifices in His cause, then wait until Allah sends His punishment. Allah does not guide those out of control.'
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَتَّخِذُوٓاْ ءَابَآءَكُمۡ وَإِخۡوَٰنَكُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ إِنِ ٱسۡتَحَبُّواْ ٱلۡكُفۡرَ عَلَى ٱلۡإِيمَٰنِۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمۡ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ 23قُلۡ إِن كَانَ ءَابَآؤُكُمۡ وَأَبۡنَآؤُكُمۡ وَإِخۡوَٰنُكُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٰجُكُمۡ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمۡ وَأَمۡوَٰلٌ ٱقۡتَرَفۡتُمُوهَا وَتِجَٰرَةٞ تَخۡشَوۡنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَٰكِنُ تَرۡضَوۡنَهَآ أَحَبَّ إِلَيۡكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَجِهَادٖ فِي سَبِيلِهِۦ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَأۡتِيَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمۡرِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡفَٰسِقِينَ24
Verse 23: Brothers and sisters.
Verse 24: S. Husbands or wives.
BACKGROUND STORY
Following the victory over Makkah, most of Arabia accepted Islam and made peace, but the tribes of Hawazín and Thagif planned to attack the Muslims.
In response, the Prophet (peace be upon him) led the largest Muslim army ever assembled at that time, consisting of 12,000 soldiers, to fight them.
Some Muslims, overconfident in their large numbers, boasted that their army was unbeatable.
However, during the battle, the Muslim army was ambushed. Most of the soldiers fled, leaving only the Prophet and a few faithful companions to stand their ground.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) remained firm and motivated the believers to return and fight. Eventually, the army regrouped and achieved victory at Hunain. (Reported by Imam Ibn Kathir and Imam Al-Qurtubi)
VICTORY IS FROM ALLAH ALONE
25Indeed, Allah has given you 'believers' victory in many battlefields, even at the Battle of Hunain when you were proud of your big numbers—but those numbers did not help you at all. You felt the huge earth shrinking in front of you, so you turned back and ran away. 26Then Allah sent down His calm upon His Messenger and the believers, and sent down forces you could not see, and punished those who disbelieved. This is how the disbelievers are paid back. 27Later on, Allah will show mercy to whoever He wants. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
لَقَدۡ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِي مَوَاطِنَ كَثِيرَةٖ وَيَوۡمَ حُنَيۡنٍ إِذۡ أَعۡجَبَتۡكُمۡ كَثۡرَتُكُمۡ فَلَمۡ تُغۡنِ عَنكُمۡ شَيۡٔٗا وَضَاقَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتۡ ثُمَّ وَلَّيۡتُم مُّدۡبِرِينَ 25ثُمَّ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَأَنزَلَ جُنُودٗا لَّمۡ تَرَوۡهَا وَعَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 26ثُمَّ يَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ27
Verse 26: 6. Meaning angels.
Verse 27: 7 Almost all of Arabia became Muslim before the death of Prophet Muhammad &
WORDS OF WISDOM
The jizyah (protection tax) was a practice that existed even before the time of the Prophet Muhammad. According to the Bible, Jesus allowed his followers to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor.
Under Islamic rule, all citizens had financial duties: Muslims paid zakah (2.5% of their savings), and non-Muslims paid jizyah.
The jizyah was a small annual amount, averaging one dinar (4.25 grams of gold).
Many non-Muslims were exempt from paying jizyah, including women, children, the elderly, the poor, the unable to work, and those who dedicated their lives to worship in temples. Those who joined the Muslim army were also exempt.
Poor non-Muslims received financial support from the Muslim state. Furthermore, if a Muslim ruler was unable to protect the non-Muslims under their care, the jizyah was refunded to them.
STANDING UP FOR THE TRUTH
28O believers! Indeed, the idol-worshippers are 'spiritually' impure, so they should not come near the Holy Mosque after this year. If you fear poverty, Allah will provide for you from His blessings, if He wants. Surely, Allah has perfect knowledge and wisdom. 29Fight those among the People of the Book who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, do not abandon what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and do not follow the religion of truth, until they hand over the protection-tax, fully humbled.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُشۡرِكُونَ نَجَسٞ فَلَا يَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ بَعۡدَ عَامِهِمۡ هَٰذَاۚ وَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ عَيۡلَةٗ فَسَوۡفَ يُغۡنِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦٓ إِن شَآءَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيم 28قَٰتِلُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَلَا بِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَلَا يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَلَا يَدِينُونَ دِينَ ٱلۡحَقِّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ حَتَّىٰ يُعۡطُواْ ٱلۡجِزۡيَةَ عَن يَدٖ وَهُمۡ صَٰغِرُونَ29
Verse 28: Because of their belief in false gods.
Verse 29: 9 ne year of the Prophet's Hijrah from Makkah to Madi-nah.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Verse 31 states that Jews and Christians have taken their religious leaders as lords.
A man named 'Adi ibn Hatim, who was a Christian before accepting Islam, expressed his confusion to the Prophet, saying, 'But they don't worship their religious leaders!'
The Prophet replied by asking, 'Don't they obey those leaders when they permit what is forbidden and forbid what is allowed?'
'Adi confirmed, 'Yes, they do.'
The Prophet then explained, 'That is how they worship them.' (Recorded by Imam At-Tirmizi)
SIDE STORY
The story of Salman Al-Farisi's conversion to Islam is a remarkable one, as reported by Imam Ahmad.
Salman, who was from Persia, was initially a fire-worshipper and his father was the keeper of their 'holy fire.' He later became a Christian and served a religious leader in Syria.
Salman discovered that this leader was dishonest, secretly hoarding the church's gold and silver donations instead of giving them to the poor. When the leader died, Salman exposed his treachery to the people, who, in their anger, refused to bury the body.
After serving other good religious leaders, Salman was told about Prophet Muhammad. On his journey to Arabia, he was captured and sold as a slave in Madinah.
When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, Salman accepted Islam and, with the help of the Muslim community, he was able to buy his freedom.
Verses 34-35 of the Qur'an strongly condemn dishonest religious leaders who steal donations. These verses warn that on Judgment Day, the treasures they hoarded will be used to punish them in Hell.
UNFAITHFUL PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
30The Jews say, 'Uzair is the son of Allah,' while the Christians say, 'The Messiah is the son of Allah.' Those are their baseless 'claims, only copying the words of earlier disbelievers. May Allah doom them! How can they be deceived 'from the truth?' 31They have taken their scholars and monks as well as the Messiah, son of Maryam, as lords besides Allah, even though they were commanded to worship none but One God. There is no god 'that deserves worship' except Him. Glory be to Him, far above whatever 'false gods' they make equal to Him. 32They wish to put out Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will 'only continue to' perfect His light—no matter how much the disbelievers are against it. 33He is the One Who has sent His Messenger with 'true' guidance and the religion of truth, making it rise above all others—no matter how much the idol-worshippers are against it. 34O believers! Indeed, many 'Jewish' scholars and 'Christian' monks take people's wealth illegally and prevent 'others' from the Way of Allah. Give good news of a painful punishment to those who treasure gold and silver, failing to spend it in Allah's cause. 35One day, their treasure will be heated up in the Fire of Hell, and their foreheads, sides, and backs burned with it. 'They will be told,' 'This is the treasure you stored for yourselves. Now taste the pain of what you stored!'
وَقَالَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ عُزَيۡرٌ ٱبۡنُ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَٰرَى ٱلۡمَسِيحُ ٱبۡنُ ٱللَّهِۖ ذَٰلِكَ قَوۡلُهُم بِأَفۡوَٰهِهِمۡۖ يُضَٰهُِٔونَ قَوۡلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَبۡلُۚ قَٰتَلَهُمُ ٱللَّهُۖ أَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ 30ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ أَحۡبَارَهُمۡ وَرُهۡبَٰنَهُمۡ أَرۡبَابٗا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡمَسِيحَ ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَٰهٗا وَٰحِدٗاۖ لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۚ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ 31يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطۡفُِٔواْ نُورَ ٱللَّهِ بِأَفۡوَٰهِهِمۡ وَيَأۡبَى ٱللَّهُ إِلَّآ أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُۥ وَلَوۡ كَرِهَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ 32هُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَرۡسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلۡحَقِّ لِيُظۡهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوۡ كَرِهَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكُونَ 33۞ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡأَحۡبَارِ وَٱلرُّهۡبَانِ لَيَأۡكُلُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡبَٰطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡنِزُونَ ٱلذَّهَبَ وَٱلۡفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَبَشِّرۡهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٖ 34يَوۡمَ يُحۡمَىٰ عَلَيۡهَا فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكۡوَىٰ بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمۡ وَجُنُوبُهُمۡ وَظُهُورُهُمۡۖ هَٰذَا مَا كَنَزۡتُمۡ لِأَنفُسِكُمۡ فَذُوقُواْ مَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡنِزُونَ35
Verse 30: 10, 'Uzair was a faithful man from the Children of Isra'il. Accord- ing to Imam Ibn Ashur, some Jews called 'Uzair the son of God' because of his impressive knowledge of the Tawrah.
Verse 31: 11. Christians fully dedicated to worship.
BACKGROUND STORY
The holy months in the Islamic calendar are the 11th (Dhul-Qadah), 12th (Dhul-Hijjah), 1st (Muharram), and 7th (Rajab) months.
The idol-worshippers knew that fighting was prohibited during these holy months, but they would switch the prohibition to other months.
They would allow fighting in the actual holy months and, to maintain the total of four prohibited months, they would arbitrarily ban fighting in four different months (e.g., the 3rd, 4th, 8th, and 10th).
This practice of changing the sacred months was a form of deception and manipulation. (Recorded by Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Baghawi)
HONOURING THE HOLY MONTHS
36Indeed, since the Day Allah created the heavens and the earth, He has set the number of months in His Record at twelve, of which four are holy. That is the right way. So do not wrong each other during these months. And fight the idol-worshippers together as they fight together against you. And know that Allah is with the faithful. 37Moving these holy months around is an increase in disbelief, by which the disbelievers are misguided. They do this one year but not the other—just to match the total number of months made holy by Allah—so they allow what Allah has forbidden. Their evil practices have been made to look good to them. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَهۡرٗا فِي كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡهَآ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُۚ فَلَا تَظۡلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ وَقَٰتِلُواْ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ كَآفَّةٗ كَمَا يُقَٰتِلُونَكُمۡ كَآفَّةٗۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ 36إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّسِيٓءُ زِيَادَةٞ فِي ٱلۡكُفۡرِۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يُحِلُّونَهُۥ عَامٗا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُۥ عَامٗا لِّيُوَاطُِٔواْ عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّواْ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمۡ سُوٓءُ أَعۡمَٰلِهِمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ37
Verse 36: 12. The Preserved Tablet in which everything is written.
Verse 37: 13. Meaning fighting in the holy months.
BACKGROUND STORY
The unity of Arabia under Islam threatened the Roman and Persian empires, as many non-Muslim tribes began to shift their loyalty to the Muslim community.
According to Imam Ibn Kathir, the Prophet received news that Roman troops were preparing to attack the Muslims. In the 9th year after Hijrah, the Prophet announced a campaign to Tabuk (over 700 km north of Madinah) to confront them.
This campaign was extremely difficult due to the severe heat, long distance, and the financial hardship of the Muslims. Despite this, the Prophet called for support, and faithful Muslims donated what they could, while the hypocrites did not.
Although the Prophet managed to gather over 30,000 soldiers, many others failed to join the army, with or without valid excuses.
During the journey, the Prophet performed many miracles, such as multiplying food and water, praying for rain, and warning of a coming storm. On the way back, Allah saved him from an assassination attempt by some hypocrites. (Recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim)
The Roman army, remembering their difficulty with the 3,000-strong Muslim army at the Battle of Mu'tah a year earlier, fled from Tabuk to other Roman-controlled lands like Syria.
The Muslim army stayed at Tabuk for several days to demonstrate their courage. During this time, several Christian Arab tribes came to pay jizyah to the Muslims.
This campaign severely damaged the reputation of the Roman army and paved the way for Muslims to later conquer Roman-held territories like Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt.
The following verses were revealed to criticize those who failed to join the Prophet on the campaign to Tabuk.
REFUSING TO FIGHT FOR THE TRUTH
38O believers! What is the matter with you that when you are asked to march in the cause of Allah, you become glued to 'your' land? Do you prefer this life over the Next? The enjoyment of this life is almost nothing compared to the Next Life. 39If you do not march, He will hit you with a painful punishment and replace you with others. You are not harming Him in any way. And Allah has power over all things. 40Even if you 'believers' do not support the Prophet, Allah has already supported him—when the disbelievers drove him out 'of Makkah' and he was just one of two. He then said to his companion, while they both were in the cave, 'Do not worry; Allah is truly on our side.' So Allah sent down His calm upon him, supported him with forces you 'believers' did not see, and made the word of the disbelievers the lowest, while the Word of Allah is supreme. And Allah is Almighty and Wise. 41March 'O believers' whether it is easy or difficult for you, and make sacrifices with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is best for you, if you only knew.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَا لَكُمۡ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱنفِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱثَّاقَلۡتُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ أَرَضِيتُم بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مِنَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ فَمَا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ 38إِلَّا تَنفِرُواْ يُعَذِّبۡكُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلِيمٗا وَيَسۡتَبۡدِلۡ قَوۡمًا غَيۡرَكُمۡ وَلَا تَضُرُّوهُ شَيۡٔٗاۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٌ 39إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدۡ نَصَرَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِذۡ أَخۡرَجَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ثَانِيَ ٱثۡنَيۡنِ إِذۡ هُمَا فِي ٱلۡغَارِ إِذۡ يَقُولُ لِصَٰحِبِهِۦ لَا تَحۡزَنۡ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَنَاۖ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُۥ عَلَيۡهِ وَأَيَّدَهُۥ بِجُنُودٖ لَّمۡ تَرَوۡهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱلسُّفۡلَىٰۗ وَكَلِمَةُ ٱللَّهِ هِيَ ٱلۡعُلۡيَاۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ 40ٱنفِرُواْ خِفَافٗا وَثِقَالٗا وَجَٰهِدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡ وَأَنفُسِكُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ41
Verse 40: 15. Abu Bakr Aş-Şiddiq , who joined the Prophet during his hijrah from Makkah to Madinah after years of abuse in Mak- kah.
HYPOCRITES' FALSE EXCUSES
42If the gain had been easy and the journey shorter, those 'hypocrites' would have followed you, but the distance seemed too long for them. They will swear by Allah, 'If we had been able, we would have definitely joined you.' They are ruining themselves. And Allah knows that they are certainly lying. 43Allah has already excused you 'O Prophet!' But why did you give them permission 'to stay home' before you found out who was telling the truth and who was lying? 44Those who have faith in Allah and the Last Day would never give you excuses to avoid making sacrifices with their wealth and their lives. And Allah perfectly knows those who are faithful. 45No one would do that except those with no faith in Allah or the Last Day, and whose hearts are in doubt, so they are torn by their doubts. 46If they 'really' intended to march, they would have made preparations for it. But Allah hated for them to go along, so He let them lag behind, and they were told, 'Stay with 'those helpless' who remain behind.' 47If they had gone out with you 'believers', they would have just been a headache for you. They would have run around, trying to cause conflict between you. And some of you would have listened to them. Allah has 'perfect' knowledge of those doing wrong. 48They had already tried to cause conflict before, and made every possible plan against you 'O Prophet', until the truth won the day and Allah's will rose above all—even though they were totally against it.
لَوۡ كَانَ عَرَضٗا قَرِيبٗا وَسَفَرٗا قَاصِدٗا لَّٱتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَٰكِنۢ بَعُدَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلشُّقَّةُۚ وَسَيَحۡلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَوِ ٱسۡتَطَعۡنَا لَخَرَجۡنَا مَعَكُمۡ يُهۡلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ إِنَّهُمۡ لَكَٰذِبُونَ 42عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنكَ لِمَ أَذِنتَ لَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ وَتَعۡلَمَ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ 43لَا يَسۡتَٔۡذِنُكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ أَن يُجَٰهِدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ 44إِنَّمَا يَسۡتَٔۡذِنُكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَٱرۡتَابَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ فَهُمۡ فِي رَيۡبِهِمۡ يَتَرَدَّدُونَ 45۞ وَلَوۡ أَرَادُواْ ٱلۡخُرُوجَ لَأَعَدُّواْ لَهُۥ عُدَّةٗ وَلَٰكِن كَرِهَ ٱللَّهُ ٱنۢبِعَاثَهُمۡ فَثَبَّطَهُمۡ وَقِيلَ ٱقۡعُدُواْ مَعَ ٱلۡقَٰعِدِينَ 46لَوۡ خَرَجُواْ فِيكُم مَّا زَادُوكُمۡ إِلَّا خَبَالٗا وَلَأَوۡضَعُواْ خِلَٰلَكُمۡ يَبۡغُونَكُمُ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةَ وَفِيكُمۡ سَمَّٰعُونَ لَهُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 47لَقَدِ ٱبۡتَغَوُاْ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةَ مِن قَبۡلُ وَقَلَّبُواْ لَكَ ٱلۡأُمُورَ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَظَهَرَ أَمۡرُ ٱللَّهِ وَهُمۡ كَٰرِهُونَ48
Verse 48: 16. For example, 'Abdullah ibn Salul, a chief hypocrite, marched with the Prophet for the Battle of Uhud, then refused to join the fight and returned to Madinah with his followers, who made up around one-third of the Muslim army.
MORE FALSE EXCUSES
49There are some of them who say 'to the Prophet,' 'Allow me to stay, and don't tempt me.' They have already fallen into temptation. And Jahannam will completely surround the unfaithful. 50If something good happens to you 'O Prophet,' it makes them mad. But if something bad happens to you, they brag, 'Good thing we stayed out of harm's way,' and they turn away very happily. 51Say, 'Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has written for us. He is our Guardian.' So in Allah let the believers put their trust. 52Say, 'Are you expecting anything for us other than one of the two best things? But we are expecting Allah to hit you with a punishment from Him or by our hands. So wait and see! We too are waiting with you.' 53Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Donate all you want, willingly or unwillingly. Nothing will be accepted from you, because you have been out of control.' 54What prevents their donations from being accepted is that they have lost faith in Allah and His Messenger, they never come to salah except lazily, and they never donate unless they have to. 55So do not be impressed by their wealth or children 'O Prophet'. Allah only wants them to suffer through these things in this life, then their souls will be taken while they are unfaithful. 56They swear by Allah that they are part of you, but they are not. They only say this out of fear. If they could just find a shelter, a cave, or any hole, they would rush straight into it.
وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَقُولُ ٱئۡذَن لِّي وَلَا تَفۡتِنِّيٓۚ أَلَا فِي ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ سَقَطُواْۗ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةُۢ بِٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 49إِن تُصِبۡكَ حَسَنَةٞ تَسُؤۡهُمۡۖ وَإِن تُصِبۡكَ مُصِيبَةٞ يَقُولُواْ قَدۡ أَخَذۡنَآ أَمۡرَنَا مِن قَبۡلُ وَيَتَوَلَّواْ وَّهُمۡ فَرِحُونَ 50قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوۡلَىٰنَاۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ 51قُلۡ هَلۡ تَرَبَّصُونَ بِنَآ إِلَّآ إِحۡدَى ٱلۡحُسۡنَيَيۡنِۖ وَنَحۡنُ نَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمۡ أَن يُصِيبَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِعَذَابٖ مِّنۡ عِندِهِۦٓ أَوۡ بِأَيۡدِينَاۖ فَتَرَبَّصُوٓاْ إِنَّا مَعَكُم مُّتَرَبِّصُونَ 52قُلۡ أَنفِقُواْ طَوۡعًا أَوۡ كَرۡهٗا لَّن يُتَقَبَّلَ مِنكُمۡ إِنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ قَوۡمٗا فَٰسِقِينَ 53وَمَا مَنَعَهُمۡ أَن تُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُمۡ نَفَقَٰتُهُمۡ إِلَّآ أَنَّهُمۡ كَفَرُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِۦ وَلَا يَأۡتُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ إِلَّا وَهُمۡ كُسَالَىٰ وَلَا يُنفِقُونَ إِلَّا وَهُمۡ كَٰرِهُونَ 54فَلَا تُعۡجِبۡكَ أَمۡوَٰلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُهُمۡۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَتَزۡهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمۡ وَهُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ 55وَيَحۡلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّهُمۡ لَمِنكُمۡ وَمَا هُم مِّنكُمۡ وَلَٰكِنَّهُمۡ قَوۡمٞ يَفۡرَقُونَ56
Verse 49: 17. According to ibn Kathir, one hypocrite (named Jadd ibn Qais) asked for permission to stay back, because be wouldnt be able to control himself if he saw Roman women
Verse 52: 18. Either victory or dying in the cause of Allah.
GREEDY HYPOCRITES
58There are also some of them who criticize your way of distributing zakah 'O Prophet'. If they get some of it, they are glad. But if they don't, they are mad! 59If only they had been satisfied with what Allah and His Messenger had given them and said, 'Allah is enough for us! Soon Allah, as well as His Messenger, will give us from His blessings. We turn to Allah with hope.' 60Zakah is only for the poor, the needy, those who collect and distribute it, for winning hearts to the faith, freeing slaves, helping those in debt, supporting Allah's cause, and for 'needy' travellers. 'This is' an obligation from Allah. And Allah has perfect knowledge and wisdom.
وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَلۡمِزُكَ فِي ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ فَإِنۡ أُعۡطُواْ مِنۡهَا رَضُواْ وَإِن لَّمۡ يُعۡطَوۡاْ مِنۡهَآ إِذَا هُمۡ يَسۡخَطُونَ 58وَلَوۡ أَنَّهُمۡ رَضُواْ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَقَالُواْ حَسۡبُنَا ٱللَّهُ سَيُؤۡتِينَا ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ رَٰغِبُونَ 59۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلۡعَٰمِلِينَ عَلَيۡهَا وَٱلۡمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلۡغَٰرِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۖ فَرِيضَةٗ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيم60
Verse 60: 19. To support new Muslims and those interested in the faith.
HYPOCRITES MOCK THE PROPHET
61There are also some of them who hurt the Prophet by saying, 'He listens to anybody.' Say, 'O Prophet,' 'He listens to what is best for you. He believes in Allah, has faith in the believers, and is a mercy for those of you who believe.' Those who hurt Allah's Messenger will suffer a painful punishment. 62Still, they swear by Allah to you 'believers' just to please you. But if they were true believers, they would have cared more about pleasing Allah and His Messenger. 63Do they not know that whoever challenges Allah and His Messenger will be in the Fire of Hell forever? That is the biggest disgrace. 64The hypocrites are worried that a surah will be revealed about them, showing them what is really in their hearts. Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Keep mocking! Allah is going to expose what you are worried about.' 65If you question them, they will certainly argue, 'We were just chit-chatting and joking around.' Say, 'What! How can you make fun of Allah, His revelations, and His Messenger?' 66Make no excuses! You have lost faith after your belief. If We excuse some of you, We will punish others for their wickedness.
وَمِنۡهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡذُونَ ٱلنَّبِيَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٞۚ قُلۡ أُذُنُ خَيۡرٖ لَّكُمۡ يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَيُؤۡمِنُ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَرَحۡمَةٞ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمۡۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡذُونَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيم 61يَحۡلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَكُمۡ لِيُرۡضُوكُمۡ وَٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرۡضُوهُ إِن كَانُواْ مُؤۡمِنِينَ 62أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّهُۥ مَن يُحَادِدِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَأَنَّ لَهُۥ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدٗا فِيهَاۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡخِزۡيُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ 63يَحۡذَرُ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقُونَ أَن تُنَزَّلَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُورَةٞ تُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡۚ قُلِ ٱسۡتَهۡزِءُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡرِجٞ مَّا تَحۡذَرُونَ 64وَلَئِن سَأَلۡتَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَنَلۡعَبُۚ قُلۡ أَبِٱللَّهِ وَءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَرَسُولِهِۦ كُنتُمۡ تَسۡتَهۡزِءُونَ 65لَا تَعۡتَذِرُواْ قَدۡ كَفَرۡتُم بَعۡدَ إِيمَٰنِكُمۡۚ إِن نَّعۡفُ عَن طَآئِفَةٖ مِّنكُمۡ نُعَذِّبۡ طَآئِفَةَۢ بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ مُجۡرِمِينَ66
Verse 66: 20. Meaning those who will epent.
WORDS OF WISDOM
In the Quran, expressions like 'Allah forgot them' (9:67) should be understood in a way that befits Allah's majesty, as Allah does not forget (19:64, 20:52). It means that since the hypocrites ignored their duties to Allah, He will ignore them in Hell.
Similarly, when the Quran says, 'Those disbelievers made evil plans, and Allah too made plans' (3:54), it doesn't mean Allah made evil plans. It means He caused their evil plans to backfire against them.
When Allah asks believers to give Him a 'good loan,' it does not imply that He is in need. Instead, it promises that those who donate for His cause will receive great blessings in this life and immense rewards in the Hereafter.
In a Qudsi hadith, Allah says, 'I was sick, but you never visited Me! ... I asked you for something to eat, but you did not give Me anything! ... I asked you for something to drink, but you did not give Me anything!' (Recorded by Imam Muslim). This should be understood metaphorically: Allah is not sick, hungry, or thirsty. It means that a fellow Muslim was in need, and by helping them, one would have found their reward with Allah.
Another Qudsi hadith states, 'If I love My servant, I become their hearing with which they hear, their sight with which they see, their hands with which they hold, and their legs with which they walk' (Recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari). This does not mean Allah literally becomes these body parts. It signifies that Allah guides these organs to do what is righteous and correct.
PUNISHMENT OF THE HYPOCRITES
67Hypocrite men and women are all the same: they encourage what is evil, forbid what is good, and hold back 'what is in' their hands. They ignored Allah, so He ignored them. The hypocrites are 'truly' out of control. 68Allah has promised hypocrite men and women as well as the disbelievers an eternal stay in the Fire of Hell—it is enough for them. They are doomed by Allah, and they will suffer a never-ending punishment. 69'You hypocrites are' just like those 'disbelievers' before you. They were much stronger and had more wealth and children. They enjoyed their share in this life. You too have enjoyed your share, just as they did. And you had evil talks, just as they did. The deeds of such people are worthless in this world and the Next. And they are the 'true' losers. 70Have they not received the stories of those 'destroyed' before them: the people of Nuh, Ad, and Thamud, the people of Ibrahim, the people of Madian, and the cities of Lut 'turned upside down'? Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. Allah would never have wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves.
ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقُونَ وَٱلۡمُنَٰفِقَٰتُ بَعۡضُهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡضٖۚ يَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَقۡبِضُونَ أَيۡدِيَهُمۡۚ نَسُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَٰسِقُونَ 67وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱلۡمُنَٰفِقَٰتِ وَٱلۡكُفَّارَ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَاۚ هِيَ حَسۡبُهُمۡۚ وَلَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٞ مُّقِيمٞ 68كَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ كَانُوٓاْ أَشَدَّ مِنكُمۡ قُوَّةٗ وَأَكۡثَرَ أَمۡوَٰلٗا وَأَوۡلَٰدٗا فَٱسۡتَمۡتَعُواْ بِخَلَٰقِهِمۡ فَٱسۡتَمۡتَعۡتُم بِخَلَٰقِكُمۡ كَمَا ٱسۡتَمۡتَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُم بِخَلَٰقِهِمۡ وَخُضۡتُمۡ كَٱلَّذِي خَاضُوٓاْۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَٰلُهُمۡ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَٰسِرُونَ 69أَلَمۡ يَأۡتِهِمۡ نَبَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ قَوۡمِ نُوحٖ وَعَادٖ وَثَمُودَ وَقَوۡمِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَأَصۡحَٰبِ مَدۡيَنَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡتَفِكَٰتِۚ أَتَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِۖ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظۡلِمَهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ70
SIDE STORY
Hamzah, after the death of a friend, decided to become more serious about his faith and attended his first Friday prayer in years. As he sat in the middle of the mosque, his phone rang loudly during the sermon.
The imam, instead of continuing his sermon on Ramadan, changed the topic to criticize careless 'part-time' Muslims who disturb others' peace. Hamzah felt deeply embarrassed as everyone stared at him, and he was the first to leave after the prayer to avoid confrontation.
Feeling unwelcome, Hamzah went to a café with friends. There, he accidentally dropped a glass of juice, which splashed on others. He expected to be insulted but was instead met with kindness; a person checked if he was okay, and the staff were gentle and friendly. He felt sad that the people at the café were more welcoming than those at the mosque.
A couple of years later, a colleague invited him to a different mosque. Initially hesitant, Hamzah agreed to go and found the imam to be wise and kind, making everyone feel at home. Since that day, Hamzah has regularly attended that mosque.
WORDS OF WISDOM
This Surah, like Surah 3, emphasizes the Islamic principle of 'enjoining good and forbidding evil' ($$slg gl\ic$$). This means it is our duty to guide people toward what is right and away from what is wrong.
However, most people don't like being corrected, especially if it's done harshly. Public humiliation or criticism can push someone further away from Islam.
Therefore, we should correct others with kindness and wisdom.
When people sincerely seek Allah's mercy, we should not turn them away.
SIDE STORY
A young Muslim, Khawwat ibn Jubair, was once found by the Prophet chatting with some women, which was not considered appropriate.
Feeling shocked and flustered, Khawwat quickly made up an excuse, telling the Prophet that he was asking the women to make a leash for his runaway camel.
After that incident, every time the Prophet saw him, he would jokingly ask, 'What happened to your wild camel?' Khawwat was always at a loss for an answer.
One day, while Khawwat was praying, the Prophet sat beside him. Khawwat, hoping the Prophet would leave, tried to prolong his prayer. However, the Prophet said to him quietly, 'I'm waiting for you, so pray as much as you want!'
After Khawwat finished his prayer, the Prophet once again asked about the camel. Having learned his lesson, Khawwat responded with good news: 'Al-hamdu-lillah! My camel has truly accepted Islam, so it's not running away anymore.'
The Prophet was pleased with his response and prayed for him. (Reported by Imam At-Tabarani)
REWARD OF THE FAITHFUL
71Believing men and women are there to support each other. They encourage what is good and forbid what is evil, pray salah, pay zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. They will be shown Allah's mercy. Surely Allah is Almighty and Wise. 72Allah has promised believing men and women Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever, and perfect homes in the Gardens of Eternity, and—above all—Allah's pleasure. This is 'truly' the biggest success.
وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءُ بَعۡضٖۚ يَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤۡتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ سَيَرۡحَمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيم 71وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةٗ فِي جَنَّٰتِ عَدۡنٖۚ وَرِضۡوَٰنٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ أَكۡبَرُۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ72
WARNING TO THE UNFAITHFUL
73O Prophet! Struggle against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be tough with them. Jahannam will be their home. What an evil destination! 74They swear by Allah that they never said anything 'wrong', when they actually said words of disbelief, lost faith after accepting Islam, and made some evil plans, which they could not achieve. They have no reason to be mad except that Allah and His Messenger have generously provided for them from His blessings! If they repent, it will be better for them. But if they refuse to, Allah will hit them with a painful punishment in this life and the Next, and they will have no one on earth to protect or help them.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ جَٰهِدِ ٱلۡكُفَّارَ وَٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱغۡلُظۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ وَمَأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ 73يَحۡلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ مَا قَالُواْ وَلَقَدۡ قَالُواْ كَلِمَةَ ٱلۡكُفۡرِ وَكَفَرُواْ بَعۡدَ إِسۡلَٰمِهِمۡ وَهَمُّواْ بِمَا لَمۡ يَنَالُواْۚ وَمَا نَقَمُوٓاْ إِلَّآ أَنۡ أَغۡنَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦۚ فَإِن يَتُوبُواْ يَكُ خَيۡرٗا لَّهُمۡۖ وَإِن يَتَوَلَّوۡاْ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمٗا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ وَمَا لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِن وَلِيّٖ وَلَا نَصِير74
Verse 74: 21. Some of them tried to ambush and kill the Prophet on his way back from Tabuk. 22. Meaning those people are ungrateful, and they have no rea- son for being so evil.
UNGRATEFUL HYPOCRITES
75There are also some who had made a promise to Allah: 'If He gives us from His blessings, we will definitely spend in charity and be among the faithful.' 76But when He gave them out of His blessings, they refused to donate and turned away carelessly. 77So He caused hypocrisy to creep into their hearts until the Day they will meet Him, for breaking their promise to Allah and for their lies. 78Do they not know that Allah 'fully' knows their 'evil' thoughts and secret talks and that Allah alone knows all unknowns?
وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ عَٰهَدَ ٱللَّهَ لَئِنۡ ءَاتَىٰنَا مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ لَنَصَّدَّقَنَّ وَلَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ 75فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِۦ بَخِلُواْ بِهِۦ وَتَوَلَّواْ وَّهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ 76فَأَعۡقَبَهُمۡ نِفَاقٗا فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يَلۡقَوۡنَهُۥ بِمَآ أَخۡلَفُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ 77أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَىٰهُمۡ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَّٰمُ ٱلۡغُيُوبِ78
SIDE STORY
In a small town, a large rock appeared in the middle of the main road. Many people passed by and complained about the king's failure to keep the road clear.
A poor farmer came along and, without saying a word, began to push and pull the rock. He was motivated by a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): 'Removing a harmful object from the people's way is a charity' (Imam Muslim).
While the farmer struggled, the same people who were criticizing the king did not offer to help. Some even accused him of showing off, while others called him a fool for his effort.
After removing the rock, the farmer found a bag with 100 dinars (gold coins) and a letter from the king underneath it. The letter thanked the person who volunteered to solve the problem instead of just complaining.
SIDE STORY
As the saying goes, 'Those who talk too much will hardly do anything.' This story illustrates that point.
One day, a large rock appeared on a main road. Many people complained and criticized the king for not keeping the road clear, but no one took action.
A poor farmer came along and, motivated by the Prophet's hadith, 'Removing a harmful object from the people's way is a charity' (Imam Muslim), he decided to move the rock himself.
The same people who were complaining watched the farmer struggle but offered no help. Some even mocked him, calling him a fool or accusing him of showing off.
After removing the rock, the farmer found a bag with 100 gold coins and a letter from the king, thanking the person who solved the problem instead of just complaining.
BACKGROUND STORY
According to verse 79, the hypocrites not only refused to donate for Allah's cause but also criticized those who did.
If a rich Muslim gave generously, the hypocrites would say, 'He is showing off!'
And if a poor Muslim gave the little he could afford, the hypocrites would mock him, saying, 'Look at that! It's nothing.'
This is recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim.
HYPOCRITES CRITICIZE DONATIONS
79There are also those who criticize 'some of the believers' for donating generously and mock others for giving only the little they can afford. Allah will throw their mocking back at them, and they will suffer a painful punishment. 80'It does not matter' if you 'Prophet' pray for them to be forgiven or not. Even if you pray for their forgiveness seventy times, Allah will never forgive them. This is because they have lost faith in Allah and His Messenger. And Allah does not guide those out of control.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَلۡمِزُونَ ٱلۡمُطَّوِّعِينَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ فِي ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ إِلَّا جُهۡدَهُمۡ فَيَسۡخَرُونَ مِنۡهُمۡ سَخِرَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۡهُمۡ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ 79ٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ أَوۡ لَا تَسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ إِن تَسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ سَبۡعِينَ مَرَّةٗ فَلَن يَغۡفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَفَرُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡفَٰسِقِينَ80
MORE FALSE EXCUSES
81Those 'hypocrites' who stayed behind were happy to be home after the Prophet had left. They were against making sacrifices with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah, saying 'to each other,' 'Do not march in this heat.' Say, 'O Prophet,' 'The Fire of Hell is far hotter!' If only they could understand! 82So, let them laugh a little; they will cry a lot—as a punishment for what they have done. 83Later, when Allah brings you home 'O Prophet,' and some of them ask for your permission to go out and fight, say, 'You will never go out or fight an enemy with me. You preferred to stay back the first time, so stay with those 'helpless' who remain behind.'
فَرِحَ ٱلۡمُخَلَّفُونَ بِمَقۡعَدِهِمۡ خِلَٰفَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَرِهُوٓاْ أَن يُجَٰهِدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالُواْ لَا تَنفِرُواْ فِي ٱلۡحَرِّۗ قُلۡ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ أَشَدُّ حَرّٗاۚ لَّوۡ كَانُواْ يَفۡقَهُونَ 81فَلۡيَضۡحَكُواْ قَلِيلٗا وَلۡيَبۡكُواْ كَثِيرٗا جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ 82فَإِن رَّجَعَكَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَىٰ طَآئِفَةٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ فَٱسۡتَٔۡذَنُوكَ لِلۡخُرُوجِ فَقُل لَّن تَخۡرُجُواْ مَعِيَ أَبَدٗا وَلَن تُقَٰتِلُواْ مَعِيَ عَدُوًّاۖ إِنَّكُمۡ رَضِيتُم بِٱلۡقُعُودِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٖ فَٱقۡعُدُواْ مَعَ ٱلۡخَٰلِفِينَ83
BACKGROUND STORY
Ibn Saloul was on the verge of becoming the leader of Madinah, but the arrival of the Prophet and the Makkan Muslims changed everything.
Despite claiming to have accepted Islam, he secretly worked against the Muslims and was known as the chief hypocrite.
When he passed away, his son 'Abdullah, a faithful Muslim, requested the Prophet to lead the funeral prayer (Janazah) for him.
'Omar was completely against this request due to Ibn Saloul's long history of hostility toward Islam.
The Prophet, however, wanted to honor 'Abdullah and hoped to attract Ibn Saloul's followers to Islam.
Soon after, verses 84-85 were revealed, instructing the Prophet not to pray for such hypocrites. (Recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari)
PRAYING FOR HYPOCRITES
84Do not ever pray funeral 'salah' on any of them or stand by their grave 'for du'a', because they have lost faith in Allah and His Messenger and died as troublemakers. 85And do not be impressed by their wealth and children. Allah only wants them to suffer through these things in this world, then their souls will be taken while they are unfaithful.
وَلَا تُصَلِّ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٖ مِّنۡهُم مَّاتَ أَبَدٗا وَلَا تَقُمۡ عَلَىٰ قَبۡرِهِۦٓۖ إِنَّهُمۡ كَفَرُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَمَاتُواْ وَهُمۡ فَٰسِقُونَ 84وَلَا تُعۡجِبۡكَ أَمۡوَٰلُهُمۡ وَأَوۡلَٰدُهُمۡۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَتَزۡهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمۡ وَهُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ85
THE UNFAITHFUL
86Whenever a surah is revealed, ordering: 'Have faith in Allah and make sacrifices with His Messenger,' the rich among them ask for your permission to stay home, saying, 'Leave us with those who stay behind.' 87They preferred to stay back with the helpless, and their hearts have been sealed so they do not really understand. 88But the Messenger and the believers with him made sacrifices with their wealth and their lives. They deserve all the best, and only they will be successful. 89Allah has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever. That is the biggest success. 90Some roaming Arabs too came for permission to stay home. And those who were dishonest with Allah and His Messenger stayed back 'with no excuse'. The unfaithful among them will be hit with a painful punishment.
وَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتۡ سُورَةٌ أَنۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَجَٰهِدُواْ مَعَ رَسُولِهِ ٱسۡتَٔۡذَنَكَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلطَّوۡلِ مِنۡهُمۡ وَقَالُواْ ذَرۡنَا نَكُن مَّعَ ٱلۡقَٰعِدِينَ 86رَضُواْ بِأَن يَكُونُواْ مَعَ ٱلۡخَوَالِفِ وَطُبِعَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَفۡقَهُونَ 87ٰكِنِ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ جَٰهَدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٰتُۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ 88أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَاۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ 89وَجَآءَ ٱلۡمُعَذِّرُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ لِيُؤۡذَنَ لَهُمۡ وَقَعَدَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥۚ سَيُصِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ90
VALID & INVALID EXCUSES
91There is no blame on the weak, the sick, or those who have nothing to contribute if they stay behind, as long as they are honest with Allah and His Messenger. There is no blame on those doing good. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 92'Also, there is no blame on' those who came to you 'O Prophet' asking for animals to ride. Then, when you told them, 'I can find no rides for you,' they left with eyes flowing with tears, being very sad because they had nothing to contribute. 93Blame is only on those who ask for permission to stay, even though they are rich. They preferred to stay behind with the helpless, and Allah has sealed their hearts so they do not realize 'the consequences'. 94They will make excuses to you 'believers' when you return to them. Say, 'Make no excuses; we will not believe you. Allah has already told us all about you. Your actions will be observed by Allah as well as His Messenger. In the end, you will be returned to the Knower of the seen and unseen, then He will make you realize what you did.' 95When you return, they will keep swearing by Allah to you, just to be left alone. So leave them alone; they are truly evil. Jahannam will be their home as a punishment for what they have done. 96Again, they will swear to make you accept them back. And even if you accept them, Allah will never accept the troublemakers.
لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلضُّعَفَآءِ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرۡضَىٰ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُواْ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۚ مَا عَلَى ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلٖۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ 91وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا مَآ أَتَوۡكَ لِتَحۡمِلَهُمۡ قُلۡتَ لَآ أَجِدُ مَآ أَحۡمِلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَلَّواْ وَّأَعۡيُنُهُمۡ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمۡعِ حَزَنًا أَلَّا يَجِدُواْ مَا يُنفِقُونَ 92إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَٔۡذِنُونَكَ وَهُمۡ أَغۡنِيَآءُۚ رَضُواْ بِأَن يَكُونُواْ مَعَ ٱلۡخَوَالِفِ وَطَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 93يَعۡتَذِرُونَ إِلَيۡكُمۡ إِذَا رَجَعۡتُمۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡۚ قُل لَّا تَعۡتَذِرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ لَكُمۡ قَدۡ نَبَّأَنَا ٱللَّهُ مِنۡ أَخۡبَارِكُمۡۚ وَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمۡ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَٰلِمِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ 94سَيَحۡلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَكُمۡ إِذَا ٱنقَلَبۡتُمۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡ لِتُعۡرِضُواْ عَنۡهُمۡۖ فَأَعۡرِضُواْ عَنۡهُمۡۖ إِنَّهُمۡ رِجۡسٞۖ وَمَأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ 95يَحۡلِفُونَ لَكُمۡ لِتَرۡضَوۡاْ عَنۡهُمۡۖ فَإِن تَرۡضَوۡاْ عَنۡهُمۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَرۡضَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡفَٰسِقِينَ96
FAITHFUL & UNFAITHFUL TRIBES
97The roaming Arabs 'around Madinah' are far worse in disbelief and hypocrisy, and 'they' are more likely to be ignorant of the laws revealed by Allah to His Messenger. Allah has perfect knowledge and wisdom. 98There are some among those people who consider what they donate to be a loss and look forward to bad things happening to you. May bad things happen to them! And Allah hears and knows 'everything'. 99However, there are others among those people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and consider what they donate as a way of coming closer to Allah and 'receiving' the Messenger's prayers. It will certainly bring them closer. Allah will enter them into His mercy. Surely, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 100As for the leading believers—the first of the Emigrants and the Helpers—and those who follow them in goodness, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. And He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever and ever. That is the biggest success. 101Some of the roaming Arabs around you 'believers' are hypocrites, just like some of the people of Madinah. They have mastered hypocrisy. You 'O Prophet' do not know them; We know them. We will punish them again and again 'in this life', then they will end up with a horrible punishment.
ٱلۡأَعۡرَابُ أَشَدُّ كُفۡرٗا وَنِفَاقٗا وَأَجۡدَرُ أَلَّا يَعۡلَمُواْ حُدُودَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٞ 97وَمِنَ ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ مَغۡرَمٗا وَيَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمُ ٱلدَّوَآئِرَۚ عَلَيۡهِمۡ دَآئِرَةُ ٱلسَّوۡءِۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٞ 98وَمِنَ ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ مَن يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ قُرُبَٰتٍ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَصَلَوَٰتِ ٱلرَّسُولِۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهَا قُرۡبَةٞ لَّهُمۡۚ سَيُدۡخِلُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِي رَحۡمَتِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ 99وَٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهَٰجِرِينَ وَٱلۡأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحۡسَٰنٖ رَّضِيَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي تَحۡتَهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدٗاۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ 100وَمِمَّنۡ حَوۡلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ مُنَٰفِقُونَۖ وَمِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ مَرَدُواْ عَلَى ٱلنِّفَاقِ لَا تَعۡلَمُهُمۡۖ نَحۡنُ نَعۡلَمُهُمۡۚ سَنُعَذِّبُهُم مَّرَّتَيۡنِ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ عَظِيم101
Verse 100: 23. The early Makkan Muslims who moved to Madinah after years of abuse in Makkah. 24. The Muslims of Madinah who sheltered the Makkan Mus-lims.
Verse 101: 25. Through disgrace in this world, a bad ending of their lives, punishment in the grave, and so on.
THOSE HOPING FOR FORGIVENESS
102Some others have admitted to their fault: they mixed goodness with evil. It is right to hope that Allah will show them mercy. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 103Accept donations from their wealth 'O Prophet' to purify and bless them, and pray for them. Surely your prayer is a source of comfort for them. And Allah hears and knows 'everything'. 104Don't they know that Allah Himself accepts the repentance of His servants and receives 'their' donations and that Allah is willing to accept repentance and is full of mercy? 105Tell them 'O Prophet,' 'Do what you want. Your actions will be observed by Allah, His Messenger, and the believers. In the end, you will be returned to the Knower of the seen and unseen, then He will make you realize what you did.' 106And some others are left for Allah's decision: either to punish them or show them mercy. And Allah has perfect knowledge and wisdom.
وَءَاخَرُونَ ٱعۡتَرَفُواْ بِذُنُوبِهِمۡ خَلَطُواْ عَمَلٗا صَٰلِحٗا وَءَاخَرَ سَيِّئًا عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٌ 102خُذۡ مِنۡ أَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ صَدَقَةٗ تُطَهِّرُهُمۡ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيۡهِمۡۖ إِنَّ صَلَوٰتَكَ سَكَنٞ لَّهُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 103أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ يَقۡبَلُ ٱلتَّوۡبَةَ عَنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَأۡخُذُ ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 104وَقُلِ ٱعۡمَلُواْ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمۡ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَٰلِمِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ 105وَءَاخَرُونَ مُرۡجَوۡنَ لِأَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمۡ وَإِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيۡهِمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيم106
Verse 102: 26. They have mixed their faith in Allah with refusing to marchwith His Prophet
Verse 103: 27. To make up for their mnistake, some of those who stayed be- hind offered to donate in the cause of Allah. This is why this verse was revealed, according to imam lbn Kathir and many other scholars.
Verse 106: 28. The 3 companions who stayed back with no excuse. Read the Background Story of 9:118-119 for details.
BACKGROUND STORY
There was a hypocrite named Abu Amer Ar-Rahib who actively fought against Muslims and encouraged the Makkans to attack Madinah. Despite these efforts, the Muslim community survived with the help of Allah.
When all of Arabia united under Islam, Abu Amer traveled to Syria to convince the Romans to invade the Muslims.
To establish a base for other hypocrites in Madinah, Abu Amer secretly instructed his followers to build a mosque near Masjid Quba, the first mosque built by Muslims in the city.
This new mosque was intended to be a base for harming the community and planning to expel Muslims from Madinah with Abu Amer's assistance.
The hypocrites even approached the Prophet before he left for Tabuk, asking him to bless their new mosque by praying there. He promised to visit upon his return.
However, just before the Prophet's return to Madinah, verses 107-110 were revealed, warning him against that mosque. Subsequently, he ordered the 'Mosque of Harm' to be destroyed. (Recorded by Imam Ibn Kathir)
THE MOSQUE OF HARM
107There are also those 'hypocrites' who set up a mosque 'only' to cause harm, promote disbelief, divide the believers, and as a base for those who had fought against Allah and His Messenger in the past. They will definitely swear, 'We had nothing but good intentions,' but Allah is a witness that they are truly liars. 108Do not ever pray in such a place 'O Prophet'. Certainly, a mosque founded on faithfulness from the first day deserves your salah. In it are people who love to be purified. And Allah loves those who purify themselves. 109Which is better: those who established their building on true faith and pleasure of Allah, or those who did so on the edge of a crumbling cliff that collapses with them into the Fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide those doing wrong. 110This building that they set up will continue to cause doubts in their hearts until their hearts are torn apart. And Allah has perfect knowledge and wisdom.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مَسۡجِدٗا ضِرَارٗا وَكُفۡرٗا وَتَفۡرِيقَۢا بَيۡنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَإِرۡصَادٗا لِّمَنۡ حَارَبَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ مِن قَبۡلُۚ وَلَيَحۡلِفُنَّ إِنۡ أَرَدۡنَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَشۡهَدُ إِنَّهُمۡ لَكَٰذِبُونَ 107لَا تَقُمۡ فِيهِ أَبَدٗاۚ لَّمَسۡجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ مِنۡ أَوَّلِ يَوۡمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٞ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُطَّهِّرِينَ 108أَفَمَنۡ أَسَّسَ بُنۡيَٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ تَقۡوَىٰ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضۡوَٰنٍ خَيۡرٌ أَم مَّنۡ أَسَّسَ بُنۡيَٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٖ فَٱنۡهَارَ بِهِۦ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 109لَا يَزَالُ بُنۡيَٰنُهُمُ ٱلَّذِي بَنَوۡاْ رِيبَةٗ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ إِلَّآ أَن تَقَطَّعَ قُلُوبُهُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ110
A GREAT DEAL
111Indeed, Allah has bought from the believers their lives and wealth in exchange for Jannah. They fight in the cause of Allah, killing or getting killed. This is a true promise He made in the Tawrah, the Injeel, and the Quran. And who can keep a promise better than Allah? So be happy with the deal you have made with Him. This is truly the biggest success. 112'The believers are those' who always repent, worship and praise 'their Lord', fast, bow and kneel down 'in salah', encourage good and forbid evil, and who keep up the rules set by Allah. And give good news to the believers.
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱشۡتَرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَأَمۡوَٰلَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلۡجَنَّةَۚ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَقۡتُلُونَ وَيُقۡتَلُونَۖ وَعۡدًا عَلَيۡهِ حَقّٗا فِي ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلِ وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانِۚ وَمَنۡ أَوۡفَىٰ بِعَهۡدِهِۦ مِنَ ٱللَّهِۚ فَٱسۡتَبۡشِرُواْ بِبَيۡعِكُمُ ٱلَّذِي بَايَعۡتُم بِهِۦۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ 111ٱلتَّٰٓئِبُونَ ٱلۡعَٰبِدُونَ ٱلۡحَٰمِدُونَ ٱلسَّٰٓئِحُونَ ٱلرَّٰكِعُونَ ٱلسَّٰجِدُونَ ٱلۡأٓمِرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَٱلنَّاهُونَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَٱلۡحَٰفِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ112
Verse 112: or travel for good causes
PRAYING FOR IDOL-WORSHIPPERS
113It is not right for the Prophet and the believers to pray for the idol-worshippers to be forgiven—even if they are close relatives—after they realize that such people are heading for Hell. 114As for Ibrahim's prayer for his father's forgiveness, it was just because of a promise he had made to him. But once he realized that his father was an enemy of Allah, he broke ties with him. Indeed, Ibrahim was good-hearted and patient. 115However, Allah would never consider a people misguided after He has guided them, until He makes clear to them what they must avoid. Surely Allah has 'full' knowledge of everything. 116Indeed, the kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. He gives life and causes death. And you do not have any protector or helper other than Allah.
مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَن يَسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ وَلَوۡ كَانُوٓاْ أُوْلِي قُرۡبَىٰ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمۡ أَنَّهُمۡ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ 113وَمَا كَانَ ٱسۡتِغۡفَارُ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوۡعِدَةٖ وَعَدَهَآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُۥٓ أَنَّهُۥ عَدُوّٞ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنۡهُۚ إِنَّ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ لَأَوَّٰهٌ حَلِيمٞ 114وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُضِلَّ قَوۡمَۢا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَىٰهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ يُبَيِّنَ لَهُم مَّا يَتَّقُونَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمٌ 115إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ يُحۡيِۦ وَيُمِيتُۚ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِيّٖ وَلَا نَصِير116
Verse 113: 30. When they die in disbelief.
Verse 114: 31. He ended his relationship with them.
BACKGROUND STORY
Verses 118-119 refer to three companions—Ka'b ibn Malik, Murarah ibn Ar-Rabi', and Hilal ibn Umaiyah—who did not join the Prophet in the Tabuk campaign, despite having no valid excuse.
Ka'b ibn Malik explained that he kept delaying his preparations, saying 'I'll do it tomorrow,' until it was too late. He felt immense regret for staying behind with the hypocrites and the helpless.
When the Prophet returned, these three men came and apologized, telling the truth without making up false excuses like others had. They hoped their honesty would lead to forgiveness.
To teach them a lesson, the Prophet ordered the community to cut off all interaction with them. The three men endured an extremely difficult time as everyone ignored them, and they prayed to Allah for forgiveness.
After 50 days, these two verses were revealed, declaring that Allah had forgiven them. (Recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim)
This story teaches us two main lessons: 1) We should not delay good deeds, as 'Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today,' and 2) We must always tell the truth, even if it is against ourselves.
SIDE STORY
One day, young Imam Abdul-Qadir Al-Jilani was traveling from Makkah to Baghdad with a caravan to seek knowledge. His mother gave him 40 gold coins (dinars), which she had sewn into his shirt, and advised him to always tell the truth.
On their journey, thieves attacked the caravan and took everyone's money. They ignored Abdul-Qadir, thinking he was too young to have anything of value. However, when a thief casually asked if he had anything, Abdul-Qadir truthfully replied, 'Yes, 40 dinars.'
Shocked by his honesty, the thief took him to their leader. Abdul-Qadir showed them where the money was hidden. When asked why he was so honest, he replied, 'Because I have promised my mother to always tell the truth.'
The leader of the thieves was so moved by Abdul-Qadir's honesty that he said, 'We should be ashamed of ourselves, because a young man like you honors his mom, but we have failed to honor Allah.'
The leader then ordered all the stolen items to be returned to the caravan and declared that he and his men had quit stealing.
SIDE STORY
There were three college students who procrastinated on studying for their final exam until the very last night.
Realizing they hadn't studied at all, they decided to lie to their professor to get more time. They told him they had to take a friend to the emergency room and then got a flat tire, so they had to push the car back, leaving them no time to study.
The professor, suspicious of their story, agreed to let them take the exam a few days later, which made the students happy as they thought they had successfully tricked him.
On the day of the exam, the professor placed each student in a separate room and gave them a paper with four questions, all worth 25 marks each. The questions were: 1. What is the name of your friend that you took to the hospital? 2. What was wrong with him? 3. Which hospital did you take him to? 4. Which tire burst?
SIDE STORY
You've probably heard the story of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf.' A boy tending sheep on a mountain decided to prank his townspeople by shouting, 'Wolf! The wolf is attacking my sheep!'
The people rushed to help, only to find he was lying. They angrily warned him not to cry for help without a real wolf. He repeated the prank a few times, losing everyone's trust.
One day, wolves actually attacked his flock. He cried for help, but no one came, thinking it was another false alarm. He ended up losing all his sheep.
When he complained to the village elder, he was told, 'Nobody believes a liar, even if he's telling the truth.'
ALLAH'S MERCY TO THE FAITHFUL
117Allah has certainly shown mercy to the Prophet, as well as the Emigrants and the Helpers—who stood by him during that difficult time—after the hearts of some of them had almost lost motivation. He then accepted their repentance. He is truly Kind and Merciful to them. 118Also, 'Allah has shown mercy to' the three who had stayed behind. They felt 'so guilty' that the huge earth shrank in front of them and their souls were distressed. They realized that nothing could shield them from Allah except Allah Himself. Then He showed them mercy so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is willing to accept repentance and is full of mercy. 119O believers! Always keep Allah in mind and be with the truthful.
لَّقَد تَّابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ وَٱلۡمُهَٰجِرِينَ وَٱلۡأَنصَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ فِي سَاعَةِ ٱلۡعُسۡرَةِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِهِمۡ رَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٞ 117وَعَلَى ٱلثَّلَٰثَةِ ٱلَّذِينَ خُلِّفُواْ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ضَاقَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتۡ وَضَاقَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ أَنفُسُهُمۡ وَظَنُّوٓاْ أَن لَّا مَلۡجَأَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّآ إِلَيۡهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ لِيَتُوبُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 118يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُواْ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ119
Verse 117: 32. Mercy through the steadfastness of the Messenger. 33. Because of the hardships of jihad.
Verse 118: 34. These three companions who were forgiven: Ka'b bin Malik, Murara bin Rabi' and Hilal bin Umayyah.
REWARD FOR MARCHING
120It was not right for 'some of the people of Madinah and the roaming Arabs around them to avoid marching with the Messenger of Allah or to prefer their own lives above his life. That is because whenever they get thirsty, tired, or hungry in the cause of Allah; step into a territory, frustrating the disbelievers; or cause any loss to an enemy—it goes to their credit as a good deed. Surely, Allah never wastes the reward of those doing good. 121And whenever they make a donation, small or large, or cross a valley 'in Allah's cause'—it also goes to their credit, so that Allah will reward them according to the best of their deeds. 122However, it is not necessary for the believers to march all at once. Only some members from each group should march, leaving the rest to gain religious knowledge and later teach those members when they return, so they too can guard against evil.
مَا كَانَ لِأَهۡلِ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ وَمَنۡ حَوۡلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ أَن يَتَخَلَّفُواْ عَن رَّسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَرۡغَبُواْ بِأَنفُسِهِمۡ عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ لَا يُصِيبُهُمۡ ظَمَأٞ وَلَا نَصَبٞ وَلَا مَخۡمَصَةٞ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَطَُٔونَ مَوۡطِئٗا يَغِيظُ ٱلۡكُفَّارَ وَلَا يَنَالُونَ مِنۡ عَدُوّٖ نَّيۡلًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عَمَلٞ صَٰلِحٌۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ 120وَلَا يُنفِقُونَ نَفَقَةٗ صَغِيرَةٗ وَلَا كَبِيرَةٗ وَلَا يَقۡطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمۡ لِيَجۡزِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ 121وَمَا كَانَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُواْ كَآفَّةٗۚ فَلَوۡلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرۡقَةٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ طَآئِفَةٞ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُواْ فِي ٱلدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُواْ قَوۡمَهُمۡ إِذَا رَجَعُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَحۡذَرُونَ122
WARNING TO TROUBLEMAKERS
123O believers! Fight the disbelievers around you and let them see that you are tough. And know that Allah is with those who keep Him in mind. 124Whenever a surah is revealed, some of them ask 'mockingly', 'Which of you has increased in faith by this?' As for the believers, it has increased them in faith and they are happy. 125But as for those 'hypocrites' with sickness in their hearts, it has increased them only in evil upon their evil, and they die as disbelievers. 126Don't they see that they fail the test again and again every year? Yet they do not repent or learn a lesson. 127Whenever a surah is revealed, they look at each other, 'saying, 'Is anyone watching you?' Then they slip away. It is Allah Who has turned their hearts away, because they are a people who do not really understand.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قَٰتِلُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ يَلُونَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡكُفَّارِ وَلۡيَجِدُواْ فِيكُمۡ غِلۡظَةٗۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ 123وَإِذَا مَآ أُنزِلَتۡ سُورَةٞ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَقُولُ أَيُّكُمۡ زَادَتۡهُ هَٰذِهِۦٓ إِيمَٰنٗاۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فَزَادَتۡهُمۡ إِيمَٰنٗا وَهُمۡ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ 124وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٞ فَزَادَتۡهُمۡ رِجۡسًا إِلَىٰ رِجۡسِهِمۡ وَمَاتُواْ وَهُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ 125أَوَلَا يَرَوۡنَ أَنَّهُمۡ يُفۡتَنُونَ فِي كُلِّ عَامٖ مَّرَّةً أَوۡ مَرَّتَيۡنِ ثُمَّ لَا يَتُوبُونَ وَلَا هُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُونَ 126وَإِذَا مَآ أُنزِلَتۡ سُورَةٞ نَّظَرَ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ هَلۡ يَرَىٰكُم مِّنۡ أَحَدٖ ثُمَّ ٱنصَرَفُواْۚ صَرَفَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُم بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَوۡمٞ لَّا يَفۡقَهُونَ127
MESSAGE TO ALL
128Indeed, a messenger has come to you from among yourselves. He feels bad for your suffering and deeply cares about you. He is kind and merciful to the believers. 129If they still turn away, then say, 'O Prophet,' 'Allah is enough for me. There is no god 'that deserves worship' except Him. In Him I put my trust. And He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.'
لَقَدۡ جَآءَكُمۡ رَسُولٞ مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيۡهِ مَا عَنِتُّمۡ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيۡكُم بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٞ 128فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُلۡ حَسۡبِيَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ129