Al-Mumtaḥanah (Surah 60)
Al-Mumtaḥanah (The Test of Faith)
Madni SurahIntroduction
This Medinian sûrah was revealed prior to the Prophet’s conquest of Mecca following the pagans’ violation of the peace treaty they had signed with the Muslims at Ḥudaibiyah. Despite the Prophet’s orders to keep this plan secret, a companion by the name of Ḥâṭib ibn Abi Balta’ah sent a warning letter to the Meccans, hoping that in turn they would protect his family—who were still in Mecca—in case the Muslims failed to enter the city. Soon the Prophet (ﷺ) received a revelation about what Ḥâṭib did. The letter was intercepted, and Ḥâṭib was later forgiven. Mecca surrendered peacefully to the Muslims, and its residents were pardoned by the Prophet (ﷺ). Muslims are instructed to be loyal to Allah and fellow believers, following the example of Prophet Abraham (ﷺ) (verses 4-6). The believers are not forbidden from courtesy to non-Muslims as long as they are not persecuting Muslims (verses 8-9). This sûrah takes its name from testing the faith of women fleeing Mecca by asking them, for example, if they have emigrated for Islam or only to be separated from their pagan husbands (verse 10). Other instructions to the believers are given at the end of this sûrah and the beginning of the next sûrah. In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Allying with the Enemy
1. O believers! Do not take My enemies and yours as trusted allies, showing them affection even though they deny what has come to you of the truth. They drove the Messenger and yourselves out (of Mecca), simply for your belief in Allah, your Lord. If you (truly) emigrated to struggle in My cause and seek My pleasure, (then do not take them as allies,) disclosing secrets (of the believers) to the pagans out of affection for them, when I know best whatever you conceal and whatever you reveal. And whoever of you does this has truly strayed from the Right Way. 2. If they gain the upper hand over you, they would be your (open) enemies, unleashing their hands and tongues to harm you, and wishing that you would abandon faith. 3. Neither your relatives nor children will benefit you on Judgment Day—He will decide between you (all). For Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.
Surah 60 - Al-Mumtaḥanah (The Test of Faith) - Verses 1-3
The Example of Abraham and His Followers
4. You already have an excellent example in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, “We totally dissociate ourselves from you and (shun) whatever (idols) you worship besides Allah. We reject you. The enmity and hatred that has arisen between us and you will last until you believe in Allah alone.” The only exception is when Abraham said to his father, “I will seek forgiveness for you,(” adding, “but) I cannot protect you from Allah at all.” (The believers prayed,) “Our Lord! In You we trust. And to You we (always) turn. And to You is the final return. 5. Our Lord! Do not subject us to the persecution of the disbelievers. Forgive us, our Lord! You (alone) are truly the Almighty, All-Wise.” 6. You certainly have an excellent example in them for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day. But whoever turns away, then surely Allah (alone) is the Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.
Surah 60 - Al-Mumtaḥanah (The Test of Faith) - Verses 4-6
Yesterday’s Enemies, Tomorrow’s Friends
7. (In time,) Allah may bring about goodwill between you and those of them you (now) hold as enemies. For Allah is Most Capable. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah 60 - Al-Mumtaḥanah (The Test of Faith) - Verses 7-7
Kindness to Non-Muslims
8. Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair. 9. Allah only forbids you from befriending those who have fought you for (your) faith, driven you out of your homes, or supported (others) in doing so. And whoever takes them as friends, then it is they who are the (true) wrongdoers.
Surah 60 - Al-Mumtaḥanah (The Test of Faith) - Verses 8-9
Marriage of Female Emigrants
10. O believers! When the believing women come to you as emigrants, test their intentions—their faith is best known to Allah—and if you find them to be believers, then do not send them back to the disbelievers. These (women) are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers, nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them. (But) repay the disbelievers whatever (dowries) they had paid. And there is no blame on you if you marry these (women) as long as you pay them their dowries. And do not hold on to marriage with polytheistic women. (But) demand (repayment of) whatever (dowries) you had paid, and let the disbelievers do the same. That is the judgment of Allah—He judges between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Surah 60 - Al-Mumtaḥanah (The Test of Faith) - Verses 10-10
When Dowry Is Not Repaid to Muslims
11. And if any of your wives desert you to the disbelievers, and later you take spoils from them, then pay those whose wives have gone, the equivalent of whatever (dowry) they had paid. And be mindful of Allah, in Whom you believe.
Surah 60 - Al-Mumtaḥanah (The Test of Faith) - Verses 11-11
Women Pledge Allegiance
12. O Prophet! When the believing women come to you, pledging to you that they will neither associate anything with Allah (in worship), nor steal, nor fornicate, nor kill their children, nor falsely attribute (illegitimate) children to their husbands, nor disobey you in what is right, then accept their pledge, and ask Allah to forgive them. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah 60 - Al-Mumtaḥanah (The Test of Faith) - Verses 12-12
Do Not Ally with the Enemy
13. O believers! Do not ally yourselves with a people Allah is displeased with. They already have no hope for the Hereafter, just like the disbelievers lying in (their) graves.