Tafsir of Surah At-Tawbah Ayat 1-42

Tafsir of Surat At-Tawbah (The Repentance)

(Chapter 9)

Which Was Revealed in Al-Madinah

{1. Freedom from obligations from Allah and His Messenger to those of the Mushrikin, with whom you made a treaty.

2. So travel freely (Mushrikin) for four months (as you will) throughout the land but know that you can never elude Allah, and that, verily, Allah shall bring disgrace upon all who refuse to acknowledge the truth!}

Why there is no Basmallah in the Beginning of This Surah

This honorable Surah (chapter 9) was one of the last Surahs to be revealed to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Al-Bukhari recorded that Al-Bara’ said, “The last Ayah to be revealed was, “They ask you for a legal verdict. Say: “Allah directs (thus) about Al-Kalalah.” (4:176), while the last Surah to be revealed was Bara’ah.” (Fath Al-Bari 8:167) [This Surah was commonly called Al-Barah] The Basmalah was not mentioned in the beginning of this Surah because the Companions did not write it in the complete copy of the Qur’an (Mushaf) they collected, following the Commander of the faithful, Uthman bin Affan, may Allah be pleased with him. The first part of this honorable Surah was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, when he returned from the battle of Tabuk, during the Hajj season, which the Prophet thought about attending. But he remembered that the idolators would still attend that Hajj, as was usual in past years, and that they perform Tawaf around the House while naked. He disliked to associate with them and sent Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, to lead Hajj that year and show the people their rituals, commanding him to inform the idolators that they would not be allowed to participate in Hajj after that season. He commanded him to proclaim, “Freedom from (all) obligations (is declared) from Allah and His Messenger”, to the people. When Abu Bakr had left, the Messenger sent Ali bin Abu Talib to be the one to deliver this news to the idolators on behalf of the Messenger peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for he was the Messenger’s cousin. We will mention this story later.

Publicising the Disavowal of the Idolaters

Allah said,“Freedom from obligations from Allah and His Messenger” , is a declaration of freedom from all obligations from Allah and His Messenger , “to those of the Mushrikin, with whom you made a treaty. So travel freely (Mushrikin) for four months (as you will) throughout the land” (9:1-2). This Ayah refers to idolators who had indefinite treaties and those, whose treaties with Muslims ended in less than four months. The terms of these treaties were restricted to four months only. As for those whose term of peace ended at a specific date later (than the four months), then their treaties would end when their terms ended, no matter how long afterwards, for Allah said, “So fulfill their treaty for them until the end of their term” (9:4). So whoever had a coventant with Allah’s Messenger then it would last until its period expired, this was reported from Muhammad bin Kab Al-Qurazi and others. We will also mention a Hadith on this matter. (At-Tabari 14:106-102)

Abu Mashar Al-Madani said that Muhammad bin Kab Al-Qurazi and several others said, “The Messenger of Allah sent Abu Bakr to lead the Hajj rituals on the ninth year (of Hijrah). He also sent Ali bin Abi Talib with thirty or forty Ayat from Bara’ah (At-Tawbah), and he recited them to the people, giving the idolators four months during which they freely move about in the land. He recited these Ayat on the day of Arafah (ninth of Dhul-Hijjah). The idolators were given twenty more days (till the end) of Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar, Rabi Al-Awwal and ten days from Rabi Ath-Thani. He proclaimed to them in their camping areas, ‘No Mushrik will be allowed to perform Hajj after this year, nor a naked person to perform Tawaf around the House.”’ (At-Tabari 6:304) [The chain of narrators is not authentic. Al-Bukhari recorded a similar Hadith with different wording. no. 4363) So Allah said,

{3. And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day of Hajj that Allah is free from obligations to the Mushrikin and so is His Messenger. So if you repent, it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape Allah. And give tidings of a painful torment for those who disbelieve.}

Allah says this is a declaration, “from Allah and His Messenger”, and a preface warning to the people, “on the greatest day of Hajj”, the day of Sacrifice, the best and most apparent day of the Hajj rituals, during which the largest gathering confers.” that Allah is free from (all) obligations to the Mushrikin and so is His Messenger” also free from all obligations to them. Allah next invites the idolators to repent,“So if you repent”, from the misguidance and Shirk you indulge in, “it is better for you, but if you turn away”, and persist on your ways, “then know that you cannot escape Allah.” Rather, Allah is capable over you, and you are all in His grasp, under His power and will, “And give tidings of a painful torment for those who disbelieve” earning them disgrace and affliction in this life and the torment of chains and barbed iron bars in the Hereafter. Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, “Abu Bakr sent me during that Hajj with those dispatched on the day of Sacrifice to declare in Mina that no Mushrik will be allowed to attend Hajj after that year, nor will a naked person be allowed to perform Tawaf.”

Humayd said, “The Prophet then sent Ali bin Abi Talib and commanded him to announce Bara’ah.” Abu Hurayrah said, “Ali publicized Bara’ah with us to the gathering in Mina on the day of Sacrifice, declaring that no Mushrik shall perform Hajj after that year, nor shall a naked person perform Tawaf around the House.” (Fath Al-Bari 8:168) Al-Bukhari also collected this Hadith the this narration of which, Abu Hurayrah said, “On the day of Nahr, Abu Bakr sent me along with other announcers to Mina to make a public announcement that ‘No pagan is allowed to perform Hajj after this year, and no naked person is allowed to perform the Tawaf around the Kabah.’ Abu Bakr was leading the people in that Hajj season, and in the year of ‘The Farewell Hajj’ when the Prophet performed Hajj, no Mushrik performed Hajj.”’ (Fath Al-Bari 8:168) This is the narration that Al-Bukhari recorded in the Book on Jihad.

Muhammad bin Ishaq reported a narration from Abu Jafar Muhammad bin Ali bin Al-Husayn who said, “When Bara’ah was revealed to Allah’s Messenger, and he had sent Abu Bakr to oversee the Hajj rites for the people, he was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Why not send this “message” to Abu Bakr?’ So he said,

“It will not be accepted to have been from me if it is not from a man from my family.”

Then he called for Ali and said to him,

“Take this section from the beginning of Bara’ah and proclaim to the people on the day of the Sacrifice while they are gathered at Mina that no disbeliever will enter Paradise, no idolator will be permitted to perform Hajj after the year, there will be no Tawaf while naked, and whoever has a covenant with Allah’s Messenger, then it shall be valid until the time of its expiration.”

Ali rode the camel of Allah’s Messenger named Al-Adba’ until he caught up with Abu Bakr in route. When Abu Bakr saw him he said, ‘Are you here as a commander or a follower?’ Ali replied, ‘A follower.’ They continued on. Abu Bakr lead the people in Hajj while the Arabs were camping in their normal locations from Jahiliyyah. On the day of Sacrifice, Ali bin Abi Talib stood and proclaimed, ‘O people! No disbeliever will be admitted into Paradise, no idolator will be permitted to perform Hajj next year, there shall be no Tawaf while naked, and whoever has a covenant with Allah’s Messenger , then it shall be valid until its time of expiration.’ So no idolator performed Hajj after that year, Tawaf around the House while naked ceased. Then they returned to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. So this was the declaration of innocence, whoever among the idolators had no treaty, then he had a treaty of peace for one year, if he had a particular treaty, then it was valid until its date of expiration.” (At-Tabari 14:107) [This narration is not authentic because it is Mursal. The text of the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is supported by a narration from Anas, recorded by At-Tirmindhi, under the Tafsir of this Surah. The remainder of the narration is supported by others. The scholars explain the mention of the Prophet’s family to mean that such representation was necessary when changing a treaty.]

{4. Except those of the Mushrikin with whom you have a treaty, and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty for them until the end of their term. Surely, Allah loves those who have Taqwa.}

Existing Peace Treaties remained valid until the End of Their Term

This is an exception regulating the longest extent of time for those who have a general treaty – with out time mentioned – to four months. They would have four months to travel the lands in search of sanctuary for themselves wherever they wish. Those whose treaty mentioned a specifec limited term, then the longest it would extend was to the point of its agreed upon termination date. Hadiths in this regard preceeded. So anyone who had a treaty with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, it lasted until its specific termination date. However, those in this category were required to refrain from breaking the terms of the agreement with Muslims and from helping non-Muslims against Muslims. This is the type whose peace agreement with Muslims was carried out to its end. Allah encouraged honoring such peace treaties, saying, “Surely, Allah loves those who have Taqwa” (9:4), who keep their promises.

{5. So when the Sacred Months have passed, then fight the Mushrikin wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and lie in wait for them in each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform the Salah, and give the Zakah, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.}

This is the Ayah of the Sword

Mujahid, Amr bin Shuayb, Muhammad bin Ishaq, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that the four months mentioned in this Ayah are the four-month grace period mentioned in the earlier Ayah, (At-Tabari 14:136-137) “So travel freely for four months throughout the land.” Allah said next, “So when the Sacred Months have passed…”, meaning, ‘Upon the end of the four months during which We prohibited you from fighting the idolators, and which is the grace period We gave them, then fight and kill the idolators wherever you may find them.’ Allah’s statement next, “then fight the Mushrikin wherever you find them”, means, on the earth in general, except for the Sacred Area, for Allah said, “And fight not with them at Al-Masjid Al-Haram, unless they fight you there. But if they attack you, then fight them.” (2:191) Allah said here, “and capture them”, executing some and keeping some as prisoners, “and besiege them, and lie in wait for them in each and every ambush”, do not wait until you find them. Rather, seek and besiege them in their areas and forts, gather intelligence about them in the various roads and fairways so that what is made wide looks ever smaller to them. This way, they will have no choice, but to die or embrace Islam, “But if they repent and perform the Salah, and give the Zakah, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Abu Bakr As-Siddiq used this and other honorable Ayat as proof for fighting those who refrained from paying the Zakah.

These Ayat allowed fighting people unless, and until, they embrace Islam and implement its rulings and obligations. Allah mentioned the most important aspects of Islam here, including what is less important. Surely, the highest elements of Islam after the Two Testimonials, are the prayer, which is the right of Allah, the Exalted and Ever High, then the Zakah, which benefits the poor and needy. These are the most honorable acts that creatures perform, and this is why Allah often mentions the prayer and Zakah together. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Ibn Umar said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish the prayer and pay the Zakah.” (Fath Al-Bari 1:95)

This honorable Ayah (9:5) was called the Ayah of the Sword, about which Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim said, “It abrogated every agreement of peace between the Prophet and any idolator, every treaty, and every term.” Al-Awfi said that Ibn Abbas commented: “No idolator had any more treaty or promise of safety ever since Surah Bara’ah was revealed. The four months, in addition to, all peace treaties conducted before Bara’ah was revealed and announced had ended by the tenth of the month of Rabi Al-Akhir.” (At-Tabari 14:133)

{6. And if anyone of the Mushrikin seeks your protection then grant him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allah (the Qur’an) and then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not.}

The Idolaters are granted Safe Passage if They seek It

Allah said to His Prophet, peace be upon him, “And if anyone of the Mushrikin”, whom you were commanded to fight and We allowed you their blood and property,’ “seeks your protection”, asked you for safe passage, then accept his request until he hears the Words of Allah, the Qur’an. Recite the Qur’an to him and mention a good part of the religion with which you establish Allah’s proof against him, “and then escort him to where he can be secure” and safe, until he goes back to his land, his home, and area of safety, “that is because they are men who know not.” The Ayah says, ‘We legislated giving such people safe passage so that they may learn about the religion of Allah, so that Allah’s call will spread among His servants. Ibn Abi Najih narrated that Mujahid said that this Ayah, “Refers to someone who comes to you to hear what you say and what was revealed to you (O Muhammad). Therefore, he is safe until he comes to you, hears Allah’s Words and then proceeds to the safe area where he came from.” (At-Tabari 14:139) The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to thereafter grant safe passage to those who came to him for guidance or to deliver a message. On the day of Hudaybiyyah, several emissaries from Quraysh came to him, such as Urwah bin Masud, Mikraz bin Hafs, Suhayl bin Amr and several others. They came mediating between him and the Quraysh pagans. They witnessed the great respect the Muslims had for the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, which astonished them, for they never before saw such respect for anyone, kings nor czars. They went back to their people and conveyed this news to them; this, among other reasons, was one reason that most of them accepted the guidance. When Musaylimah the Liar sent an emissary to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he asked him, “Do you testify that Musaylimah is a messenger from Allah?” He said, “Yes.” The Messenger of Allah said,

“I would have cut off your head, if it was not that emissaries are not killed.” (Ibn Hisham 4:247)

That man, Ibn An-Nawwahah, was later beheaded when Abdullah bin Masud was the governor of Al-Kufah. When it became known that he still testified that Musaylimah was a messenger from Allah, Ibn Masud summoned him and said to him, “You are not delivering a message now!” He commanded that Ibn An-Nawwahah be decapitated, may Allah curse him and deprive him of His mercy. In summary, those who come from a land at war with Muslims to the area of Islam, delivering a message, for business transactions, to negotiate a peace treaty, to pay the Jizyah, to offer an end to hostilities, and so forth, and request safe passage from Muslim leaders or their deputies, should be granted safe passage, as long as they remain in Muslim areas, until they go back to their land and sanctuary.

{7.”How can there be a covenant with Allah and with His Messenger for the Mushrikin except those with whom you made a covenant near Al-Masjid Al-Haram (at Makkah)? So long as they are true to you, stand you true to them. Verily, Allah loves those who have Taqwa.”}

Affirming the Disavowel of the Idolaters

Allah mentions the wisdom in dissolving all obligations to the idolators and giving them a four month period of safety, after which they will meet the sharp sword wherever they are found, “How can there be a covenant for the Mushrikin”, a safe resort and refuge, while they persist in Shirk with Allah, and disbelief in Him and His Messenger, “except those with whom you made a covenant near Al-Masjid Al-Haram?”, on the day of Hudaybiyyah. Allah said in another Ayah “concerning the day of Hudaybiyyah”, “They are the ones who disbelieved and hindered you from Al-Masjid Al-Haram and detained the sacrificial animals, from reaching their place of sacrifice.” (48:25) Allah said next, “So long as they are true to you, stand you true to them.”, if they keep the terms of the treaties you conducted with them, including peace between you and them for ten years, “then stand you true to them. Verily, Allah loves those who have Taqwa.”

The Messenger of Allah and the Muslims preserved the terms of the treaty with the people of Makkah from the month of Dhul-Qadah in the sixth year [of Hijrah], until the Quraysh broke it and helped their allies, Banu Bakr, against Khuza’ah, the allies of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Aided by the Quraysh, Banu Bakr killed some of Bani Khuza’ah in the Sacred Area! The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, led an invasion army in the month of Ramadan, of the eighth year, and Allah opened the Sacred Area for him to rule over them, all thanks are due to Allah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, freed the Quraysh who embraced Islam after they were overpowered and defeated. These numbered around two thousands, and they were refered to by the name ‘Tulaqa’ afterwards. Those among them who remained in disbelief and ran away from Allah’s Messenger were sent promises of safe refuge for four months, during which they were allowed to move about freely. They included Safwan bin Umayyah, Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl and many others. Allah later on guided them to Islam, and they became excellent believers. Surely, Allah is worthy of all praise for all His actions and decrees.

{8. How? When if you are overpowered by them, they regard not the ties, either of kinship, (Ill) or of covenant (Dhimmah)? With their mouths they please you, but their hearts are averse to you, and most of them are rebellious.}

Allah encourages the believers to show enmity to the idolators and to dissociate from them, affirming that they do not deserve to enjoy a covenant of peace, because of their Shirk in Allah and disbelief in Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. If these disbelievers have a chance to defeat Muslims, they will cause great mischief, leave nothing unharmed, disregard the ties of kinship and the sanctity of their vows. Ali bin Abi Talhah, Ikrimah and Al-Awfi narrated that Ibn Abbas said, “Ill means kinship, while, Dhimmah means covenant.” (At-Tabari 14:146) Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi said similarly. (At-Tabari 14:147)

{9. They have purchased with the Ayat of Allah a little gain, and they hindered men from His way; evil indeed is that which they used to do.

10. With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who are the transgressors.

11. But if they repent, perform the Salah and give the Zakah, then they are your brethren in religion. (In this way) We explain the Ayat in detail for a people who know.}

Allah admonishes the idolators and encourages the believers to fight against them because, “They have purchased with the Ayat of Allah a little gain” idolators exchanged following the Ayat of Allah with the lower affairs of life that they indulged in, “and they hindered men from His way”, trying to prevent the believers from following the truth, “evil indeed is that which they used to do. With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant!” (9:9-10). We explained these meanings before, as well as, the meaning of, “But if they repent, perform the Salah…”

{12. But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and attack your religion with disapproval and criticism, then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief – for surely, their oaths are nothing to them – so that they may stop (evil actions)}

Allah says, if the idolators with whom you conducted peace treaties for an appointed term break “their oaths” meaning, terms of their treaties, and covenants “and attack your religion…” with disapproval and criticism, it is because of this that one who curses the Messenger, peace be upon him, or attacks the religion of Islam by way of criticism and disapproval, they are to be fought. This is why Allah said afterwards, “then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief – for surely, their oaths are nothing to them – so that they may stop.” so that they may refrain from the disbelief, rebellion and the transgression they indulge in. Qatadah and others said that the leaders of disbelief were Abu Jahl, Utbah and Shaybah, Umayyah bin Khalaf, and he went on to mention several others. Al-Amash narrated from Zayd bin Wahb from Hudhayfah; “The people of this Ayah were never fought again.” (At-Tabari 14:156) A similar statement was reported from Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. However, this Ayah is general, even though the specific reason behind revealing it was the idolators of Quraysh. So this Ayah generally applies to them and others as well, Allah knows best. Al-Walid bin Muslim said that Safwan bin Amr narrated that Abdur-Rahman bin Jubayr bin Nufayr said that when Abu Bakr sent an army to Ash-Sham, he advised them, “You will find some people with shaved heads. Therefore, strike the swords upon the parts that contain the devil, for by Allah, it is better to me to kill one of these people than to kill seventy other men. This is because Allah said, “then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief.” Ibn Abi Hatim collected it. (Ibn Abi Hatim 6:1761)

{13. Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths and intended to expel the Messenger while they did attack you first? Do you fear them? Allah has more right that you should fear Him if you are believers.

14. Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them and give you victory over them, and heal the breasts of a believing people,

15. And remove the anger of their (believers’) hearts. Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.}

Encouragement to fight the Disbelievers, and some Benefits of Fighting Them

These Ayat encourage, direct and recommend fighting against the idolators who break the terms of their covenants, those who tried to expel the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, from Makkah. Allah said in other Ayat, “And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you to imprison you, or to kill you, or to expell you; they were plotting and Allah too was plotting; and Allah is the best of those who plot.” (8:30), “…and have driven out the Messenger and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allah your Lord!”(60:1), and, “And verily, they were about to frighten you so much as to drive you out from the land.” (17:76) Allah’s statement, “while they did attack you first”, refers to the battle of Badr when the idolators marched to protect their caravan. When they knew that their caravan escaped safely, they still went ahead with their intent to fight Muslims out of arrogance, as we mentioned before. It was also said that these Ayat refer to the idolators breaking the peace agreement with Muslims and aiding Bani Bakr, their allies, against Khuza’ah, the ally of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This is why the Messenger of Allah marched to Makkah in the year of the victory, thus conquering it, all thanks and praise is due to Allah. Allah said, “Do you fear them? Allah has more right that you should fear Him if you are believers.” Allah says here, ‘Do not fear idolators, but fear Me instead, for I am worthy of being feared by the servants due to My might and punishment. In My Hand lies the matter; whatever I will occurs, and whatever I do not will does not occur.’

Allah next said, while ordering the believers and explaining the wisdom of ordaining Jihad against them, all the while able to destroy their enemies with a command from Him, “Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them and give you victory over them, and heal the breasts of a believing people.” This Ayah includes all believers, even though Mujahid, Ikrimah and As-Suddi said that it refers to Khuza’ah. Concerning the believers, Allah said; “and remove the anger of their hearts”, then “Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills”, from His servants, “Allah is All-Knowing”, in what benefits His servants, “All-Wise”, in His actions and statements, whether narrative or legislative. Allah does what He wills, decides what He wills, and He is the Just Who never wrongs any. Not even the weight of an atom of good or evil is ever neglected with Him, but rather, He compensates for it in this life and the Hereafter.

{16. Do you think that you shall be left alone while Allah has not yet tested those among you who have striven hard and fought, and have not taken Walijah besides Allah and His Messenger, and the believers. Allah is well-acquainted with what you do.}

Among the Wisdom of Jihad is to Test the Muslims

Allah said, “Do you think”, O believers that We will leave you untested with matters that make apparent those who have pure, good intent from those who have false intent This is why Allah said next, “while Allah has not yet tested those among you who have striven hard and fought and have not taken Walijah besides Allah and His Messenger, and the believers…”, meaning, supporters and confidants. Rather, they are sincere for Allah and His Messenger inwardly and outwardly.

Allah also said; “Alif-Lam-Mim. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make known those who are true, and will certainly make known those who are liars…” (29:1-3), “Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His cause) and (also) tests those who are patient?” (3: 142), and, “Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good” (3:179).

In summary, since Allah legislated Jihad for His servants, He explained that the wisdom behind doing so includes testing His servants, distinguishing between those who obey Him and those who disobey Him. Allah, the Exalted, is the All-Knower of what occurred, what will occur, and the true essence of what might occur had He decided it. Therefore, Allah knows everything before it occurs and how it will occur, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, nor a Lord except Him. Truly, there is none who can avert Allah’s judgment and decision.

{17. It is not for the Mushrikin, to maintain the Masjids of Allah, while they witness against themselves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide.

18. The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day; perform the Salah, and give Zakah and fear none but Allah. It is they who are on true guidance.}

It is not for Idolators to maintain the Masjids of Allah

Allah says that it is not fitting that those who associate others with Allah in worship should maintain the Masjids of Allah that were built in His Name alone without partners. Those who read the Ayah, “Masjid Allah”, said that it refers to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, the most honored Masjid on the earth, which was built, from the first day, for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone without partners. It was built by Khalil Ar-Rahman (the Prophet Ibrahim) peace be upon him. The idolators do this while they themselves testify to their disbelief with their statements and actions. As-Suddi said, “If you ask a Christian, ‘What is your religion?’, He will tell you he is a Christian. If you ask a Jew about his religion, he will say he is a Jew, and the same for a Sabi’ and a Mushrik!”’ (At-Tabari 14:165) “The works of such are in vain”, because of their Shirk,“and in Fire shall they abide.”

Allah said in another Ayah,“And why should not Allah punish them while they hinder (men) from Al-Masjid Al-Haram, and they are not its guardians? None can be its guardians except those with Taqwa, but most of them know not.” (8:34).

Believers are the True Maintainers of the Masjids

Allah said, “The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day.” Therefore, Allah testifies to the faith of those who maintain the Masjids. Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Amr bin Maymun Al-Awdi said, “I met the Companions of the Prophet and they were saying, ‘The Masjids are the Houses of Allah on the earth. It is a promise from Allah that He is generous to those who visit Him in the Masjids.” Allah said next, “perform the Salah”, one of the major acts of worship practiced by the body, “and give the Zakah”, which is the best act that benefits other people,“and fear none but Allah”, they fear only Allah, the Exalted, and none else, “It is they who are on true guidance.” Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn Abbas said about Allah’s statement, “The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day” “He who singles out Allah (in worship), has faith in the Last Day.” “And he said” “He who believes in what Allah has revealed,“perform the Salah”, establishes the five daily prayers,“and fear none but Allah”, worships Allah alone, “it may be they who are on true guidance”. Allah says, ‘It is they who are the successful ones in truth.’ Similarly, Allah said to His Prophet, “It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqam Mahmud” (17:79). Allah says here, ‘Your Lord (O Muhammad) shall grant you a station of praise, that is, the intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).’ Every ‘might’ in the Qur’an means ‘shall’.”

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol 4) Abridged Pages 369-391

[Please note: The ‘Ayah of the Sword’ (9:5) has caused a lot of controversy in the present day and has been misconstrued by a number of groups to justify acts that are essentially ‘unislamic’ such as the indiscriminate killing of disbelievers or of members of sects deemed to be deviant. This blog is serialising the traditional tafseer of the Qur’an by Ibn Katheer and therefore cannot adequately deal with the complexities of contemporary politics. However, as it forms part of Ibn Katheer’s exegesis and indeed of the Qur’an itself it also cannot be omitted.

We need to stress that the first six ayat of this surah are often taken out of context, and it is therefore vitally important that they be understood within their historical and textual setting. For example, the well known American teacher Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan (see http://bayyinah.com) points out in his explanation of the tafseer of these ayat that the first command to fight was actually given to the Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, because he came with laws that needed to be enforced. The command to fight is therefore linked with the power to implement law, and it is for the state to implement, not an individual or group. When groups or individuals take this upon themselves this leads to chaos. These first six ayat were revealed a year after the conquest of Makkah, when the Muslims were already in the position power. The episodes of violence that we see in the seerah directly relate to punishments for the violations of the Quraysh. In previous times, under previous Prophets, Allah administered the punishment of a disobedient people in the form of natural disasters etc, in the time of the Prophet Muhammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, we see the punishment of the disobedient Quraysh being administered by the Muslims. From this contextualised historical tafseer we cannot and should not assume that these ayat are being delivered in relation to all non-Muslims at any place and time.]

{19. Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of Al-Masjid Al-Haram as equal to the worth of those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah? They are not equal before Allah. And Allah guides not those people who are the wrongdoers.

20. Those who believed and emigrated and strove hard and fought in Allah’s cause with their wealth and their lives, are far higher in degree with Allah. They are the successful.

21. Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him, and His being pleased (with them), and of Gardens (Paradise) for them wherein are everlasting delights.

22. They will dwell therein forever. Verily, with Allah is a great reward.}

Providing Pilgrim with Water and Maintaining the Sacred Masjid are not equal to faith and Jihad

In his Tafsir, Al-Awfi reported that Ibn Abbas explained this Ayah: “The idolators said, ‘Maintaining Al-Masjid Al-Haram and providing water for pilgrims are better than embracing the faith and performing Jihad.’ They used to boast and show off among the people because they claimed, they were the people and maintainers of Al-Masjid Al-Haram. Allah mentioned their arrogance and rejection (of the faith), saying to ‘the people of Al-Haram’, who were idolators, “Indeed My Ayat used to be recited to you, but you used to turn back on your heels (denying them, and refusing to listen to them with hatred). In pride, talking evil about it (the Qur’an) by night.”(23:66-67). They used to boast about being those who maintained the Sacred Sanctuary,“talking about it by night”. They used to talk about this by night while shunning the Qur’an and the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Allah declared that faith and Jihad with the Prophet are better than the idolators’ maintaining Al-Masjid Al-Haram and providing water for pilgrims. These actions – maintaining and serving Allah’s House – will not benefit them with Allah because they associate others with Him. Allah the Exalted said, “They are not equal before Allah. And Allah guides not those people who are the wrongdoers.” those who claimed they are the maintainers of the House. Allah described them with injustice, on account of their Shirk, and thus, their maintaining the Masjid will not avail them.” (At-Tabari 14:170)

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said, “This Ayah was revealed about Al-Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib, for when he was captured in the battle of Badr, he said, ‘If you rushed before us to embrace Islam, perform Hijrah and Jihad, we were maintaining Al-Masjid Al-Haram, providing water for the pilgrims and setting the indebted free.’ Allah, the Exalted and Ever High, said, “Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims”, until, “and Allah guides not those people who are the wrongdoers”. Allah says, ‘All these actions were performed while committing Shirk, and I do not accept the (good deeds) that are performed while in a state of Shirk.”’ (At-Tabari 14:170) Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim said, “Muslims came to Al-Abbas and his friends who were captured during the battle of Badr and admonished them for their Shirk. Al-Abbas said, ‘By Allah! We used to maintain Al-Masjid Al-Haram, release the indebted, serve the House (or cover it, or maintain it) and provide water for pilgrims.’ Allah revealed this verse, “Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims…”’ (At-Tabari 14:172) There is a Hadith from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about the Tafsir of this Ayah that we should mention. Abdur-Razzaq recorded that An-Numan bin Bashir said that a man said, “I do not care if I do not perform an action after embracing Islam other than providing drinking water for pilgrims “who visit the Kabah at Makkah.” Another man said, “I do not care if I do not perform an action after embracing Islam other than maintaining Al-Masjid Al-Haram.” A third man said, “Jihad in the cause of Allah is more righteous than what you have said.” Umar admonished them, “Do not raise your voices next to the Minbar of the Messenger of Allah,” and as it was a Friday, he said, “but after we pray the Friday prayer, we will go to the Prophet and ask him.” This verse was revealed, “Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of Al-Masjid Al-Haram”, until, “They are not equal before Allah.” (Muslim no.1879)

{23. O you who believe! Take not as supporters your fathers and your brothers if they prefer disbelief to belief. And whoever of you befriends them, then he is one of the wrongdoers.

24. Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your spouses, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are rebellious.}

The Prohibition of taking Idolators as Supporters, even with Relatives

Allah commands shunning the disbelievers, even if they are one’s parents or children, and prohibits taking them as supporters if they choose disbelief instead of faith. Allah warns,“with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written (predetermined) faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a Ruh (proof, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow.” (58:22) Al-Hafiz Al-Bayhaqi recorded that Abdullah bin Shawdhab said, “The father of Abu Ubaydah bin Al-Jarrah was repeatedly praising the idols to his son on the day of Badr, and Abu Ubaydah kept avoiding him. When Al-Jarrah persisted, his son Abu Ubaydah headed towards him and killed him. Allah revealed this Ayah in his case, “You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written (predetermined) faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a Ruh (proof, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow.” (58:22)

Al-Hafiz Al-Bayhaqi recorded that Abdullah bin Shawdhab said, “The father of Abu Ubaydah bin Al-Jarrah was repeatedly praising the idols to his son on the day of Badr, and Abu Ubaydah kept avoiding him. When Al-Jarrah persisted, his son Abu Ubaydah headed towards him and killed him. Allah revealed this Ayah in his case, “You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger.” (58:22) (Al-Bayhaqi 9:27) [This is aMursal narration]

Allah commanded His Messenger to warn those who prefer their family, relatives or tribe to Allah, His Messenger and Jihad in His cause, “Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained”, amassed and collected, “the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight”, and prefer and love because they are comfortable and good. If all these things,“are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His cause, then wait…” for what will befall you of Allah’s punishment and torment,”until Allah brings about His decision. And Allah guides not the people who are rebellious.” Imam Ahmad recorded that Zuhrah bin Mabad said that his grandfather said, “We were with the Messenger of Allah , while he was holding the hand of Umar bin Al-Khattab. Umar said, ‘By Allah! You, O Messenger of Allah, are dearer to me than everything, except for myself.’ The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“None among you will attain faith until I become dearer to him than even himself.”

Umar said, ‘Verily, now, you are dearer to me than myself, by Allah!’ The Messenger of Allah said,

“Now, O Umar!” (Ahmad 4:336)

Al-Bukhari also collected this Hadith. (Fath Al-Bari 11:532) Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud (this is the version of Abu Dawud) recorded that Ibn Umar said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah saying,

“If you transact in Iynah (a type of Riba), follow the tails of cows (tilling the land), become content with agriculture and abandoned Jihad, Allah will send on you disgrace that He will not remove until, you return to your religion.” (Ahmad 2:42 and Abu Dawud:3462)

{25. Truly, Allah has given you victory on many battlefields, and on the day of Hunayn (battle) when you rejoiced at your great number, but it availed you naught and the earth, vast as it is, was straitened for you, then you turned back in flight.

26. Then Allah did send down His Sakinah (tranquillity) on His Messenger, and on the believers, and sent down forces (angels) which you saw not, and punished the disbelievers. Such is the recompense of disbelievers.

27. Then after that Allah will accept the repentance of whom He wills. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.}

The Outcome of Victory by Way of the Unseen Aid

Ibn Jurayj reported from Mujahid that this was the first Ayah of Bara’ah in which Allah, the Exalted, reminds the believers how He favored and blessed them by giving them victory in many battles with His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Allah mentioned that victory comes from Him, by His aid and decree, not because of their numbers or adequate supplies, whether the triumphs are few or many. On the day of Hunayn, the Muslims were proud because of their large number, which did not avail them in the least; they retreated and fled from battle. Only a few of them remained with the Messenger of Allah Allah then sent down His aid and support to His Messenger and the believers who remained with him, so that they were aware that victory is from Allah alone and through His aid, even if the victorious were few. Many a small group overcame a larger opposition by Allah’s leave, and Allah is ever with those who are patient. We will explain this subject in detail below, Allah willing.

The Battle of Hunayn

The battle of Hunayn occurred after the victory of Makkah, in the month of Shawwal of the eighth year of Hijrah. After the Prophet conquered Makkah and things settled, most of its people embraced Islam and he set them free. News came to the Messenger of Allah that the tribe of Hawazin were gathering their forces to fight him, under the command of Malik bin Awf An-Nadri, as well as, the entire tribe of Thaqif, the tribes of Banu Jusham, Banu Sad bin Bakr, a few people of Awza from Banu Hilal and some people from Bani Amr bin Amir and Awf bin Amir. They brought their women, children, sheep and camels along, in addition to their armed forces and adequate supplies. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, marched to meet them with the army that he brought to conquer Makkah, ten thousand from the Muhajirin, the Ansar and various Arab tribes. Along with them came the Tulaqa numbering two thousand men. The Messenger took them along to meet the enemy. The two armies met in Humayn, a valley between Makkah and At-Ta’if.

The battle started in the early part of the morning, when the Huwazin forces, who were lying in ambush, descended on the valley when the Muslims entered. Muslims were suddenly struck by the ambush, the arrows descended on them and the swords struck them. The Huwazin commander ordered them to descend and attack the Muslims as one block, and when they did that, the Muslims retreated in haste, just as Allah described them. The Messenger of Allah remained firm in his position while riding his mule, Ash-Shahba’. He was leading his mule towards the enemy, while his uncle Al-Abbas was holding its right-hand rope and (his cousin) Abu Sufyan bin Al-Harith bin Abdul-Muttalib was holding the left rope. They tried to hold the mule back so it would not run faster toward the enemy. Meanwhile, the Messenger of Allah was declaring his name aloud and saying,

“O servants of Allah! Come back to me! I am the Messenger of Allah! He repeated these words,”I am the Prophet, not lying! I am the son of Abdul-Muttalib!”

There remained between a hundred and eighty Companions with the Prophet, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him. These included Abu Bakr, Umar, Al-Abbas, Ali, Al-Fadl bin Abbas, Abu Sufyan bin Al-Harith, Ayman the son of Umm Ayman and Usamah bin Zayd. There were many other Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. The Prophet commanded his uncle Al-Abbas, whose voice was rather loud, to call at the top of his voice, “O Companions of the Samurah “tree” referring to the Muhajirin and Ansar who gave their pledge under the tree during the pledge of Ridwan, not to run away and retreat. He also called, “O Companions of Surat Al-Baqarah.” Upon hearing that, those heralded started saying, “Here we are! Here we are!” Muslims started returning in the direction of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. If the camel of one of them did not obey him (as the people were rushing to the other direction in flight) he would wear his shield and descend from his camel and rush to the side of the Messenger of Allah on foot. When a large crowd gathered around the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he commanded them to fight in sincerity and took a handful of sand and threw it in the faces of the disbelievers, after supplicating to Allah,

“O Allah! Fulfill Your promise to me!”

Then he threw that handful of sand which entered the eyes and mouth of all the disbelievers, thus distracting them from fighting, and they retreated in defeat. The Muslims pursued the enemy, killing and capturing them. The rest of the Muslim army (returning to battle gradually) rejoined their positions and found many captured disbelieving soldiers kept tied before the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Shubah said that Abu Ishaq said that Al-Bara bin Azib said to a man who asked him, “O Abu Amarah! Did you run away during Hunayn and leave the Messenger of Allah?” Al-Bara said, “But the Messenger of Allah did not run away. Hawazin was a tribe proficient with their arrows. When we met them we attacked their forces and they ran away in defeat. The Muslims started to worry about collecting the spoils of war and the Hawazin started shooting arrows at us, then the Muslims fled. I saw the Messenger of Allah proclaiming, – while Abu Sufyan was holding the bridle of his white mule,

“I am the Prophet, not lying, I am the son of Abdul- Muttalib!” (Fath Al-Bari 6:81 and Muslim 3:1401)

This shows the great courage on behalf of the Prophet in the midst of confusion, when his army ran away and left him behind. Yet, the Messenger remained on his mule, which is a slow animal, not suitable for fast battle moves or even escape. Yet, the Messenger of Allah was encouraging his mule to move forward towards the enemy announcing who he was, so that those among them who did not know who he was came to know him. May Allah’s peace and blessings be on the Messenger until the Day of Resurrection. This indicates the tremendous trust in Allah and reliance upon Him, as well as, sure knowledge that He will give him victory, complete what He has sent him for and give prominence to his religion above all other religions. Allah said,“Then Allah did send down His Sakinah on His Messenger”, He sent down tranquillity and reassurance to His Messenger,“and on the believers”, who remained with him,“and sent down forces which you saw not,”this refers to angels. Imam Abu Jafar bin Jarir At-Tabari said that Al-Qasim narrated to them, that Al-Hasan bin Arafah said that Al-Mutamir bin Sulayman said from Awf bin Abi Jamilah Al-Arabi who said that he heard Abdur-Rahman, the freed slave of Ibn Barthan saying, “A man who participated in Hunayn with the idolators narrated to me, ‘When we met the Messenger of Allah and his Companions on the day of Hunayn, they did not remain in battle more than the time it takes to milk a sheep! When we defeated them, we pursued them until we ended at the rider of the white mule, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. At that time, men with white handsome faces intercepted us and said: ‘Disgraced be the faces! Go back. So we ran away, but they followed us. That was the end for us.” (At-Tabari 14:186)

Allah said,“Then after that Allah will accept the repentance of whom He wills. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Allah forgave the rest of Huwazin when they embraced Islam and went to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, before he arrived at Makkah in the Jiranah area. This occurred twenty days after the battle of Hunayn. The Messenger gave them the choice between taking those who were prisoner or the war spoils they lost, and they chose the former. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, released six thousand prisoners to them, but divided the war spoils between the victors, such as some of the Tulaqa’, so that their hearts would be inclined towards Islam. He gave each of them a hundred camels, and the same to Malik bin Awf An-Nasri whom he appointed chief of his people (Huwazin) as he was before. Malik bin Awf said a poem in which he praised the Messenger of Allah for his generosity and extraordinary courage.

{28. O you who believe! Verily, the Mushrikin are impure. So let them not come near Al-Masjid Al-Haram after this year; and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you if He wills, out of His bounty. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

29. Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth among the People of the Scripture, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.}

Idolators are no longer allowed into Masjid Al-Haram

Allah commands His believing servants, who are pure in religion and person, to expel the idolators who are filthy in the religious sense, from Al-Masjid Al-Haram. After the revelation of this Ayah, idolators were no longer allowed to go near the Masjid. This Ayah was revealed in the ninth year of Hijrah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sent Ali in the company of Abu Bakr that year to publicize to the idolators that no Mushrik will be allowed to perform Hajj after that year, nor a naked person allowed to perform Tawaf around the House. Allah completed this decree, made it a legislative ruling, as well as, a fact of reality. Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Jabir bin Abdullah commented on the Ayah,“O you who believe! Verily, the Mushrikin are impure. So let them not come near Al-Masjid Al-Haram after this year”“Unless it was a servant or one of the people of Dhimmah.” (Abdur-Razzaq 2:271) Imam Abu Amr Al-Awza’i said, “Umar bin Abdul-Aziz wrote (to his governors) to prevent Jews and Christians from entering the Masjids of Muslims, and he followed his order with Allah’s statement,“Verily, the Mushrikin are impure.” (Fath Al-Bari 3:150) Ata’ said, “All of the Sacred Area the Haram is considered a Masjid, for Allah said,“So let them not come near Al-Masjid Al-Haram (at Makkah) after this year.” This Ayah indicates that idolators are impure and that the believers are pure. In the Sahih is the following,“The believer does not become impure.”

Allah said,“and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you, out of His bounty.”Muhammad bin Ishaq commented, “The people said, ‘Our markets will be closed, our commerce disrupted, and what we earned will vanish.’ So Allah revealed this verse,“and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you, out of His bounty”, from other resources,“if He wills”, until,“…and feel themselves subdued.” This Ayah means, ‘this will be your compensation for the closed markets that you feared would result.’ Therefore, Allah compensated them for the losses they incurred because they severed ties with idolators, by the Jizyah they earned from the People of the Book.” (At-Tabari 14:197) Similar statements were reported from Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Ikrimah, Said bin Jubayr, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak and others. (At-Tabari 14:193-196)

Allah said,“Surely, Allah is All-Knowing”, in what benefits you,“All-Wise”, in His orders and prohibitions, for He is All-Perfect in His actions and statements, All-Just in His creations and decisions, Blessed and Hallowed be He. This is why Allah compensated Muslims for their losses by the amount of Jizyah that they took from the people of Dhimmah.

The Order of fight People of the Scriptures until They give the Jizyah

Allah said,“Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth among the People of the Scripture, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” Therefore, when People of the Scriptures disbelieved in Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, they had no beneficial faith in any Messenger or what the Messengers brought. Rather, they followed their religions because this conformed with their ideas, lusts and the ways of their forefathers, not because they are Allah’s Law and religion. Had they been true believers in their religions, that faith would have directed them to believe in Muhammad, because all Prophets gave the good news of Muhammad’s advent and commanded them to obey and follow him. Yet when he was sent, they disbelieved in him, even though he is the mightiest of all Messengers. Therefore, they do not follow the religion of earlier Prophets because these religions came from Allah, but because these suit their desires and lusts. Therefore, their claimed faith in an earlier Prophet will not benefit them because they disbelieved in the master, the mightiest, the last and most perfect of all Prophets . Hence Allah’s statement,“Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth among the People of the Scripture”This honorable Ayah was revealed with the order to fight the People of the Book, after the pagans were defeated, the people entered Allah’s religion in large numbers, and the Arabian Peninsula was secured under the Muslims’ control. Allah commanded His Messenger to fight the People of the Scriptures, Jews and Christians, on the ninth year of Hijrah, and he prepared his army to fight the Romans and called the people to Jihad announcing his intent and destination. The Messenger sent his intent to various Arab areas around Al-Madinah to gather forces, and he collected an army of thirty thousand. Some people from Al-Madinah and some hypocrites, in and around it, lagged behind, for that year was a year of drought and intense heat. The Messenger of Allah marched, heading towards Ash-Sham to fight the Romans until he reached Tabuk, where he set camp for about twenty days next to its water resources. He then prayed to Allah for a decision and went back to Al-Madinah because it was a hard year and the people were weak, as we will mention, Allah willing.

Paying Jizyah is a Sign of Kufr and Disgrace

Allah said,“until they pay the Jizyah”, if they do not choose to embrace Islam,“with willing submission”, in defeat and subservience,“and feel themselves subdued”, disgraced, humiliated and belittled. Therefore, Muslims are not allowed to honor the people of Dhimmah or elevate them above Muslims, for they are miserable, disgraced and humiliated. Muslim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“Do not initiate the Salam to the Jews and Christians, and if you meet any of them in a road, force them to its narrowest alley.” (Muslim 4:1707)

This is why the Leader of the faithful Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, demanded his well-known conditions be met by the Christians, these conditions that ensured their continued humiliation, degradation and disgrace. The scholars of Hadith narrated from Abdur-Rahman bin Ghanm Al-Ashari that he said, “I recorded for Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, the terms of the treaty of peace he conducted with the Christians of Ash-Sham: ‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. This is a document to the servant of Allah Umar, the Leader of the faithful, from the Christians of such and such city. When you (Muslims) came to us we requested safety for ourselves, children, property and followers of our religion. We made a condition on ourselves that we will neither erect in our areas a monastery, church, or a sanctuary for a monk, nor restore any place of worship that needs restoration nor use any of them for the purpose of enmity against Muslims. We will not prevent any Muslim from resting in our churches whether they come by day or night, and we will open the doors (of our houses of worship) for the wayfarer and passerby. Those Muslims who come as guests, will enjoy boarding and food for three days. We will not allow a spy against Muslims into our churches and homes or hide deceit (or betrayal) against Muslims. We will not teach our children the Qur’an, publicize practices of Shirk, invite anyone to Shirk or prevent any of our fellows from embracing Islam, if they choose to do so. We will respect Muslims, move from the places we sit in if they choose to sit in them. We will not imitate their clothing, caps, turbans, sandals, hairstyles, speech, nicknames and title names, or ride on saddles, hang swords on the shoulders, collect weapons of any kind or carry these weapons. We will not encrypt our stamps in Arabic, or sell liquor. We will have the front of our hair cut, wear our customary clothes wherever we are, wear belts around our waist, refrain from erecting crosses on the outside of our churches and demonstrating them and our books in public in Muslim fairways and markets. We will not sound the bells in our churches, except discretely, or raise our voices while reciting our holy books inside our churches in the presence of Muslims, nor raise our voices (with prayer) at our funerals, or light torches in funeral processions in the fairways of Muslims, or their markets. We will not bury our dead next to Muslim dead, or buy servants who were captured by Muslims. We will be guides for Muslims and refrain from breaching their privacy in their homes.’ When I gave this document to Umar, he added to it, ‘We will not beat any Muslim. These are the conditions that we set against ourselves and followers of our religion in return for safety and protection. If we break any of these promises that we set for your benefit against ourselves, then our Dhimmah (promise of protection) is broken and you are allowed to do with us what you are allowed of people of defiance and rebellion.”’ (Al-Muhalla by Ibn Hazm 7:346)

{30. And the Jews say: “Uzayr (Ezra) is the son of Allah,” and the Christians say: “The Messiah is the son of Allah.” That is their saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. May Allah fight them, how they are deluded away from the truth!

31. They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah, and (they also took as their Lord) the Messiah, son of Maryam, while they were commanded to worship none but One God, none has the right to be worshipped but He. Praise and hallowed be He above what they associate (with Him) }

Fighting the Jews and Christians is legislated because They are Idolators and Disbelievers

Allah the Exalted encouraged the believers to fight the polytheists, disbelieving Jews and Christians, who uttered this terrible statement and uttered lies against Allah, the Exalted. As for the Jews, they claimed that Uzayr was the son of God, Allah is free of what they attribute to Him. As for the misguidance of Christians over Isa, it is obvious. This is why Allah declared both groups to be liars,“That is their saying with their mouths”, but they have no proof that supports their claim, other than lies and fabrications,“resembling”, imitating,“the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime.” They imitate the previous nations who fell into misguidance just as Jews and Christians did,“may Allah fight them”, Ibn Abbas said, “May Allah curse them.” “how they are deluded away from the truth!” how they deviate from truth, when it is apparent, exchanging it for misguidance. Allah said next,“They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah, and the Messiah, son of Maryam” (9:31).

Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Jarir At-Tabari recorded a Hadith via several chains of narration, from Adi bin Hatim, may Allah be pleased with him, who became Christian during the time of Jahiliyyah. When the call of the Messenger of Allah reached his area, Adi ran away to Ash-Sham, and his sister and several of his people were captured. The Messenger of Allah freed his sister and gave her gifts. So she went to her brother and encouraged him to become Muslim and to go to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Adi, who was one of the chiefs of his people (the tribe of Ta’i) and whose father, Hatim At-Ta’i, was known for his generosity, went to Al-Madinah. When the people announced his arrival, Adi went to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. wearing a silver cross around his neck. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, recited this Ayah; “They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah”. Adi commented, “I said, ‘They did not worship them.”’ The Prophet said,

“Yes they did. They (rabbis and monks) prohibited the allowed for them (Christians and Jews) and allowed the prohibited, and they obeyed them. This is how they worshipped them.”

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to Adi,

“O Adi what do you say? Did you run away (to Ash-Sham) so that ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the Great) is not pronounced? Do you know of anything greater than Allah? What made you run away? Did you run away so that ‘La ilaha illallah’ is not pronounced? Do you know of any deity worthy of worship except Allah?”

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, invited Adi to embrace Islam, and he embraced Islam and pronounced the Testimony of Truth. The face of the Messenger of Allah beamed with pleasure and he said to Adi,

“Verily, the Jews have earned the anger (of Allah) and the Christians are misguided.”(Ahmad 4:378)

Hudhayfah bin Al-Yaman, Abdullah bin Abbas and several others said about the explanation of,“They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah…” that the Christians and Jews obeyed their monks and rabbis in whatever they allowed or prohibited for them. (At-Tabari 14:212) This is why Allah said,“while they were commanded to worship none but One God”, Who, whatever He renders prohibited is the prohibited, whatever He allowed is the allowed, whatever He legislates, is to be the law followed, and whatever He decides is to be adhered to; “None has the right to be worshipped but He. Hallowed be He above what they associate (with Him).” Meaning, exalted, sanctified, hallowed above partners, equals, aids, rivals or children, there is no deity or Lord worthy of worship except Him.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged) Pages 391 – 411

{32. They want to extinguish Allah’s Light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers hate (it).

33. It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it superior over all religions even though the idolators hate (it).}

People of the Scriptures try to extinguish the Light of Islam

Allah says, the disbelieving idolators and People of the Scriptures want to, “extinguish the Light of Allah”. They try through argument and lies to extinguish the guidance and religion of truth that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was sent with. Their example is the example of he who wants to extinguish the light of the sun or the moon by blowing at them! Indeed, such a person will never accomplish what he sought. Likewise, the light of what the Messenger was sent with will certainly shine and spread. Allah replied to the idolators’ desire and hope, “but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers (Kafirun) hate (it)” (9:32). Linguistincally, a Kafir is the person who covers something. For instance, night is called Kafiran [covering] because it covers things [with darkness]. The farmer is called Kafiran, because he covers seeds in the ground. Allah said in an Ayah,“thereof the growth is pleasing to the [Kuffar] tillers” (57:20).

Islam is the Religion That will dominate over Other Religions

Allah said next,“It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth.” ‘Guidance’ refers to the true narrations, beneficial faith and true religion that the Messenger came with. ‘religion of truth’ refers to the righteous, legal deeds that bring about benefit in this life and the Hereafter. “to make it (Islam) superior over all religions” It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“Allah made the eastern and western parts of the earth draw near for me [to see], and the rule of my Ummah will extend as far as I saw.” (Muslim 4:2215)

Imam Ahmad recorded from Tamim Ad-Dari that he said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah saying,

“This matter (Islam) will keep spreading as far as the night and day reach, until Allah will not leave a house made of mud or hair, but will make this religion enter it, while bringing might to a mighty person (a Muslim) and humiliation to a disgraced person (who rejects Islam). Might with which Allah elevates Islam (and its people) and disgrace with which Allah humiliates disbelief (and its people).”

Tamim Ad-Dari [who was a Christian before Islam] used to say, “I have come to know the meaning of this Hadith in my own people. Those who became Muslims among them acquired goodness, honor and might. Disgrace, humiliation and Jizyah befell those who remained disbelievers.” (Ahmad 4:103)

{34. O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the Ahbar (rabbis) and the Ruhban (monks) who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment.

35. On the Day when that will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them) “This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard.”}

Warning against Corrupt Scholars and Misguided Worshippers

As-Suddi said that the Ahbar are Jewish rabbis, while the Ruhban are Christian monks. (At-Tabari 14:216) This statement is true, for Ahbar are Jewish rabbis, just as Allah said,“Why do not the Ahbar (rabbis) and the religious learned men forbid them from uttering sinful words and eating unlawful things?” (5:63) The Ruhban are Christian monks or worshippers, while the ‘Qissisun’ are their scholars. Allah said in another Ayah, “This is because among them, there are Qissisin and Ruhban…” (5:82). This Ayah warns against corrupt scholars and misguided worshippers. Sufyan bin Uyaynah said, “Those among our scholars who become corrupt are similar to the Jews, while those among our worshippers who become misguided are like Christians.” An authentic Hadith declares,

“You will follow the ways of those who were before you, step by step.”

They asked, “Jews and Christians?” He said,

“Who else?”

In another narration, they asked, “Persia and Rome?” He said,

“And who else if it was not them?” (Ash-Shari’ah p18)

These texts warn against imitating them in action and statement, for they, as Allah stated,“devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allah.” They sell the religion in return for worldly gains, using their positions and status among people to illegally devour their property. For instance, the Jews were respected by the people of Jahiliyyah and collected gifts, taxes and presents from them. When Allah sent His Messenger , the Jews persisted in their misguidance, disbelief and rebellion, hoping to keep their status and position. However, Allah extinguished all this and took it away from them with the light of Prophethood and instead gave them disgrace and degradation, and they incurred the anger of Allah, the Exalted. Allah said next,“and hinder (them) from the way of Allah.” Therefore, they illegally devour people’s property and hinder them from following the truth. They also confuse truth with falsehood and pretend before their ignorant followers that they call to righteousness. The true reality is that they call to the Fire and will not find any helpers on the Day of Resurrection.

Torment of Those Who Hoard Gold and Silver

Allah said,“And those who hoard [Kanz] gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment.” (9:34). This is the third category of leaders, for people rely on their scholars, worshippers and the wealthy among them. When these categories of people become corrupt, the society in general becomes corrupt. Ibn Al-Mubarak once said, “What corrupted the religion, except kings and wicked Ahbar and Ruhban.” As for Kanz, it refers to the wealth on which Zakah has not been paid, according to Malik, who narrated this from Abdullah bin Dinar from Ibn Umar. (Al-Muwatta 1:256) Al-Bukhari recorded that Az-Zuhri said that Khalid bin Aslam said that Abdullah bin Umar said, “This was before Zakah was ordained. When Zakah was ordained, Allah made it a cleanser for wealth.” (Fat Al-Bari 8:175) Umar bin Abdul-Aziz and Irak bin Malik said that this Ayah was abrogated by Allah’s statement,“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth” There are many Hadiths that admonish hoarding gold and silver. We will mention here some of these Hadiths. Abdur-Razzaq recorded a Hadith from Ali about Allah’s statement,“And those who hoard up gold and silver…” Ali said that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“Woe to gold! Woe to silver.”

He repeated this statement thrice, and this Hadith was hard on the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said, “What type of wealth should we use?” Umar said, “I will find out for you,” and he asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Your statement was hard for your Companions. They asked, ‘What wealth should we use?”’ The Prophet answered,

“A remembering tongue, an appreciative heart and a wife that helps one of you implement his religion.” (Abdur-Razzaq 2:263)

Allah’s statement,“On the Day when that will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them) “This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard.” These words will be said to them as a way of admonishing, criticizing and mocking them. Allah also said;“Then pour over his head the torment of boiling water. “Taste you (this)! Verily, you were (pretending to be) the mighty, the generous!” (44:48-49). There is a saying that goes, “He who covets a thing and prefers it to Allah’s obedience, will be punished with it.” Because hoarding money was better to these people than Allah’s pleasure, they were punished with it. For instance, Abu Lahab, may Allah curse him, was especially active in defying the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his wife was helping him in this regard. Therefore, on the Day of Resurrection, she will help in punishing him, for there will be a twisted rope of palm fiber on her neck. She will be gathering wood from the Fire and throwing it on him so that his torment is made harder by the hand of someone whom he used to care for in this life. Likewise, money was precious to those who hoarded it in this life. Therefore, money will produce the worst harm for them in the Hereafter, when it will be heated in the Fire of Jahannam, whose heat is quiet sufficient, and their forehead, sides and back will be branded with it. Imam Abu Jafar Ibn Jarir recorded that Thawban said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to declare,

“Whoever leaves a treasure behind (on which he did not pay the Zakah) then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will follow him, and he will say, ‘Woe to you! Who are you?’ The snake will say, ‘I am your treasure that you left behind,’ and will keep following him until the man gives it his hand; the snake will devour it and then devour his whole body.”

Ibn Hibban also collected this Hadith in his Sahih. Part of this Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs from Abu Hurayrah. (At-Tabari 6:363) In his Sahih, Muslim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“Every man who does not pay the Zakah due on his money, then on the Day of Resurrection, his side, forehead and back will be branded with rods made of fire on a Day the length of which is fifty thousand years, until when the servants will be judged; that man will be shown his destination, either to Paradise or the Fire.” (Muslim 2:628)

In the Tafsir of this Ayah, Al-Bukhari recorded that Zayd bin Wahb said, “I passed by Abu Dharr in the area of Rabadhah and asked him, ‘What made you reside in this area?’ He said, ‘We were in Ash-Sham when I recited this Ayah,“And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment.” Muawiyah said, ‘This Ayah is not about us, it is only about the People of the Book.’ So I (Abu Dharr) said, ‘Rather, it is about us and them.” (Fat Al-Bari 8:173)

{36. Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikin idolaters collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who have Taqwa.}

The Year consists of Twelve Months

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Bakrah said that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said in a speech during his Hajj,

“The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumada (Ath-Thaniyah) and Shaban.”

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then asked, “What is the day today?”

We said, “Allah and His Messenger know better. He kept quiet until we thought that he might give that day another name. He said “Isn’t it the day of Nahr?”

We replied, “Yes.” He further asked, “Which month is this?”

We again said, “Allah and His Messenger know better,” and he kept quiet and made us think that he might give it another name. Then he said, “Isn’t it the month of Dhul-Hijjah?”

We replied, “Yes.” He asked, “What town is this?”

We said, “Allah and His Messenger know better,” and he kept quiet until we thought that he might change its name. He asked, “Isn’t this the (Sacred) Town?”

We said, “Yes.” He said,

“Verily! Your blood, property and honor are sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours and in this city of yours. Verily, you will meet your Lord and He will question you about your actions. Behold! Do not revert to misguidance after me by striking the necks of one another. Have I conveyed? It is incumbent upon those who are present to inform those who are absent, because those who are absent might comprehend (what I have said) better than some who are present.” (Ahmad 5:37)

Al-Bukhari and Muslim collected this Hadith. (Fat Al-Bari 8:175; Muslim 3:1305) In a small book collected by Shaykh Alam ad-Din As-Sakhawi, entitled, Al-Mashhur fi Asma Al-Ayam wash-Shuhur, he mentioned that Muharram is so named because it is a sacred month. To me, it was so named to emphasize its sacredness. This is because the Arabs would switch it around. One year they would say it was a sacred month, the following year they would say that it was not. The author said, “…and Safar is so named because they used to leave their homes during that month for fighting and traveling. When saying ‘Safir’ a place, it means to leave it… Rabi Al-Awwal is called that because they used to do Irtiba in it, that is to maintain one’s property… and Rabi Al-Akhir, was so named for the same reasons. Jumada is called that because the water would dry up (Jamud) then….They say Jumada Al-Uwla and Al-Awwal, or Jumada Al-Akhar or Al-Akhirah. Rajab comes from Tarjib, meaning to honor. Shaban because the tribes would separate and return to their homes. Ramadan was so named because of the severity of the Ramda’ – that is – the heat, and they say that the branch Ramadat when it is thirsty…And the saying that it is a Name of Allah is a mistake, for there is no proof or support for that…”

The Sacred Months

Allah said,“of them four are sacred”. The Arabs used to consider these months sacred during the time of Jahiliyyah, except for a group of them called Al-Basl, who held eight months of the year to be sacred as way of exaggeration in religion. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“Three are in succession; Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab [of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumada (Ath-Thani)] and Shaban”.

The Prophet said “Rajab of Mudar” to attest to the custom of Mudar, in saying that Rajab is the month that is between Jumada and Shaban, not as the tribe of Rabiah thought, that it is between Shaban and Shawwal, which is Ramadan in the present calendar. The four Sacred Months were made four, three in succession and one alone, so that the Hajj and Umrah are performed with ease. Dhul-Qadah, the month before the Hajj month, was made sacred because they refrained from fighting during that month. Dhul-Hijjah, the next month, was made sacred because it is the month of Hajj, during which they performed Hajj rituals. Muharram, which comes next, was made sacred so that they are able to go back to their areas in safety [after performing Hajj]. Rajab, in the middle of the lunar year, was made sacred so that those coming from the farthest areas of Arabia are able to perform Umrah and visit the House and then go back to their areas safely.

Allah said next,“That is the right religion”, that is the Straight Law, requiring implementing Allah’s order concerning the months that He made sacred and their true count as it was originally written by Allah. Allah said,“so wrong not yourselves therein” during these Sacred Months, for sin in them is worse than sin in other months. Likewise, sins in the Sacred City are written multiplied,“…and whoever inclines to evil actions therein (in Makkah) or to do wrong, him We shall cause to taste from a painful torment” (22:25). Similarly, sin in general is worse during the Sacred Months. Ali bin Abi Talhah narrated that Ibn Abbas said, Allah’s statement, “Verily, the number of months with Allah…”, is connected to “so wrong not yourselves therein”, “In all (twelve) months. Allah then chose four out of these months and made them sacred, emphasizing their sanctity, making sinning in them greater, in addition to, multiplying rewards of righteous deeds during them.” (At-Tabari 14:238) Qatadah said about Allah’s statement,“so wrong not yourselves therein”, “Injustice during the Sacred Months is worse and graver than injustice in other months. Verily, injustice is always wrong, but Allah makes things graver than others as He will.” He also said, “Allah has chosen some of His creation above others. He chose Messengers from angels and from men. He also chose His Speech above all speech, the Masajid above other areas of the earth, Ramadan and the Sacred Months above all months, Friday above the other days and Laylatul-Qadr (The Night of Decree) above all nights. Therefore, sanctify what Allah has sanctified, for doing so is the practice of people of understanding and comprehension.”

Fighting in the Sacred Months

Allah said,“and fight against the idolators collectively”, all of you,“as they fight against you collectively”, all of them,“But know that Allah is with those who have Taqwa”, and know that initiating battle during the Sacred Months is forbidden. Allah said in other Ayat,“O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month.” (5:2),“The Sacred Month is for the Sacred Month, and for the prohibited things, there is the law of equality (Qisas). Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you transgress likewise against him” (2:194), and,“Then when the Sacred Months have passed, kill the idolators…” (9:5). As for Allah’s statement, “And fight against the idolators collectively as they fight against you collectively”, it includes permission for the believers to fight the idolators in the Sacred Month, if the idolators initiate hostilities therein. Allah said in other Ayat,“The Sacred Month is for the Sacred Month, and for the prohibited things, there is the law of equality (Qisas)” (2:194), and,“And fight not with them at Al-Masjid Al-Haram, unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them.” (2:191).

As for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, laying siege to At-Ta’if until the Sacred Month started, it was a continuation of the battle against Hawazin and their allies from Thaqif. They started the fighting and gathered their men for the purpose of conducting war. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, marched to meet them and when they took refuge in At-Ta’if, the Prophet laid siege to them so that they descend from their forts, but they inflicted casualties on Muslims. The siege continued for about forty days, during which a Sacred Month began, and the siege continued for several days in that month. The Messenger broke the siege and went back (to Makkah). So fighting that carries over into it [the Sacred Month] is not the same as initiating warfare during it, Allah knows best.

{37. The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief: thereby the disbelievers are led astray, for they make it lawful one year and forbid it another year in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah, and make such forbidden ones lawful. The evil of their deeds is made fair-seeming to them. And Allah guides not the people who disbelieve.}

Admonishing the Preference of Opinion in a Religious Matter

Allah admonishes the idolators for choosing their wicked opinions over Allah’s Law. They changed Allah’s legislation based upon their vain desires, allowing what Allah prohibited and prohibiting what Allah allowed. They thought that three consecutive sacred months were rather long for them to remain without fighting, for they were full of anger and rage. This is why before Islam they innovated a change in the Sacred Month of Muharram, delaying it to the month of Safar! Therefore, they allowed fighting in the Sacred Month and made the non-sacred month sacred, to make the Sacred Months in a year four, as Allah decided!

Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn Abbas commented on Allah’s statement,“The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief”, “Junadah bin Awf bin Umayyah Al-Kinani, known as Abu Thumamah, used to attend the Hajj season every year and declare, Abu Thumamah is never rejected nor refuted!,’ and he used to treat Safar as sacred for people one year [and un-sanctify Muharram] and treat Muharram as sacred another year [and un-sanctify Safar in that year]. This is why Allah said,“The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief.” Allah says, ‘They allow Muharram one year and make it sacred another year.”’ (At-Tabari 14:245) Al-Awfi narrated a similar statement from Ibn Abbas. (At-Tabari 14:246) Layth bin Abi Sulaym narrated that Mujahid said, “There was a man from Bani Kinanah who would attend the Hajj season every year riding his donkey. He would proclaim, ‘O people! I am never rejected, denied or refuted in what I say. We made this coming Muharram sacred, and Safar not!’ The following year he would come again and declare the same words then say, ‘We made this coming Safar sacred and delayed Muharram (revoked its sanctity).’ This is the meaning of Allah’s statement,“in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah”, to four months. Allah says, ‘They allow what Allah disallowed by delaying the Sacred Month.”’ (At-Tabari 14:246) The idolators used to allow Muharram one year and sanctify Safar in its place. They would continue the months of the year according to their normal count and names. The next year they would sanctify Muharram and continue the year, Safar, Rabi, until the end of the year.“They make it lawful one year and forbid it another year in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah, and make such forbidden ones lawful.” Therefore, they would still sanctify four months every year, but would one year sanctify the third from the three consecutive Sacred Months, Muharram, and postpone and delay it another year to Safar.

In his book of Sirah, Imam Muhammad bin Ishaq presented a very useful beneficial discussion on this matter. He said; “The first to start the practice of overlooking the sanctity of months for the Arabs, thus allowing what Allah sanctified of them and sanctifying what Allah allowed of them, was “Al-Qalammas”. He was Hudhayfah bin Abd Fuqaym bin Adi bin Amr bin Thalabah bin Al-Harith bin Malik bin Kinanah bin Khuzaymah bin Mudrikah bin Ilyas bin Mudar bin Nizar bin Madd bin Adnan. His son Abbad maintained this practice, then after him his son Qala bin Abbad did the same, Then his son Umayyah bin Qala, then his son Awf bin Umayyah, then his son Abu Thumamah Junadah bin Awf. He was the last one of his sons (to continue this practice) before Islam. The Arabs used to gather around him when Hajj finished, and he would stand and give them a speech in which he sanctifies Rajab, Dhul-Qadah and Dhul-Hijjah. He would defer the sanctity of Muharram to Safar one year and uphold its sanctity another year, so as to appear upholding the number (of Sacred Months) Allah made sacred. Therefore, he would allow what Allah prohibited and prohibit what Allah allowed.” (Ibn Hisham 1:45) Allah knows best.

{38. O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the cause of Allah, you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the Hereafter.

39. If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people; and you cannot harm Him at all, and Allah is able to do all things.}

Admonishing clinging to Life rather than rushing to perform Jihad

Allah admonishes those who lagged behind the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in the battle of Tabuk, at a time when fruits were ripe and shades tempting in the intense and terrible heat,“O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the cause of Allah?”, if you are called to perform Jihad in the cause of Allah,“you cling heavily to the earth”, reclining to remain in peace, shade and ripe fruits.“Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter?”, why do you do this, is it because you prefer this life instead of the Hereafter Allah next diminishes the eagerness for this worldly life and increases it for the Hereafter,“But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the Hereafter.” Imam Ahmad recorded that Al-Mustawrid, a member of Bani Fihr, said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“The life of this world, compared to the Hereafter, is just like when one of you dips his finger in the sea, let him contemplate how much of it his finger would carry.” The Prophet pointed with his index finger. (Ahmad 4:228)

Ath-Thawri narrated that Al-Amash said about the Ayah,“But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the Hereafter.” “What compares to the provision a traveler takes?” Abdul-Aziz bin Abi Hazim narrated that his father said, “When Abdul-Aziz bin Marwan was dying he said, ‘Bring the shroud I will be covered with so that I inspect it.’ When it was placed before him, he looked at it and said, ‘Is this what I will end up with from this life?’ He then turned his back and cried, while saying, ‘Woe to you, O life! Your abundance is truly little, your little is short lived, we were deceived by you.”’

Allah warns those who do not join Jihad,“If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment” Ibn Abbas said, “Allah’s Messenger called some Arabs to mobilize, but they lagged behind and Allah witheld rain from coming down on them, and this was their torment.” (At-Tabari 14:255) Allah said,“and will replace you by another people”, who will give aid to His Prophet and establish his religion. Allah said in another Ayah, “And if you turn away (from the obedience to Allah), He will exchange you for some other people and they will not be your likes.” (47:38) “and you cannot harm Him at all”, you can never harm Allah when you lag behind and stay away from joining Jihad, “and Allah is able to do all things.” He is able to destroy the enemies without your help.

{40. If you help him (Muhammad) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two; when they were both in the cave, he said to his companion: “Be not sad (or afraid), surely, Allah is with us.” Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquillity, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.}

Allah Supports His Prophet

Allah said, “If you help him not”, if you do not support His Prophet , then it does not matter, for Allah will help, support, suffice and protect him, just as He did, “when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two” During the year of the Hijrah, the idolators tried to kill, imprison or expel the Prophet , who escaped with his friend and Companion, Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah, to the cave of Thawr. They remained in the cave for three days so that the pagans who were sent in their pursuit, returned (to Makkah), and they proceed to Al-Madinah. While in the cave, Abu Bakr was afraid the pagans might discover them for fear that some harm might touch the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The Prophet kept reassuring him and strengthening his resolve, saying,

“O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two, with Allah as their third?” (Fath Al-Bari 8:176)

Imam Ahmad recorded from Anas that Abu Bakr said to him, “I said to the Prophet when we were in the cave, ‘If any of them looks down at his feet, he will see us.’ He said, “O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two with Allah as their third?” (Ahmad 1:4)

This is why Allah said, “Then Allah sent down His Sakinah upon him” sent His aid and triumph to His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, or they say it refers to Abu Bakr, “and strengthened him with forces which you saw not”, the angels, “and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost” Ibn Abbas commented, “‘The word of those who disbelieved’, is Shirk, while, ‘The Word of Allah’ is ‘La ilaha illallah.” (At-Tabari 14:261) It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Musa Al-Ashari said, “The Messenger of Allah was asked about a man who fights because of courage, or out of rage for his honor, or to show off. Whom among them is in the cause of Allah?’ (Fath Al-Bari 1:286 and Muslim 3:1512) The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“He who fights so that Allah’s Word is superior, then he fights in Allah’s cause.”

Allah said next, “and Allah is All-Mighty”, in His revenge and taking retribution, He is the Most Formidable and those who seek refuge with Him and take shelter by adhering to what He instructs are never made to suffer injustice, “All-Wise”, in His statements and actions.

{41. March forth, whether you are light or heavy, and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew.}

Jihad is required in all Conditions

Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from his father from Abu Ad-Duha, Muslim bin Subayh, who said, “This Ayah, “March forth, whether you are light or heavy” was the first part to be revealed from Surah Bara’ah.” (At-Tabari 14:270)

Mutamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said, “Hadrami claimed that he was told that some people used to declare that they will not gain sin (if they lag behind the forces of Jihad) because they are ill or old. This Ayah was revealed, “March forth, whether you are light or heavy.” (At-Tabari 14:266) Allah commanded mass mobilization together with the Messenger of Allah for the battle of Tabuk, to fight the disbelieving, People of the Book, the Romans, Allah’s enemies. Allah ordained that the believers all march forth with the Messenger regardless whether they felt active, lazy, at ease or had difficult circumstances, “March forth, whether you are light or heavy”.

Ali bin Zayd narrated that Anas said that Abu Talhah commented (on this Ayah), “Whether you are old or young, Allah did not leave an excuse for anyone.” Abu Talhah marched to Ash-Sham and fought until he was killed. In another narration, Abu Talhah recited Surah Bara’ah until he reached this Ayah, “March forth, whether you are light or heavy, and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah.” He then said, “I see that Allah had called us to mobilize whether we are old or young. O my children! Prepare my supplies.” His children said, ‘May Allah grant you His mercy! You conducted Jihad along with the Messenger of Allah until he died, then with Abu Bakr until he died, then with Umar until he died. Let us perform Jihad in your place.” Abu Talhah refused and he went to the sea [under the command of Muawiyah] where he died. They could not find an island to bury him on until nine days later, during which his body did not deteriorate or change and they buried him on the island. (Ibn Abi Hatim 6:1802)

As-Suddi said, “March forth, whether you are light or heavy”, whether you are rich, poor, strong, or weak. A man came forward, and he was fat, complained, and asked for permission to stay behind “from Jihad”, but the Prophet refused. Then this Ayah, “March forth, whether you are light or heavy” was revealed, and it became hard on the people. So Allah abrogated it with this Ayah, “There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend, if they are sincere and true (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger” (9:91). Ibn Jarir said that Hibban bin Zayd Ash-Sharabi narrated to him, “We mobilized our forces with Safwan bin Amr, who was the governor of Hims towards the city of Ephsos appointed to the Jerajima Christian expatriates (in Syria). I saw among the army an old, yet active man, whose eyebrows had sunk over his eyes (from old age), from the residents of Damascus, riding on his animal. I said to him, ‘O uncle! Allah has given you an excuse (to lag behind).’ He said, ‘O my nephew! Allah has mobilized us whether we are light or heavy. Verily, those whom Allah loves, He tests them. Then to Allah is their return and eternal dwelling. Allah tests from His servants whoever thanks (Him) and observes patience and remembrance of Him, all the while worshipping Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, and worshipping none else.” (At-Tabari 14:264)

Next, Allah encourages spending in His cause and striving with one’s life in His pleasure and the pleasure of His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,

“and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew.”

Allah says, this is better for you in this life and the Hereafter. You might spend small amounts, but Allah will reward you the property of your enemy in this life, as well as, the honor that He will keep for you in the Hereafter. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said,

“Allah promised the Mujahid in His cause that if He brings death to him, He will enter him into Paradise. Or, He will return him to his house with whatever reward and war spoils he earns.” (Muslim 4:1496)

So Allah said; “Jihad is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” (2:216) Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to a man,

“Embrace Islam”

but the man said, “I dislike doing so.” The Messenger said,

“Embrace Islam even if you dislike it.” (Ahmad 3:109)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged) Vol 4 Pages 411-435

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Tafsir of Surah At-Tawbah Ayat 1-42

Tafsir of Surah At-Tawbah Ayat 1-42

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