At-Tawbah

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas who said regarding Allah's saying: (Freedom from obligation): '(Freedom from obligation) this is freedom from obligation (from Allah and His messenger towards those of the idolaters with whom ye made a treaty) but then they broke that treaty; freedom from obligation is the breaking of treaties. Allah says: whosoever has a treaty with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) let him know that it is broken. Some of them had a treaty lasting four months, and some of more nine months, while others had treaties for longer or shorter periods. Others had no treaty with Allah's Messenger at all. All these treaties were broken except for the treaty with the Banu Kinanah which was for nine months. Whoever had a treaty for more or less than four months, their treaties were ratified to last four month beginning from the day of immolation; and whoever had a treaty of four months, that treaty was ratified to last four months beginning from the day of immolation. Those who had a treaty of nine months, their treaties were left as they were, while those who did not sign any treaty, were granted one of 50 days beginning from the day of immolation until the departure of the person who was in a state of ritual consecration:

Allah said to them (Travel freely in the land) move about in the land beginning from the day of immolation for (four months) safe from being killed because of the treaty, (and know) O disbelievers (that ye cannot escape Allah) that you cannot escape Allah's punishment, by being killed, after the lapse of a the four months (and that Allah will confound the disbelievers) He will punish the disbelievers after four months by subjecting them to death.

(And a proclamation from Allah) and this is a declaration from Allah (and His messenger to all men on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage) on the day of immolation (that Allah is free from obligation to the idolaters) their religion, and the treaties they broke, (and (so is) His messenger) he is also free from obligation to them. (So, if ye repent) from idolatry and believe in Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) as well as in the Qur'an, (it will be better for you) than idolatry; (but if ye are averse) to faith and repentance, (then know) O idolaters (that ye cannot escape Allah) you cannot escape His punishment. (Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve) i.e. that they will be killed after the elapse of four months.

(Excepting those of the idolaters with whom ye (Muslims) have a treaty) i.e. the Banu Kinanah after the year of al-Hudaybiyyah, (and who have since abated nothing of your right) who they did not break their treaties, i.e. those who had a nine month treaty (nor have supported anyone) of your enemies (against you. (As for these), fulfil their treaty to them till their term) i.e. nine months. (Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty (unto Him)) by not breaking their treaties.

(Then, when the sacred months have passed) then after the day of immolation when the month of Muharram passes, (slay the idolaters) whose treaty is for fifty days (wherever ye find them) whether in the Sacred Precinct or outside it, during the sacred months or at any other time, (and take them (captive)) imprison them, (and besiege them) in their homes, (and prepare for them each ambush) on every road they tread for trade. (But if they repent) from idolatry and believe in Allah (and establish worship) and acknowledge the five daily prayers (and pay the poor-due) acknowledge the payment of the poor-due, (then leave their way free) if they wish to go to the House of Allah. (Lo! Allah is Forgiving) He forgives whoever repents, (Merciful) towards whosoever dies in a state of repentance.

(And if anyone of the idolaters seeketh thy protection (O Muhammad), then protect him so that he may hear the word of Allah) so that he may hear your recitation of the words of Allah; (and afterward convey him to his place of safety) to the place he is going, if he remains an unbeliever. (That) which I have mentioned (is because they are a folk who know not) Allah's command and His divine Oneness.

(How) this is said by way of astonishment (can there be a treaty with Allah and with His messenger for the idolaters save those with whom ye made a treaty at the Inviolable Place of Worship?) after the year of al-Hudaybiyyah, the reference here is to the Banu Kinanah. (So long as they are true to you) in that they honour their treaty, (be true to them) completely. (Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty) and abstain from breaking their treaties.

(How) this is also said by way of astonishment: how can there be any treaty between you and them (when, if they have the upper hand of you) they were to conquer you, (they regard no pact) they would have no regard for the ties of kinship relating you ; it is also said: they would have no regard for you in respect of Allah (nor honour about you?) because of the treaty between you. (They satisfy you with their mouths) with their tongues (the while their hearts refuse) while their hearts are averse to it. (And most of them) all of them (are wrong-doers) breakers of treaties.

(They have purchased with the revelations of Allah) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (a little gain) a small profit, (so they debar (men) from His way) from His religion and obedience. (Lo! evil is that which they are wont to do) evil is that which they used to do of concealment and other things. It is also said that this verse was revealed about the Jews.

(And they observe towards a believer neither pact) ties of kinship; it is also said that the reference here is to Allah (nor honour) because of the treaties they signed. (These are they who are transgressors) who shifted from that which is lawful to that which is prohibited, by breaking their treaties and committing other things.

(But if they repent) from idolatry and believe in Allah (and establish worship) acknowledge the prayers (and pay the poor-due) and acknowledge the poor-due, (then are they your brethren in religion) in Islam. (We detail Our revelations) We explain the Qur'an by means of expositing the commands and prohibitions (for a people who have knowledge) and believe.

(And if they) the people of Mecca (break their pledges) which are between you and them (after their treaty (has been made with you) and assail your religion) and defame the Religion of Islam, (then fight the heads of disbelief) fight the leaders of disbelief: Abu Sufyan and his host. (Lo! they have no binding oaths in order that they may desist) from breaking their pledges.

(Will ye not fight a folk) why is it that you do not fight a people, i.e. the people of Mecca (who broke their solemn pledges) which are between them and you, (and purposed to drive out the messenger) and wanted to kill the Messenger when they entered Dar al-Nadwah (and did attack you first) by breaking their pledge when they helped the Banu Bakr, their allies, against the Banu Khuza'ah, the allies of the Prophet (pbuh)? (What! Fear ye them?) O believers, do you fear fighting them? (Now Allah hath more right that you should fear Him) because of leaving His command, (if ye are believers).

(Fight them! Allah will chastise them at your hands) He will chastise them by means of your swords, i.e. by killing them, (and He will lay them low) He will abase them by means of defeat (and give you victory over them, and He will heal the breasts of folk who are believers) by the exultation of the Banu Khuza'ah, in that they were allowed to kill their enemies for a while in the Sacred Precinct upon the Conquest of Mecca.

(And He will remove the anger of their hearts. Allah relenteth towards whom He will) He will relent towards whoever repents of them. (Allah is Knower) of those who repent and of those who do not, (Wise) in that which He decreed for them; it is also said that this means: He ordained their defeat and killing.

(Or deemed ye) O believers (that ye would be left (in peace)) that you would be given respite and not commanded to fight (when Allah yet knoweth not) has not yet seen (those of you who strive) in the way of Allah, (choosing for familiar none) of the disbelievers (save Allah and His messenger and the) sincere (believers? Allah is Informed of what ye do) of good or evil during jihad and at other places and times.

(It is not for the idolaters) the idolaters ought not (to tend Allah's sanctuaries, bearing witness against themselves) through their calling (of disbelief. As for such, their works are vain) their works are thwarted for as long as they remain disbelievers (and in the Fire they will abide) never to die or leave it.

(He only shall tend Allah's sanctuaries) the Inviolable Place of Worship (who believeth in Allah and the Last Day) believes in resurrection after death (and observeth proper worship) fulfils the five daily prayers (and payeth the poor-due) which is obligated (and feareth) and worships (none save Allah. For such (only) is it possible that they can be of the rightly guided) by means of Allah's Religion and clear proof.

The following was revealed about a man among the idolaters who was taken prisoner on the Day of Badr. He boasted to 'Ali or to another believer who took part in the battle of Badr, saying: �we give water to the pilgrims and tend to the Sacred House, and do this and that, etc.�, so Allah, Exalted is He, said: (Count ye the slaking of a pilgrim's thirst) did you say that giving water to the pilgrim (and tendance of the Inviolable Place of Worship as (equal to the worth of him) who believeth in Allah) is like the faith of he who believes in Allah, i.e. the believer who took part in the battle of Badr (and the Last Day) and believes in resurrection after death, (and striveth in the way of Allah) and strives in obedience of Allah on the Day of Badr? (They are not equal in the sight of Allah) as far as obedience and reward are concerned. (Allah guideth not) leads not to His religion (wrong-doing folk) the idolaters, those who do not deserve it.

(Those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (and have left their homes) migrating from Mecca to Medina (and striven with their wealth and their lives) by spending their wealth and sacrificing their lives (in Allah's way) in obedience of Allah (are of much greater worth) have much greater merit (in Allah's sight) than others. (These are they who are triumphant) they have gained Paradise and been saved from hell.

(Their Lord giveth them good tidings of mercy) of safety (from Him) from His punishment, (and acceptance) their Lord's good pleasure with them, (and Gardens where enduring pleasure will be theirs) unending and continuous pleasure;

(There they will abide for ever) never to die or leave. (Lo! with Allah there is immense reward) an abundant reward to the person who believes in Him.

(O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren) who are in Mecca from among the disbelievers (for friends) in religion (if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith) if they choose disbelief instead of faith. (Whoso of you taketh them for friends) in religion, (such are wrong-doers) disbelievers like them; it is also said that this means: O ye who believe! take not your believing fathers and brothers who are in Mecca, who had prevented you from migrating to Medina, for allies, seeking their help and assistance, if they choose to remain in the abode of disbelief, i.e. Mecca, rather than migrate to the abode of Islam, i.e. Medina. Whosoever takes them for allies harms only himself.

(Say) O Muhammad: (If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your tribe) your folk who are in Mecca, (and the wealth ye have acquired) you have earned, (and merchandise for which ye fear that there will be no sale) that will not be spent in Medina, (and dwellings) houses (ye desire) to live in (are dearer to you than Allah) than Allah's obedience (and His messenger) and dearer to you than migrating to His Messenger (and striving in His way) for the sake of His obedience: (then wait till Allah bringeth His command to pass) His punishment, i.e. killing upon the Conquest of Mecca. Those who migrated after this (Allah guideth not) He does not lead to His religion (wrong-doing folk) the disbelievers: those who not deserve it.

(Allah hath given you victory on many fields) on many battlefields (and on the day of Hunayn) and especially on the day of Hunayn, a valley between Mecca and Ta'if, (when ye exulted in your multitude) when you were pleased by your sheer numbers. They were then 10,000 men (but it availed you naught) but your multitude did not prevent your defeat, (and the earth, vast as it is, was straitened for you) because of fear; (then ye turned back in flight) from the enemy, who consisted of 4,000 men;

(Then Allah sent His peace of reassurance) His tranquillity (down upon His messenger and upon the believers, and sent down hosts) from heaven (ye could not see) meaning angels, to assist the believers, (and punished those who disbelieved) through their killing and defeat. The reference here is to the clan of Malik Ibn 'Awf al-Dahmani, and to that of Kinanah Ibn 'Abd Yalayl al-Thaqafi. (Such is the reward of disbelievers) in the life of this world.

(Then afterward) after fighting and the defeat (Allah will relent towards whom He will) towards those who repent amongst them; (for Allah is Forgiving, Merciful) towards him who repents.

(O ye who believe! The idolaters only are unclean) impure. (So let them not come near the Inviolable Place of Worship) for pilgrimage and circumambulation (after this their year) the year of freedom from obligation (bara'ah) after the day of immolation. (If ye fear poverty) impoverishment and neediness (Allah shall preserve you of His bounty) of His provision in another way (if He will) when He wills and will make you dispense with trading with Bakr Ibn Wa'il. (Lo! Allah is Knower) of your sustenance, (Wise) in that which He has ordained for you.

(Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture) the Jews and Christians (as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day) nor in the bliss of Paradise, (and forbid not) in the Torah (that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the religion of truth) do not submit themselves to Allah through confession of Allah's divine Oneness, (until they pay the tribute readily) standing: from hand to hand, (being brought low) abased.

(And the Jews) the Jews of Medina (say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians) the Christians of Najran (say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths) with their tongues. (They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old) before them, i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca who said that al-Lat, al-'Uzza and Manat were His daughters, just as the Jews claimed that Ezra was the son of Allah and some of the Christians claimed that Jesus was the son of Allah, others that he was Allah's partner while there were others who said that he was Allah Himself or one god among three. (Allah (Himself) fights against them) Allah curses them. (How perverse are they!) from where do they get their lies?

(They have taken as lords beside Allah) i.e. they obeyed them in acts of disobedience (their rabbis) the men of knowledge among the Jews (and their monks) who reside in monasteries (and the Messiah son of Mary) and they have taken the Messiah son of Mary as lord, (when they were bidden) in all Scriptures (to worship) to confess the divine Oneness of (only One God. There is no god save Him. Be He glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!) Allah exalts Himself above all that which they ascribe to Him.

(Fain would they put out) thwart (the light of Allah) the religion of Allah (with their mouths) through their lies; it is also said: by means of their mouths, (but Allah disdaineth (aught)) But Allah does not leave things (save that He shall perfect His light) save that He shall manifest His religion: Islam, (however much the disbelievers are averse) that this should be so.

(He it is Who hath sent His messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (with the guidance) with the Qur'an and faith (and the Religion of Truth) the religion of Islam, and with it the confession that there is no deity except Allah, (that He may cause it to prevail over all religion) that He may Cause the religion of Islam to prevail over all religions which came before it until the Day of Judgement, (however much the idolaters may be averse) that this should be so.

(O you, who believe!) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (Lo! many of the (Jewish) rabbis) the scholars of the Children of Israel (and the (Christian) monks) who reside in monasteries (devour the wealth of mankind wantonly) through bribery and unlawful earning (and debar (men) from the way of Allah) from Allah's Religion and obedience. (They who hoard up) amass (gold and silver and spend it not) the gold and silver (in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah; it is also said that this means: who do not pay the poor-due from it, (unto them give tidings) O Muhammad (of a painful doom).

(On the day when it) the treasures they hoarded up (will (all) be heated in the Fire of hell, and their foreheads and their flanks and their backs will be branded therewith) with their treasures ((and it will be said unto them): Here is) the punishment of (that which you hoarded) the wealth you amassed (for yourselves) in the life of this world. (Now taste of what ye used to hoard) amass.

(Lo! the number of the months with Allah) he says: the year is counted by months, i.e. the months of the year in which the poor-due is paid (is twelve months by Allah's ordinance) in the Guarded Tablet (in the day) from the day (that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them) four of these months (are sacred): Rajab, Dhu'l-Qa'dah, Dhu'l-Hijjah and Muharram: (that is the right religion) that is the right calculation: it neither increases or decreases. (So wrong not) harm not (yourselves) through transgression (in them) in those months; it is also said: in the sacred months. (And wage war on all the idolaters) in the sacred months and in other months (as they are waging war on all of you) all together. (And know) O believers (that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him)) with those who ward off disbelief, idolatry, indecencies, the breaking of treaties and fighting during the sacred months.

(Postponement (of a sacred month) is only an excess of disbelief) He says: postponement of the month of Muharram to the month of Safar is an excess of disbelief (whereby those who disbelieve are misled) they are wrong to postpone Muharram to Safar, (they allow it) i.e. Muharram (one year) and thus fight in it (and forbid it) i.e. Muharram ((another) year) and thus abstain from fighting during it. And so when they used to do this, Muharram would not be considered sacred while Safar became sacred instead, (that they may make up) that they may match (the number of the months which Allah hath hallowed) four in number, (so that they allow that which Allah hath forbidden) i.e. Muharram. (The evil of their deeds is made fair-seeming unto them. Allah guideth not) leads not to His religion (the disbelieving folk) those who do not deserve it. The one who used to postpone the sacred months was a man called Nu'aym Ibn Tha'labah.

(O ye who believe!) the address is to the Companions of Muhammad (pbuh) (What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth) with your Prophet (in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah at the Battle of Tabuk, (ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness) you wish to remain bowed down to the ground. (Take ye pleasure in the life of the world) i.e. in that which is in the life of this world (rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter) and will not last.

(If ye go not forth) with your Prophet at the Battle of Tabuk (He will afflict you with a painful doom) in this world and in the Hereafter, (and will choose instead of you a folk other than you) who are better and more obedient than you. (Ye cannot harm Him all) i.e. by staying back you cannot harm Allah. (Allah is Able to do all things) whether it is punishment or reward.

(If ye help him not) if you do not help Muhammad (pbuh) by going forth with him to the battle of Tabuk, (still Allah helped him when those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca (drove him forth, the second of two) i.e. the Messenger of Allah and Abu Bakr; (when they two) Allah's Messenger (pbuh) and Abu Bakr, may Allah be well pleased with him, (were in the cave, when he) the Prophet (pbuh) (said unto his comrade) Abu Bakr: (Grieve not) O Abu Bakr. (Lo! Allah is with us) and He will help us. (Then Allah caused His peace of reassurance) His tranquillity (to descend upon him) upon His Prophet (and supported him) helped him on the Day of Badr, at the battle of the troops and also on the Day of Hunayn (with hosts ye cannot see) i.e. with angels, (and made the word) the religion (of those who disbelieved the nethermost) blameworthy and defeated, (while Allah's word it was that became the uppermost) triumphant and praiseworthy. (Allah is Mighty) in retribution against his enemies, (Wise) in helping His friends.

(Go forth) with your Prophet to the Battle of Tabuk, (light armed and heavy armed) young and old; it is also said that this means: whether you are enthusiastic for it or not; it is also said that this means: light with property and children and heavy with property and children, (and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah! (That) jihad (is best for you) than sitting remaining in one place (if ye but knew) and believed.

(Had it been a near adventure) a near spoil of war (and an easy journey they had followed thee) to the Battle of Tabuk with a good disposition of the soul, (but the distance seemed too far for them) Historic Syria seemed too far for them. (Yet will they swear by Allah) to you when you come back from the Battle of Tabuk, i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Abi Wajd Ibn Qays, Mu'attib Ibn Qushayr and their companions who did not take part in the battle of Tabuk ((saying): If we had been able) to acquire provision and mount (we would surely have set out with you) to the Battle of Tabuk. (They destroy their souls) by lying in their oaths, (and Allah knoweth that they verily are liars) because they were able to set out with the Prophet (pbuh).

(Allah forgive thee) O Muhammad! (Wherefore didst thou grant them leave) give leave to the hypocrites to stay behind and not go to Tabuk (ere those who told the Truth were manifest to you) until those who are genuine in their faith are manifest to you upon going forth with you (and thou didst know the liars) about their faith, when they fail to set forth with you without leave?

(Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day ask no leave) after the Battle of Tabuk (of thee) in secret or in the open (lest they should strive with their wealth and their lives. Allah is Aware of those who keep their duty (unto Him)) those who ward off disbelief and idolatry.

(They alone ask leave of you) to stay behind and not take part in jihad (who believe not in Allah and the Last Day) in the depth of their hearts, (and whose hearts feel doubt, so in their doubt they waver) they are bewildered.

(And if they had wished to go forth) with you to the Battle of Tabuk (they would assuredly have made ready some equipment) weapons and provision, (but Allah was averse to their being sent forth) with you to the battle of Tabuk (and back and (it was said unto them): Sit ye with the sedentary!) with those who stayed back without an excuse.

(Had they gone forth among you) with you (they had added to you naught save trouble) evil and corruption (and had hurried to and fro among you) they would have marched riding their camels in the middle of you, (seeking to cause sedition among you) seeking to cause evil, corruption, humiliation and damage; (and among you there are some who would have listened to them) among you there are spies for the disbelievers. (Allah is Aware of evil-doers) i.e. the hypocrites: 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his hosts.

(Aforetime) before the battle of Tabuk (they sought to cause sedition) they sought to cause you evil things (and raised difficulties for you) right and left (till the Truth came) until the believers became many (and the decree of Allah) the religion of Allah: Islam (was made manifest, though they were loth) of it.

(Of them) of the hypocrites (is he who saith) the reference here is to Jadd Ibn Qays: (Grant me leave) to stay at home (and tempt me not) by the women of Historic Syria. (Surely it is into temptation) idolatry and hypocrisy (that they (thus) have fallen. Lo! Hell is all around) will be all around (the disbelievers) on the Day of Judgement.

(If good) conquest and the spoils of war as on the Day of Badr (befalleth thee (O Muhammad) it afflicteth them) i.e. the hypocrites, (and if calamity) killings and defeat (befalleth thee) such as during the Battle of Uhud, (they say) the hypocrites, 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his host, say: (We took precaution) by staying at home before the calamity took place, (and they turn away) from jihad (well pleased) with that which has befallen the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions on the Day of Uhud.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the hypocrites: (Naught befalleth us save that which Allah hath decreed for us. He is our protecting Friend) He has better right to protect us. (In Allah let believers put their trust!) the believers ought to put their trust in Allah.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the hypocrites: (Can ye await for us aught save one of two good things) conquest and spoils of war or death and martyrdom? (while we await for you that Allah will afflict you with a doom from Him) to destroy you (or at our hands) with our swords to kill you. (Await then! Lo! we are awaiting with you) for your destruction.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the hypocrites: (Pay) your wealth, (willingly) with a good disposition of the soul (or unwillingly) coercively, out of fear from dying, (it will not be accepted from you. Lo! ye were ever froward folk) hypocrites.

(And naught preventeth that their contributions should be accepted from them save that they have disbelieved in Allah and in His messenger) in secret, (and they come not to worship) to the prayer (save as idlers) lax, (and pay not) anything in the way of Allah (save reluctantly) save when they are forced to.

(So let not) O Muhammad (their riches) the abundance of their riches (nor their children) the abundance of their children (please thee. Allah thereby intendeth but to punish them) in the Hereafter (and that their souls shall pass away) shall expire (in the life of the world while they are disbelievers).

(And they) 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his host (swear by Allah that they are in truth of you) with you secretly and openly, (when they are not of you) with you, (but they are folk who are afraid) of your swords.

(Had they but found a refuge) to run to, (or caverns) in the mountain, (or a place to enter) or an underground passage, (they surely had resorted thither swift as runaways) they would have promptly gone there.

(And of them) of the hypocrites: Abu'l-Ahwas and his host (is he who defameth thee in the matter of the alms) he defames you regarding the division of alms. They claimed that he did not divide them fairly. (If they are given thereof) of the alms a good share (they are content) with the division, (and if they are not given thereof) of the alms a good share, (behold! they are enraged) in relation to the division of the same.

((How much more seemly) had they) i.e. the hypocrites (been content with that which Allah and His messenger had given them) of Allah's bounty (and had said: Allah sufficeth us) we trust in Allah. (Allah will give us of His bounty) Allah will make us rich with His favour by means of His sustenance, (and (also) His messenger) through his gifts. (Unto Allah we are supplicants) we desire Allah. Had they said this, it would have been better for them.

Allah then explained who is entitled to these alms, saying: (The alms are only for the poor) for the folk of the Platform (and the needy) among the pilgrims, (and those who collect them) i.e. the collectors of alms, (and those whose hearts are to be reconciled) by giving them gifts such as Abu Sufyan and his companions. These were 15 men, (and to free the captives) the captives who want to ransom themselves (and the debtors) those who incurred debts to fulfil works which are for the obedience of Allah, (and for the cause of Allah) and for the fighters for the cause of Allah, (and (for) the wayfarers) guests, the passer-by; (a duty imposed by Allah) an allotment from Allah for these. (Allah is Knower) of these, (Wise) regarding that which He has ordained for these categories of people.