Tanwir al-Miqbas · Tafsir · in English
At-Tawbah 9:120–129
9:120Page 206
مَا كَانَ لِأَهۡلِ ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ وَمَنۡ حَوۡلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ أَن يَتَخَلَّفُواْ عَن رَّسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَرۡغَبُواْ بِأَنفُسِهِمۡ عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ لَا يُصِيبُهُمۡ ظَمَأٞ وَلَا نَصَبٞ وَلَا مَخۡمَصَةٞ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَطَـُٔونَ مَوۡطِئٗا يَغِيظُ ٱلۡكُفَّارَ وَلَا يَنَالُونَ مِنۡ عَدُوّٖ نَّيۡلًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عَمَلٞ صَٰلِحٌۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ١٢٠
It was not [proper] for the people of Madīnah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allāh or that they prefer themselves over his self.1 That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allāh, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that it is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
(It is not for the townsfolk of al-Medina) it is not permissible for the folk of Medina (and for those around them of the wandering Arabs) from Muzaynah, Juhaynah and Aslam (to stay behind the Messenger of Allah) when there is a military expedition (and prefer their lives to his life) and it is not permissible that they should feel more compassionate towards themselves than they are towards the Prophet; it is also said that this means: they should not refrain from accompanying the Prophet (pbuh) in jihad. (That) accompaniment (is because neither thirst) when going or returning (nor toil nor hunger afflicteth them in the way of Allah) in jihad, (nor step they any step) nor do they go past any territory they conquer (that angereth the disbelievers, nor gain they from the enemy a gain) by killing or defeating them, (but a good deed is recorded for them therefore) the reward of a good deed is recorded for them in jihad. (Allah loseth not) thwarts not (the wages of the good) the reward of the believers in jihad.
9:121Page 206
وَلَا يُنفِقُونَ نَفَقَةٗ صَغِيرَةٗ وَلَا كَبِيرَةٗ وَلَا يَقۡطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمۡ لِيَجۡزِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ١٢١
Nor do they spend an expenditure, small or large, or cross a valley but that it is registered for them that Allāh may reward them for the best of what they were doing.
(Nor spend they any spending, small or great) upon going or returning, (nor do they cross a valley) in pursuit of the enemy, (but it is recorded for them) as a reward of a good deed, (that Allah may repay them the best of what they used to do) in jihad.
9:122Page 206
۞ وَمَا كَانَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُواْ كَآفَّةٗۚ فَلَوۡلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرۡقَةٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ طَآئِفَةٞ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُواْ فِي ٱلدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُواْ قَوۡمَهُمۡ إِذَا رَجَعُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَحۡذَرُونَ ١٢٢
And it is not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion and warn [i.e., advise] their people when they return to them that they might be cautious.
(And the believers should not all) it is not permissible for all the believers to (go out to fight) and leave the Prophet (pbuh) alone in Medina. (Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth) while another party should stay in Medina, (that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion) that they may learn the religion from the Prophet (pbuh) (and that they may warn) and that they may inform (their folk when they return to them) from their military expedition, (so that they may beware) in order to know that which they have been commanded to do and that which they have been prohibited from doing. It is also said that this verse was revealed about the Banu Asad who came to the Prophet (pbuh) in Medina after being hit by drought. Their arrival caused prices in Medina to rise and all the streets became filthy with excrement. And so Allah prohibited them from this.
9:123Page 207
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قَٰتِلُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ يَلُونَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡكُفَّارِ وَلۡيَجِدُواْ فِيكُمۡ غِلۡظَةٗۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ١٢٣
O you who have believed, fight against those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness. And know that Allāh is with the righteous.
(O ye who believe!) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you) the Banu Qurayzah, Banu'l-Nadir, Fadak and Khaybar, (and let them find harshness in you) toughness from you, (and know) O believers (that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him)) Allah helps the believers: Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions, by making them victorious over their enemies.
9:124Page 207
وَإِذَا مَآ أُنزِلَتۡ سُورَةٞ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَقُولُ أَيُّكُمۡ زَادَتۡهُ هَٰذِهِۦٓ إِيمَٰنٗاۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فَزَادَتۡهُمۡ إِيمَٰنٗا وَهُمۡ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ ١٢٤
And whenever a sūrah is revealed, there are among them [i.e., the hypocrites] those who say, "Which of you has this increased in faith?" As for those who believed, it has increased them in faith, while they are rejoicing.
(And whenever a surah is revealed) whenever a verse is revealed and Muhammad (pbuh) recites it to them (there are some of them) i.e. of the hypocrites (who say) to one another: (Which one of you hath this) surah or verse (increased in faith) in fear, hope and certainty in what Muhammad (s)aid? (As for those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in hid Companions, (it hath increased them in faith) it has increased them in fear, hope and certainty (and they rejoice (therefore)) they rejoice in that which is revealed of the Qur'an.
9:125Page 207
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٞ فَزَادَتۡهُمۡ رِجۡسًا إِلَىٰ رِجۡسِهِمۡ وَمَاتُواْ وَهُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ ١٢٥
But as for those in whose hearts is disease, it has [only] increased them in evil [in addition] to their evil.1 And they will have died while they are disbelievers.
(But as for those in whose hearts is disease) doubt and hypocrisy, (it only addeth wickedness to their wickedness) it only adds doubt to their doubt in what is revealed of the Qur'an, (and they die while they are disbelievers) inwardly in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an.
9:126Page 207
أَوَلَا يَرَوۡنَ أَنَّهُمۡ يُفۡتَنُونَ فِي كُلِّ عَامٖ مَّرَّةً أَوۡ مَرَّتَيۡنِ ثُمَّ لَا يَتُوبُونَ وَلَا هُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ١٢٦
Do they not see that they are tried every year once or twice but then they do not repent nor do they remember?
(See they not) i.e. the hypocrites (that they are tested) that they are tried by the revelation of their evil scheming and betrayal; it is also said that they are tried by the breaking of their covenants (once or twice in every year? Still they turn not in repentance) for their deeds and for the breaking of their treaties, (neither pay they heed) nor do they accept any admonition.
9:127Page 207
وَإِذَا مَآ أُنزِلَتۡ سُورَةٞ نَّظَرَ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ هَلۡ يَرَىٰكُم مِّنۡ أَحَدٖ ثُمَّ ٱنصَرَفُواْۚ صَرَفَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُم بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَوۡمٞ لَّا يَفۡقَهُونَ ١٢٧
And whenever a sūrah is revealed, they look at each other, [as if saying], "Does anyone see you?" and then they dismiss themselves. Allāh has dismissed their hearts because they are a people who do not understand.
(And whenever a surah is revealed) whenever Gabriel brings down a surah exposing the fault of the hypocrites and the Prophet (pbuh) used to recite to them, (they) the hypocrites (look one at another (as who should say): Doth anybody) among the sincere believers (see you? Then they turn away) from the prayer, the sermon, the Truth and guidance. (Allah turns away their hearts) from the Truth and guidance; it is also said: they swerved from the Truth and guidance, and so Allah swerved their hearts from the Truth and guidance (because they are a folk who understand not) nor believe in the command of Allah.
9:128Page 207
لَقَدۡ جَآءَكُمۡ رَسُولٞ مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيۡهِ مَا عَنِتُّمۡ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيۡكُم بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٞ ١٢٨
There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.
(There hath come unto you) O people of Mecca (a messenger, (one) of yourselves) an Arab and Hashimite like yourselves, (and it grieves him) it is hard on him (unto whom aught) of sins (that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of concern for you) for your faith, (for the believers) for all the believers he is (full of pity, merciful).
9:129Page 207
فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُلۡ حَسۡبِيَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ ١٢٩
But if they turn away, [O Muḥammad], say, "Sufficient for me is Allāh; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne."
(Now, if they turn away) from faith, repentance and that which you have told them ((O Muhammad) say: Allah sufficeth me) my trust is in Allah. (There is no God save Him) there is no protector or helper except Him. (In Him have I put my trust) I put my trust in and rely on Him, (and He is Lord of the Tremendous Throne)'.
Text: Quranic Universal Library (Tarteel), via spa5k/tafsir_api (MIT), at a fixed version. The ayahs: Quran Foundation. Sources and licences