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AT-TAWBA (REPENTANCE, DISPENSATION)
Total Verses: 129
Revealed At: Madina
Name
This surah is known by two names At-Taubah and Al-Bara'at. It is called AT-TAUBAH because it
enunciates the nature of taubah (repentance) and mentions the conditions of its acceptance.(vv.
102. 118). The second name BARA' AT (Release) is taken from the first word of the surah.
This is the only surah of the Quran to which Bismillah is not prefixed. Though the commentators
have given different reasons for this, the correct one that which has been given by Imam Razi:
namely, this is because the Holy Prophet himself did not dictate it at the beginning of the surah.
Therefore the Companions did not prefix it and their successors followed them. This is a further
proof of the fact that utmost care has been taken to keep the Quran intact so that it should remain
in its complete and original form.
Period of Revelation
This surah comprises three discourses. The first discourse (vv. 1-37), was revealed in Zil-Qa'adah
A.H. 9 or thereabout. As the importance of the subject of the discourse required its declaration on
the occasion of Hajj the Holy Prophet despatched Hadrat Ali to follow Hadrat Abu Bakr, who had
already left for Makkah as leader of the Pilgrims to the Ka'abah. He instructed Hadrat Ali to deliver
the discourse before the representatives of the different clans of Arabia so as to inform them of the
new policy towards the mushriks.
The second discourse (vv., 38-72) was sent down in Rajab A.H. 9 or a little before this, when the
Holy Prophet was engaged in making preparations for the Campaign of Tabuk. In this discourse,
the Believers were urged to take active part in jihad, and the shirkers were severely rebuked for
holding back their wealth and for hesitation to sacrifice their lives in the way of Allah because of
their hypocrisy, weak faith or negligence.
The third discourse (vv. 73-I 29) was revealed on his return from the Campaign of Tabuk. There
are some pieces in this discourse that were sent down on different occasions during the same
period and were afterwards consolidated by the Holy Prophet into the surah in accordance with
inspiration from Allah. But this caused no interruption in its continuity because they dealt with the
same subject and formed part of the same series of events. This discourse warns the hypocrites of
their evil deeds and rebukes those Believers who had stayed behind in the Campaign of Tabuk.
Then after taking them to task, Allah pardons those true Believers who had not taken part in the
Jihad in the Way of Allah for one reason or the other. Chronologically, the first discourse should
have come last; but being the most important of the three in regard to its subject-matter, it was
placed first in the order of compilation.
Historical Background
Now let us consider the historical background of the surah. The series of events that have been
discussed in this surah took place after the Peace Treaty of Hudaibiyah. By that time, one-third of
Arabia had come under the sway of Islam which had established itself as a powerful, well
organized and civilized Islamic State. This Treaty afforded further opportunities to Islam to spread
its influence in the comparatively peaceful atmosphere created by it. After this Treaty, two events
took place, which led to very important results:
The first was the Conquest of Arabia. The Holy Prophet was able to send missions among different
clans for the propagation of Islam. The result was that during the short period of two years, it
became such a great power that it made the old order of ignorance feel helpless before it. So much
so that the zealous elements from among the Quraish were so exasperated that they broke the
Treaty in order to encounter Islam in a decisive combat. But the Holy Prophet took prompt action
after the breach so as not to allow them any opportunity to gather enough force for this. He made
a sudden invasion on Makkah in the month of Ramadan in A H. 8 and conquered it. Though this
conquest broke the backbone of the order of ignorance, it made still another attack on Islam in the
battlefield of Hunain, which proved to be its death-knell. The clans of Hawazin Thaqif, Naur, Jushm
and others gathered their entire forces in the battlefield in order to crush the reformative
Revolution, but they utterly failed in their evil designs. The defeat of 'ignorance' at Hunain paved
the way for making the whole of Arabia the 'Abode of Islam' (Dar-ul-Islam). The result was that
hardly a year had passed after the Battle of Hunain, when the major portion of Arabia came within the fold of Islam and only a few upholders of the old order remained scattered over some corners
of the country.
The second event that contributed towards making Islam a formidable power was the Campaign of
Tabuk, which was necessitated by the provocative activities of the Christians living within or near
the boundaries of the Roman Empire to the north of Arabia. Accordingly, the Holy Prophet, with an
army of thirty thousand marched boldly towards the Roman Empire but the Romans evaded the
encounter. The result was that the power of the Holy Prophet and Islam increased manifold and
deputations from all corners of Arabia began to wait upon him on his return from Tabuk in order to
offer their allegiance to Islam and obedience to him. The Holy Quran has described this triumph in
surah An-Nisa: "When the succour of Allah came and victory was attained and you saw people
entering the fold of Islam in large numbers...
The Campaign to Tabuk was the result of conflict with the Roman Empire, that had started even
before the conquest of Makkah. One of the missions sent after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah to
different parts of Arabia visited the clans which lived in the northern areas adjacent to Syria. The
majority of these people were Christians, who were under the influence of the Roman Empire.
Contrary to all the principles of the commonly accepted international law, they killed fifteen
members of the delegation near a place known as Zat-u-Talah (or Zat-i-Itlah). Only Ka'ab bin
Umair Ghifari, the head of the delegation, succeeded in escaping and reporting the sad incident.
Besides this, Shurahbil bin Amr, the Christian governor of Busra, who was directly under the
Roman Caesar, had also put to death Haritli bin Umair, the ambassador of the Holy Prophet, who
had been sent to him on a similar minion.
These events convinced the Holy Prophet that a strong action should be taken in order to make the
territory adjacent to the Roman Empire safe and secure for the Muslims. Accordingly, in the month
of Jamadi-ul-Ula A.H. 8, he sent an army of three thousand towards the Syrian border. When this
army reached near Ma'an, the Muslims learnt that Shurahbil was marching with an army of one
hundred thousand to fight with them and that the Caesar, who himself was at Hims, had sent
another army consisting of one hundred thousand soldiers under his brother Theodore. But in spite
of such fearful news, the brave small band of the Muslims marched on fearlessly and encountered
the big army of Shurahbil at M'utah. And the result of the encounter in which the Muslims were
fighting against fearful odds (the ratio of the two armies was 1:33), was very favourable, for the
enemy utterly failed to defeat them. This proved very helpful for the propagation of Islam. As a
result, those Arabs who were living in a state of semi-independence in Syria and near Syria and
the clans of Najd near Iraq, who were under the influence of the Iranian Empire, turned towards Islam and embraced it in thousands. For example, the people of Bani Sulaim (whose chief was
Abbas bin Mirdas Sulaimi), Ashja'a, Ghatafan, Zubyan, Fazarah, etc., came into the fold of Islam at
the same time. Above all, Farvah bin 'Amral Juzami, who was the commander of the Arab armies
of the Roman Empire, embraced Islam during that time, and underwent the trial of his Faith in a
way that filled the whole territory with wonder. When the Caesar came to know that Farvah had
embraced Islam, he ordered that he should be arrested and brought to his court. Then the Caesar
said to him, "You will have to choose one of the two things. Either give up your Islam and win your
liberty and your former rank, or remain a Muslim and face death." He calmly chose Islam and
sacrificed his life in the way of the Truth.
No wonder that such events as these made the Caesar realize the nature of the danger that was
threatening his Empire from Arabia. Accordingly, in 9 A.H. he began to make military preparations
to avenge the insult he had suffered at M'utah. The Ghassanid and other Arab chiefs also began to
muster armies under him. When the Holy Prophet, who always kept himself well-informed even of
the minutest things that could affect the Islamic Movement favourably or adversely, came to know
of these preparations, he at once understood their meaning. Therefore, without the least hesitation
he decided to fight against the great power of the Caesar. He knew that the show of the slightest
weakness would result in the utter failure of the Movement which was facing three great dangers
at that time. First the dying power of 'ignorance' that had almost been crushed in the battlefield of
Hunain might revive again. Secondly, the Hypocrites of Al-Madinah, who were always on the lookout
for such an opportunity, might make full use of this to do the greatest possible harm to it. For
they had already made preparations for this and had, through a monk called Abu Amir, sent secret messages of their evil designs to the Christian king of Ghassan and the Caesar himself. Besides this, they had also built a mosque near Al-Madinah for holding secret meetings for this purpose.
The third danger was of an attack by the Caesar himself, who had already defeated Iran, the other
great power of that period, and filled with awe the adjacent territories. It is obvious that if all these
three elements had been given an opportunity of taking a concerted action against the Muslims,
Islam would have lost the fight it had almost won. That is why in this case the Holy Prophet made
an open declaration for making preparations for the Campaign against the Roman Empire, which
was one of the two greatest empires of the world of that period. The declaration was made though
all the apparent circumstances were against such a decision: for there was famine in the country
and the long awaited crops were about to ripen: the burning heat of the scorching summer season
of Arabia was at its height and there was not enough money for preparations in general, and for
equipment and conveyance in particular. But in spite of these handicaps, when the Messenger of
Allah realized the urgency of the occasion, he took this step which was to decide whether the
Mission of the Truth was going to survive or perish. The very fact that he made an open declaration for making preparations for such a campaign to Syria against the Roman Empire
showed how important it was, for this was contrary to his previous practice. Usually he took every
precaution not to reveal beforehand the direction to which he was going nor the name of the
enemy whom he was going to attack; nay, he did not move out of Al-Madinah even in the direction
of the campaign.
All the parties in Arabia fully realized the grave consequences of this critical decision. The
remnants of the lovers of the old order of 'ignorance' were anxiously waiting for the result of the
Campaign, for they had pinned all their hopes on the defeat of Islam by the Romans. The
'hypocrites' also considered it to be their last chance of crushing the power of Islam by internal
rebellion, if the Muslims suffered a defeat in Syria. They had, therefore, made full use of the
Mosque built by them for hatching plots and had employed all their devices to render the
Campaign a failure. On the other side, the true Believers also realized fully that the fate of the
Movement for which they had been exerting their utmost for the last 22 years was now hanging in
the balance. If they showed courage on that critical occasion, the doors of the whole outer world
would be thrown open for the Movement to spread. But if they showed weakness or cowardice,
then all the work they had done in Arabia would end in smoke. That is why these lovers of Islam
began to make enthusiastic preparations for the Campaign. Everyone of them tried to surpass the other in making contributions for the provision of equipment for it. Hadrat Uthman and Hadrat
Abdur Rehman bin Auf presented large sums of money for this purpose. Hadrat Umar contributed
half of the earnings of his life and Hadrat Abu Bakr the entire earnings of his life. The indigent
Companions did not lag behind and presented whatever they could earn by the sweat of their
labour and the women parted with their ornaments. Thousands of volunteers, who were filled with
the desire of sacrificing their lives for Islam, came to the Holy Prophet and requested that
arrangements for weapons and conveyance be made for them so that they should join the
expedition. Those who could not be provided with these shed tears of sorrow; the scene was so
pathetic that it made the Holy Prophet sad because of his inability to arm them. In short, the
occasion became the touchstone for discriminating a true believer from a hypocrite. For, to lag
behind in the Campaign meant that the very relationship of a person to Islam was doubtful.
Accordingly, whenever a person lagged behind during the journey to Tabuk, the Holy Prophet, on being informed, would spontaneously say, "Leave him alone. If there be any good in him, Allah will
again join him with you, and if there be no good in him, then thank Allah that He relieved you of
his evil company".
In short, the Holy Prophet marched out towards Syria in Rajab A.H. 9, with thirty thousand fighters
for the cause of Islam. The conditions in which the expedition was undertaken may be judged from
the fact that the number of camels with them was so small that many of them were obliged to
walk on foot and to wait for their turns for several had to ride at a time on each camel. To add to
this, there was the burning heat of the desert and the acute shortage of water. But they were
richly rewarded for their firm resolve and sincere adherence to the cause and for their
perseverance in the face of those great difficulties and obstacles.
When they arrived at Tabuk, they learnt that the Caesar and his allies had withdrawn their troops
from the frontier and there was no enemy to fight with. Thus they won a moral victory that
increased their prestige manifold and, that too, without shedding a drop of blood. In this
connection, it is pertinent to point out that the general impression given by the historians of the
campaigns of the Holy Prophet about the Campaign of Tabuk is not correct. They relate the event
in a way as if the news of the mustering of the Roman armies near the Arabian frontier was itself false. The fact is that the Caesar had begun to muster his armies, but the Holy Prophet forestalled
him and arrived on the scene before he could make full preparations for the invasion. Therefore,
believing that "discretion is the better part of valour," he withdrew his armies from the frontier. For
he had not forgotten that the three thousand fighters for the cause of Islam had rendered helpless
his army one hundred thousand strong at M'utah. He could not, therefore, even with an army of
two hundred thousand, dare to fight against an army of thirty thousand, and that, too, under the
leadership of the Holy Prophet himself. When the Holy Prophet found that the Caesar had
withdrawn his forces from the frontier, he considered the question whether it would be worthwhile
to march into the Syrian territory or to halt at Tabuk and turn his moral victory to political and
strategic advantage. He decided on the latter course and made a halt for twenty days at Tabuk.
During this time, he brought pressure on the small states that lay between the Roman Empire and
the Islamic State and were at that time under the influence of the Romans, and subdued and made
them the tributaries of the Islamic State. For instance, some Christian chiefs Ukaidir bin Abdul
Malik Kindi of Dumatul Jaiidal, Yuhanna bin D'obah of Ailah, and the chiefs of Maqna, Jarba' and
Azruh also submitted and agreed to pay Jizyah to the Islamic State of Al-Madinah. As a result of
this, the boundaries of the Islamic State were extended right up to the Roman Empire, and the
majority of the Arab clans, who were being used by the Caesar against Arabia, became the allies of
the Muslims against the Romans. Above all, this moral victory of Tabuk afforded a golden
opportunity to the Muslims to strengthen their hold on Arabia before entering into a long conflict
with the Romans. For it broke the back of those who had still been expecting that the old order of
'ignorance' might revive in the near future, whether they were the open upholders of shirk or the
hypocrites who were hiding their shirk under the garb of Islam. The majority of such people were
compelled by the force of circumstances to enter into the fold of Islam and, at least, make it
possible for their descendants to become true Muslims. After this a mere impotent minority of the
upholders of the old order was left in the field, but it could not stand in the way of the Islamic
Revolution for the perfection of which Allah had sent His messenger.
Problems of the Period
If we keep in view the preceding background, we can easily find out the problems that were
confronting the Community at that time. They were:
- to make the whole of Arabia a perfect Dar-ul-Islam;
- to extend the influence of Islam to the adjoining countries;
- to crush the mischiefs of the hypocrites, and;
- to prepare the Muslims for Jihad against the non-Muslim world.
Now that the administration of the whole of Arabia had come in the hands of the Believers, and all
the opposing powers had become helpless, it was necessary to make a clear declaration of that
policy which was to be adopted to make her a perfect Dar-ul-Islam Therefore the following
measures were adopted.
A clear declaration was made that all the treaties with the mushriks were abolished and the
Muslims would be released from the treaty obligations with them after a respite of four months.
(vv. 1-3). This declaration was necessary for uprooting completely the system of life based on
shirk and to make Arabia exclusively the centre of Islam so that it should not in any way interfere
with the spirit of Islam nor become an internal danger for it.
A decree was issued that the guardianship of the Kaabah, which held central position in all the
affairs of Arabia, should be wrested from the mushriks and placed permanently in the hands of the
Believers, (vv. 12-18) that all the customs and practices of the shirk of the era of 'ignorance'
should be forcibly abolished: that the mushriks should not be allowed even to come near the "House" (v. 28). This was to eradicate every trace of shirk from the "House" that was dedicated
exclusively to the worship of Allah. The evil practice of Nasi, by which they used to tamper with the
sacred months in the days of 'ignorance', was forbidden as an act of kufr (v. 37). This was also to
serve as an example to the Muslims for eradicating every vestige of the customs of ignorance from
the life of Arabia (and afterwards from the lives of the Muslims everywhere). In order to enable the
Muslims to extend the influence of Islam outside Arabia, they were enjoined to crush with sword
the non-Muslim powers and to force them to accept the sovereignty of the Islamic State. As the
great Roman and Iranian Empires were the biggest hindrances in the way, a conflict with them was
inevitable. The object of Jihad was not to coerce them to accept Islam-they were free to accept or
not to accept it-but to prevent them from thrusting forcibly their deviations upon others and the
coming generations. The Muslims were enjoined to tolerate their misguidance only to the extent
that they might have the freedom to remain misguided, if they chose to be so, provided that they
paid Jizyah (v. 29) as a sign of their subjugation to the Islamic State.
The third important problem was to crush the mischiefs of the hypocrites, who had hitherto been
tolerated in spite of their flagrant crimes. Now that there was practically no pressure upon them
from outside, the Muslims were enjoined to treat them openly as disbelievers (v. 73). Accordingly,
the Holy Prophet set on fire the house of Swailim, where the hypocrites used to gather for
consultations in order to dissuade the people from joining the expedition to Tabuk. Likewise on his
return from Tabuk, he ordered to pull down and burn the 'Mosque' that had been built to serve as
a cover for the hypocrites for hatching plots against the true believers.
In order to prepare the Muslims for Jihad against the whole non-Muslim world, it was necessary to
cure them even of that slight weakness of faith from which they were still suffering. For there
could be no greater internal danger to the Islamic Community than the weakness of faith,
especially where it was going to engage itself single-handed in a conflict with the whole non-
Muslim world. That is why those people who had lagged behind in the Campaign to Tabuk or had
shown the least negligence were severely taken to task, and were considered as hypocrites if they
had no plausible excuse for not fulfilling that obligation. Moreover, a clear declaration was made
that in future the sole criterion of a Muslim's faith shall be the exertions he makes for the uplift of
the Word of Allah and the role he plays in the conflict between Islam and kufr. Therefore, if anyone
will show any hesitation in sacrificing his life, money, time and energies, his faith shall not be
regarded as genuine. (vv. 81-96). If the above mentioned important points are kept in view during
the study of this surah, it will facilitate the understanding of its contents.
009.001
A (declaration) of immunity from Allah and His Messenger, to those
of the Pagans with whom ye have contracted mutual alliances:-
009.002
Go ye, then, for four months, backwards and forwards, (as ye
will), throughout the land, but know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah (by
your falsehood) but that Allah will cover with shame those who reject Him.
009.003
And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people
(assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger
dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were
best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah.
And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith.
009.004
(But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with
whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you
in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with
them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.
009.005
But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay
the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in
wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and
establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way
for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
009.006
If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to
him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he
can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.
009.007
How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with
the Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque?
As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for Allah doth
love the righteous.
009.008
How (can there be such a league), seeing that if they get an
advantage over you, they respect not in you the ties either of kinship or
of covenant? With (fair words from) their mouths they entice you, but their
hearts are averse from you; and most of them are rebellious and wicked.
009.009
The Signs of Allah have they sold for a miserable price, and
(many) have they hindered from His way: evil indeed are the deeds they have done.
009.010
In a Believer they respect not the ties either of kinship or
of covenant! It is they who have transgressed all bounds.
009.011
But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and
practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We
explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.
009.012
But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and
taunt you for your Faith,- fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths
are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained.
009.013
Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to
expel the Messenger, and took the aggressive by being the first (to assault)
you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if ye
believe!
009.014
Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them
with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,
009.015
And still the indignation of their hearts. For Allah will turn
(in mercy) to whom He will; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
009.016
Or think ye that ye shall be abandoned, as though Allah did not
know those among you who strive with might and main, and take none for
friends and protectors except Allah, His Messenger, and the (community of)
Believers? But Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.
009.017
It is not for such as join gods with Allah, to visit or maintain
the mosques of Allah while they witness against their own souls to
infidelity. The works of such bear no fruit: In Fire shall they dwell.
009.018
The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as
believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practise
regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are
expected to be on true guidance.
009.019
Do ye make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance
of the Sacred Mosque, equal to (the pious service of) those who believe in
Allah and the Last Day, and strive with might and main in the cause of Allah?
They are not comparable in the sight of Allah: and Allah guides not those who
do wrong.
009.020
Those who believe, and suffer exile and strive with might and
main, in Allah's cause, with their goods and their persons, have the highest
rank in the sight of Allah: they are the people who will achieve (salvation).
009.021
Their Lord doth give them glad tidings of a Mercy from
Himself, of His good pleasure, and of gardens for them, wherein are
delights that endure:
009.022
They will dwell therein for ever. Verily in Allah's presence is
a reward, the greatest (of all).
009.023
O ye who believe! take not for protectors your fathers and
your brothers if they love infidelity above Faith: if any of you do so,
they do wrong.
009.024
Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers,
your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce
in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are
dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then
wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious.
009.025
Assuredly Allah did help you in many battle-fields and on the
day of Hunain: Behold! your great numbers elated you, but they availed you
naught: the land, for all that it is wide, did constrain you, and ye turned
back in retreat.
009.026
But Allah did pour His calm on the Messenger and on the Believers,
and sent down forces which ye saw not: He punished the Unbelievers; thus
doth He reward those without Faith.
009.027
Again will Allah, after this, turn (in mercy) to whom He will:
for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
009.028
O ye who believe! Truly the Pagans are unclean; so let them
not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque. And if ye fear
poverty, soon will Allah enrich you, if He wills, out of His bounty, for Allah
is All-knowing, All-wise.
009.029
Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold
that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor
acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the
Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves
subdued.
009.030
The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call
Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they
but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on
them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!
009.031
They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords
in derogation of Allah, and (they take as their Lord) Christ the son of Mary;
yet they were commanded to worship but One Allah: there is no god but He.
Praise and glory to Him: (Far is He) from having the partners they
associate (with Him).
009.032
Fain would they extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but
Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the
Unbelievers may detest (it).
009.033
It is He Who hath sent His Messenger with guidance and the
Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans
may detest (it).
009.034
O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and
anchorites, who in Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them)
from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend
it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous penalty-
009.035
On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in
the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their
flanks, and their backs, their flanks, and their backs.- "This is the
(treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures)
ye buried!"
009.036
The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a
year)- so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of
them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves
therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together.
But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.
009.037
Verily the transposing (of a prohibited month) is an addition
to Unbelief: the Unbelievers are led to wrong thereby: for they make it
lawful one year, and forbidden another year, in order to adjust the number
of months forbidden by Allah and make such forbidden ones lawful. The evil of
their course seems pleasing to them. But Allah guideth not those who reject
Faith.
009.038
O ye who believe! what is the matter with you, that, when ye
are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth?
Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the
comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter.
009.039
Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous
penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the
least. For Allah hath power over all things.
009.040
If ye help not (your leader), (it is no matter): for Allah did
indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drove him out: he had no more than
one companion; they two were in the cave, and he said to his companion,
"Have no fear, for Allah is with us": then Allah sent down His peace upon him,
and strengthened him with forces which ye saw not, and humbled to the
depths the word of the Unbelievers. But the word of Allah is exalted to the
heights: for Allah is Exalted in might, Wise.
009.041
Go ye forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive
and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the cause of Allah. That
is best for you, if ye (but) knew.
009.042
If there had been immediate gain (in sight), and the journey
easy, they would (all) without doubt have followed thee, but the distance
was long, (and weighed) on them. They would indeed swear by Allah, "If we
only could, we should certainly have come out with you": They would destroy
their own souls; for Allah doth know that they are certainly lying.
009.043
Allah give thee grace! why didst thou grant them until those who
told the truth were seen by thee in a clear light, and thou hadst proved
the liars?
009.044
Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day ask thee for no
exemption from fighting with their goods and persons. And Allah knoweth well
those who do their duty.
009.045
Only those ask thee for exemption who believe not in Allah and
the Last Day, and whose hearts are in doubt, so that they are tossed in
their doubts to and fro.
009.046
If they had intended to come out, they would certainly have
made some preparation therefor; but Allah was averse to their being sent
forth; so He made them lag behind, and they were told, "Sit ye among those
who sit (inactive)."
009.047
If they had come out with you, they would not have added to
your (strength) but only (made for) disorder, hurrying to and fro in your
midst and sowing sedition among you, and there would have been some among
you who would have listened to them. But Allah knoweth well those who do wrong.
009.048
Indeed they had plotted sedition before, and upset matters for
thee, until,- the Truth arrived, and the Decree of Allah became manifest much
to their disgust.
009.049
Among them is (many) a man who says: "Grant me exemption and
draw me not into trial." Have they not fallen into trial already? and
indeed Hell surrounds the Unbelievers (on all sides).
009.050
If good befalls thee, it grieves them; but if a misfortune
befalls thee, they say, "We took indeed our precautions beforehand," and
they turn away rejoicing.
009.051
Say: "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed
for us: He is our protector": and on Allah let the Believers put their
trust.
009.052
Say: "Can you expect for us (any fate) other than one of two
glorious things- (Martyrdom or victory)? But we can expect for you either
that Allah will send his punishment from Himself, or by our hands. So wait
(expectant); we too will wait with you."
009.053
Say: "Spend (for the cause) willingly or unwillingly: not from
you will it be accepted: for ye are indeed a people rebellious and wicked."
009.054
The only reasons why their contributions are not accepted are:
that they reject Allah and His Messenger; that they come to prayer without
earnestness; and that they offer contributions unwillingly.
009.055
Let not their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle
thee: in reality Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in this
life, and that their souls may perish in their (very) denial of Allah.
009.056
They swear by Allah that they are indeed of you; but they are
not of you: yet they are afraid (to appear in their true colours).
009.057
If they could find a place to flee to, or caves, or a place of
concealment, they would turn straightaway thereto, with an obstinate rush.
009.058
And among them are men who slander thee in the matter of (the
distribution of) the alms: if they are given part thereof, they are
pleased, but if not, behold! they are indignant!
009.059
If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger
gave them, and had said, "Sufficient unto us is Allah! Allah and His Messenger
will soon give us of His bounty: to Allah do we turn our hopes!" (that would
have been the right course).
009.060
Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to
administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently)
reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of
Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of
knowledge and wisdom.
009.061
Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, "He is
(all) ear." Say, "He listens to what is best for you: he believes in Allah,
has faith in the Believers, and is a Mercy to those of you who believe."
But those who molest the Messenger will have a grievous penalty.
009.062
To you they swear by Allah. In order to please you: But it is
more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger, if they are
Believers.
009.063
Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger,
is the Fire of Hell?- wherein they shall dwell. That is the supreme
disgrace.
009.064
The Hypocrites are afraid lest a Sura should be sent down
about them, showing them what is (really passing) in their hearts. Say:
"Mock ye! But verily Allah will bring to light all that ye fear (should be
revealed).
009.065
If thou dost question them, they declare (with emphasis): "We
were only talking idly and in play." Say: "Was it at Allah, and His Signs,
and His Messenger, that ye were mocking?"
009.066
Make ye no excuses: ye have rejected Faith after ye had
accepted it. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you,
for that they are in sin.
009.067
The Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with
each other: They enjoin evil, and forbid what is just, and are close with
their hands. They have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them. Verily the
Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.
009.068
Allah hath promised the Hypocrites men and women, and the
rejecters, of Faith, the fire of Hell: Therein shall they dwell: Sufficient
is it for them: for them is the curse of Allah, and an enduring punishment,-
009.069
As in the case of those before you: they were mightier than
you in power, and more flourishing in wealth and children. They had their
enjoyment of their portion: and ye have of yours, as did those before you;
and ye indulge in idle talk as they did. They!- their work are fruitless in
this world and in the Hereafter, and they will lose (all spiritual good).
009.070
Hath not the story reached them of those before them?- the
People of Noah, and 'Ad, and Thamud; the People of Abraham, the men of
Midian, and the cities overthrown. To them came their messengers with clear
signs. It is not Allah Who wrongs them, but they wrong their own souls.
009.071
The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another:
they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular
prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them
will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.
009.072
Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, gardens under
which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of
everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah: that
is the supreme felicity.
009.073
O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the
Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell,- an evil refuge
indeed.
009.074
They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but indeed
they uttered blasphemy, and they did it after accepting Islam; and they
meditated a plot which they were unable to carry out: this revenge of
theirs was (their) only return for the bounty with which Allah and His
Messenger had enriched them! If they repent, it will be best for them; but if
they turn back (to their evil ways), Allah will punish them with a grievous
penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: They shall have none on earth to
protect or help them.
009.075
Amongst them are men who made a covenant with Allah, that if He
bestowed on them of His bounty, they would give (largely) in charity, and
be truly amongst those who are righteous.
009.076
But when He did bestow of His bounty, they became covetous,
and turned back (from their covenant), averse (from its fulfilment).
009.077
So He hath put as a consequence hypocrisy into their hearts,
(to last) till the Day, whereon they shall meet Him: because they broke
their covenant with Allah, and because they lied (again and again).
009.078
Know they not that Allah doth know their secret (thoughts) and
their secret counsels, and that Allah knoweth well all things unseen?
009.079
Those who slander such of the believers as give themselves
freely to (deeds of) charity, as well as such as can find nothing to give
except the fruits of their labour,- and throw ridicule on them,- Allah will
throw back their ridicule on them: and they shall have a grievous penalty.
009.080
Whether thou ask for their forgiveness, or not, (their sin is
unforgivable): if thou ask seventy times for their forgiveness, Allah will
not forgive them: because they have rejected Allah and His Messenger: and Allah
guideth not those who are perversely rebellious.
009.081
Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced
in their inaction behind the back of the Messenger of Allah: they hated to
strive and fight, with their goods and their persons, in the cause of Allah:
they said, "Go not forth in the heat." Say, "The fire of Hell is fiercer
in heat." If only they could understand!
009.082
Let them laugh a little: much will they weep: a recompense for
the (evil) that they do.
009.083
If, then, Allah bring thee back to any of them, and they ask thy
permission to come out (with thee), say: "Never shall ye come out with me,
nor fight an enemy with me: for ye preferred to sit inactive on the first
occasion: Then sit ye (now) with those who lag behind."
009.084
Nor do thou ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at
his grave; for they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died in a state of
perverse rebellion.
009.085
Nor let their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle
thee: Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and
that their souls may perish in their (very) denial of Allah.
009.086
When a Sura comes down, enjoining them to believe in Allah and
to strive and fight along with His Messenger, those with wealth and influence
among them ask thee for exemption, and say: "Leave us (behind): we would be
with those who sit (at home)."
009.087
They prefer to be with (the women), who remain behind (at
home): their hearts are sealed and so they understand not.
009.088
But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and
fight with their wealth and their persons: for them are (all) good things:
and it is they who will prosper.
009.089
Allah hath prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, to
dwell therein: that is the supreme felicity.
009.090
And there were, among the desert Arabs (also), men who made
excuses and came to claim exemption; and those who were false to Allah and
His Messenger (merely) sat inactive. Soon will a grievous penalty seize the
Unbelievers among them.
009.091
There is no blame on those who are infirm, or ill, or who find
no resources to spend (on the cause), if they are sincere (in duty) to Allah
and His Messenger: no ground (of complaint) can there be against such as do
right: and Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
009.092
Nor (is there blame) on those who came to thee to be provided
with mounts, and when thou saidst, "I can find no mounts for you," they
turned back, their eyes streaming with tears of grief that they had no
resources wherewith to provide the expenses.
009.093
The ground (of complaint) is against such as claim exemption
while they are rich. They prefer to stay with the (women) who remain
behind: Allah hath sealed their hearts; so they know not (What they miss).
009.094
They will present their excuses to you when ye return to them.
Say thou: "Present no excuses: we shall not believe you: Allah hath already
informed us of the true state of matters concerning you: It is your actions
that Allah and His Messenger will observe: in the end will ye be brought back
to Him Who knoweth what is hidden and what is open: then will He show you
the truth of all that ye did."
009.095
They will swear to you by Allah, when ye return to them, that ye
may leave them alone. So leave them alone: For they are an abomination, and
Hell is their dwelling-place,-a fitting recompense for the (evil) that
they did.
009.096
They will swear unto you, that ye may be pleased with them but
if ye are pleased with them, Allah is not pleased with those who disobey.
009.097
The Arabs of the desert are the worst in Unbelief and
hypocrisy, and most fitted to be in ignorance of the command which Allah hath
sent down to His Messenger: But Allah is All-knowing, All-Wise.
009.098
Some of the desert Arabs look upon their payments as a fine,
and watch for disasters for you: on them be the disaster of evil: for Allah
is He That heareth and knoweth (all things).
009.099
But some of the desert Arabs believe in Allah and the Last Day,
and look on their payments as pious gifts bringing them nearer to Allah and
obtaining the prayers of the Messenger. Aye, indeed they bring them nearer
(to Him): soon will Allah admit them to His Mercy: for Allah is Oft-forgiving,
Most Merciful.
009.100
The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their
homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in
(all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for
them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for
ever: that is the supreme felicity.
009.101
Certain of the desert Arabs round about you are hypocrites,
as well as (desert Arabs) among the Medina folk: they are obstinate in
hypocrisy: thou knowest them not: We know them: twice shall We punish them:
and in addition shall they be sent to a grievous penalty.
009.102
Others (there are who) have acknowledged their wrong-doings:
they have mixed an act that was good with another that was evil. Perhaps
Allah will turn unto them (in Mercy): for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
009.103
Of their goods, take alms, that so thou mightest purify and
sanctify them; and pray on their behalf. Verily thy prayers are a source of
security for them: And Allah is One Who heareth and knoweth.
009.104
Know they not that Allah doth accept repentance from His
votaries and receives their gifts of charity, and that Allah is verily He,
the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful?
009.105
And say: "Work (righteousness): Soon will Allah observe your
work, and His Messenger, and the Believers: Soon will ye be brought back to
the knower of what is hidden and what is open: then will He show you the
truth of all that ye did."
009.106
There are (yet) others, held in suspense for the command of
Allah, whether He will punish them, or turn in mercy to them: and Allah is
All-Knowing, Wise.
009.107
And there are those who put up a mosque by way of mischief and
infidelity - to disunite the Believers - and in preparation for one who
warred against Allah and His Messenger aforetime. They will indeed swear that
their intention is nothing but good; But Allah doth declare that they are
certainly liars.
009.108
Never stand thou forth therein. There is a mosque whose
foundation was laid from the first day on piety; it is more worthy of the
standing forth (for prayer) therein. In it are men who love to be purified;
and Allah loveth those who make themselves pure.
009.109
Which then is best? - he that layeth his foundation on piety
to Allah and His good pleasure? - or he that layeth his foundation on an
undermined sand-cliff ready to crumble to pieces? and it doth crumble to
pieces with him, into the fire of Hell. And Allah guideth not people that do
wrong.
009.110
The foundation of those who so build is never free from
suspicion and shakiness in their hearts, until their hearts are cut to
pieces. And Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.
009.111
Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their
goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in
His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth,
through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to
his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded:
that is the achievement supreme.
009.112
Those that turn (to Allah) in repentance; that serve Him, and
praise Him; that wander in devotion to the cause of Allah,: that bow down and
prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and
observe the limit set by Allah;- (These do rejoice). So proclaim the glad
tidings to the Believers.
009.113
It is not fitting, for the Prophet and those who believe, that
they should pray for forgiveness for Pagans, even though they be of kin,
after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire.
009.114
And Abraham prayed for his father's forgiveness only because
of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he
was an enemy to Allah, he dissociated himself from him: for Abraham was most
tender-hearted, forbearing.
009.115
And Allah will not mislead a people after He hath guided them,
in order that He may make clear to them what to fear (and avoid)- for Allah
hath knowledge of all things.
009.116
Unto Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth.
He giveth life and He taketh it. Except for Him ye have no protector nor
helper.
009.117
Allah turned with favour to the Prophet, the Muhajirs, and the
Ansar,- who followed him in a time of distress, after that the hearts of a
part of them had nearly swerved (from duty); but He turned to them (also):
for He is unto them Most Kind, Most Merciful.
009.118
(He turned in mercy also) to the three who were left behind;
(they felt guilty) to such a degree that the earth seemed constrained to
them, for all its spaciousness, and their (very) souls seemed straitened
to them,- and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah (and no
refuge) but to Himself. Then He turned to them, that they might repent: for
Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
009.119
O ye who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are true (in
word and deed).
009.120
It was not fitting for the people of Medina and the Bedouin
Arabs of the neighbourhood, to refuse to follow Allah's Messenger, nor to
prefer their own lives to his: because nothing could they suffer or do, but
was reckoned to their credit as a deed of righteousness,- whether they
suffered thirst, or fatigue, or hunger, in the cause of Allah, or trod paths
to raise the ire of the Unbelievers, or received any injury whatever from
an enemy: for Allah suffereth not the reward to be lost of those who do
good;-
009.121
Nor could they spend anything (for the cause) - small or
great- nor cut across a valley, but the deed is inscribed to their credit:
that Allah may requite their deed with the best (possible reward).
009.122
Nor should the Believers all go forth together: if a
contingent from every expedition remained behind, they could devote
themselves to studies in religion, and admonish the people when they return
to them,- that thus they (may learn) to guard themselves (against evil).
009.123
O ye who believe! fight the unbelievers who gird you about,
and let them find firmness in you: and know that Allah is with those who fear
Him.
009.124
Whenever there cometh down a sura, some of them say: "Which of
you has had His faith increased by it?" Yea, those who believe,- their
faith is increased and they do rejoice.
009.125
But those in whose hearts is a disease,- it will add doubt to
their doubt, and they will die in a state of Unbelief.
009.126
See they not that they are tried every year once or twice? Yet
they turn not in repentance, and they take no heed.
009.127
Whenever there cometh down a Sura, they look at each other,
(saying), "Doth anyone see you?" Then they turn aside: Allah hath turned
their hearts (from the light); for they are a people that understand not.
009.128
Now hath come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves: it
grieves him that ye should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the
Believers is he most kind and merciful.
009.129
But if they turn away, Say: "Allah sufficeth me: there is no god
but He: On Him is my trust,- He the Lord of the Throne (of Glory)
Supreme!"
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