Sura 47. Muhammad Medina
Some give the name ‘War’ to this chapter because believers are encouraged to oppose the enemies of Islam otherwise, the title is taken from verse 2: “But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and believe in the (revelation) sent down to Muhammad. The spirit of this Medina sura is very different from those revealed at Mecca, which mostly inculcated peace and forbearance. Here, cowards and hypocrites are now threatened with the horrors of hell, while joys are set before the faithful who fight the battles of the Lord. Muhammad is asked to ask forgiveness for his sins (faults).
Muhammad claimed to be superior over fo
rmer prophets according to the following hadith: Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: I have been given superiority over the other prophets in six respects: I have been given words which are concise but comprehensive in meaning; I have been helped by terror (in the hearts of enemies): spoils have been made lawful to me: the earth has been made for me clean and a place of worship; I have been sent to all mankind and the line of prophets is closed with me. (Muslim Book 4, Number 1062).
How enemies of Islam are to be treated in war
“Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens.” (v 4)
The School of the Hanifites suppose that this law applies only to the battle of Badr while the Shiites take it as a universal obligation.
God will reward those who fight for Islam
“But those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost.
Soon will He guide them and improve their condition,
And admit them to the garden which He has announced for them.” (v 4-6)
Hypocrites rebuked
“And among them are men who listen to thee, but in the end, when they go out from thee, they say to those who have received knowledge,
“What is it he said just then?” Such are men whose hearts Allah has sealed, and who follow their own lusts” (v 16)
Muhammad asked to seek pardon for his sin
“Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and for the men and women who believe:
for Allah knows how ye move about and how ye dwell in your homes. (v 19)
Here and elsewhere Muhammad acknowledges himself to be a sinner, although many Muslims claim he was sinless. We give the following hadith which confirms that Muhammad asked to receive forgiveness: Narrated by Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying.” By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.” (Bukhari Volume 8, Book 75, Number 319)
Hypocrites make an excuse rather than to fight in the way of Allah
“T hose who believe sa y, “Why is not a sura sent down (for us)?” But when a sura of basic or categorical meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou wilt see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with a look of one in swoon at the approach of death ……………….. Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight …….. But how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death, and smite their faces and their backs? This because they followed that which called forth the wrath of Allah, and they hated Allah’s good pleasure; so He made their deeds of no effect. (v 20-28).
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Sura 48. Al-Fath (The Victory) Medina
T
his passage is said to have been revealed after Muhammad’s negotiated treaty with Suhail ibn ‘Amr at Hudaibiya where the Quarraish, for the first time, acknowledged Muhammad as an equal in respect of political status. It appears that Muhammad had fully in tended to take Mecca but the Bedouins failed to help him, so he thought it adviseable to conclude a treaty. This was a good policy for the treaty had good implications in respect of taking Mecca two years later. Some understand the victory to be referring to the victory over the Jews at Khaibar, or to the victory at Muta, which was a town belonging to the Roman Empire.
Here is the relevant hadith concerning the background of this sura: Narrated Habib bin Abi Thabit: On that Sahl bin Hunaif said, ‘ Blame yourselves! I remember how, on the day of Al-Hudaibiya (i.e. the peace treaty between the Prophet and the Qurraish pagans), if we had been allowed to choose fighting, we would have fought (the pagans). At that time ‘Umar came (to the Prophet) and said, “Aren’t we on the right and they in the wrong? Won’t our killed persons go to Paradise, and theirs in the Fire?” The Prophet replied, “Yes.” Umar further said, “Then why should we let our religion be degraded and return before Allah has settled the matter between us?” The Prophet said, “O the son of Al-Khattab! No doubt, I am Allah’s Apostle and Allah will never neglect me.” ……….. then Sura Al-Fath was revealed.” (Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 367).
Muhammad’s sin to be forgiven
“Verily We have granted thee a manifest victory:
That Allah may forgive thee thy faults of the past and those to follow; fulfil His favour to thee;
and guide thee on the straight way” (v 1, 2)
This matter was referred to in Sura 47:19. Here some say that it is referring to the sins committed by Muhammad before and after his call, while others are more specific by referring it to his conduct with Mary the Copt, and his marriage with the wife of his adopted son.
Changing loyalties to Allah and Muhammad
“Verily those who plight their fealty to thee do no less than plight their fealty to Allah: the hand of Allah is over their hands: then any one who violates his oath, does so to the harm of his own soul, and any one who fulfils what he has covenanted with Allah, Allah will soon grant him a great reward. The desert Arabs who lagged behind will say to thee: “We were engaged in (looking after) our flocks and herds, and our families: do thou then ask forgiveness for us.” They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts “Nay, ye thought that the messenger and the believers would never return to their families; this seemed pleasing in your hearts, and ye conceived an evil thought, for ye are a people lost (in wickedness).” (v 10-12).
The tribes concerned were summoned to join Muhammad at Hudaibiya but considered the needs of their poor families before the cause of Allah.
Consequences of rejecting Allah and Muhammad
“And if any believe not in Allah and His Messenger, We have prepared, for those who reject Allah, a blazing fire! (v 13)
Spoils the reward of obedience; punishment the reward of disobedience
“Say to the desert Arabs who lagged behind: “Ye shall be summoned (to fight) against a people given to vehement war: then shall ye fight, or they shall submit. Then if ye show obedience, Allah will grant you a goodly reward, but if ye turn back as ye did before, He will punish you with a grievous penalty.” No blame is there on the blind, nor is there blame on the lame, nor on one ill (if he joins not the war): But he that obeys Allah and his Messenger, (Allah) will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; and he who turns back, (Allah) will punish him with a grievous penalty (v 16, 17).
Tr eaty of Hudaibiya with promise of spoils now and in the future.
“Allah’s good pleasure was on the believers when they swore fealty to thee under the tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down tranquillity to them; and He rewarded them with a speedy victory; And many gains will they acquire and Allah is exalted in power, full of wisdom. Allah has promised you many gains that ye shall acquire, and He has given you these beforehand; and He has restrained the hands of men from you; that it may be a sign for the believers, and that He may guide you to a straight path; And other gains (there are), which are not within your power, but which Allah has compassed: and Allah has power over all things” (v 18-21).
While sitting under the shade of a tree at Hudaibiya Muhammad called his men to a take an oath of loyalty that would hold even to death. Consultations were held with Quarraish and while admission to the Ka’aba was refused the following terms in the form of a treaty were drawn up. ‘War shall be suspended for ten years. Neither side shall attack the other. Whoever wishes to join Muhammad and enter into treaty with him shall have liberty to do so; and whoever wishes to join the Quarraish and enter into treaty with them shall have absolute liberty to do so. If any one goes over to Muhammad, without the permission of his guardian, he shall be sent back to his guardian but if any one from among the followers of Muhammad return to the Quarraish, the same shall be sent back. Muhammad and his followers shall retire from us this year without entering the city. In the coming year he may visit Mecca, he and his followers, for three days when we shall retire but they may not enter it with any weapons, save those of the traveller, namely, to each one a sheathed sword.’
The conquest of Mecca a proof of Muhammad’s mission
“Truly did Allah fulfil the vision for His messenger:
ye shall enter the sacred mosque, if Allah wills, with minds secure, heads shaved, hair cut short, and without fear.
For He knew what ye knew not, and He granted, besides this, a speedy victory” (v 27).
Muhammad had a dream at Medina that he and his companions would enter Mecca with their heads shaved or their hair cut. The treaty of Hudaibiya had caused consternation amongst some of his followers as they had expected an immediate victory, so this passage was revealed in order to comfort and assure them until the dream was fulfilled. When he eventually conquered Mecca he rode into the city riding on his she-camel this or a part of this sura. (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 631).
Islam claims to abrogate all other religions
It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, to proclaim it over all religion (v 28)
It states in Tafisir-I-Husiani (Vol 1, p.271) “He who chooses any other religion other than Islam, whether Judaism, Christianity or any other, will not be approved and accepted, and his efforts will be frustrated and disappointed. This verse abrogates all religions which have preceded or which will follow Islam.”
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Sura 49 Al-Hujurat (The Inner Apartments) Mecca
The chapter receives its title from verse 4: “Those who shout out to thee from without the inner apartments most of them lack understanding.” In this chapter those attaching themselves to the Muslim faith are rebuked for certain faults: a) insufficient respect for Muhammad; b) inadequate inquiry into the truth of a story; c) insincere faith; and d) lack of brotherly respect.
Rebuke for not showing due respect to Muhammad
“O
ye who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him in talk, as ye may speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds become vain and ye perceive not. Those that lower their voices in the presence of Allah’s messenger, their hearts has Allah tested for piety: for them is forgiveness and a great reward. Those who shout out to thee from without the inner apartments most of them lack understanding. If only they had patience until thou couldst come out to them, it would be best for them: but Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (v 2-5).
T he first of this type of command was given when Abu Bakr and ‘Umar were disputing loudly before Muhammad. On other occasions believers called to him asking him to come out when he was sleeping at noon in his wives inner apartment. The background to this command is found in Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 368 with the following result “Ibn Az-Zubair said, “Since the revelation of this verse, ‘Umar used to speak in such a low tone that the Prophet had to ask him to repeat his statements.”
Rebuke for failing to inquire into the truth of a story
“O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done” (v 6).
Muhammad sent a Muslim to collect alms which were due from the tribe of Mustaliq. On arriving he feared they would endanger him so he returned and told the prophet that they refused to pay and had attempted to kill him. Muhammad contemplated using force against the tribe but after further enquiry found that the original messenger had spoken wrongly against the submissive tribe.
Reconciliation required amongst Muslim brothers
“If two parties among the believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight ye against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair. The believers are but a single brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive mercy “(v 9-10).
The two parties involved in this affray were said to be the Aws and the Khazraj tribes.
“O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are doing wrong. O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it.. But fear Allah: For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (v 11-12)
Insincere faith
“The desert Arabs say, “We believe.”
Say, “Ye have no faith; but ye (only) say, ‘We have submitted our wills to Allah,’ For not yet has faith entered your hearts.” (v 14)
Sincere faith
“Only those are believers who have believed in Allah and His messenger
, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the cause of Allah:
Such are the sincere ones” (v 15)
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Sura 50. Qaf (The letter Qaf) Mecca
The meaning of the letter Qaf placed at the beginning of this chapter is disputed. In character, this chapter resembles other Meccan suras with references to the resurrection, rejection of earlier prophets, angels, and eternal issues. At this stage in his life he was told clearly not to use force but only warn the polytheists.
“Qaf: By the glorious Quran” (v 1)
The term al-Mujid, the glorious is often applied to the Quran
Idolaters reject the message of resurrection
“What! When we die and become dust, (shall we live again?) That is a (sort of) return far (from our understanding).”………………………
and We give (new) life therewith to land that is dead: Thus will be the resurrection” (v 3-11).
Previous prophets rejected
“Before them was denied (the hereafter) by the people of Noah, the companions of the Rass, the Thamud, the ‘Ad, Pharaoh, the brethren of Lut, the companions of the wood, and the people of Tubba’; each one rejected the messengers, and My warning was duly fulfilled” (v 12-14)
The meaning of the term the ‘companions of the Rass’ is uncertain
Idolaters doubt the resurrection but Allah is nearer than the jugular vein
“Were We then weary with the first creation that they should be in confused doubt about a new creation?
It was We who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him:
for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein” (v 15, 16).
Angels record all human thoughts and actions
“Behold, two (guardian angels) appointed to learn (his doings) learn (and noted them), one sitting on the right and one on the left.
Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready to note it” (v 17, 18).
Two angels condemn unbelievers on the day of judgement
“And the trumpet shall be blown: that will be the day whereof warning. And there will come forth every soul: with each will be an (angel) to d
rive, and an (angel) to bear witness. (It will be said:) “Thou wast heedless of this; now have We removed thy veil, and sharp is thy sight this day!” And his companion will say: “Here is (his record) ready with me!” (v 20-23)
One angel will bring every person before the tribunal, and the other will act as a witness.
Hell asked if there is any more room for unbelievers
“(The sentence will be:) “Throw; throw into hell every contumacious rejecter! “Who forbade what was good, transgressed all bounds, cast doubts and suspicions; ”Who set up another god beside Allah: Throw him into a severe penalty.” ……………………… One day We will ask hell, “Art thou filled to the full?” It will say, “Are there any more?” (v 24-31)
The believer receives the promise
“And the garden will be brought nigh to the righteous, no more a thing distant. (A voice will say:) “This is what was promised for you, for every one who turned (to Allah) in sincere repentance, who kept (His Law), “Who feared (Allah) most gracious unseen, and brought a heart turned in devotion: “Enter ye therein in peace and security; this is a day of eternal life!” There will be for them therein all that they wish, and more besides in Our presence” (v 31-35)
Muhammad’s need of patience
“We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six days, nor did any sense of weariness touch Us. Bear, then, with patience, all that they say, and celebrate the praises of thy Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting. And during part of the night, celebrate His praises, and after the postures of adoration. And listen for the day when the caller will call out from a place quiet near, The day when they will hear a (mighty) blast in truth: that will be the day of resurrection” (38-44).
Muhammad exhorted not to use force
“We know best what they say; and thou art not one to overawe them by force. So admonish with the Quran such as fear My warning!” (v 45)
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