At-Tawbah (11-20) Tafsir

11

فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةَ فَإِخۡوَٲنُكُمۡ فِى ٱلدِّينِ‌ۗ وَنُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡلَمُونَ

But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, then they are your brothers in religion; and We detail the verses for a people who know.

Tafsir

Allah encourages the believers to show enmity to the idolators and to dissociate from them, affirming that they do not deserve to enjoy a covenant of peace, because of their Shirk in Allah and disbelief in Allah's Messenger.

If these disbelievers have a chance to defeat Muslims, they will cause great mischief, leave nothing unharmed, disregard the ties of kinship and the sanctity of their vows. `Ali bin Abi Talhah, `Ikrimah and Al-`Awfi narrated that Ibn `Abbas said, "Ill means kinship, while, Dhimmah means covenant.'' Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi said similarly.

﴿ ٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً۬ فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦۤ‌ۚ إِنَّہُمۡ سَآءَ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ • لَا يَرۡقُبُونَ فِى مُؤۡمِنٍ إِلاًّ۬ وَلَا ذِمَّةً۬‌ۚ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدُونَ • فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةَ فَإِخۡوَٲنُكُمۡ فِى ٱلدِّينِ‌ۗ وَنُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(9. They have purchased with the Ayat of Allah a little gain, and they hindered men from His way; evil indeed is that which they used to do.) (10. With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who are the transgressors.) (11. But if they repent, perform the Salah and give the Zakah, then they are your brethren in religion. (In this way) We explain the Ayat in detail for a people who know.) Allah admonishes the idolators and encourages the believers to fight against them because,

﴿ ٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً۬ ﴾

(They have purchased with the Ayat of Allah a little gain,) idolators exchanged following the Ayat of Allah with the lower affairs of life that they indulged in,

﴿ فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦۤ‌ۚ ﴾

(and they hindered men from His way), trying to prevent the believers from following the truth,

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ سَآءَ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ • لَا يَرۡقُبُونَ فِى مُؤۡمِنٍ إِلاًّ۬ وَلَا ذِمَّةً۬‌ۚ ﴾

(evil indeed is that which they used to do. With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant!) (9:9-10). We explained these meanings before, as well as, the meaning of,

﴿ فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ﴾

(But if they repent, perform the Salah...)

﴿ وَإِن نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ عَهۡدِهِمۡ وَطَعَنُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ إِنَّهُمۡ لَآ أَيۡمَـٰنَ لَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَنتَهُونَ ﴾

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

12

وَإِن نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ عَهۡدِهِمۡ وَطَعَنُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ إِنَّهُمۡ لَآ أَيۡمَـٰنَ لَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَنتَهُونَ

And if they break their oaths after their treaty and defame your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief, for indeed, there are no oaths [sacred] to them; [fight them that] they might cease.

Tafsir

Allah encourages the believers to show enmity to the idolators and to dissociate from them, affirming that they do not deserve to enjoy a covenant of peace, because of their Shirk in Allah and disbelief in Allah's Messenger.

If these disbelievers have a chance to defeat Muslims, they will cause great mischief, leave nothing unharmed, disregard the ties of kinship and the sanctity of their vows. `Ali bin Abi Talhah, `Ikrimah and Al-`Awfi narrated that Ibn `Abbas said, "Ill means kinship, while, Dhimmah means covenant.'' Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi said similarly.

﴿ ٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً۬ فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦۤ‌ۚ إِنَّہُمۡ سَآءَ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ • لَا يَرۡقُبُونَ فِى مُؤۡمِنٍ إِلاًّ۬ وَلَا ذِمَّةً۬‌ۚ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدُونَ • فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةَ فَإِخۡوَٲنُكُمۡ فِى ٱلدِّينِ‌ۗ وَنُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾

(9. They have purchased with the Ayat of Allah a little gain, and they hindered men from His way; evil indeed is that which they used to do.) (10. With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who are the transgressors.) (11. But if they repent, perform the Salah and give the Zakah, then they are your brethren in religion. (In this way) We explain the Ayat in detail for a people who know.) Allah admonishes the idolators and encourages the believers to fight against them because,

﴿ ٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً۬ ﴾

(They have purchased with the Ayat of Allah a little gain,) idolators exchanged following the Ayat of Allah with the lower affairs of life that they indulged in,

﴿ فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦۤ‌ۚ ﴾

(and they hindered men from His way), trying to prevent the believers from following the truth,

﴿ إِنَّہُمۡ سَآءَ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ • لَا يَرۡقُبُونَ فِى مُؤۡمِنٍ إِلاًّ۬ وَلَا ذِمَّةً۬‌ۚ ﴾

(evil indeed is that which they used to do. With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant!) (9:9-10). We explained these meanings before, as well as, the meaning of,

﴿ فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ﴾

(But if they repent, perform the Salah...)

﴿ وَإِن نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ عَهۡدِهِمۡ وَطَعَنُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ إِنَّهُمۡ لَآ أَيۡمَـٰنَ لَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَنتَهُونَ ﴾

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

13

أَلَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ قَوۡمً۬ا نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَهُمۡ وَهَمُّواْ بِإِخۡرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوڪُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ‌ۚ أَتَخۡشَوۡنَهُمۡ‌ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَوۡهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ

Would you not fight a people who broke their oaths and determined to expel the Messenger, and they had begun [the attack upon] you the first time? Do you fear them? But Allah has more right that you should fear Him, if you are [truly] believers.

Tafsir

The Oaths of the Leaders of Disbelief mean nothing to Them

Allah says, if the idolators with whom you conducted peace treaties for an appointed term break

﴿ أَيۡمَـٰنِهِمۡ‌ۙ ﴾

(their oaths) meaning, terms of their treaties, and covenants

﴿ وَطَعَنُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ ﴾

(and attack your religion...) with disapproval and criticism, it is because of this that one who curses the Messenger, peace be upon him, or attacks the religion of Islam by way of criticism and disapproval, they are to be fought. This is why Allah said afterwards,

﴿ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ إِنَّهُمۡ لَآ أَيۡمَـٰنَ لَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَنتَهُونَ ﴾

(then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief -- for surely, their oaths are nothing to them -- so that they may stop.) so that they may refrain from the disbelief, rebellion and the transgression they indulge in. Qatadah and others said that the leaders of disbelief were Abu Jahl, `Utbah and Shaybah, Umayyah bin Khalaf, and he went on to mention several others. Al-A`mash narrated from Zayd bin Wahb from Hudhayfah; "The people of this Ayah were never fought again.'' A similar statement was reported from `Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. However, this Ayah is general, even though the specific reason behind revealing it was the idolators of Quraysh. So this Ayah generally applies to them and others as well, Allah knows best. Al-Walid bin Muslim said that Safwan bin `Amr narrated that `Abdur-Rahman bin Jubayr bin Nufayr said that when Abu Bakr sent an army to Ash-Sham, he advised them, "You will find some people with shaved heads. Therefore, strike the swords upon the parts that contain the devil, for by Allah, it is better to me to kill one of these people than to kill seventy other men. This is because Allah said,

﴿ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ ﴾

(then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief.)'' Ibn Abi Hatim collected it.

﴿ أَلَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ قَوۡمً۬ا نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَهُمۡ وَهَمُّواْ بِإِخۡرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوڪُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ‌ۚ أَتَخۡشَوۡنَهُمۡ‌ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَوۡهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ • قَـٰتِلُوهُمۡ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيۡدِيڪُمۡ وَيُخۡزِهِمۡ وَيَنصُرۡكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَيَشۡفِ صُدُورَ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّؤۡمِنِينَ • وَيُذۡهِبۡ غَيۡظَ قُلُوبِهِمۡ‌ۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴾

(13. Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths and intended to expel the Messenger while they did attack you first Do you fear them Allah has more right that you should fear Him if you are believers.) (14. Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them and give you victory over them, and heal the breasts of a believing people,) (15. And remove the anger of their (believers') hearts. Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.)

14

قَـٰتِلُوهُمۡ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيۡدِيڪُمۡ وَيُخۡزِهِمۡ وَيَنصُرۡكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَيَشۡفِ صُدُورَ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّؤۡمِنِينَ

Fight them; Allah will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts of a believing people

Tafsir

The Oaths of the Leaders of Disbelief mean nothing to Them

Allah says, if the idolators with whom you conducted peace treaties for an appointed term break

﴿ أَيۡمَـٰنِهِمۡ‌ۙ ﴾

(their oaths) meaning, terms of their treaties, and covenants

﴿ وَطَعَنُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ ﴾

(and attack your religion...) with disapproval and criticism, it is because of this that one who curses the Messenger, peace be upon him, or attacks the religion of Islam by way of criticism and disapproval, they are to be fought. This is why Allah said afterwards,

﴿ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ إِنَّهُمۡ لَآ أَيۡمَـٰنَ لَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَنتَهُونَ ﴾

(then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief -- for surely, their oaths are nothing to them -- so that they may stop.) so that they may refrain from the disbelief, rebellion and the transgression they indulge in. Qatadah and others said that the leaders of disbelief were Abu Jahl, `Utbah and Shaybah, Umayyah bin Khalaf, and he went on to mention several others. Al-A`mash narrated from Zayd bin Wahb from Hudhayfah; "The people of this Ayah were never fought again.'' A similar statement was reported from `Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. However, this Ayah is general, even though the specific reason behind revealing it was the idolators of Quraysh. So this Ayah generally applies to them and others as well, Allah knows best. Al-Walid bin Muslim said that Safwan bin `Amr narrated that `Abdur-Rahman bin Jubayr bin Nufayr said that when Abu Bakr sent an army to Ash-Sham, he advised them, "You will find some people with shaved heads. Therefore, strike the swords upon the parts that contain the devil, for by Allah, it is better to me to kill one of these people than to kill seventy other men. This is because Allah said,

﴿ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ ﴾

(then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief.)'' Ibn Abi Hatim collected it.

﴿ أَلَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ قَوۡمً۬ا نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَهُمۡ وَهَمُّواْ بِإِخۡرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوڪُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ‌ۚ أَتَخۡشَوۡنَهُمۡ‌ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَوۡهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ • قَـٰتِلُوهُمۡ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيۡدِيڪُمۡ وَيُخۡزِهِمۡ وَيَنصُرۡكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَيَشۡفِ صُدُورَ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّؤۡمِنِينَ • وَيُذۡهِبۡ غَيۡظَ قُلُوبِهِمۡ‌ۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴾

(13. Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths and intended to expel the Messenger while they did attack you first Do you fear them Allah has more right that you should fear Him if you are believers.) (14. Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them and give you victory over them, and heal the breasts of a believing people,) (15. And remove the anger of their (believers') hearts. Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.)

15

وَيُذۡهِبۡ غَيۡظَ قُلُوبِهِمۡ‌ۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

And remove the fury in the believers' hearts. And Allah turns in forgiveness to whom He wills; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.

Tafsir

The Oaths of the Leaders of Disbelief mean nothing to Them

Allah says, if the idolators with whom you conducted peace treaties for an appointed term break

﴿ أَيۡمَـٰنِهِمۡ‌ۙ ﴾

(their oaths) meaning, terms of their treaties, and covenants

﴿ وَطَعَنُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ ﴾

(and attack your religion...) with disapproval and criticism, it is because of this that one who curses the Messenger, peace be upon him, or attacks the religion of Islam by way of criticism and disapproval, they are to be fought. This is why Allah said afterwards,

﴿ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ إِنَّهُمۡ لَآ أَيۡمَـٰنَ لَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَنتَهُونَ ﴾

(then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief -- for surely, their oaths are nothing to them -- so that they may stop.) so that they may refrain from the disbelief, rebellion and the transgression they indulge in. Qatadah and others said that the leaders of disbelief were Abu Jahl, `Utbah and Shaybah, Umayyah bin Khalaf, and he went on to mention several others. Al-A`mash narrated from Zayd bin Wahb from Hudhayfah; "The people of this Ayah were never fought again.'' A similar statement was reported from `Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. However, this Ayah is general, even though the specific reason behind revealing it was the idolators of Quraysh. So this Ayah generally applies to them and others as well, Allah knows best. Al-Walid bin Muslim said that Safwan bin `Amr narrated that `Abdur-Rahman bin Jubayr bin Nufayr said that when Abu Bakr sent an army to Ash-Sham, he advised them, "You will find some people with shaved heads. Therefore, strike the swords upon the parts that contain the devil, for by Allah, it is better to me to kill one of these people than to kill seventy other men. This is because Allah said,

﴿ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓاْ أَٮِٕمَّةَ ٱلۡڪُفۡرِ‌ۙ ﴾

(then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief.)'' Ibn Abi Hatim collected it.

﴿ أَلَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ قَوۡمً۬ا نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَهُمۡ وَهَمُّواْ بِإِخۡرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوڪُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ‌ۚ أَتَخۡشَوۡنَهُمۡ‌ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَوۡهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ • قَـٰتِلُوهُمۡ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيۡدِيڪُمۡ وَيُخۡزِهِمۡ وَيَنصُرۡكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَيَشۡفِ صُدُورَ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّؤۡمِنِينَ • وَيُذۡهِبۡ غَيۡظَ قُلُوبِهِمۡ‌ۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴾

(13. Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths and intended to expel the Messenger while they did attack you first Do you fear them Allah has more right that you should fear Him if you are believers.) (14. Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them and give you victory over them, and heal the breasts of a believing people,) (15. And remove the anger of their (believers') hearts. Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.)

16

أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تُتۡرَكُواْ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا رَسُولِهِۦ وَلَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً۬‌ۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ

Do you think that you will be left [as you are] while Allah has not yet made evident those among you who strive [for His cause] and do not take other than Allah, His Messenger and the believers as intimates? And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

Tafsir

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

These Ayat encourage, direct and recommend fighting against the idolators who break the terms of their covenants, those who tried to expel the Messenger from Makkah. Allah said in other Ayat,

﴿ وَإِذۡ يَمۡكُرُ بِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لِيُثۡبِتُوكَ أَوۡ يَقۡتُلُوكَ أَوۡ يُخۡرِجُوكَ‌ۚ وَيَمۡكُرُونَ وَيَمۡكُرُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمَـٰڪِرِينَ ﴾

(And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you to imprison you, or to kill you, or to expel you; they were plotting and Allah too was plotting; and Allah is the best of those who plot.) (8:30),

﴿ يُخۡرِجُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَإِيَّاكُمۡ‌ۙ أَن تُؤۡمِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ رَبِّكُمۡ ﴾

(...and have driven out the Messenger and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allah your Lord!) (60:1), and,

﴿ وَإِن ڪَادُواْ لَيَسۡتَفِزُّونَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيُخۡرِجُوكَ مِنۡهَا‌ۖ ﴾

(And verily, they were about to frighten you so much as to drive you out from the land.) (17:76) Allah's statement,

﴿ وَهُم بَدَءُوڪُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ‌ۚ ﴾

(while they did attack you first), refers to the battle of Badr when the idolators marched to protect their caravan. When they knew that their caravan escaped safely, they still went ahead with their intent to fight Muslims out of arrogance, as we mentioned before. It was also said that these Ayat refer to the idolators breaking the peace agreement with Muslims and aiding Bani Bakr, their allies, against Khuza`ah, the ally of the Messenger of Allah . This is why the Messenger of Allah marched to Makkah in the year of the victory, thus conquering it, all thanks and praise is due to Allah. Allah said,

﴿ أَتَخۡشَوۡنَهُمۡ‌ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَوۡهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Do you fear them Allah has more right that you should fear Him if you are believers.) Allah says here, `Do not fear idolators, but fear Me instead, for I am worthy of being feared by the servants due to My might and punishment. In My Hand lies the matter; whatever I will occurs, and whatever I do not will does not occur.' Allah next said, while ordering the believers and explaining the wisdom of ordaining Jihad against them, all the while able to destroy their enemies with a command from Him,

﴿ قَـٰتِلُوهُمۡ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيۡدِيڪُمۡ وَيُخۡزِهِمۡ وَيَنصُرۡكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَيَشۡفِ صُدُورَ قَوۡمٍ۬ مُّؤۡمِنِينَ ﴾

(Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them and give you victory over them, and heal the breasts of a believing people.) This Ayah includes all believers, even though Mujahid, `Ikrimah and As-Suddi said that it refers to Khuza`ah. Concerning the believers, Allah said;

﴿ وَيُذۡهِبۡ غَيۡظَ قُلُوبِهِمۡ‌ۗ ﴾

(and remove the anger of their hearts), then

﴿ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۗ ﴾

(Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills), from His servants,

﴿ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ ﴾

(Allah is All-Knowing), in what benefits His servants,

﴿ حَكِيمٌ ﴾

(All-Wise), in His actions and statements, whether narrative or legislative. Allah does what He wills, decides what He wills, and He is the Just Who never wrongs any. Not even the weight of an atom of good or evil is ever neglected with Him, but rather, He compensates for it in this life and the Hereafter.

﴿ أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تُتۡرَكُواْ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا رَسُولِهِۦ وَلَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً۬‌ۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ ﴾

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

17

مَا كَانَ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ أَن يَعۡمُرُواْ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلۡكُفۡرِ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمۡ خَـٰلِدُونَ

It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allah [while] witnessing against themselves with disbelief. [For] those, their deeds have become worthless, and in the Fire they will abide eternally.

Tafsir

Among the Wisdom of Jihad is to test the Muslims

Allah said,

﴿ أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ ﴾

(Do you think), O believers that We will leave you untested with matters that make apparent those who have pure, good intent from those who have false intent This is why Allah said next,

﴿ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا رَسُولِهِۦ وَلَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً۬‌ۚ ﴾

(while Allah has not yet tested those among you who have striven hard and fought and have not taken Walijah besides Allah and His Messenger, and the believers...), meaning, supporters and confidants. Rather, they are sincere for Allah and His Messenger inwardly and outwardly. Allah also said;

﴿ الٓمٓ • ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَ‌ۛ فِيهِ‌ۛ هُدً۬ى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ • ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ ﴾

(Alif-Lam-Mim. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe,'' and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make known those who are true, and will certainly make known those who are liars...) (29:1-3),

﴿ أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَيَعۡلَمَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ﴾

(Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His cause) and (also) tests those who are patient) (3: 142), and,

﴿ مَّا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ حَتَّىٰ يَمِيزَ ٱلۡخَبِيثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبِ‌ۗ ﴾

(Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good) (3:179). In summary, since Allah legislated Jihad for His servants, He explained that the wisdom behind doing so includes testing His servants, distinguishing between those who obey Him and those who disobey Him. Allah, the Exalted, is the All-Knower of what occurred, what will occur, and the true essence of what might occur had He decided it. Therefore, Allah knows everything before it occurs and how it will occur, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, nor a Lord except Him. Truly, there is none who can avert Allah's judgment and decision.

﴿ مَا كَانَ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ أَن يَعۡمُرُواْ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلۡكُفۡرِ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمۡ خَـٰلِدُونَ • إِنَّمَا يَعۡمُرُ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّڪَوٰةَ وَلَمۡ يَخۡشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ فَعَسَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ أَن يَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ ﴾

(17. It is not for the Mushrikin, to maintain the Masjids of Allah, while they witness against themselves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide.) (18. The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day; perform the Salah, and give Zakah and fear none but Allah. It is they who are on true guidance.)

18

إِنَّمَا يَعۡمُرُ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّڪَوٰةَ وَلَمۡ يَخۡشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ فَعَسَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ أَن يَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ

The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and establish prayer and give zakah and do not fear except Allah, for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided.