About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

       Whatsoever is in the heavens and in the earth glorifies Allah. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

       He (Allah) expelled the dis-believers from the People of the Scripture (i.e. Jewish tribe of Banu-Nadheer ) from their homes at the first gathering [i.e. there is a prediction it will happen again, as it did at the time of Umar (ؓ)]. (O believers!) you did not think that they will ever abandon (or get out from) their homes (due to their wealth and equipment). And they were confident that their fortresses would defend them against Allah. But Allah’s (torment) came to them from where they did not expect it. And He (Allah) created fear in their hearts so that they demolished their homes with their own hands and with the hands of the believers. Hence, O sensible people, learn a lesson from this.

       And if Allah had not decreed exile (i.e. migration) for them, He would certainly have punished them in this world (as their sister tribe Banu Quraiza  was punished. If they are spared from the worldly torment) there will be torment of Fire for them in the Hereafter.

       That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]. And whosoever opposes Allah, then Allah is severe in punishment.

       (O believers!) The palm-trees (of tribe Banu Nadheer) which you cut down (or burnt) and those which you left standing on their stems, all this was with the Permission (and Pleasure) of Allah and it was to disgrace the rebellious people.

       And Fai (he booty  gathered without actual battle) which Allah gave to His Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] from them, and you did not have to make any expedition by running around with your horses or camels, but Allah makes His messenger dominate over whom-soever He wills. And Allah is Able to do all things.

       (Similarly) the booty (Fai) which Allah gives to His Mes-senger from other communities, it is for Allah, His Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)], the relatives of the Mes-senger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)], orphans, the needy and travellers (and it is not to be distributed among the participants of the expedition), in order that it may not keep circulating among the rich among you (as it was at the time of ignorance). Hence, whatsoever the Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.

       (Fai is for) those poor emi-grants, who were expelled from their homes and their properties, (simply because they were) seeking the Bounty of Allah and His Plea-sure and they were helping in the Cause of Allah and His Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]. Such are, indeed, the truthful (to what they say).

       (And there is more right in this booty i.e. Fai, for) those (believers who are called Ansar) who were residents (of Madinah) and had embraced Islam before the migration of emigrants to them. (Their virtues are) they don’t feel any need (or malice) in their hearts (towards the emigrants) for what has been given to them (from booty of Banu Nadheer). They (the Ansar) give them (the emigrants) preference over themselves even though they were in dire need of that (food etc). And whosoever is saved from miserliness of his innerself, so they will be the successful persons. (Here virtues of Ansar are described).

       And (Fai is for) those who came after them, they make this supplication: “Our Creator! Forgive us and our brothers who have preceded us in Faith and do not put any jealousy in our hearts for those who have believed. Our Creator! You are indeed, full of kindness, Most Merciful.” (The condition to receive Fai is not to say anything bad about emigrants and Ansar and to make the above Dua).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Have you not observed the hypocrites who say to their friends among the people of the Scripture who are disbelievers: “If you are expelled (from your homeland), we will definitely go out with you too, and we will not obey anybody regarding you, and if they (Muslims) fight against you, we shall definitely help you.” And Allah is Witness that they are, indeed, liars.

       If the Jews are expelled (from their homeland), they (the hypocrites) will never go out with them and if the Jews are attacked, they will never help them. And (even) if they do help them, the hypocrites will flee on their backs and (after their fleeing), the Jews will have no helper.

       The hypocrites (and/or Jews) are more scared of the believers deep in their hearts than that of the fear of Allah (that is why they apparently pretend to be with the believers). It is because they are people without any sense. 

       (Irrespective of the alliance of hypocrites and Jews) they don’t even dare to fight against you together except in fortified towns or from behind walls. Their enmity among themselves is severe. Although they appear to you united, but their hearts are (deeply) disunited. That is because they are people who don’t have any sense.

       (There are two examples for the loose alliance of hypocrites and Jews). It is like those people who preceded them a little while ago, and they tasted the punishment of their evil deeds. (i.e. the Jewish tribe of Banu Qainuqa who were expelled from their homeland due to their treachery), and there is a painful torment for them (in the Hereafter).

       (Second example of hypocrites in deceiving their allies is like that of) Satan, when he says to man: “Disbelieve in Allah.” But when  man disbelieves in Allah (and Allah punishes him) Satan says: “I have nothing to do with you. I fear Allah, the Creator of the universe.”

       Hence, the end of both of them will be that they will be in the Fire, residing there forever. And such is the reward for all the wrong-doers.

       (Keep in mind the evil end of the disbelievers). O you who believe! Fear Allah. And everyone of you should examine carefully what he has sent for tomorrow. And fear Allah, indeed, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

       And don’t be like those who forget (the commands of) Allah, and Allah made them forget themselves (i.e. they lost sense to see the difference between their benefit and loss). They are disobedient (to Allah).

       The residents of Paradise and the residents of Fire are not equal. It is the residents of Paradise who are successful.

       If We had sent down this Quran on a mountain (and the mountain was given intelligence and com-prehension like human beings), you would have seen the mountain humbling itself and breaking into tiny particles the fear of Allah (i.e. the Quran is extremely effective with its eloquence and miracles). We give such examples for (the benefit of) mankind so that they may reflect.

       (Here Allah’s Virtues are described so that their effect on the hearts may help in obeying the Commands of Allah). He is Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

       He is Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Sovereign, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Guardian over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Superb (possessing every greatness). Glorified is Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.

       He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Fashioner of appearance. His are the most Beautiful Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.