About the Surah

       Freedom from all obligations and commitments (is announced) from Allah and His [messenger ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] to those idolaters with whom you made a treaty (without specifying the period of treaty).

       (O idolaters!) So travel freely in the land for four months but bear in mind that you cannot escape from the punishment of Allah, and that Allah will put the disbelievers to a terrible shame.

       And (this is) the announcement to mankind from Allah and His messenger ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ) on the greatest day of Hajj (i.e. the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah - Bukhari 4655) that Allah and His messenger ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ) are free from (all) obligations and commitments to the idolaters. (O idolaters!) So if you repent, it is better for you, and if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape (from the punishment of) Allah. [O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] And convey the news of a painful punishment to the disbelievers.

       Except those idolaters with whom you have a treaty and they did not harm you even slightly, nor have they supported anyone against you. So you should fulfil the treaty with them for the end of the term. Surely Allah loves the pious persons.

       So when the sacred months (Moharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah) have passed, then kill the idolaters, wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them and sit waiting to ambush them in every possible way. So if they repent and perform Salat and give poor-due, then you should get out of their path. Indeed, Allah is Very Forgiving, Most Merciful

       And if any of the idolaters seek your protection, then do give him protection till he may hear the Words of Allah (the Quran), then take him to his place of safety. It is because these people don’t understand. (Knowledge of Islamic values will motivate them to embrace Islam).

       How can there be a treaty with Allah and His messenger for idolaters of Makkah (the first group who broke the treaty) except those with whom you made a promise near Masjid-al-Haram (the second group)? So as long as they adhere to it, you abide by it too. Indeed, Allah loves the pious persons.

       (It is again about first group). How can there be any agreement with them, in case they overpower you, they have absolutely no regard for kinship or any agreement made? They want to please you with lip service but their hearts do not accept (what they utter), and most of them are the evil-doers.

       They have purchased a petty gain with the revelations of Allah, so they try their best to hinder people from the Path of Allah. Indeed, they are engaged in an evil activity.

       They have absolutely no regard for kinship or any agreement made when they are dealing with a believer and they are, truly, the transgressors.

       But if they repent (and embrace Islam), perform Salat, and give poor-due, then they are your brethren in Islam. And We explain Our revelations with detail for the knowledgeable people.

       And if they break their oaths after a treaty is made with them and they taunt about your religion then fight against the leaders of the disbelievers, since their oaths have no weight, in order that they may stop (evil) activities.

       Why don’t you fight the people who have broken their oaths and intended to expel the Prophet ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ), and in fact, they initiated the fight? Do you fear them? In fact, Allah has more right that you should fear Him, if you are believers.

       Fight against them. Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them, and help you against them and soothe the hearts of the believing people,

       And remove the anger built in the hearts of the believers. And Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

       Do you think that you shall be left alone while Allah has not yet let known those who fought hard among you, and did not make close friends except Allah and His messenger and the believers? And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

       It is not for the idolaters to maintain the masajid (here means Masjid-al-Haram). In fact they are themselves the witness of their disbelief.  All their actions are in vain and they are to reside in Fire forever.

       The deserving maintainers of masajid are those who believe in Allah, and the Day of Judgement, and perform Salat and pay the poor-due and fear none but Allah. Hopefully they are from those who are truly guided.

       Do you consider one who provides drinking water for the pilgrims and maintains Masjid-al-Haram as equal to the one who believes in Allah and the Day of Judgement and strives hard in the Path of Allah? They are not equal before Allah. And Allah does not guide those who are wrong-doers.

       Those who believed in Allah and emigrated and strove hard in the Path of Allah with their wealth and with their lives, have far higher levels (of dignity) with Allah. And they are, truly, the successful.

       Their Creator gives them glad tidings of Mercy from Him, His Good Pleasure and Gardens with everlasting delights in it (i.e. Paradise).

       They will reside there forever. Indeed, Allah has a great reward (for them).

       O you who believe! Don’t make your forefathers and your brothers your close friends, if they prefer disbelief to Belief. And whoever amongst you would make them friends, then he is from the wrong-doers. (Also Surah Al-Maidah:51)

       Say, if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your close relatives, the wealth which you have acquired, and the trading in which you fear decline, and the residences in which you delight – are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger and striving hard in the Path of Allah, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (i.e. torment). And Allah does not guide the evil-doers.

       Definitely Allah made you victorious in many battlefields and especially on the Day of Hunain, when you boasted on your large numbers. Your large numbers did not do you any good and earth, with all its vastness, shrank on you and then you turned back running.

       Then Allah sent down His calm-ness on the messenger [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] and on the believers, and sent down forces (the angels) which you did not see, and punished the disbelievers. And that was the befitting reward for the disbelievers.

       Even after this Allah will accept the repentance of whom He wills. And Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       O you who believe! Indeed, the idolaters are (due to their shocking beliefs and practices) absolutely impure. So let them not come near Masjid-al-Haram after this year. And if you fear poverty, so Allah will make you financially self-sufficient through His Bounty, if He wills. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

       Fight against those who don’t believe in Allah, nor in the Day of Judgement, nor forbid that which Allah and his messenger has forbidden, and those who don’t accept the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) from the People of the Scripture until they are subdued and pay the tax with their hands.

       And the Jews say: “Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah” and the Christians say: “Messiah is the son of Allah.” They are simply puffing this out of their mouths. They are only copying the sayings of those who disbelieved before them. Allah’s Curse is upon them, how much they have turned away (from the truth).

       They made their rabbis and their monks and also Messiah, son of Maryam, gods besides Allah while they were commanded to worship only one God. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah. Glorified is He from having any partners they associate with Him.

       They wish to put off Allah’s Light (i.e. Islam) by blowing with their mouths, and Allah will not allow it until He raises His Light (i.e. Islam) to perfection even though the disbelievers hate it.

       It is He Who has sent His messenger [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] with guidance and the religion of truth to dominate over all the religions even though the idolaters hate it.

       O you who believe! Indeed, many Jewish rabbis and Christian monks pocket the funds of the people wrongfully and they hinder them from the Path of Allah, and those who hoard up gold and silver and don’t spend in the Path of Allah. So inform them about the painful punishment (in store) for them.

       The Day when, this (hoarded up wealth) will be heated in the Hell-Fire and their foreheads, their flanks (i.e. sides), and their backs will be branded with this (red hot) wealth, (and it will be said to them); “This is what you hoarded for yourselves. So now taste (the result) of what you used to hoard.”

       Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year) in the Book of Allah from the Day when He created the heavens and the earth. Four of these months (i.e. Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qadah and Dhul-Hijjah) are sacred. That is the right religion. So don’t wrong yourselves during these sacred months. And fight against the idolaters all together as they fight against you joining their hands. And bear in mind that Allah is with the pious people.

       The shifting (of a sacred month) is, indeed, an addition to disbelief, which further misguides the disbelievers, for they make it lawful one year and unlawful for another year in order to make equal to the number of months forbidden by Allah. Hence, they make lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Their evil game appears very fascinating to them. And Allah does not guide the disbelievers.

       O you who believe! What is the matter with you when you are asked to go forth in the Path of Allah; you cling strongly to the ground? Are you pleased with the worldly life rather than the Hereafter? In fact, the benefits of the worldly life are insignificant as compared to the Hereafter.

       If you don’t go forth (in the Path of Allah), Allah will inflict upon you a painful punishment; and replace you by another group, and you will not be able to do any harm to Him a bit. And Allah is Able to do all things.

       (It does not matter) if you do not help Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ). Allah did help him when the disbelievers turned him out (from his home), the second of two, when they were in the cave, Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ) said to his companion [Abu Bakr]: “Don’t be sad (don’t be afraid), indeed, Allah is with us.” Then Allah sent down His calmness upon him, and helped him with forces (angels) which you did not see, and made the word (i.e. plan) of the disbelievers low and Allah’s Word (i.e. plan) is supreme. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

       Do go forth whether you are light (healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being old etc.) and fight hard with your wealth and lives in the Path of Allah. That is better for you if you understand it (hence, don’t delay it).

       If it was a situation where gain (of booty) was quick and the journey was easy, then they (the hypocrites) would have followed you but the journey (of Tabuk expedition) appeared to them (the hypocrites) too far and tiresome (hence, they were left behind). (And when you return) they would swear by Allah: “If it was possible for us, we would have accompanied you.” They destroy their own selves, and Allah knows that they are definitely liars.

       May Allah forgive you [O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!]. Why did you grant the exemption (to remain behind) until it became clear to you who told the truth and who were the liars?

       Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day would not ask you for the exemption from fighting with their wealth and their lives. And Allah is All-Knower of the pious persons.

       Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and the Last Day, while their hearts are filled with doubt, would ask you for the exemption. Hence, they waver due to their doubts (sometimes feel like supporting and other times feel like opposing).

       And if they had firm intention to go forth, they would have made some preparations with equipment. But Allah did not approve their participation, hence Allah made them fall behind and it was said to them: “You better sit among those who sit (at home).”

       If they had participated with you; they would have contributed to nothing else except trouble. They would have run around on their horses to initiate problems among you. And there are (some simple minded Muslims) among you who would have listened to them. And Allah is All-Knower of the wrong-doers.

       They have been trying to make problems for you before this (in Uhud) to turn things upside down until the truth (victory) came and Allah’s Command prevailed although they hated it.

       And some of them say to you: “Do grant me exemption from Jihad and don’t put me into a trial.” In fact, they have already fallen into a trial (since what could be bigger trial than their disbelief and the disobedience of the Prophet ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ). And, indeed, Hell will encompass the disbelievers (in the Hereafter).

       If good time embraces you, it grieves them, but if a calamity befalls on you, they say: “We took our precautionary measures in advance” and they turn away jubilant.

       [O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] Say: “Our lot will be what Allah has written for us. He is our Protector.” And believers should put their trust in Allah Alone.

       Say: “Are you waiting for us till one of the two good things occur to us (martyrdom or victory)? And we are waiting to see whether Allah punishes you Himself or through our hands. So you wait, indeed, we are waiting with you too.”

       Say: “You spend willingly or unwillingly, it will not be accepted from you. Indeed, you are disobedient people to Allah.”

       Their spending are not accept-ed simply because they dis--believed in Allah and His messenger, [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )], and they came to Salat lazily, and they made monetary contribution only un-willingly.

       Hence, let their wealth and children not confuse you, Allah intends to punish them with these things in this worldly life and that they die as disbelievers. (Also Surah Ta-Ha:131, Al-Muminun:55, 56)

       And they swear by Allah that, indeed, they are from you while they are not from you. And, in fact, they are coward people.

       If they find some refuge, or caves, or any place to hide them-selves, they will rush to it desper-ately.

       Some of them (hypocrites) blame you [O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] about (the distribution of) alms. If they receive from it, they are pleased, but if they are not given from it, then they at once become angry.

       And if they would have been pleased with what Allah and His messenger gave them and had said: “Allah is Sufficient for us. Allah will grant us from His Bounty and His messenger too (from the alms). We pray to Allah for help.” 

       Zakat is only for the poor, the needy, employees of Zakat fund, and for strengthening the hearts of those who have inclined towards Islam, to free the captives, for those in debt, and for Allah’s Cause, and for a stranded traveller. It is a duty commanded by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.

       Some of them (hypocrites) try their best to annoy the Prophet [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] and they say: “He is listening (and paying attention) to everyone. (Hence, he can be easily deceived).” (He listens to everybody for two reasons. Firstly to verify the facts. Secondly to show good manners to others). In fact, the Prophet ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ) listens only to what is good for you, and he believes in Allah, and he has faith in believers and is a mercy for the believers. And those who annoy Allah’s messenger [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] will have a painful punishment.

       They swear by Allah to the believers to merely please them. However, Allah and His messenger have more right to be pleased, if they are believers.

       Don’t they know that anyone who opposes Allah and His messenger, so, indeed, there is Hell-Fire for him to reside there forever. That is a big disgrace.

       The hypocrites are always worried lest a chapter of the Quran is revealed about them to disclose what is hidden in their hearts. Say: “Mock, if you like. Allah will certainly disclose all that you fear.”

       If you question them (about this), they say: “We are talking idly and just joking.” [O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] Say to them: “Is that Allah and Allah’s revelations and His messenger left for your joking?”

       Don’t make excuses. You have disbelieved after you have believed. Even if We forgive some of you, We will punish some of you because they were criminals (i.e. disbelievers).

       All hypocrite men and women are alike. They preach people what is bad and forbid them to do good. They keep their hands closed (i.e. they are miser in spending in the Cause of Allah). They have forgotten Allah, so Allah has forgotten them too (i.e. they are deprived of Allah’s Mercy). Indeed, the hypocrites are disobedient to Allah.

       Allah has promised the hypo-crites, men and  women, as well as the disbelievers, the Hell-Fire. They shall reside there forever. It is suffi-cient (punishment) for them. Allah has cursed them and there is a per-manent punishment for them.

       (O you hypocrites!) Your condition is similar to the condition of the people who passed before you. They had more power than you and more wealth and children too. So they derived their benefits from the worldly life. So you have also derived your benefits from this life as did people before you. And you did vain discussions as they did. (or, you are lost in the enjoyment of worldly life as they did). The deeds of such people will be null and void in this world as well as in the Hereafter. And they are the true losers.

       Has not the news of the people before them reached the hypocrites – the people of Nuh ( ) , A’d and Thamud, the people of Ibrahim ( ) , the residents of Madyan and the  residents of overturned towns [(i.e. people of Lut ( ) ], the messengers came to them with clear proofs? So Allah did not wrong them, but they used to wrong themselves.

       And the believers, men and women, are helpers of one an-other. They preach to the people what is good and forbid what is evil, they perform Salat and give Zakat (i.e. poor-due) and they obey Allah and His messenger ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ). Soon Allah will shower His Mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

       Allah has promised believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow where they will reside forever, in clean and lovely palaces situated in everlasting Paradise and, above all, with the bliss of the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is, truly, the supreme success.

       O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh against them. Their abode is Hell. And it is a terrible destination!

       The hypocrites swear by Allah that they said nothing (bad against the Prophet Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ), but really they said the word of disbelief, [since saying anything bad about the Prophet ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ) is disbelief], and they disbelieved after embracing Islam. And they intended [(i.e. hatched the plot to kill the Prophet ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )], which they could not accomplish. And they are taking this revenge, though Allah has made them rich from His Bounty and His messenger too (they should have thanked Allah for it). If they repent even now, it will be better for them. And if they turn away, then Allah is going to inflict on them a painful punishment in this world and in the Hereafter. And they will have no supporter or helper for them on the earth.

       And some of them made this promise with Allah that if He bestowed upon them His Bounty, they would definitely give charity and in this way, will certainly become the righteous people.

       So when He bestowed His Bounty upon them, they became misers and turned away and were dodging (to donate).

       Consequently He punished them by injecting hypocrisy in their hearts lasting till the day when they will meet Him. This is because they have broken their promise with Him and because they used to tell lies.

       Don’t they know that Allah knows their secrets (in their hearts) and their secret consultations, and that Allah is the All-Knower of unseen things?

       Those (hypocrites) who talk tauntingly (or make jeering re-marks) about the believers who give (plenty) in charity voluntarily and mock at the poor believers who find nothing to give (in charity) except the petty wages they earn. Hence, they (the hypocrites) mock at the believers. Allah also mocks at them and they shall have a painful punishment (in the Hereafter).

       [O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] Whether you ask forgiveness for them (the hypocrites) or not – and even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times, – Allah will not forgive them because they have disbelieved in Allah and His messenger and Allah does not guide those people who are disobedient (to Allah).

       [After the departure of Prophet Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ) for the Tabuk expedition], the left behind non-participants were jubilant about their staying behind, and they disliked to fight hard in the Path of Allah with their wealth and lives. And they said: “Don’t go out in the heat.” Say: “The Hell-Fire has more intense heat”, if only they could understand!

       So let them laugh a little and (they will) cry a lot due to the punish-ment for the (evil) deeds they used to do.

       So if Allah brings you back to a group of these hypocrites and they ask your permission to accompany you (in a battlefield), say to them: “You are not allowed to accompany me, nor you are allowed to fight with me against the enemy. You initially preferred to stay back. Hence, you better sit and stay with those who were left behind.”

       [O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] And don’t lead the funeral prayers for anyone of them (the hypocrites) who die, nor stand on his grave since they disbelieved in Allah and His messenger and they died while they were disobedient (to Allah).

       And let not their wealth or their children surprise you. Allah intends to punish them with these things in this world, and that they remain disbelievers till their last breath.

       When a chapter of the Quran is sent down, (commanding them) to believe in Allah and to fight along with His messenger, then a wealthy group among them (the hypocrites) seeks exemption from you, saying: “Leave us behind so that we my stay with those who sit (at home).”

       They are content to stay behind (with women) at home. And their hearts are sealed up but they don’t understand.

       But Prophet Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him ) and those who believed with him strive very hard with their wealth and lives. And all good things are for such people, and they will be successful.

       (Those good things are as follows). Allah has prepared for them Paradise, under which rivers flow, to live there forever. That is the supreme success.

       And (one group of) bedouins (i.e. villagers) came to you making lame excuses to be exempted from the battle. And (second group of these) villagers, who had lied to Allah and His messenger (regarding their belief), stayed at home (and even did not bother to seek exemption). Soon a painful punishment will be inflicted upon the disbelievers from them.

       There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or have nothing to spend (for Jihad) as long as they are sincere to Allah and His messenger. There is no ground to blame such good-doers. And Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       And there is no blame on those who came to you to provide them a ride (horse or camel). You said to them: “I don’t find any ride for you.” They returned and their eyes were overflowing with tears since they had nothing to spend (for Jihad).

       Indeed, the blame is on those who are wealthy and they seek exemption from you (for the participation in Jihad). They are content to be with (the women) who are left behind. Allah has sealed up their hearts, so they don’t understand (what they are losing).

       They (the hypocrites) will present their excuses to you when you return to them. [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say to them: “Don’t give us any excuses, we shall not believe you. Allah has already given us news about you. Allah and His messenger will examine your deeds in future too. Finally you will be brought back to Him Who knows the unseen and seen, then He will inform you of what you used to do.”

       When you return to the hypocrites, they will swear by Allah to you, so that you leave them alone. So do leave them in their condition since they are impure, and their abode is Hell, a reward for what they used to do.

       They (the hypocrites) will swear to you simply to please you. Even if you are pleased with the hypocrites, Allah is not pleased with the people who are disobedient (to Allah).

       The bedouins are more severe in disbelief and hypocrisy. They should be like this since they don’t have the knowledge of those Commands which Allah has sent down to His messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). And Allah is All-Knower. All-Wise.

       And some bedouins consider what they happen to spend (in the Cause of Allah) as a fine, and they are anxiously waiting for changes (of fortunes) for you (the Muslims). (In fact) they are going to have an evil change (of fortune). And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

       And some of the bedouins do believe in Allah and the Day of Judgement and consider what they spend (in the Cause of Allah) as means of achieving nearness to Allah and also as means to receive messenger’s blessings for them. Indeed, their spending is the means of achieving nearness for them. Allah will soon admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       And the foremost in embracing Islam are Muhajireen (who emi-grated from Makkah to Madinah) and Ansar (the Muslim citizens of Madinah) and also those who fol-lowed them precisely (in Faith). Allah is highly pleased with them and they are highly pleased with Allah. Allah has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow to reside there forever. That is the supreme success.

       And some of the bedouins around you, and some citizens of Madinah are persistent in hypocrisy. [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] You don’t know them, We do know them. We shall give them double punishment, and they shall be brought back to a terrible torment.

       And there are some other people who have acknowledged their sins. They have a mixed bag of deeds – some good deeds and some bad deeds. Hopefully Allah will accept their repentance. Indeed, Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Take alms from their wealth to purify them (from sins) and (spiritually) clean them with it, and make supplication to Allah for them. Indeed, your supplication is a source of (spiritual) satisfaction for them. And Allah is All-Hearer, All Knower.

       Don’t you know that Allah accepts repentance from His slaves, and also accepts the alms, and, indeed, Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful? (Hence, make repentance if you happen to commit a sin and give alms whenever possible).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And say: “Perform your deeds. Allah will examine your deeds, and also His messenger and the believers. And soon you will be brought back to the All-Knower of Unseen and the seen things. Then He will inform you of what you used to do.

       And there are some people who are made to wait for Allah’s Decree, whether He will punish them or will forgive them. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

       And (those hypocrites) who built a masjid to harm, to conspire against Islam, to split the believers and to make a refuge for him who fought against Allah and His messenger in the past. And they will swear that their intention is good. And Allah bears witness that they are, indeed, liars.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] You should never stand in this masjid (for praying). The masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety (i.e. masjid Quba) has more right that you stand there (to pray). In this masjid there are men who love to clean and purify themselves fully. And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure.

       Who is better between two persons, one who has laid the foundation of a building on piety to Allah and to seek His Good pleasure, or one who has laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a steep cliff which is about to collapse? So it collapsed with him into the Hell-Fire. And Allah does not guide the people who are wrong-doers.

       This building will always be a source of (annoying) doubt in their hearts until their hearts are chopped into pieces (i.e. till they die). And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

       Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties to grant them Paradise. They fight in the Path of Allah, so they kill (others) and are killed. This is a promise in truth binding on Allah, mentioned in the Taurat and the Injeel and the Quran. And who is truer in fulfilling promise than Allah? So rejoice in the bargain which you have made with Allah. And that is the supreme success.

       (Such believers have the following additional characteristics) They turn to Allah in repentance, they worship (Him), they praise (Him), they fast (or go out in the Path of Allah), they bow down in prayer, they prostrate themselves in prayer, they preach people what is good and forbid what is evil and they observe limits fixed by Allah. And give glad tidings to such believers. 

       It is not allowed that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) or the believers ask Allah’s Forgiveness for idolaters even though they are close relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the residents of Hell.

       And Ibrahim ( )asked forgiveness for his father since Ibrahim ( )promised him. But when it became clear to Ibrahim ( )that his father is an enemy of Allah, Ibrahim ( )cut off his relations with his father. Indeed, Ibrahim ( )was very soft hearted and forbearing. (Also Surah Al-Qasas:56)

       And Allah does not lead a people astray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them what to avoid. Indeed, Allah is All-Knower of everything.

       Indeed, it is Allah’s Sover-eignty in the heavens and the earth. He gives life and causes death. And you don’t have any protector or helper besides Allah.

       Allah has turned in mercy to the Prophet and  Muhajireen and Ansar (i.e. kept them steadfast in difficult Jihad) who obeyed the Prophet even in the time of distress (i.e. Tabuk expedition) after the hearts of one of their groups had almost deviated (from the Right Path), but Allah accepted their repentance. Indeed, Allah is full of Kindness, Most Merciful to them.

       And (Allah also forgave) those three who did not join (Tabuk expedition and their case was differed for Allah’s decision), till the earth, with all its vastness, shrank on them, and great stress was built on them, and they realized that there is no other refuge except Allah’s refuge, then Allah forgave them (i.e. accepted their repentance after fifty days). Indeed, Allah accepts the repentance, the Most Merciful. 

       O you who believe! Fear Allah, and be with those who are truthful (in words and actions).

       It is a matter of shame for (some) residents of Madinah and the neighbouring bedouins to abandon the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and remain behind. It is also a matter of shame to prefer their lives over the life of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). (Reason for it is as follows. Those who remained behind would have received same rewards as Mujahideen did) For whatever thirst the Mujahideen felt, whatever tiredness they experienced, whatever hunger they faced in the Path of Allah, and their every step forward to enrage the disbelievers, and when they killed or prisoned the enemy and collected booty by defeating them, in each above cases a good deed was recorded for them (Mujahideen). Indeed Allah does not waste the reward of the good doers. (Hence, to shun Jihad without any excuse is shameful).

       And whatever little or more they spent and for all the valleys they passed through, good deeds were recorded in their accounts so that Allah may give them the fantastic reward for what they used to do.

       It is not appropriate for the believers to go out for Jihad all together. A party of each large group should participate in Jihad and rest of them should acquire deep understanding of religion in order that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may fear (evil).

       O you who believe! Fight against those disbelievers who are close to you, and let them find roughness in you, and bear in mind that Allah is with the pious people. (Also Surah Al-Fath:29, Al-Maidah:54)

       And when a chapter of the Quran is revealed, some hypocrites say (jokingly): “Whose Faith has increased by this revelation?” So it has increased the Faith of the believers and they do rejoice (with it).

       And as for those who have disease (of hypocrisy) in their hearts, then this (chapter) added more impurity to their existing impurities and they died as disbelievers.

       Don’t they see that they are tested once or twice every year (with different calamities)? Even then they don’t repent nor learn a lesson from it.

       [Here it is described how much the hypocrites hate the company of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]. And whenever a chapter from the Quran is revealed, they look at one another (hinting with their eyes): “Does anyone see you?” Then they slip away. (In fact), Allah has turned away their hearts (from faith) since these people have no sense (they are running away from their benefit).

       Verily, a messenger [Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] has come to you who is from you (i.e. a human being like you, or a person whom you know well). He is grieved if you come across a hardship. He is very keen to benefit you. (Such attitude of him is with everyone, but especially) he is full of kindness and mercy for the believers. (It will be a big loss if one doesn’t benefit from such messenger).

       (With all these characteristics of the messenger) If they still turn away, [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] say to them: “Allah is sufficient for me. None has the right to be worshipped but Him. I put my trust in Him and He is the Creator (and Owner) of the Great Throne.