About the Surah

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

Those who disbelieve and hinder others from the Path of Allah, Allah will make their deeds null and void.

And those who believe and do good deeds, and also believe in that which is sent to Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) , since it is the true religion from their Creator, He will remove their sins and will enhance their (spiritual) condition (in  both the worlds).

That is because the disbelievers follow falsehood and the believers follow the truth from their Creator. Thus Allah describes their examples for the (benefit of) mankind.

(In order to counteract the evil activities of the disbelievers) so when you meet the disbelievers (in Jihad), hit hard on their necks till you thoroughly sub-due them to hold them captives firmly. (Then you have two options) either free them without penalty (out of generosity) or free them with penalty (whatever is best for Islam), until war activities cease. That is (the Command of Allah). And if Allah willed, He Himself would have taken revenge from them (by His torment). But (Jihad is prescribed) so that Allah may test some of you with others. And those who are killed in the Path of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost.

He (Allah) will guide them (to their destination) and will improve their con-dition (in the grave, in all stages of the Hereafter). 

And admit them to Paradise which He has made known to them (i.e. they will know their places in Paradise better than they used to know their homes in the world –Bukhari).

O you who believe! If you help (in the Cause of) Allah, He will help you and make your foothold firm (in the battle field and/or on the slippery bridge). (Also see Surah Al-Hajj:40)

And there is destruction for the disbelievers and Allah will make their deeds go in vain.

That is because they hate that which Allah has sent down (the Quran). Hence, Allah has made their deeds null and void.

Have they not travelled through the land and seen what was the end of those (disbelievers) before them? Allah destroyed them completely, and a similar pun-ishment will be for the (present) disbelievers.

That is because Allah is the Protector of  those who believe while the disbe-lievers have no protector.

Indeed, Allah will admit those who believe and do good deeds to Gardens beneath which rivers flow (i.e. Paradise) while the disbelievers enjoy (this life) and eat as cattle eat, and their (real) residence will be Hell Fire.

[O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) !] And We have destroyed many communities which were more powerful than the commu-nity from which you were expelled. So there was no helper for them.

Is he who is on a clear proof from his Creator, like those for whom their evil deeds are made attractive and they follow their (vain) desires?

The characteristics of Paradise which has been promised to the pious persons (are as follows). There are canals of water in it which will not become stale, and canals of milk of which the taste will never change, and canals of wine enjoyable for those who drink it, and canals of clear and pure honey. And for them there are fruits of all kinds and forgiveness from their Creator. (Are these people) like those who will reside in the Fire forever and will be made to drink boiling water which will cut up their bowels?

[O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) !] And some of them (i.e. hypocrites) (pretend to) listen to you, but when they go out from you, they say to the knowledgeable people (jokingly and sarcastically): “What did he say just now?” Allah has sealed the hearts of such people (i.e. no guidance can penetrate their hearts) and they follow their evil desires. 

And those who follow the guidance, He (Allah) increases their guidance and grants them piety.

So are they (hypocrites) waiting for the Day of Resurrection to come to them suddenly? But some of its indicators have already come (e.g. splitting of the moon, the last Prophet etc). When the Day of Resurrection actually occurs, then how can they benefit from (any of) their reminder?

[O Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) !] So believe firmly that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and ask forgiveness for your sins and also (for the sins) of the believing men and believing women. And Allah knows your moving around and the place of your rest (in your homes) (i.e. Allah knows all your deeds and conditions, day and night, hidden and ap-parent).

And the (sincere) believers (who were anxiously waiting for the permission for Jihad) say: “Why is not a Surah revealed?” But when a  Surah is revealed which has clear instructions about fighting in the Cause of Allah, then you see those who have disease (of hypocrisy) in their hearts look towards you with a look of one who is fainting near his death. It would have been better for them, 

To obey the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)  and say good things about the Prophet. So when the preparation for Jihad is complete, it is better for them to fulfil the promise with Allah (for fighting in His Cause) –  Ibn Kathir. 

If you are made rulers, it is very likely that you will spread mischief in the land and sever your ties of kinship (i.e. return to the period of ignorance and avoid Jihad – Ibn Kathir).

Allah has removed such people from His Mercy and made them deaf (to hear the guidance of Allah) and blinded their sight (to see the Right Path).

Don’t they ponder over (the miracles and commands of) the Quran? Or are there (unseen) locks put on their hearts?

(Reason for this lack of reflection is) Indeed, those who turned back (as dis-believers) after they had seen the guidance, clearly  Satan beautified for them (their deeds) (e.g. saying, don’t waste your life in Jihad etc.) and Allah has de-layed (their punishment).

This (turning back) is due to their saying to those (i.e. the leaders of Jews) who hate what Allah has sent down: “We will soon obey you in certain matters.” And Allah fully knows their secrets.

So how will it be when the angels will take away their souls at death time, hitting hard their faces and their backs? (Also see Surah Al-Anfal:50)

That is because they followed the Path which angered Allah and they hated that which pleased Him. Hence, Allah made their deeds null and void.

Or do those, in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy and they try to hide it), think that Allah will not bring to light their (secret) ill-wills?

And had We willed, We could have showed them all to you, so you would have recognized them from their faces. And you can still recognize them from the tone of their speech! And Allah fully knows all your deeds.

And We will surely, test you (by some of Our difficult Commands) till We let those be known who strive hard and remain steadfast from you and We shall test all your conditions (in Jihad and in other matters).

Indeed, those who disbelieved, and hindered others from the Path of Allah and opposed the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)  after they had seen the guidance clearly, they will not harm Allah a bit. And Allah will soon make their deeds null and void.

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger [(Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) ] and let not your deeds go in vain.

Indeed, those who disbelieved and hindered others from the Path of Allah, then died while they were disbelievers, Allah will not forgive them.

So don’t show weakness by inviting them for a truce (a peaceful agreement) and you will definitely dominate. And Allah is with you. (This is a great predic-tion of future conquest for the believers). And Allah will never let your (good) deeds go waste.

Indeed, this worldly life is simply a play and (temporary) enjoyment. And if you believe, and fear Allah, He will reward you fully and will not ask you from your wealth (for some benefit for Him).

If (by way of test) Allah asks you for your wealth and insists on it, then (most of) you will act miserly and Allah will reveal your (secret) ill-wills (to spend in the Cause of Allah).

Note that you are those who are invited to spend (part of) your wealth in the Path of Allah, yet some of you act miserly. And whoever acts miserly, he is a miser to himself only. And Allah is All-Rich (Free of all needs) and you are poor (and needy). (Since you are needy, you are invited to spend in the Cause of Allah to satisfy your need in the Hereafter). And if you turn away (from Allah’s Com-mands), Allah will replace you with other people and they shall not be like you. (They shall be more obedient and will spend willingly in the Path of Allah).