Surah al-Hashr (The Gathering ) 59 : 5

Explanatory Note

The surah then reassures the believers that all that they did to those who defied God and His Messenger, such as cutting and burning their palm trees, was right. It thus gives God's verdict on it, particularly because some Muslims were rather unsure about their actions. Prior to this event and subsequently, the Muslims were and are not permitted to cause such destruction. This case, then, provided an exception, and it needed explanation and reassurance. It is thus explained in this verse that both what they did or did not do in respect of the palm trees was by God's permission. It is He who handled this encounter, putting His will into effect. All that happened was by His leave, for the purpose of bringing disgrace upon the transgressors. Cutting their trees caused the al-Nadir grief, while leaving some standing similarly grieved them because they had to leave these behind. Thus the believers were reassured that they were only the tool for God's will to be fulfilled.