Overview

Prologue

This surah, Muhammad, was revealed in Madinah. It also goes by another name, al-Qital, meaning 'Fighting'. This secondary title is very apt because fighting is the surah's subject matter providing most of its images and giving it its distinctive beat. It begins with an explanation of the true nature of both the unbelievers and the believers which takes the form of a moral attack on the former and a monologue of praise of the latter. 

The clear implication is that God is the enemy of the unbelievers and the protector of those who have faith. Furthermore, this is a true fact in God's sight. Thus, the opening of the surah serves as a declaration of war by God against His enemies who are hostile to His faith: "Those who disbelieve and debar others from God's path will have their deeds brought to nothing by Him, whereas those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and believe in what has been revealed to Muhammad, for it is indeed the truth from their Lord He will forgive them their bad deeds and bring them to a happy state. This is because the unbelievers follow falsehood, whereas those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Thus does God lay down for mankind their rules of conduct." (Verses 1-3)

Once this declaration of war against the unbelievers is made, an express, resounding order is given to the believers to join this war against them. This order is followed by an outline of the rules that apply to captives of war once the bloody battle is over: "Now when you meet the unbelievers in battle, smite their necks. Then when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly. Thereafter, set them free either by an act of grace or against ransom, until war shall lay down its burden." (Verse 4) Added to this order is an explanation about the purpose of fighting and encouragement to the believers to join with it and do well, and a promise of honour for those who fall as martyrs. A further promise of help is given to those who join the fighting in support of God's cause, with an added rejoinder making clear that the unbelievers will be destroyed and their deeds will come to nothing: "Thus [shall it be]. Had God so willed, He could have punished them Himself but it is His will that He tests you all by means of one another. And as for those who are slain in God's cause, never will He let their deeds go to waste. He will grant them guidance, and bring them to a happy state, and will admit them to the Garden He has already made known to them. Believers! If you support [the cause of] God, He will support you and will make your steps firm; but as for the unbelievers, ill fortune awaits them as He will bring their deeds to nothing. This is because they hate what God has bestowed from on high, and thus He causes their deeds to go to waste." (Verses 4-9)

A strong warning is issued to the unbelievers, coupled with a declaration from God about His protection of the believers. The unbelievers will, thus, lose all; they will remain weak and lack support from any quarter: "Have they never travelled through the land and seen what was the end of those who lived before their time? God destroyed them utterly. A similar fate awaits the unbelievers. This is because God protects the believers, while the unbelievers have no one to protect them." (Verses 10-11) A further warning singles out the city which drove the Prophet out: "How many cities of greater power than this your city which has driven you out have We destroyed, and they had none to help them." (Verse 13)

Having opened with such a strong attack on the unbelievers, the surah adds a varied discourse on faith and unbelief, describing the states of the believers and the unbelievers both in this world and in the life to come. It distinguishes between a believer's enjoyment of goodly things and the way unbelievers enjoy the pleasures of this world in a way that does not differ from that of cattle: "God will indeed admit those who believe and do righteous deeds into gardens through which running waters flow, while those who disbelieve will enjoy their life [in this world] and eat as cattle eat; but the fire shall be their abode." (Verse 12) It describes what the believers will drink in heaven, variously pure water, milk with unaltered taste, delightful wine and pure, clarified honey. These drinks are so plentiful that they flow like rivers. Moreover, they have plenty of every type of fruit, together with God's forgiveness and His being pleased with them. A rhetorical question is then added: "Are they to be compared to those who are to abide in the fire and be given a drink of scalding water that tears their bowels?" (Verse 15)

This first round in the ever-raging battle between the believers and the unbelievers over, the surah starts another round with the hypocrites who, together with the Jews in Madinah, represented a danger to the Muslim community. The problem they posed was no less serious than that of the idolaters who were waging open war on Islam from Makkah and its surrounding areas. The events to which the surah refers suggest that it talks about the period that followed the Battle of Badr but prior to the Encounter of the Moat.' The latter heralded a crushing defeat for the Jews and a serious setback for the hypocrites, as explained in our commentary on Surah 33, Volume XIV.

References to the hypocrites are made in the same confrontational and fighting manner as the rest of the surah. This is noticeable right from their first mention, which describes how they are absent minded when they sit with the Prophet and its comment that describes them as being far astray, following their desires: "Some of them listen to you, but no sooner do they leave your presence than they [scornfully] say to those endowed with knowledge: 'What is it that he said just now?' Such are the ones whose hearts God has sealed, and who fallow their desires." (Verse 16) They are warned that the Last Hour will inevitably come, and, then, they will not even be able to take heed: "Are they waiting for the Last Hour to come upon them of a sudden? Its portents have already came; but once it has arrived, what benefit will it then be to them if they take heed?" (Verse 18)

The surah then describes their panic when they are confronted with an express Quranic order to fight. They have pretended to be believers, and here we see how the surah makes abundantly clear the difference between them and true believers: "The believers say: 'Would that a surah had been revealed.' Yet when a surah of clear import is revealed, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those who are sick at heart staring at you like one who is about to faint for fear of death." (Verse 20) While they are urged to obey God and His messenger and to be truthful and firm, the surah condemns their behaviour and declares war against them. They are expelled from God's mercy: "Far better for them would be obedience and an appropriate word. Moreover, when fighting is decided upon, it is better for them to be true to God. If you turn away now, is it to be expected of you that you will spread corruption in the land and break your ties of kinship? It is such as these whom God rejects, leaving them deaf and blind." (Verses 20-23)

The hypocrites' schemes are exposed: they listen to Satan and befriend the Jews and conspire with them against the believers. Therefore, they are warned about torture that would be inflicted on them at the point of death. They are also warned about exposure within the Muslim community to which they pretend to belong when they are not really part of it. On the contrary, they scheme against it: "Those who turn their backs after guidance has been given to them are seduced by Satan who fills them with false hopes. That is because they say to those who abhor all that God has revealed, 'We will obey you in some matters,' but God knows all their secret schemes. How will they feel when the angels gather them in death, striking their faces and their backs? That is because they follow what incurs God's anger, and hate what pleases Him. Therefore, He will surely make all their deeds come to nothing. Do those who are sick at heart assume that God will never bring their malice to light? Had We so willed, We could have pointed them out to you, and you would have recognised them by their marks; but you will most certainly recognise them by the tone of their speech. God knows all that you people do. Most certainly We shall put you to the proof to see who of you strive hard and remain firm; and We shall test the truth of your assertions." (Verses 25-31)

The surah's third and final round again takes up the attack against the unbelievers from among the Quraysh and the Jews: "Those who disbelieve and debar others from the path of God, and take a hostile stand against the Prophet after they have seen the light of guidance, can in no way harm God; but He will surely make all their deeds come to nothing." (Verse 32) It warns the believers against falling into the same traps as their enemies: "Believers, obey God and obey the messenger, and do not let your deeds come to nothing. Those who disbelieve and debar others from the path of God, and in the end die unbelievers shall not be granted forgiveness by God." (Verses 33-34) They are encouraged to remain firm during the fight: "Therefore, do not lose heart or sue for peace. It is you who have the upper hand, and God is with you. He will never let your deeds go to waste." (Verse 35)

The life of this world is shown to be trivial. Believers are urged to spend some of their money to support God's cause. They are not meant to give away all they have; God knows their human nature and that they would find it too difficult to make such a sacrifice should it be asked of them: "The lift of this world is but play and amusement, but if you believe and are God-fearing, He will grant you your reward. He does not ask you to give up all your possessions. If He were to ask you all and press you hard, you would grow tight-fisted, and He would bring your malice to light." (Verses 36-37) The surah concludes with a note of warning to the Muslims, should they be niggardly, unwilling to spend some of their money for God's cause: "You are called upon to give in God's cause, but some among you will turn out to be niggardly. Whoever is niggardly [in God's cause] is niggardly towards himself. God is the source of all wealth, whereas you are the ones in need. If you turn away, He will substitute other people for you, and they will not be like you." (Verse 38)

The air of battle colours the surah from start to finish; it is characteristic of its every section. The ending of its verses sound like heavy bombardments. When such endings are given a softer tone, they seem like swords branded in the air. The images the surah draws are as hard as the words expressing them. When referring to actual fighting, the surah says: "when you meet the unbelievers in battle, smite their necks." (Verse 4) The actual killing and the taking of prisoners is described graphically: "Then when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly." (Verse 4) The condemnation of the unbelievers is expressed in equally powerful words: "As for the unbelievers, ill fortune awaits them as He will bring their deeds to nothing." (Verse 8) The fate of earlier communities is also documented in a highly resounding way, both in words and connotations: "God destroyed them utterly. A similar fate awaits the unbelievers." (Verse 10) As they are made to suffer in hell the unbelievers are shown as being "given a drink of scalding water that tears their bowels" (Verse 15) Likewise, the state of panic that overtakes the hypocrites is drawn intensely: "you see those who are sick at heart staring at you like one who is about to faint for fear of death." (Verse 20) Even the gentle warning to the believers against turning away is given in the form of a decisive threat: "If you turn away, He will substitute other people for you, and they will not be like you." (Verse 38)

Thus we see perfect harmony permeating the surah: its subject matter, images, connotations and rhythm.
 

Overview (Verses 1 - 3)

Belief in Muhammad's Revelations

The ninth opens with a straightforward attack against the unbelievers, without any introduction or preparatory remarks. These unbelievers, who debar others from God's path, are faced with the prospect of their deeds going astray and ending up with nothing. This applies to all unbelievers whether they are those who debar others on their own initiative, or they themselves are debarred and then debar others from God's path. At the outset, the surah gives us a sense of deeds being animated, physically on the move, but their movements are erroneous, far astray, and without any defining goal. The result brings utter loss and destruction. Such animation is employed to provide an image of a battle in which the deeds separate themselves from the people who perform them: the result is that both go further astray from each other, and all ends in ruin.

These deeds that are brought to nothing may refer, in particular, to the ones that the unbelievers hoped would bring them good results; in other words, they appeared to them as good deeds. However, a good deed that is not based on faith loses its value; its goodness is superficial. What is important is the motive that gives rise to the deed, not the form of the deed. Even if the motive is good, unless it relies on faith it may be only temporary or the result of sudden impulse. Faith, on the other hand, links all man's actions and feelings to a solid base. This gives deeds their meaning and aim, bringing them consistency and ensuring that their effects are in line with the Divine system that links all parts of the universe together. Thus, every action is seen to contribute to the overall progress of the universe, fulfilling a role and serving an end.

On the other side stand "those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and believe in what has been revealed to Muhammad, for it is indeed the truth from their Lord." (Verse 2) These people are described as having faith, which certainly includes believing in Muhammad's revelations, but this aspect of belief is specifically highlighted in order to give it prominence since "it is indeed the truth from their Lord." Faith that is established in one's heart and conscience must be accompanied by action that is clearly seen in life. Such action is the fruit of faith that indicates its presence. Such people have a special status: "He will forgive them their bad deeds." (Verse 2) This contrasts with what happens to the deeds of the unbelievers: they go astray, even though they may initially seem to be good. Thus, while even good deeds done by unbelievers end up in nothing, the bad deeds of the believers are forgiven. The contrast here is perfect and absolute, emphasising the value of faith in God's sight and in real life. Yet their reward goes further than this as God will "bring them to a happy state." (Verse 2) This is a great blessing which is second to faith in importance and effect. The verse gives here connotations of perfect comfort, assurance, peace and happiness. When a person is in such a happy state, his thoughts are sound, his heart is reassured, his feelings are at ease, and his soul enjoys a sense of peace and security. What other blessing would anyone want?

Why do things go in these two opposite directions? There is no question of favouritism or coincidence in all this. Instead, it all relies on the fundamental law upon which the universe was established when God created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth, making the truth its basic foundation: "This is because the unbelievers follow falsehood, whereas those who believe follow the truth from their Lord." (Verse 3) 

Falsehood cannot put down deep roots in the universe. Therefore, it ends up in nothing, as does everything founded upon it.

Since the unbelievers follow falsehood, their deeds go astray and are brought to nothing. By contrast, the truth is the foundation on which the structure of the universe is built. Therefore, everything related to it stays on. Since the believers follow the truth from their Lord, He will forgive them their sins and bring them to a happy state. It is all clear, based on solid principles. "Thus does God lay down for mankind their rules of conduct." (Verse 3) The believers are clear about these rules, they know the basis around which they should make their choices.