Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Section 1: Immunity Declared

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 1

بَرَآءَةٌ مِنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى الَّذِينَ عَاهَدْتُم مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

1. “(This is a declaration of) immunity from Allah and His Messenger towards those of the polytheists with whom you made covenant.”

Some Points Necessary to Be Noted

1 - In the Islamic traditions, the name of this Surah has been introduced as ‘Barā’at’ and ‘Tawbah’. This fact makes it clear that this Surah is not a part of Surah Al-’Anfāl, but it is an independent one.

2 - The content of this Surah has a tone of indignation. For this reason it has begun without the holy phrase Bismillāh. By this sign we understand that the holy phrase Bismillāh-ir-Rahmān-ir-Rahim at the beginning of every Surah belongs to that very Surah and is a part of it. Thus, this holy phrase has not been located as a ceremonial phrase at the beginning of every Surah.

3 - The declaration of Barā’at (immunity) was for the infidels’ perjury which has been referred to inverses 7 and 8 of the current Surah. In Islam, the general law is that promises should be fulfilled, and as long as the opposite party is faithful to the treaty, it should be kept, too.

Moreover, in that circumstance, it was for the reason of their weakness that the Muslims had to accept that treaty, else, the desire of the Muslims was the destruction of idolism as rapidly as possible.

Some Details Upon These Verses

In the eighth year A.H., Mecca was conquered, but the pagans still continued coming into Meccan to perform their worshipping rites which was, of course, a mixture of superstitions and aberrations.

Among their customs it was seen that they used to give in charity the clothing with which they had circumambulated. Once it happened that a woman desired to perform some more circumambulations after finishing her first circumambulation, but, since she had no more clothes with her, she had to circumambulate nakedly while people were watching her.

That circumstance was not tolerable for the Prophet (S) and the Muslims, who were in a very high degree of power. The Prophet (S) was waiting for the command of Allah until when this Surah was revealed in Medina.

The Messenger of Allah (S) commissioned Abū-Bakr to convey some verses of it unto the people of Mecca. The Prophet (S) chose him, maybe, for the reason that he was an old man and people were not sensitive to him.

But, after Abū-Bakr had left Medina towards Mecca, Angel Gobriel appeared to the Holy Prophet (S) and brought a Message from Allah denoting that the recital of those verses of the Qur’ān should be conveyed either by the Holy Prophet himself or by the one who is of him. As soon as the divine command was received, the Prophet (S) called Hadrat Ali (as) and instructed him to do it. He said:

“I am his and he is mine.”

It was so that, in the midst of the way, Ali (as) took away the verses from him and went into Mecca where he recited them unto the pagans.

The details of the recitation of the verses of this Surah by Ali (as) are recorded in the books of the Sunnites, too. Some Prophet’s companions such as: Abū-Bakr himself, Ali (as), Ibn-‘Abbās, ‘Anas-ibn-Mālik and Jābir-ibn-‘Abdillah’Ansāri have narrated them and quoted them inside a lot of Islamic sources.1

Some of the Sunnite writers have tried to pretend this fact as an ordindary matter so that it would not be counted as a kind of privilege for Hadrat Ali (as).

They have considered the mission of recitation of the verses given to Ali (as) as a manner of complying with his request, not as a privilege for him; while for complying with any one’s request, a safe mission might be given to him, not the recitation of the verses of declaration of Barā’at (immunity) from pagans, in the region of infidelity and by a person who had killed many of the idolaters in different wars and where a lot of the people were carrying his hatred in their hearts.

When Allah commanded Moses (as) to go toward Pharaoh in order to invite him to Unity, he (as) said:

“My Lord! Verily I killed one of them, so I fear lest they should slay me;”.2

Then he asked Him to send his brother Aaron with him as an aider. But, Ali (as), who had killed a large number of the chiefs of pagans, went alone towards them and recited the verses of immunity unto them with the utmost calmness. This event happened in a sensitive place, i.e. Muna, where the site of the last lapidation was located near-by.

The subjects which were revealed and were announced unto pagans by Ali (as) were as follows:

1 - Acquittal declared, and treaties cancelled.

2 - The prohibition of pagans participating in Hajj from the following year.

3 - The prohibition of circumambulation around the Ka‘bah in the state of nakedness.

4 - The prohibition of pagans entering the Sacred Mosque.

The holy phrase: “(This is a declaration of) immunity from Allah ” indicates that this acquittal is from the side of Allah.

And the, phrase: “and His Messenger ”, mentioned immediately after it, means that the strings of promises and treaties were cut off, respites were ended, and agreements were cancelled.

The addressee ‘you’ in the sentence: “towards those of the polytheists with whom you made covenant ” is both the Messenger of Allah (S) and the Muslims. Thus, it means that they should declare immunity unto the polytheists between whom and them there was an agreement, because Allah (s.w.t.) and His Messenger (S) are quit of them.

The objective meaning here is that Allah (s.w.t.) and His Messenger (S) are quit of giving a promise to them and, after that, fulfilling it, because the polytheists who made covenants with them broke their promises.

If someone asks how it is permissible for the Prophet (S) to break his promise, the answer is that it is permissible for the Prophet (S) to break his promise by one of the following ways:

1 ) The fulfilment of the promise was conditioned that there would not come any other command from Allah, the Exalted, upon it, and since there came down a revelation instructing that there would remain no covenant thereafter, the Messenger of Allah (S) broke the covenant.

2 ) Since treachery and perjury was made manifest from the side of idolaters, Allah, the Exalted, instructed His Prophet (S) to break their covenant, too.

3 ) That covenant was not a permanent (and an absolute) treaty, but it was bound over a definite point of time and for a certain length of time, so that when its term was ended that covenant would be broken, either.

It has also been pointed out in some traditions that the Messenger of Allah (S) had conditioned the above mentioned matters with them in the treaty. It has also been narrated that the idolaters broke their promise or decided to break it.

Then, Allah, the Glorified, commanded His Prophet to break their covenant, too Next to that, through the following verse, Allah, the Glorified, addressing the idolaters, says:

“So go about in the earth…”.

Explanations

1- Fulfilment the promise, yes; but surrending to plots, never. The verse says:

“(This is a declaration of) immunity from Allah and His Messenger towards those of the polytheists with whom you made covenant.”

2- The legislator is Allah,3 of course, but in conduct and action, Allah and the Messenger of Allah are mentioned beside each other:

“…from Allah and His Messenger…”

3- It is true that legally we have to be faithful to our treaties, but heartily immunity from polytheists and those who deviated from the straight path is a religious principle in Islam.4

4 - If a treaty is cancelled because of fear from a plot and a treachery, it should be announced to the opposite party, in order that they might not be seized unawares.

5 - Immunity is a sign of sharp conclusiveness and authority; while being silent before plots and breach of covenants is a sign of weakness and abasement.

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 2

فَسِيحُوا فِي الاَرْضِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَاعْلَمُوا اَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِي اللّهِ وَاَنَّ اللّهَ مُخْزِي الْكَافِرِينَ

2. “So go about in the earth freely for four months, and know that you can not make futile Allah, and that Allah degrades the infidels.”

The Qur’ānic phrase: “So go about in the earth freely…” addresses the pagans of Mecca meaning that they could go about freely, and with peace of mind, in the land of Mecca and, being in easy circumstances. They were allowed to supply their necessities during that time when they were in security from the swords of the Muslims.

Then, it continues saying: “…for four months…” which means when this time was ended and the pagans did not embrace Islam, the string of their covenant would be broken and the security of life and wealth would be removed from them.

“…and know that you can not make futile Allah…”

That is, they should know that they could not escape from Allah, since wherever they might be they were under the Power and Command of Allah.

“…and that Allah degrades the infidels.”

This part of the verse means that they should also know that Allah will bring disgrace to the unbelievers.

Regarding the question that which months were the four months that Allah respited the pagans, most commentators have said that this time had been from the beginning of Shawwāl until the end of Muharram, because these verses were revealed in Shawwāl.

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 3

وَأَذَانٌ مِنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَوْمَ الْحَجِّ الاَكْبَرِ أَنَّ اللّهَ بَرِيءٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَرَسُولُهُ فَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِي اللّهِ وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

3. “And (this) is proclamation from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the great pilgrimage that Allah and His Messenger are quit of the polytheists. Yet if you repent, that will be better for you, and if you turn back, then know that you can not make futile Allah; and inform those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.”

Once more the Qur’ān announces the cancellation of the treaties of pagans with a stronger emphasis. It even assigns the date of its proclamation when the verse says:

“And this is proclamation from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the great pilgrimage that Allah and His Messenger are quit of the polytheists…”

In fact, by this public proclamation in the land of Mecca and on that great day, Allah has shut the enemies’ ways of seeking pretext, and cut off the tongue of slanderers so that they might not say that they were seized unawares and were attacked unduely.

Then the verse addresses the pagans themselves and, through a kind of encouragement and warning, uses effort to guide them. At first, it implies that if they repent and return to Allah, with desisting from idolatry, it will be better for them. The verse says:

“…Yet if you repent, that will be better for you…”

That is, if they embrace Islam, the religion of Unity, it is good for their own selves both in this world and the next one. And, if they contemplate properly, they will understand that, under its ray, all disturbances will turn to peace and arrangement, and it is not so that their right belief brings any benefit for Allah (s.w.t.) and the Prophet (S).

After that statement, the Qur’ān warns the zealous and stubborn opponents, saying that if they disobey this command, which supplies their own happiness, they should know that they can never weaken Allah, nor are they able to go outside of His Might. The verse continues saying:

“…and if you turn back, then know that you can not make futile Allah...”

Finally, the verse alarms those who resist obstinately not to believe, and says:

“…and inform those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 4

إلاَّ الَّذِينَ عَاهَدْتُّمْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَنقُصُوكُمْ شَيْئاً وَلَمْ يُظَاهِرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَحَداً فَاَتِمُّوا إِلَيْهِمْ عَهْدَهُمْ إِلَى مُدَّتِهِمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ

4. “Except those of the polytheists with whom you made covenant, and who have not failed you in anything nor have supported anyone against you. Then fulfil their treaty with them until (the end of) their term; surely Allah loves the pious ones.”

This unilateral cancellation of pagans’ covenants related only to those pagans from whom some signs of perjury, or preparation of perjury, had been appeared. Therefore, in this holy verse, one group of the polytheists have been excepted. The Qur’ān says:

“Except those of the polytheists with whom you made covenant, and who have not failed you in anything nor have supported anyone against you…”

Thus, the command of Allah about conducting with this group is as follows:

“…Then fulfil their treaty with them until (the end of) their term...”

The reason of this exception is stated that Allah loves the pious ones, those who avoid any perjury and transgression.

It says:

“…surely Allah loves the pious ones.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 5

فَإِذَا انسَلَخَ الاَشْهُرُ الْحُرُمُ فَاقْتُلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَاحْصُرُوهُمْ وَاقْعُدُوا لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ فَإِن تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الْصَّلاَةَ وَءَاتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَخَلُّوا سَبِيلَهُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

5. “Then when the sacred months are drawn away, slay the polytheists wherever you find them, and seize them and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush. But if they repent and perform the prayer and pay the poor-rate, (zakāt) then leave their way free to them; verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

In this verse, the duty of Muslims towards pagans after their respite, which was four months, has been stated, where the most intensive instruction has been issued upon them. It says:

“Then when the sacred months are drawn away, slay the polytheists wherever you find them…”

Next to that, it continues saying:

“…and seize them…” in order to take them captives.

The verse, then adds that they must be put in the circle of besiege. It says:

“…and besiege them…”

After that, the verse extends the statement against them, and says:

“…and lie in wait for them in every ambush…”

This harshness of action is for the sake that Islam’s plan is to root out idolatry from the whole points of the earth, since idolatry is not a creed or religion which could be respected.

But, this harshness and severity is not in the sense that the way of return is shut to them, but whenever and wherever they decide they can change their direction. That is why, immediately next to that, the Qur’ān adds:

“…But if they repent and perform the prayer and pay the poor-rate, (zakāt) then leave their way free to them...”

As for the reason of this opportunity, it is said that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful, and He does not repel from Himself the one who returns to Him. The verse ends with the following phrase:

“…verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 6

وإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَاَجِرْهُ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ كَلاَمَ اللّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُ ذَلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ

6. “And if any of the polytheists seeks protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the Word of Allah; then do convey him to his place of security; that is because they are a people who do not know.”

This verse means that if after passing four months of respite one of the idolaters, against whom you were commanded to fight, comes to you and asks for security to hearken to your invitation and to the reasoning of the Qur’ān, do respite him and explain your aim to him. Then do respite him to listen to the Word of Allah and to contemplate over it. The verse says:

“And if any of the polytheists seeks protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the Word of Allah...”

The manner in which the Qur’ān has appointed only the Word of Allah and has said: “…till he hears the word of Allah...” is for the reason that the most important proofs lie in the very Word of Allah.

Then the verse continues saying:

“…then do convey him to his place of security...”

This part of the verse means that if the one embraced Islam, he would obtain the goodness and prosperity of two worlds; and if the one did not embrace Islam, you should not kill him in order to avoid deceiving him, but you should send him to his own home where he has security of life and wealth.

The concluding phrase of the holy verse is as follows:

“…that is because they are a people who do not know.”

This phrase means that this respite is for the sake that such people are some ones who do not know the Faith and the reasons of Islam. Then, you should respite them so that they hear, contemplate well and become cognizant.

Notes

1. Musnad Ahmad-I-Hanbal, vol. 3, pp. 213 and 283; and vol. 1 pp. 151 and 330 - Mustadrak Sahihayn, vol. 3, p. 51 - Tafsir-i-Al-Manār, vol. 10, p. 57 - Tafsir-i-Tabari, vol. 10, p. 46 - Tafsir-i-Ibn-I-Kathir, vol. 2, pp. 322 and 333 - Ihghāgh-ul-Haghgh, vol. 5, p. 368 - Fadā’il-ul-Khamsah, vol. 2, p. 342 - The names of 73 authors who have recorded this event in their commentary books, like Fakhr-i-Rāzi and ‘Ālūsi, are mentioned in Al-Qadir, vol. 6, p. 338

2. Surah Al-Qasas, No. 28, verse 33

3. Surah Al-Kahf, No. 18, verse 26 says: “…and He does not make any one His associate in His Judgement.”

4. This fact is current whether it is in the favour and grace, as in this Surah, verse No. 74 says: “… Allah and His Messenger enriched them out of His grace…”; or in allegiance the Qur’ān says: “ Verily those who swear their fealty unto you do but swear fealty unto Allah…” (Surah Al-Fath, No. 48, verse 10); or in obedience: “Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah…” (Surah An-Nisā’, No. 4, verse 80); or in immunity, like this verse. (Tafsir-I-Atyab-ul-Bayān)

Section 2: The Immunity - Its Reason Explained

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 7

كَيْفَ يَكُونُ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ عَهْدٌ عِندَ اللّهِ وَعِندَ رَسُولِهِ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ عَاهَدْتُّمْ عِندَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَمَا اسْتَقَامُوا لَكُمْ فَاسْتَقِيمُوا لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ

7. “How can there be a covenant for the polytheists with Allah and with His Messenger? Except those with whom you made covenant at the Holy Mosque; so long as they stand faithful to you, then be you (too) faithful to them; verily Allah loves the pious ones.”

Through the previous verses, Allah (s.w.t.) commanded the covenants of the pagans to be cancelled. Here, in this verse, it explains that the reason of that commandment was the very perjury which appeared from them. But, concerning those pagans who were faithful to their covenants, the Qur’ān instructs to having perseverance with them. So, it says:

“How can there be a covenant for the polytheists with Allah and with His Messenger?…”

This phrase of the verse means how they may have the covenant of friendship while they have decided in their hearts to breach the covenant. This statement (of interrogation) is said either because of wonder, or as a positive interrogation with a negative sense.

Some commentators have said that this verse means how may Allah instruct that you desist from shedding the blood of pagans? Then, He has exceptioned the following group of pagans, and said:

“…Except those with whom you made covenant at the Holy Mosque...”

This part of the verse means that they have covenant with Allah, because they do not intend in their hearts to perform any perjury or treachery against you.

Then the verse continues saying:

“…so long as they stand faithful to you, then be you (too) faithful to them...”

That is, so long as they are faithful to their covenant and remain in the straight way with you upon their promise, you should act with the same manner, too.

And, the last phrase of the verse indicates that Allah loves the pious, the ones who avoid perjury. The verse says:

“…verily Allah loves the pious ones.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 8

كَيْفَ وإِن يَظْهَرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ لايَرْقُبُوا فِيكُمْ إِلاًّ وَلا ذِمَّةً يُرْضُونَكُم بِاَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَتَأْبَى قُلُوبُهُمْ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

8. “How (can it be?) For if they prevail against you, they will observe towards you neither ties of relationship nor treaty. They please you with their mouths while their hearts do not conscent, and most of them are ungodly.”

The repetition of the word ‘How’ in this verse is for the reason that it seems improbable and rare that pagans stand faithful to their covenant.

Then, it’s meaning (the verb of which has been omitted) is: how there may remain a covenant for them while if they acquire mastery and prevail upon you, knowing the background of your Faith and your covenants, they will observe neither any ties of relationship nor any promise and treaty. The verse says:

“How (can it be?) For if they prevail against you, they will observe towards you neither ties of relationship nor treaty…”

The Arabic word: /’ill/ means ‘relationship’ and it has also been used in the sense of ‘oath’.

By the usage of the word / yardūnakum / (they please you) in the verse, Allah has qualified the state of pagans meaning that their inwards are opposite from their outwards. The verse says:

“…They please you with their mouths…”

Then, the verse has been continued implying that the grudges and enmities they have in their hearts are different from the nice words they utter through their mouths.

“…while their hearts do not conscent…”

Finally, in the continuation of qualifications of pagans, the verse denotes that most of them excess in infidelity and idolatry and do not have any virtue and manliness to prevent them from these affairs, while there are some pagans who usually show chastity in committing what is disgrace, and refrain from breaching promise and perjury. The verse ends as follows:

“…and most of them are ungodly.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 9

اشْتَرَوْا بِاَيَاتِ اللّهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً فَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِهِ إِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَاكَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

9. “They have sold the signs of Allah for a small price, and have hindered (people) from His way. Surely evil was what they used to do.”

In exchange for losing the signs of Allah, whatever they gain is naught. The verse says:

“They have sold the signs of Allah for a small price…”

Human beings are free in action and choosing the way, and all the Divine verses which refer to the bargains of human beings are the signs indicating to his freedom. The holy verse continues saying:

“…and have hindered (people) from His way…”

Therefore, selling the pleasure of Allah and the eternal Paradise for the corruptive fleeting world is the worst work, because the whole world, and whatever is found in it, in the face of favours of Allah bestowed to the believers, is a small thing. That is why the verse says:

“…Surely evil was what they used to do.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 10

لايَرْقُبُونَ فِي مُؤْمِنٍ إِلاًّ وَلاَ ذِمَّةً وَاُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُعْتَدُونَ

10. “They observe towards a believer neither ties of relationship nor treaty, and these are they who are the transgressors.”

This verse is again upon the statement of Allah’s Wisdom due to His severe command instructing to quitting pagans.

In the previous couple of verses, the meaning was about the lack of observing treaty towards the Muslims; “…they will not observe towards you any ties of relationship or treaty…”, while, here, the meaning of: “They observe towards a believer neither ties of relationship nor Treaty…” has been pointed out, which is a statement of their quarrelsomeness towards any believer.

Thus, pagans have enmity against the believers, then, never be in any doubt that you should struggle severely against them. In the opinion of infidels, the greatest fault of Muslims is the very Faith they have in Allah, and the same thing is the pretext of their hostility towards them. The verse says:

“They observe towards a believer neither ties of relationship nor treaty…”

However, perjury is the same as transgression. So the verse says:

“…and these are they who are the transgressors.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 11

فإِن تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلاَةَ وَءَاتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَنُفَصِّلُ الاَيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ

11. “But if they repent and perform the prayer and pay the alms (zakāt), then they are your brethren in faith; and We explain the signs for the people who know.”

In the former verses of this Surah, Allah’s commandment was: “…But if they repent and perform the prayer and pay the alms, then leave their way free to them...” (verse 5 ), while in this verse, He instructs that not only you should not bother them, but also do forget the past and treat them as if they are your brothers. The verse says:

“But if they repent and perform the prayer and pay the alms (zakāt), then they are your brethren in faith; and We explain the signs for the people who know.”

Explanations

1. In confronting them, observe the style of graduality and proceed step by step. At first, there is the lack of opposition: “…then leave their way free to them…” and then:

“…they are your brethren in faith…”.

2 . A true repentance is accompanied with action:

“…they repent and perform the prayer…”

3. Those who do not perform the prayer and do not pay the alms are not our brethren in faith, as the verse says:

“…if… perform… and pay… then they are your brethren in faith...”

4. The basis of a Muslim’s relations, and love and enmity, is the religion, as in the verse next to the above mentioned verse, it is said:

“…if they break their oaths… then fight…”

5. The condition of entering into the circle of ‘brethren in faith’ is prayer and alms.

6 . You should have a brotherly treatment with a repenter.

“…if they repent… then they are your brethren…”

7. Those who were deserving death formerly, now, under the light of repentance, prayer, and alms are equal in rights with Muslims.

“…then they are your brethren in faith...”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 12

وَإِن نَكَثُوا أَيْمَانَهُم مِن بَعْدِ عَهْدِهِمْ وَطَعَنُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ فَقَاتِلُوا أَئِمَّةَ الْكُفْرِ إِنَّهُمْ لآ أَيْمَانَ لَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَنتَهُونَ

12. “But if they break their oaths after their covenant and revile your religion, then fight the leaders of infidelity. Verily there is no oath for them, so that they may desist.”

Once Ali-ibn-Abi Tālib (as) was asked why the fugitives of the Battle of Seffin were persued, but in the Battle of Camel the fugitives were left free.

He (as) said that in Seffin the leader of infidelity was alive and the fugitives would gather around him. And, after being formed, they might attack. But in the Battle of Camel, where their leader was killed, there was not any pivot around which they could be formed and organized again.

Imam Sadiq (as) said:

“Whoever makes sarcastic remarks to your religion, he will surely become infidel.” Then he (as) recited this verse.1

Explanations

1. Since the origin of perjury and deriding the religion is often from the side of the chiefs of infidelity, then struggle hard against them. The verse says:

“But if they break their oaths after their covenant and revile your religion, then fight the leaders of infidelity…”

2. The Islamic Holy Struggle is for the defend of the religion. The verse says:

“…they break their oath… and revile your religion, then fight…”

3. Apostasy is one of the kinds of perjury and deriding the religion.

4 . Oppose seriously against those who blaspheme.

5 . When striving for the religion, make inquires of the chiefs of plotters, the central office of commanders, and organization, and destroy them.

“…the leaders of infidelity…”

6. Not any oath should beguile you; the oaths of the breachers of covenant are invalid. The verse says:

“…Verily there is no oath for them…”

7. The aim of the Islamic Holy Struggle is to prevent the enemy’s plot. The verse says:

“…so that they may desist.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 13

أَلاَ تُقَاتِلُونَ قَوْماً نَكَثُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ وَهَمُّوا بِاِخْرَاجِ الرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ فَاللّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَوْهُ إِن كُنتُم مُؤْمِنِينَ

13. “Will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed at the expulsion of the Messenger, and they did attack you first? Do you fear them? But Allah is most deserving that you should fear Him, if you are believers.”

In order to encourage Muslims and to banish any kind of listlessness, fear, and hesitation concerning this vital affair from their minds and their selves, the Qur’ān says:

“Will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed at the expulsion of the Messenger…”

You were not the beginners of attack and perjury to be worried and anxious about it, but the fight and perjury was started form their own side. The verse says:

“…and they did attack you first?…”

So, if some of you hesitate fighting against them because of fear, this fright is quietly improper. The verse continues saying:

“…Do you fear them? But Allah is most deserving that you should fear Him, if you are believers.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 14

قَاتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ اللّهُ بِاَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ وَيَنصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُؤْمِنِينَ

14. “Fight them, (and) Allah will punish them at your hands and degrade them, and He will help you (to victory) over them and heal the (injured) breasts of a people (who) believe.”

There may be asked how it is that here, in this holy verse, the statement is upon the chastisement of people while in Surah Al-‘Anfāl,No. 8 ,verse 32 the Qur’ān, addressing the Prophet (S) says:

“But Allah is not to punish them while you are among them…”.

The answer of this question is that the objective meaning of that verse is the heavenly chastisements which are destructive, like the chastisements of the People of ‘Ād and Thamūd. In this verse, the words are about the hardship and punishment of fight. The verse says:

“Fight them, (and) Allah will punish them at your hands and degrade them, and He will help you (to victory) over them and heal the (injured)breasts of a people (who) believe.”

Explanations

1- Presence in the scene and Holy Struggle should be shown from your side, and then help and assistance come from Allah.

“Fight them, (and) Allah will punish them at your hands and degrade them, and He will help you…”

2- Strivers of Holy Struggles are Allah’s arms and His executive factors.

“…And Allah will punish them at your hands…”

3- The normatic customs of Allah are executed through the natural ways, causes and means.

“…at your hands…”

4- Next to the martial defeat of the enemy, there comes the turn of a spiritual and political knock.

“…will punish them and degrade them…”

5- The aim of an Islamic war is to efface infidelity, to disgrace infidels, and to bring peace for the believers.

“… He will punish them and degrade them… and heal the (injured) hearts of a people (who) believe.”

6- It is necessary to have encouragement and preaching before war.

7 - It is true that in war there will some people be martyred and some others become remorseful, but the Islamic community will continue to live in peace and honour.

8 - In social affairs, the fate of the believers relates to each other. Thus, your victory is the remedy of the injured hearts of other believers.

“…He will help you (to victory) over them and heal the (injured) hearts of a people (who) believe.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 15

وَيُذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَيَتُوبُ اللّهُ عَلَى مَن يَشَآءُ وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

15. “And He removes the rage of their hearts, and Allah turns (mercifully) to whomever He pleases, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

Finally, in the conflict between right and wrong, after bearing the bitterness of troubles, the sweetness of triumph is for the believers. The verse says:

“And He removes the rage of their hearts…”

After gaining victory, you ought to receive those who come to you to join you, and you should not tell them where they were until then. The abovementioned verse, in this regard, says:

“…and Allah turns (mercifully) to whomever He pleases…”

You must never repel those who come to you because of the fear of their plot. Allah is aware of the true repentance or a hypocritic one but, according to the Divine Wisdom, with keeping the principles of security, whoever expresses Islam it should be accepted from him.

“…and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 16

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تُتْرَكُوا وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا مِنكُمْ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذُوا مِن دُونِ اللّهِ وَلا رَسُولِهِ وَلا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً وَاللّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

16. “Or did you think (only with claim of Faith) you would be left (in peace) while Allah has not yet known those of you who have struggled hard and have not taken any one as an intimate friend besides Allah and His Messenger and the believers? And Allah is aware of what you do.”

In this verse, the Muslims are encouraged to the Holy Struggle in another way. It attracts their attention to their heavy responsibility that they have in this regard.

It implies that they must not consider that only by claiming Faith everything will be arranged all right, but the truthfulness of their intention and the uprightness of their speech, and the reality of their belief will be made manifest when they confront the enemies, confronting them sincerely and free from any hypocrisy.

At first, the Qur’ān inquires whether they imagine that they will be left in peace and they will not be put in the course of examination. It is in this case that their strivers, and those of them who have not taken any one as confidant except Allah and the Prophet (S) and the believers, have not yet been known. The verse says:

“Or did you think (only with claim of Faith) you would be left (in peace) while Allah has not yet known those of you who have struggled hard and have not taken any one as an intimate friend besides Allah and His Messenger and the believers?…”

In fact, the abovementioned part of the verse reminds Muslims two subjects. These subjects are as that only with the bare claim of Faith the work is not completed, and the personality of people will not be made clear, but they will be examined by two means:

The first is Holly Struggle in the way of Allah with the purpose of effacing the effects of paganism and idolatry. And the second is the abandonment of any relation and cooporation with hypocrites. The former dismisses the foreign enemies, and the latter expels the internal enemies.

Then, as a warning and emphasis, at the end of the verse, it says:

“…And Allah is aware of what you do.”

Notes

1. Tafsir-Nr-uth-Thaqalayn