S47. SURAH MUHAMMAD

NAME: In Ayat No.2 the name of Prophet Muhammad (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is mentioned. Therefrom this surah takes its name.
TIME OF REVELATION : Revealed in Madinah in the first year of Hijrah (migration).
CENTRAL THEME : Declaration of war against those disbelievers who are blocking Allah’s path. To make the faithful ready to confront the enemies and to give them necessary instructions.
ORDER OF THE VERSES: In Ayah 1 to 3 it is mentioned that the attitudes of the faithful and the disbelievers are basically different. Therefore, Allah also will deal differently with them. He will fail the deeds of the disbelievers and improve the condition of the faithful. In Ayah 4 to 15 are instructions to the faithful believers about war and encouragement to those who stake their lives. They are given good tiding of the best consequence in the Hereafter. In Ayah 16 to 32 is the description of the hypocrites (unsincere Muslims) who were finding the commandment (to fight) difficult and who were sympathetic toward the disbelievers vis a vis the believers, and were conspiring against Muslims. Ayah 33 to 38 encourage all Muslims to wage jihad and to spend in the path of Allah.

47. SURAH MUHAMMAD Ayah : 38

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. Those who disbelieved and hindered others from the path of Allah, He rendered their actions vain.1

2. And those who believed and did good works and believed in that (guidance) which has been revealed toMuhammad2 and it is Truth from their Lord - Allah removed their ills from them and improved their condition.3

3. This because those who disbelieved followed falsehood.4 and those who believed followed the truth from their Lord. Thus Allah describes their condition for the people.5

4. Therefore, when you confront the disbelievers in fight,6 smite at their necks, until, when you have massacred thoroughly, then bind them firmly; afterward either deal generously or obtain ransom,7 until the war lays down its arms.8 This is your responsibility. And if Allah willed, He Himself would have punished them but He ordered thus so that He may test you with each other.9 And those who have been killed in the path of Allah, He will never render their deeds vain.10

5. He will guide them and improve their condition.11

1. This is a Surah of Jihad (chapter of war) and hence it has, like Surah Anfal, begun without any preamble. As if it has descended like a wrath upon the disbelievers. To hinder from the path of Allah means to prevent people from accepting Islam, to obstruct the work of inviting people to Islam and to compel Muslims to disobey the laws of Islam. The disbelievers of Makkah had compelled Muslim to leave Makkah and they were stocking the fire of war against Muslims even after they had migrated to Madinah. Quran declared that all the actions of the disbelievers would go in vain. That is: neither these conspiracies of theirs would succeed nor any of their work would be acceptable to Allah. So this prediction of the Quran came true and all of their plans which they were planning against Allah, His prophet and the truth brought by him, failed. It may be clarified here that when a thing is definitely to occur in the future, Quran describes it in the past tense. Hence it is said here: “He rendered their actions vain.” meaning they will definitely be rendered vain.

2. That is: The faith and the good deed is trustworthy only when one also believes in the guidance which is revealed on the prophet of Allah, prophet Muhammad (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). Not to put faith after his arrival as the prophet and to him in the form of the Quran is disbelief and neither the faith nor the good deed which accompanies disbelief is trustworthy or creditable.

3. That is: Allah will forgive the shortcomings of such sincere believers and improve their religious, moral and material conditions. This prediction of Quran also came true. The lives of those who believed in Quran were amended and their conditions went on improving day by day.

4. Quran is truth. That is the true guidance from Allah. Therefore, to leave it aside and to follow any other thing is to follow falsehood.

5. That is: He describes the state of every group separately so that people may differentiate between the believers and the disbelievers and may not consider them same, equal or alike.

6. This order concerns war and this war, as is obviously clear from the foregoing Ayah, is the war of the followers of the truth in the path of Allah against those worshippers of untruth who are preventing people from treading the path of Allah (Islam) and are raising mischief against His religion. The technical or idiomatical name of this war is Jihad which is a holy obligation in Islam with conditions described by the Shariah. It has been ordained in this Ayah that when it becomes necessary to fight with the disbelievers and when they confront face to face they should be killed without grudge until there is a lot of bloodshed. This bloodshed is necessary to break their power and to end their pomp. Hence there is no question of leniency in this affair. After a fullscale killing start arresting and binding and imprisoning them. This instruction was issued before the war of Badr. But the Muslims made a mistake in that war of Badr that is they started imprisoning the disbelievers before suppressing them sufficiently. This invited a stern warning from Allah. See Surah Anfal, Ayah 67,68 and Note 102.

7. Meaning: Thereafter either of the two things may be done with the prisoners of war. Either they may be released as a gesture of grace or ransom may be taken for setting them free. The Islamic government can resort to either of the treatment which they may find expedient. If they think that a graceful release will create a better impression which they might bring them near Islam then it is preferable. All the Prisoners of the war of the tribe of Banil Mustalaq were released by Muslims at the end of the Gazwah Banil Mustalaq in Shaabaan month of the 6th year of Hijri era. (Seerat Ibne Hisham, Vol:3, p.340). Six thousand Prisoners of the war of the Hawazan tribe were set free without taking anything in exchange after the fight of Hunain (Kitabul Amwal, Abu Ubaidah,P:117). Sumamah bin Usaal, who was the head of” Yamamah, was brought as a POW in the Masjid-e-Nabvi where he was interned so that he may learn about Islam. He was prepared to pay ransom but the Holy prophet released him gratis after some days. Impressed by this good gesture he embraced Islam. (Bukhari: Kitabul Maghazi). But if the enemy has arrested some Muslims and if they can be exchanged with some POWs or it is felt advisable to release the POWs after taking some sort of service or compensation then it can also be done. POWs of the war of Badr were freed after taking from them some money as compensation or after they had done the service of teaching some people how to read and write. (Seerat-e Ibne Hisham, Vol:2, p.306, Kitabul Amwal, p.116). It becomes clear from this Ayah of the Quran that Islam dislikes to imprison POWs for life or for, a long time. Likewise it also does not like the punishment of killing the POWs. It is permissible only in some exceptional cases. So the Holy prophet had ordered the killing of Uqba bin Abi Muait and Nazr bin Harith from among the POWs of Badr as they were the leaders of disbelievers and top ranking mischief mongers. (Seerat Ibn-e Hisham, Vol.2, p.286). Similarly the male POWs of Bani Quraiza were ordered to be executed because they had rebelled and were conspiring inspite of living around Madina. As for enslaving the POWs (Istarqaq), it has not been ordained by the Quran. The two alternatives mentioned in this Ayat, that is: either release gracefully or free them after taking compensation, show that this has been the general rule in Islam. The proof of enslaving men and women found in traditions indicates exceptionable circumstances in which it was allowed for extraordinary situations. So far as the Arabs are concerned no male POW from them was ever made a slave. Abu Uabidah writes : “These are the laws relating to the prisoners of war. That is: either release as a gesture of grace or after taking compensation or execution. And this is specifically for the Arabs because, their males cannot be made slaves. This had been the tradition of the holy prophet. He never enslaved any of their males. Similarly Umar also decided likewise regarding them.” (Kitabul Amwal, p.133) And now when slavery has ended from the world, banning which was one of the most important aims of Islam, possibility thereof has also gone. As Sayed Sabiq has thrown ample light on this matter in the “ Fiqhus Sunnah”. He writes: “There is not a single ‘Nass’ (explicitorder) in the Quran which allows slavery. Of course the call to release slave is given therein. It is also not evident from the Holy prophet that he had ever enslaved anyone. And it is a fact that he had freed the slaves of Makkah of Bani Mustalaq and of Hunain. It is also proved that he had freed the slaves which he owned since pre-Islamic era of ignorance. Likewise he had also freed those slaves who were gifted to him. Of course it is evident that the Khulafa-e-Rashideen did enslave some prisoners of war and that action was in accordance with the rule of equal dealing. They did not legalize all the systems of slavery which were then in vogue as per religious and traditional practice. Rather they limited it to the extent of wars which were fought by Muslims against infidels after proper declaration according to Shariah. They suspended all other forms of slavery and declared them unlawful in every circumstance.” (Fiqhus Sunnah,Vol.2, p.688) Syed Qutb has also confined it to the special circumstances of that time and clarified that it is not a common law in Islam. He writes : “Now when the new situation is such that all those who are at war have agreed that no one should be enslaved Islam, has returned to its unique positive law, that is: (then either to release with grace or to take compensation). Therefore, the system of enslaving (Istirqaq) is neither obligatory nor It is one of the regulations of Islam concerning treatment with prisoners of war.” (Fee Zilalil Quran, Vol.6, p.3285) It should be kept in mind that the order in this Ayah regarding capturing POWs and then either releasing them gracefully or in exchange of ransom relates to all kinds of disbelievers including polytheist (Mushriks) or People of the Book (Ahle kitaab)But subsequently an order came about the Arab polytheists among whom the holy prophet was raised:
“Then when the sacred months are over, slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and capture them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. Then if they repent, and establish prayer and pay Zakat, then leave their way free.” (Taubah: 5) For explanation see Surah Taubah Note 9. This order was meant especially for the Arab polytheists. Therefore, there is no reason to treat this Ayah of Surah Muhammad as repealed (mansookh) This Ayah describes a common rule. We cannot agree with those commentators who say that this Ayah is repealed.

8. That is: Go on arresting them until the war ends.

9.That is: If Allah willed He could have destroyed the infidels through any calamity. But He found it advisable that the disbelievers be crushed by the believers so that the faithful may attain high ranks after passing through this test and the infidels may either have an opportunity to repent or they may see their adverse end in this world itself.

10. That is: the labours of those people who are killed in the path of Allah will not go vain. They will not lose but gain. Their deeds will be accepted and they will be rewarded.

11. That is: when they laid down their life in the way of Allah, they have not vanished but have become immortal. Allah will raise them up to the destination of true success and will bestow honour and exaltation upon them

6. And will admit them to Paradise which He has made known to them.12

7. O you who believe! If you will help Allah,13 He will help you and will make your feet firm.14

8. Those who disbelieved, for them is destruction and He (Allah) rendered their actions astray.15

9. This is because they disliked that (guidance) which Allah has revealed. Hence He made their deeds fruitless.16

10. Have they not traveled in the land and seen what was the end of those before them? Allah wiped them out. And for the disbelievers are similar sentences.17

11. This is because Allah is the Patron of those who believe and the disbelievers have no Patron.18

12. Verily Allah will admit those who believed and did righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. And those who disbelieved are enjoying (this world) and are eating as cattle eat.19 Fire is their abode.

13. And how many a city stronger than your city which has driven you (O Muhammad!) out, 20 have we destroyed and they had no saviour.

14. With those who rely on a clear proof from their Lord21 become like those whose evil deed has been made fairseeming for them and they follow their own lust?

12. That is: He will admit them to the same Paradise with which they have been acquainted through Quran. The picture of paradise drawn by the holy Quran is neither mere imagination nor an exaggeration. Rather it is hard reality. Hence those who have been promised will find it as real and exactly according to the description given to them in this world.

13. Helping Allah means helping the religion (cause) of Allah and to stake everything to hold His Word high and to risk even life. It is such a generous appreciation on the part of Allah that He interprets his service as help. Otherwise, obviously, Allah needs no one’s help. All slaves are forever in need of His help.

14. That is: you will find Allah’s help at every stage in your effort to help His cause. HE will encourage you and will make you steadfast.

15. Means their efforts did not succeed and all that they did went in vain.

16. Whatever good deeds they had ever done became weightless due to their disbelief. Faith is a necessary condition for the credibility of good actions.

17. If these disbelievers do not desist then they too will have to face a similar calamity which had destroyed the disbelievers in the past.

18. In the battle of Uhud which was fought two years after the revelation of this Surah, when the disbelievers raised a slogan (We have Uzza and there is no Uzza for you), the Holy Prophet retorted: “(Allah is our patron and there is no patron for you).” (Tafseer Ibne Katheer, Vol.4, P. 175 )

19. That is: they have become mere materialist animals just to eat, drink and die away. They have no idea at all that life does have a high and noble aim; that food and drink is only to get enough strength to remain alive.

20. That is: the people of Makkah forced you to migrate there from. This shows that this Surah was revealed after the migration.

21. That is: those who have determined their approach in the light of knowledge and discernment. And they have gained this light from their natural instinct as well as from the Book revealed by Allah.

15. The special peculiarity of the Garden which has been promised to the Godfearing is that therein will flow rivers having incorruptible water22 and rivers of milk having unchangeable flavour23 and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers 24 and rivers of pure and clear honey.25 There will be every kind of fruit for them26 and pardon from their Lord.27 Will such people be like those who will live in Fire forever and will be given boiling water to drink which will cutup their bowels?28

16. And among them are some who listen to you. But when they go forth from your presence, they ask those who have been given knowledge: What did (the Prophet) say just now?29 These are those whose hearts Allah has sealed.30 They are following their own lust.31

17. And those who walked on the path of Guidance, Allah added to their guidance 32 and bestowed on them their (portion of) piety.33

18. Now are they waiting for the day of Resurrection, that it should come on them all of a sudden ? The sings thereof have already appeared.34 So when it will come where will be the room for them to obtain admonition?

19. So know 35 that there is no god save Allah, and ask forgiveness for your faults 36 and also for the believing men and believing women. Allah knows your movement as well as your dwelling .37

22. Worldly waters become polluted due to mixing with earth, vegetation etc which also make them foul-smelling. But in Paradise there will be rivers having unpollutable water.

23. In this world milk comes out of the udders of the cattle and it starts to deteriorate soon. But in Jannat it will flow in rivers and that milk will never be spoiled. Its taste will remain eternally delicious.

24. Worldly wine has a rotten foul smell and it also tastes bitter. But the Heavenly wine will give endless delight to the drinker nor will it be in shortage. Rivers of wine will go on flowing.

25. In this world honey is obtained from bees and it also contains particles of wax etc. But the honey in the Heavens will be pure and clean and will be amply available, as rivers thereof will continue to flow. One who has created these things finds no difficulty in flowing their rivers nor is it difficult for Him to make them eternally pure and clean and tasteful and delicious. Intelligence, supports this, nature demands it and the heart becomes very happy with these good tiding.

26. Not only there will be nice things to drink, all fruits of the finest quality will also be made available there.

27. The Divine Pardon will be Allah’s biggest blessing. Obviously, salvation from the torment is above all other boons.

28. That is the righteous people will get the best of food and drink. But the disbelievers will get boiling water to drink which will cut off their bowels. The end of both is different. Those who live with the fear of Allah in their hearts and those who neglect Him concentrating only on worldly matters are not similar either in behaviour and characteristics or in the final end.

29. This is a mention of the Muslims of Madinah. Though they were attending the assembly of the Prophet, they had no interest in his sayings. They had accepted Islam, unthinkingly with some material advantage in view. Therefore they were neither sincere in their faith nor they had any sympathy for Muslims. There was disbelief in their hearts and they were conspiring with the disbelievers. Such persons are called ‘Munafiq’ (hypocrites). When they were leaving the assembly of the holy prophet they used to ask the knowledgeable persons: what has been lectured? This quarry of theirs was not for understanding but for expressing astonishment, purporting to say that ‘what the prophet says is beyond our comprehension’. Knowledge mentioned in this Ayah is the knowledge of Quran and the saying of the prophet. He who got this knowledge got a great treasure.

30. That is: they came in the grip of Allah’s law regarding those people who insist on their ignorant waywardness. Now they lost capability of accepting the truth.

31. Almighty Allah seals a man’s heart only when man is not prepared to benefit from his brain and intellect and refuses to walk in the light of knowledge and hands over the reins of his heart to his passions and lustful desires.

32. That is: those who did not follow their lust and accepted Allah’s guidance received Divine light on every step and their discernment went on increasing.

33. That is: they were bestowed piousness in proportion to their desire and sincere efforts.

34. The biggest of the signs of Resurrection that have arrived is the advent of the holy prophet Muhammad Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam as the last messenger. Says the tradition: “Pointing with his two fingers, the middle finger and the adjoining finger, the prophet said I and the Resurrection have been sent together like this.” (Tafseer Ibne Katheer Vol. 4 P.77 Bukhari) That is: after me there is the Resurrection. No other prophet is going to arrive. Thus, through him, people of the world have been given a final warning. Another big sign is the revelation of the holy Quran. After the revelation of a complete Book from Allah for the guidance of mankind, the book safeguarding whereof too has been guaranteed by Allah Himself, Allah’s argument becomes total and final. Whatever remains thereafter is only the hour of decision that is called Qiyamat or Resurrection. Third great sign is the general corruption of human society which is increasing day by day, due to their ignoring history and not taking lesson from the disastrous end of earlier corrupt societies pictured in historical events. End of the world is definite when this corruption reaches its climax because, when human society will be devoid of good there will remain nothing but evil and the anger of Allah will engulf only the evil-doers in the form of Resurrection. The fourth sign is the repleting of earth with injustice and oppression. Cries of the oppressed yearn for the early establishment of Allah’s court. Hence the Day of Judgment comes nearer, and nearer. In addition to these there are several other signs which will appear at a time very close to Qiyamat as foretold in the Quran and true traditions (Hadith). For example, the appearance of Daabbatul Ard, invasion of Yajooj-Maajooj 464 (Gog and Magog), descent of Isa (Alaihis Salaam), rising of the sun from the west etc.

35. That is: bear in mind properly.

36. This is an address to the holy prophet. Explanation regarding the instruction given to the Holy Prophet to beg pardon for his short-comings has been given in Note 79 of Surah Momin. Traditions say the holy prophet was begging such pardon hundred times in a day. “He said: unmindfulness overtakes my heart and I pray Istigfar a hundred times in a day”. (Muslim, Kitaabuz Zikr)

37. Means Allah watches your movement as well as your stillness. HE also knows your destination. So fear Him.
Do they not ponder on the Quran, or are there locks on their hearts. (Al-Quran)

20. The believers were saying: Why a Surah (commanding jihad) is not being sent down? But when a Surah with a categorical commandment is revealed, containing the mention of Qital (War), you saw that those in whose hearts is a disease are looking at you with the look of one fainting into death.38 So Woe unto them.

21. To obey and to say what is just (was the right attitude for them). So when a decisive order is given, it would have been the best for them to prove their truthfulness to Allah.39

22. And if you turn away then what can be expected from you except that you will spread corruption in land and sever ties of kinship.40

23. These are people whom Allah cursed and deafened them and blinded their eyes.41

24. Do they not ponder on the Quran, or are there locks on their hearts.42

25. Those who turned back after the guidance had become manifest to them, Satan seduced them and lengthened a chain of hopes for them.43

26. This is because they said to those who disliked the guidance revealed by Allah that we will obey you in some of the affairs 44 Allah knows their Secrets.

27. So what will be their condition when the angels will take their souls, smiting their faces and their backs! 45

38. That is the hypocrites almost fainted on hearing the order to wage the war (jihad). Only he who is sincere in his faith can put his life on stake, in the path of Allah. How can one who loves his life and property desire to sacrifice his life?

39. That is: when a categorical command for war (jihad) was issued it was essential for them to accept it wholeheartedly and to take practical steps to obey it. Had they done so it would have been only in their favour.

40. You are being asked to obey Allah and His prophet. You do not like it, even though welfare work is possible only in that way. During disobedience, man indulges in evil deeds believing them to be good. He behaves badly with his kith and kin due to selfishness. He thus cuts off the bonds of human brotherhood. It is only the consequence of turning away from the obedience to Allah and His prophet that the whole world has become corrupt today. A brother kills his brother and human brotherhood is being mercilessly broken. Anarchy and wars have rendered people restless. The current affairs amply prove that each and every word of the holy Quran is true. But man is not prepared to understand.

41. When Allah curses one, one becomes deaf for hearing the truth and blind to see the truth.

42. That is: had they pondered over Quran they would have gained guidance. But they never paid any attention to Quran and stuck to their wrong path. As a result of their insistence on their attitude the doors of their hearts closed and they could not accept truth. Like other Ayah of the holy Quran this ayah also invites the disbelievers and the hypocrites to ponder over Quran. It means that the Quran is for the understanding of everybody. Now those who do not know the Arabic language can benefit from any translation which, in their view, may be reliable. But we find a group among Muslims in whose opinion Quran can be understood only by Ulama (scholars).They do not only refrain from encouraging Muslim masses to read Quran with understanding but also stop them from reading it with translation and says that they might go astray by reading Quran with translation. The truth, however, is that there are many Muslims whose eyes opened after reading Quran with meaning. They are being constantly benefited by it. Several non- Muslims have embraced Islam after reading the meaning of the Quran. The fact is that whoever studies the holy Quran with a clean and open mind will only get guidance therefrom. The more he ponders over it the more enlightenment he will obtain. Of course, one whose heart has been locked for accepting the truth will always remain deprived of this blessing.

43. That is: those who became disbelievers after accepting Islam. This means the hypocrites who became Muslims and then turned away. They returned to the wrong path after understanding the truth because Satan deceived them and they fell in his trap. Satan said to them that you will gain such and such worldly benefits by returning to the religion of your ancestors.

44. They conspired with the unbelievers and told them that in the event of war with the Muslims they would be with the unbelievers. These talks were held in secret.

45.Now they are conspiring with the unbelievers just to save their lives from the danger of jihad. But they will have to die one day. So when they will die in the state of unbelief and when the angels of death will beat them while taking away their souls what will happen to them?! These Ayah also clarify that the souls of unbelievers have to suffer torment in the life of Barzakh,that is, between death and resurrection. It is called “Azab-e- Qabr” (Torment of the grave) in the holy prophet’s sayings. There is no sign of this torture on the body of the dead fellow, which clearly shows that what is punished is the soul. Face and back mentioned here mean the face and the back of the soul which are beaten by angels. (For further explanation see Surah Mumin, Note 71).

28. This is because they followed the path which angered Allah and disliked His pleasure. So He frustrated their deeds.46

29. Do those in whose hearts is a disease47 deem that Allah will not bring to light their ill-will?48

30. (O prophet!) If We so willed, we would have shown them to you and you would have recognised them by their marks. And you shall know them by their style of talking.49 Allah knows your deeds.

31. Verily We shall try you until We see who among you strive hard and persevere in patience and till We test your conditions.50

32. Those who disbelieved 51 and hindered (people) from the path of Allah and opposed prophets after the guidance had been quite clear to them will not hurt Allah at all, and Allah will make their deeds of no-effect.

33. O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the prophet and do not make your deeds vain.52

34. Those who disbelieved and hindered others from the path of Allah and then died in the state of disbelief, Allah will never pardon them. 53

35. So be not weak nor cry out for peace.54 You will be uppermost.55 Allah is with you and He will not destroy your deeds. 56

46. The worship and good deeds of the hypocrites which appeared righteous could not gain acceptance of Allah because of their unbelief. Hence they went in vain.

47. Means the illness of Munafiqat (hypocrisy).

48. Will HE not expose the bitter hate and rancour against Islam which they are hiding in their hearts?

49. That is: If We would, we would have shown you the condition of each and every hypocrite individually in such a way that you could have known their internal condition merely by looking at their faces. It should be kept in mind that this is being said about those people who were Muslims apparently but who were hiding disbelief in their hearts. They are real hypocrites. They are worse than the infidels because the mischief which they are playing while remaining hidden in Muslim society is more dangerous than that of the outspoken and apparent disbelievers. The condition of hypocrites had begun to be exposed when this Surah was reaveald. But it was not possible to explicitly declare anyone a disbeliever. However, they could be recognised by their tone of talking and way of discussing. But in the following stages there remained no doubt about their being hypocrites in view of their behaviour. Hence the holy prophet was given the order of waging jihad (war) against them and of being harsh toward them in Surah Taubah :- “O prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and deal strictly with them.” (At Taubah; 73)

50. That is: We see as to what extent your outward is consistent with your inward and how true you are in your claim of being faithful.

51. Be their disbelief open or hidden.

52. This is a word of warning to Muslims that if you do not make it a point to obey Allah and to obey His prophet in every field of life your deeds will go in vain.

53. For being pardoned that condition of a man will be taken into account in which he breathed his last. The doors of pardon are closed for one who dies in disbelief.

54. It is a sign of cowardice to call for peace when the infidels are bent upon fighting. Hence it has been prohibited. Of course, when the disbelievers themselves invite you to truce that proposal can be accepted. Surah Anfal says:- “If they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and put your trust in Allah”. (Anfal:61)

55. And it is a fact that the Muslims remained uppermost in every war and they won over the infidels. Thus Quran’s prophecy came true word by word.

56. That is: your efforts for raising the word of Allah will not be ineffective either in this world or in the Hereafter.

36. The life of the world is but a play and amusement. And if you believe and fear Allah He will grant you your recompense57 and will not demand from you your possessions.58

37. If He were to ask you for possessions and to demand all of your wealth you will be stingy and He will expose your malice.59

38. You are those 60 who are called to spend in the way of Allah, yet among you there are some who are miserly.61 Though who is miserly is a miser with his own soul. 62 Allah is free of all wants and you are the needy. And if you will turn away He will substitute in your stead some other people and they will not be like you.63

57. It automatically becomes clear from this that the lives of those who accept faith and live fearful of Allah are not like a play or pastime. Rather they are serious and purposeful. Of course the life of this world is not more than mere play and pastime for those who make it their aim and who are negligent about Allah and the Hereafter.

58. That is: HE will not demand your entire possessions as is described later.

59. That is: If He were to ask you to spend your entire possession in the way of Allah and not to save anything for yourselves, you would have become niggardly and it would have become obvious that even in the event of war between Islam and infidelity your wealth is dear to you. But Allah did not put you to such severe test and called upon you to depart with only a portion of your wealth to be spent in His path so that you may have an opportunity to improve yourselves and so that your hearts may be purified. It should be remembered that the address in this Ayah is to those hypocrites who were shirking from spending in the way of Allah.

60. This is an address to general Muslim masses.

61. These were insincere Muslims who were hesitating to spend in the way of Allah.

62. He is harming only himself by such misery,

63. That is: the opportunity of spending in the way of Allah which is being offered to you is, in fact, a great blessing for you. If you will not appreciate it then Allah will bring in some other group for raising His word and they will not be weak like you. Ayah 54 of Surah Maaidah explains this:- “O you who believe! Whoever turns away from his religion, (he will not in any way harm Allah), soon Allah will bring forth a people whom He will love and they will love Him, humble towards believers, stern towards disbelievers, striving in the cause of Allah, and fearing not the reproaching of the reproachers.”