Surah At Taubah Notes (107-110)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

Masjid Ad-Dirar and Masjid At-Taqwa

 (107) And as for those who put up a mosque by way of harming and disbelief, and to disunite the believers, and as an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW) aforetime, they will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good. Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars.

The reason behind revealing these honorable Ayat is that before the Messenger of Allah migrated to Al-Madinah, there was a man from Al-Khazraj called "Abu `Amir Ar-Rahib (the Monk).'' This man embraced Christianity before Islam and read the Scriptures. During the time of Jahiliyyah, Abu `Amir was known for being a worshipper and being a notable person among Al-Khazraj. When the Messenger of Allah arrived at Al-Madinah after the Hijrah, the Muslims gathered around him and the word of Islam was triumphant on the day of Badr, causing Abu `Amir, the cursed one, to choke on his own saliva and announce his enmity to Islam. He fled from Al-Madinah to the idolators of Quraysh in Makkah to support them in the war against the Messenger of Allah . The Quraysh united their forces and the bedouins who joined them for the battle of Uhud, during which Allah tested the Muslims, but the good end is always for the pious and righteous people. The rebellious Abu `Amir dug many holes in the ground between the two camps, into one of which the Messenger fell, injuring his face and breaking one of his right lower teeth. He also sustained a head injury. Before the fighting started, Abu `Amir approached his people among the Ansar and tried to convince them to support and agree with him. When they recognized him, they said, "May Allah never burden an eye by seeing you, O Fasiq one, O enemy of Allah!'' They cursed him and he went back declaring, "By Allah! Evil has touched my people after I left.'' The Messenger of Allah called Abu `Amir to Allah and recited the Qur'an to him before his flight to Makkah, but he refused to embrace Islam and rebelled. The Messenger invoked Allah that Abu `Amir die as an outcast in an alien land, and his invocation came true. After the battle of Uhud was finished, Abu `Amir realized that the Messenger's call was still rising and gaining momentum, so he went to Heraclius, the emperor of Rome, asking for his aid against the Prophet . Heraclius gave him promises and Abu `Amir remained with him. He also wrote to several of his people in Al-Madinah, who embraced hypocrisy, promising and insinuating to them that he will lead an army to fight the Messenger of Allah to defeat him and his call. He ordered them to establish a stronghold where he could send his emissaries and to serve as an outpost when he joins them later on. These hypocrites built a Masjid next to the Masjid in Quba', and they finished building it before the Messenger went to Tabuk. They went to the Messenger inviting him to pray in their Masjid so that it would be a proof that the Messenger approved of their Masjid. They told him that they built the Masjid for the weak and ill persons on rainy nights. However, Allah prevented His Messenger from praying in that Masjid. He said to them, (If we come back from our travel, Allah willing.)'' When the Messenger of Allah came back from Tabuk and was approximately one or two days away from Al-Madinah, Jibril came down to him with the news about Masjid Ad-Dirar and the disbelief and division between the believers, who were in Masjid Quba' (which was built on piety from the first day), that Masjid Ad-Dirar was meant to achieve. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah sent some people to Masjid Ad-Dirar to bring it down before he reached Al-Madinah. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah (9:107), "They are some people of the Ansar to whom Abu `Amir said, `Build a Masjid and prepare whatever you can of power and weapons, for I am headed towards Caesar, emperor of Rome, to bring Roman soldiers with whom I will expel Muhammad and his companions.' When they built their Masjid, they went to the Prophet and said to him, "We finished building our Masjid and we would like you pray in it and invoke Allah for us for His blessings.

(that their intention is nothing but good.) by building this Masjid we sought the good and the comfort of the people. Allah replied,

(Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars) for they only built it to harm Masjid Quba', and out of disbelief in Allah, and to divide the believers. They made it an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His  Messenger , such as Abu `Amir the Fasiq who used to be called Ar-Rahib, may Allah curse him!

Virtues of Masjid Quba

Allah encouraged His Prophet to pray in Masjid Quba' which, from the first day, was built on Taqwa, obedience to Allah and His Messenger , for gathering the word of the believers and as an outpost and a fort for Islam and its people.

(108) Never stand you therein. Verily, the mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure (i.e. who clean their private parts with dust [i.e. to be considered as soap) and water from urine and stools, after answering the call of nature].

(Never stand you therein), prohibiting His Prophet and his Ummah from ever standing in it in prayer.

(Verily, the Masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on Taqwa is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray).) in reference to the Masjid of Quba'. An authentic Hadith records that the Messenger of Allah said, (One prayer in Masjid Quba' is just like an `Umrah.) It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah used to visit Masjid Quba' while riding and walking. 

(Verily, the Masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on Taqwa is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and purify themselves. And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure.) This encourages praying in old Masjids that were built for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone, without partners. It is also recommended to join the prayer with the believing group and worshippers who implement their faith, those who perform Wudu' perfectly and preserve themselves from impure things.

Imam Ahmad recorded that one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah said that the Messenger of Allah led them in a Dawn (Subh) prayer in which he recited Surat Ar-Rum (chapter 30) and made mistakes in the recitation. When he finished the prayer, he said, (We sometimes make mistakes in reciting the Qur'an, there are people among you who attend the prayer with us, but do not perform Wudu' perfectly. Therefore, whoever attends the prayer with us let him make perfect Wudu'.) This Hadith indicates that complete purification helps in the performance of acts of worship and aids in preserving and completing them.

The Difference between Masjid At-Taqwa and Masjid Ad-Dirar

(109) Is it then he, who laid the foundation of his building on piety to Allah and His Good Pleasure, better, or he who laid the foundation of his building on an undetermined brink of a precipice ready to crumble down, so that it crumbled to pieces with him into the Fire of Hell. And Allah guides not the people who are the Zalimun (cruel, violent, proud, polytheist and wrong-doer).


Allah the Exalted says that the Masjid that has been built on the basis of Taqwa of Allah and His pleasure is not the same as a Masjid that was been built based on causing harm, disbelief and causing division among the believers, and as an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His Messenger . The latter built their Masjid on the edge of a steep hole, 

(into the fire of Hell. And Allah guides not the people who are the wrongdoers.), Allah does not bring aright the works of those who commit mischief. Jabir bin `Abdullah said, "I saw the Masjid that was built to cause harm with smoke rising up from it, during the time of the Messenger of Allah .(into the fire of Hell. And Allah guides not the people who are the wrongdoers.), Allah does not bring aright the works of those who commit mischief. Jabir bin `Abdullah said, "I saw the Masjid that was built to cause harm with smoke rising up from it, during the time of the Messenger of Allah.

(110) The building which they built will never cease to be a cause of hypocrisy and doubt in their hearts, unless their hearts are cut to pieces. (i.e. till they die). And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

(The building which they built will never cease to be a cause of doubt in their hearts) and hypocrisy. Because of this awful action that they committed, they inherited hypocrisy in their hearts, just as those who worshipped the calf were inclined to adoring it.

(unless their hearts are cut to pieces.) until they die,

(And Allah is All-Knowing,) of the actions of His creation,

(All-Wise.) in compensating them for their good or evil actions.

Surah At Taubah Notes (104-106)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

 (104) Know they not that Allah accepts repentance from His slaves and takes the Sadaqat (alms, charities) and that Allah Alone is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful?

(Know they not that Allah accepts repentance from His servants and accepts the Sadaqat) This Ayah encourages reverting to repentance and giving charity, for each of these actions erases, deletes and eradicate sins. Allah states that He accepts the repentance of those who repent to Him, as well as charity from pure resources, for Allah accepts it with His Right Hand and raises it for its giver until even a date becomes as large as Mount Uhud. 

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, (Verily, Allah accepts charity, receives it in His Right Hand and develops it for its giver, just as one of you raises his pony, until the bite ﴿of food﴾ becomes as large as Uhud.)

(Allah will destroy Riba and will give increase for Sadaqat.) ﴿2:276﴾ 

`Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "Charity falls in Allah's Hand before it falls in the needy's hand,''

Warning the Disobedient

(105) And say (O Muhammad SAW) "Do deeds! Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) His Messenger and the believers. And you will be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will inform you of what you used to do."

(Do deeds! Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) His Messenger and the believers.) 

(That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of you will be hidden.) ﴿69:18﴾,

(The Day when all the secrets will be examined.)﴿86:9﴾

(And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known.)﴿100:10﴾

 Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah said, (Do not be pleased with someone's deeds until you see what his deeds in the end will be like. Verily, one might work for some time of his life with good deeds, so that if he dies while doing it, he will enter Paradise. However, he changes and commits evil deeds. one might commit evil deeds for some time in his life, so that if he dies while doing them he will enter the Fire. However, he changes and performs good deeds. If Allah wants the good of a servant He employs him before he dies.) He was asked, "How would Allah employ him, O Allah's Messenger'' He said, (He directs him to perform good deeds and takes his life in that condition.) 

Delaying the Decision about the Three Companions Who stayed away from the Battle of Tabuk

(106) And others await Allah's Decree, whether He will punish them or will forgive them. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

The three who were made to wait to know if their repentance was accepted; Mararah bin Ar-Rabi`, Ka`b bin Malik and Hilal bin Umayyah. 
Some Companions stayed behind from the battle of Tabuk due to laziness, preferring comfort, ease, ripe fruits and shade. They did not lag behind because of hypocrisy or doubts. Some of them tied themselves to the pillars (of the Masjid) like Abu Lubabah and several of his friends did. Some of them did not do that, and they are the three mentioned here. Those who tied themselves received their pardon before these three men whose pardon was delayed, until this Ayah was revealed, (Allah has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhajirin and the Ansar...) 

(whether He will punish them or will forgive them. ) meaning, they are at Allah's mercy, if He wills, He pardons them or punishes them. However, Allah's mercy comes before His anger, 

(And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.) ﴿9:106﴾ Allah knows those who deserve the punishment and those who deserve the pardon. He is All-Wise in His actions and statements, there is no deity worthy of worship nor Lord besides Him.

Surah At Taubah Notes (94-97)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

Exposing the Deceitful Ways of Hypocrites

 (94)  They (the hypocrites) will present their excuses to you (Muslims), when you return to them. Say (O Muhammad SAW) "Present no excuses, we shall not believe you. Allah has already informed us of the news concerning you. Allah and His Messenger will observe your deeds. In the end you will be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, then He (Allah) will inform you of what you used to do." [Tafsir At-Tabari]

(9:94:1) yaʿtadhirūna They will make excuses

V – 3rd person masculine plural (form VIII) imperfect verb PRON – subject pronoun فعل مضارع والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:94:4) rajaʿtum you (have) returned

V – 2nd person masculine plural perfect verb PRON – subject pronoun فعل ماض والتاء ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:94:8) taʿtadhirū make excuse,

V – 2nd person masculine plural (form VIII) imperfect verb, jussive mood PRON – subject pronoun فعل مضارع مجزوم والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:94:13) nabba-anā Allah (has) informed us

V – 3rd person masculine singular (form II) perfect verb PRON – 1st person plural object pronoun فعل ماض و«نا» ضمير متصل في محل نصب مفعول به

(9:94:16) akhbārikum your news,		N – genitive masculine plural noun PRON – 2nd person masculine plural possessive pronoun اسم مجرور والكاف ضمير متصل في محل جر بالاضافة
(9:94:17) wasayarā and Allah will see		CONJ – prefixed conjunction wa (and) FUT – prefixed future particle sa V – 3rd person masculine singular imperfect verb, subjunctive mood الواو عاطفة حرف استقبال فعل مضارع منصوب

9:94:22) turaddūna you will be brought back

V – 2nd person masculine plural passive imperfect verb PRON – subject pronoun فعل مضارع مبني للمجهول والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع نائب فاعل

(9:94:27) fayunabbi-ukum then He will inform you

REM – prefixed resumption particle V – 3rd person masculine singular (form II) imperfect verb PRON – 2nd person masculine plural object pronoun الفاء استئنافية

(In the end you will be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, then He (Allah) will inform you of what you used to do.) Allah will inform you of your deeds, whether they were good or evil, and will recompense you for them. Allah said that the hypocrites will swear to the believers in apology, so that the believers turn away from them without admonishing them. Therefore, Allah ordered disgracing them by turning away from them, for they are.

(95) They will swear by Allah to you (Muslims) when you return to them, that you may turn away from them. So turn away from them. Surely, they are Rijsun [i.e. Najasun (impure) because of their evil deeds], and Hell is their dwelling place, - a recompense for that which they used to earn.

(9:95:1) sayaḥlifūna They will swear

حرف استقبالFUT – prefixed future particle sa V – 3rd person masculine plural imperfect verb PRON – subject pronoun فعل مضارع والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:95:5) inqalabtum you returned

V – 2nd person masculine plural (form VII) perfect verb PRON – subject pronoun فعل ماض والتاء ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:95:7) lituʿ'riḍū that you may turn away

PRP – prefixed particle of purpose lām V – 2nd person masculine plural (form IV) imperfect verb, subjunctive mood PRON – subject pronoun اللام لام التعليل فعل مضارع منصوب والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:95:9) fa-aʿriḍū So turn away

REM – prefixed resumption particle V – 2nd person masculine plural (form IV) imperative verb PRON – subject pronoun الفاء استئنافية فعل أمر والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:95:12) rij'sun (are) impure

N – nominative masculine indefinite noun اسم مرفوع

(Rijs) meaning, impure inwardly and in their creed. Their destination in the end will be Jahannam,

(96) They (the hypocrites) swear to you (Muslims) that you may be pleased with them, but if you are pleased with them, certainly Allah is not pleased with the people who are Al-Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).

(9:96:1) yaḥlifūna They swear

V – 3rd person masculine plural imperfect verb PRON – subject pronoun فعل مضارع والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:96:3) litarḍaw that you may be pleased

PRP – prefixed particle of purpose lām V – 2nd person masculine plural imperfect verb, subjunctive mood PRON – subject pronoun اللام لام التعليل فعل مضارع منصوب والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:96:6) tarḍaw you are pleased

V – 2nd person masculine plural imperfect verb, subjunctive mood PRON – subject pronoun فعل مضارع منصوب والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع فاعل

(9:96:11) yarḍā (is) not pleased

V – 3rd person masculine singular imperfect verb, subjunctive mood فعل مضارع منصوب

(certainly Allah is not pleased with the people who are Fasiqin.) who rebel against the obedience of Allah and His Messenger . `Fisq', means, `deviation'.

The Bedouins are the Worst in Disbelief and Hypocrisy

(97) The bedouins are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to be in ignorance of the limits (Allah's Commandments and His Legal Laws, etc.) which Allah has revealed to His Messenger. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.

(9:97:1) al-aʿrābu The bedouins

N – nominative masculine plural noun → Bedouin اسم مرفوع

(9:97:5) wa-ajdaru and more likely

CONJ – prefixed conjunction wa (and) N – nominative masculine singular noun الواو عاطفة اسم مرفوع

(9:97:8) ḥudūda (the) limits

N – accusative masculine plural noun اسم منصوب

Allah states that there are disbelievers, hypocrites and believers among the bedouins. He also states that the disbelief and hypocrisy of the bedouins is worse and deeper than the disbelief and hypocrisy of others. They are the most likely of being ignorant of the commandments that Allah has revealed to His Messenger .

 Al-A`mash narrated that Ibrahim said, "A bedouin man sat next to Zayd bin Sawhan while he was speaking to his friends. Zayd had lost his hand during the battle of Nahawand. The bedouin man said, `By Allah! I like your speech. However, your hand causes me suspicion.' Zayd said, `Why are you suspicious because of my hand, it is the left hand ﴿that is cut﴾' The bedouin man said, `By Allah! I do not know which hand they cut off (for committing theft), is it the right or the left' Zayd bin Sawhan said, `Allah has said the truth,

(The bedouins are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to not know the limits which Allah has revealed to His Messenger.)'' Imam Ahmad narrated that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah said, (He who lives in the desert becomes hard-hearted, he who follows the game becomes heedless, and he who associates with the rulers falls into Fitnah.)

Surah At Taubah Notes (85-93)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

 (85) And let not their wealth or their children amaze you. Allah's Plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and that their souls shall depart (die) while they are disbelievers.

Admonishing Those Who did not join the Jihad

(86) And when a Surah (chapter from the Quran) is revealed, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive hard and fight along with His Messenger, the wealthy among them ask your leave to exempt them (from Jihad) and say, "Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home)."

Allah chastises and admonishes those who stayed away from Jihad and refrained from performing it, even though they had the supplies, means and ability to join it. They asked the Messenger for permission to stay behind, saying,

("Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home)'') thus accepting for themselves the shame of lagging behind with women, after the army had left. If war starts, such people are the most cowardice, but when it is safe, they are the most boastful among men.

(87) They are content to be with those (the women) who sit behind (at home). Their hearts are sealed up (from all kinds of goodness and right guidance), so they understand not.

(Their hearts are sealed up) because of their staying away from Jihad and from accompanying the Messenger in Allah's cause,

(so they understand not.) they neither understand what benefits them so that they perform it nor what hurts them so that they avoid it.

After Allah mentioned the sins of the hypocrites, He praised the faithful believers and described ..

 (88) But the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) and those who believed with him (in Islamic Monotheism) strove hard and fought with their wealth and their lives (in Allah's Cause). Such are they for whom are the good things, and it is they who will be successful.

(But the Messenger and those who believed with him strove hard and fought) until the end of these two Ayat ﴿9:88-89﴾. This describes the qualities, as well as, the reward of faithful believers. Allah said, Such are they for whom are the good things), in the Hereafter, in the gardens of Al-Firdaws and the high grades.

 (89) For them Allah has got ready Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.

(90) And those who made excuses from the bedouins came (to you, O Prophet SAW) asking your permission to exempt them (from the battle), and those who had lied to Allah and His Messenger sat at home (without asking the permission for it); a painful torment will seize those of them who disbelieve.

Allah describes here the condition of the bedouins who lived around Al-Madinah, who asked for permission to remain behind from Jihad when they came to the Messenger to explain to him their weakness and inability to join the fighting. Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn `Abbas said that they were those who had valid excuses,

(and those who had lied to Allah and His Messenger sat at home), and did not ask for permission for it; and Allah warned them of painful punishment,

(a painful torment will seize those of them who disbelieve.)

Legitimate Excuses for staying away from Jihad

(91) There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend [in holy fighting (Jihad)], if they are sincere and true (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger. No ground (of complaint) can there be against the Muhsinun (good-doers). And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Allah mentions here the valid excuses that permit one to stay away from fighting. He first mentions the excuses that remain with a person, the weakness in the body that disallows one from Jihad, such as blindness, limping, and so forth. He then mentions the excuses that are not permanent, such as an illness that would prevent one from fighting in the cause of Allah, or poverty that prevents preparing for Jihad. There is no sin in these cases if they remain behind, providing that when they remain behind, they do not spread malice or try to discourage Muslims from fighting, but all the while observing good behavior in this state.

(No means (of complaint) can there be against the doers of good.) O Allah! We admit our errors, so forgive us and give us mercy and rain.' He then raised his hands and the people also raised their hands, and rain was sent down on them.''

 (92) Nor (is there blame) on those who came to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said: "I can find no mounts for you," they turned back, while their eyes overflowing with tears of grief that they could not find anything to spend (for Jihad).

(Nor (is there blame) on those who came to you to be provided with mounts, when you said: "I can find no mounts for you.'') This Hadith has a basis in the Two Sahihs from Anas, the Messenger of Allah said, (Some people have remained behind in Al-Madinah and you never crossed a valley or marched forth, but they were with you.) They said, "While they are still at Al-Madinah'' He said, (Yes, as they have been held back by a (legal) excuse.) 

(93) The ground (of complaint) is only against those who are rich, and yet ask exemption. They are content to be with (the women) who sit behind (at home) and Allah has sealed up their hearts (from all kinds of goodness and right guidance) so that they know not (what they are losing).

Then, Allah criticized those who seek permission to remain behind while they are rich, admonishing them for wanting to stay behind with women who remained in their homes,(and Allah has sealed up their hearts, so that they know not (what they are losing).)