Surah At Taubah Notes (44-52)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

 (44) Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day would not ask your leave to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives, and Allah is the All-Knower of Al-Muttaqun

(Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives.) because they consider Jihad an act of worship. This is why when Allah called them to perform Jihad, they obeyed and hasten to act in His obedience.

(and Allah is the All-Knower of those who have Taqwa. Those who ask your leave, to remain behind, without a valid excuse.

 (45) It is only those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your leave (to be exempted from Jihad). So in their doubts they waver.

(those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day), they do not hope for Allah's reward in the Hereafter for their good actions,

(and whose hearts are in doubt), about the validity of what you brought them,

(so in their doubts they waver.) They waver in doubt, taking one step forward and one step back. They do not have a firm stance in anything, for they are unsure and destroyed, neither belonging to these nor to those. Verily, those whom Allah misguides, will never find a way for themselves to guidance.

Exposing Hypocrites

 (46) And if they had intended to march out, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)."

(And if they had intended to march out,), with you to participate in Jihad

(certainly, they would have made some preparation for it) they would have prepared for such task,

(but Allah was averse to their being sent forth) Allah hated that they should go with you,

(so He made them lag behind, and stay away ﴿from Jihad﴾,

(and it was said (to them): "Sit you among those who sit (at home)'') as a part of what was decreed for them ﴿not that He legislated that they stay behind﴾. Allah then explained why He disliked that they march with the believers, saying,

(47) Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among you, and there are some among you who would have listened to them. And Allah is the All-Knower of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.).

(Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder), because they are cowards and failures,

(and they would have hurried about in your midst sowing sedition among you) They would have rushed to spread false stories, hatred and discord among you,

(and there are some among you who would have listened to them.) who would have obeyed them, given preference to their speech and words and asked them for advice, unaware of the true reality of these hypocrites. This might have caused corruption and great evil between the believers. 

Muhammad bin Ishaq said, "Those who sought permission (from the Messenger to lag behind) included some of the chiefs, such as `Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul and Al-Jadd bin Qays, who were masters of their people. Allah also made them lag behind because He knew that if they went along with the Messenger they would sow sedition in his army.'' There were some in the Prophet's army who liked these chiefs and were ready to obey them, because they considered them honorable.

(And Allah is the All-Knower of the wrongdoers.) Allah says that He knows what occurred, what will occur and if anything would have occurred, how it would occur

 Allah encourages His Prophet against hypocrites

(48) Verily, they had plotted sedition before, and had upset matters for you, - until the truth (victory) came and the Decree of Allah (His Religion, Islam) became manifest though they hated it.

(Verily, they had plotted sedition before, and had upset matters for you,) `For a long time,' Allah says, hypocrites thought and plotted against you and your Companions, as well as, failing and attempting to extinguish your religion.' This occurred soon after the Prophet migrated to Al-Madinah, when pagan Arabs joined force and the Jews and hypocrites of Al-Madinah waged war against the Messenger . When Allah gave victory to the Prophet in Badr and raised high his word, `Abdullah bin Ubayy and his fellows said, "This (Islam) is a matter that has prevailed.'' They embraced Islam outwardly, and whenever Allah elevated Islam and its people in might, hypocrites increased in rage and disappointment,

(49) And among them is he who says:"Grant me leave (to be exempted from Jihad) and put me not into trial." Surely, they have fallen into trial. And verily, Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.

(Grant me leave), to stay behind,

(and put me not into trial.), if I go with you and see the women of the Romans.

"The Messenger of Allah said to Al-Jadd bin Qays from Bani Salimah, (`Would you like to fight the yellow ones (Romans) this year) He said, `O Allah's Messenger! Give me permission (to remain behind) and do not cause Fitnah for me. By Allah! My people know that there is not a man who is more fond of women than I. I fear that if I see the women of the yellow ones, I would not be patient.' The Messenger of Allah turned away from him and said, (I give you permission.) In Al-Jadd's case, this Ayah was revealed,

 (And among them is he who says: "Grant me leave and put me not into trial.'') Therefore, Allah says that the Fitnah that he fell into because of not joining the Messenger of Allah (in Jihad) and preferring his safety to the safety of the Messenger is worse than the Fitnah that he falsely claimed to fear.

(And verily, Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.) and they will never be able to avoid, avert, or escape from it.

Allah emphasizes the enmity that the hypocrites have for the Prophet

(50) If good befalls you (O Muhammad SAW), it grieves them, but if a calamity overtakes you, they say: "We took our precaution beforehand," and they turn away rejoicing.

If a blessing, such as victory and triumph over the enemies, is given to the Prophet , thus pleasing him and his Companions, it grieves the hypocrites.

(but if a calamity overtakes you, they say: "We took our precaution beforehand,''), they say, we took precautions when we did not join him,

(and they turn away rejoicing.) Allah directed His Prophet to reply to the perfect enmity they have towards him,

 (51) Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper and Protector)." And in Allah let the believers put their trust.

(Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us.) for we are under His control and decree,

(He is our Mawla.), Master and protector.

(And in Allah let the believers put their trust) and we trust in Him. Verily, He is sufficient for us and what an excellent guardian.

(52) Say: "Do you wait for us (anything) except one of the two best things (martyrdom or victory); while we await for you either that Allah will afflict you with a punishment from Himself or at our hands. So wait, we too are waiting with you."

(Say), O Muhammad to them,

(Do you wait for us), anything,

(except one of the two best things), martyrdom or victory over you,

(while we await for you), that this will touch you,

(either that Allah will afflict you with a punishment from Himself or at our hands), either capture or killing,