Surah Al Mujadalah Notes (5-8)

Source: Ibn Kathir

Explaining the Punishment of the Enemies of the Religion

(5) Verily, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW) will be disgraced, as those before them (among the past nation), were disgraced. And We have sent down clear Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). And for the disbelievers is a disgracing torment.

Allah states that those who defy Him and His Messenger and contradict His commandments,

(will be disgraced as those before them were disgraced) meaning, they will be humiliated, cursed and disgraced, just as what happened to their like were before them,

(And We have sent down clear Ayat.) meaning, none contradicts or opposes them, except a disbeliever, rebellious, sinner,

(And for the disbelievers is a disgraceful torment) meaning, as just recompense for their arrogant refusal to follow, obey and submit to the religion of Allah. 

(6) On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all together (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) and inform them of what they did. Allah has kept account of it, while they have forgotten it. And Allah is Witness over all things.

(On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all together) referring to the Day of Resurrection when He will gather the early and the later generations in one area,

(and inform them of what they did.) He will tell them all that they did in detail, whether good or evil,

(Allah has kept account of it, while they have forgotten it.) meaning, Allah recorded and kept all these actions, even though they have forgotten what they did,

(And Allah is Witness over all things.) meaning, nothing escapes His knowledge, and no matter is hidden from Him or escapes His complete observation.

Allah's Knowledge encompasses Creation

(7) Have you not seen that Allah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth? There is no Najwa (secret counsel) of three, but He is their fourth (with His Knowledge, while He Himself is over the Throne, over the seventh heaven), nor of five but He is their sixth (with His Knowledge), not of less than that or more, but He is with them (with His Knowledge) wheresoever they may be; and afterwards on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of everything.

Then Allah the Exalted informs of His knowledge encompassing all creation, observing it, hearing their speech and seeing them, wherever they may be and in whatever condition they may be in,

(Have you not seen that Allah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth There is no Najwa of three), i.e., secret consultation of three,

(but He is their fourth --- nor of five but He is their sixth --- nor of less than that or more but He is with them wheresoever they may be.) meaning, He is watching them, perfectly hearing their speech, whether uttered in public or secret. His angels record all that they say, even though He has better knowledge of it and hears them perfectly, as Allah said;

(Know they not that Allah knows their secret ideas, and their Najwa, and that Allah is the All-Knower of the unseen.) (9:78),

(Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private Najwa And Our messengers are by them to record.) (43:80) 

For this reason, several mentioned that there is a consensus among the scholars that this "with'' refers to Allah's knowledge. There is no doubt that this meaning is true, especially if we add to it the certainty that His hearing encompasses all things, as well as His sight. He, the Exalted and Most Honored, is never lacking in knowing all their affairs,

(And afterward, on the Day of Resurrection He will inform them of what they did. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of everything.) Imam Ahmad commented, "Allah began the Ayah (58:7) by mentioning His knowledge and ended it by mentioning His knowledge.''

The Evil of the Jews

(8) Have you not seen those who were forbidden to hold secret counsels, and afterward returned to that which they had been forbidden, and conspired together for sin and wrongdoing and disobedience to the Messenger (Muhammad SAW ). And when they come to you, they greet you with a greeting wherewith Allah greets you not, and say within themselves: "Why should Allah punish us not for what we say?" Hell will be sufficient for them, they will burn therein, and worst indeed is that destination!

Ibn Abi Najih reported from Mujahid,

(Have you not seen those who were forbidden to hold secret counsels, and afterward returned to that which they had been forbidden,) He said, "The Jews.'' 

Similar was said by Muqatil bin Hayyan, who added, "The Prophet had a peace treaty with the Jews. When one of the Prophet's Companions would pass by a gathering of Jews, they would speak among themselves in secret, prompting the believer to think that they were plotting to kill or harm him. When the believer saw this, he feared for his safety and changed the route he was taking. The Prophet advised them to abandon their evil secret talks, but they did not listen and kept on holding the Najwa. 

(and conspired together for sin and wrongdoing and disobedience to the Messenger.) means, they used to talk to each other,

(for sin) which involves themselves,

(and wrongdoing) which effects others. They speak about disobedience and defying of the Messenger, with persistence and recommending each other to follow their way,

(And when they come to you, they greet you with a greeting wherewith Allah greets you not,) 

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `A'ishah said, "Some Jews came to the Prophet and greeted him by saying, `As-Sam `Alayka, O Abul-Qasim.' So I said to them, `wa `Alaykum As-Sam (the same death be upon you).' The Prophet said, (O `A'ishah, Allah does not like rudeness and foul speech.) I said, `Didn't you hear them say, `As-Sam Alayka' He said, (Didn't you hear me answering them back by saying, `Wa `Alaykum (And the same upon you)') 

Allah the Exalted then sent down this Ayah,

(And when they come to you, they greet you with a greeting wherewith Allah greets you not,)'' The narration collected in the Sahih states that `A'ishah said, "And be upon you the death, disgrace, and curse.'' The Messenger of Allah said to her, (Allah accepts our supplication against them, but not theirs against us.)

Allah said,

(and say within themselves:"Why should Allah punish us not for what we say'') means, the Jews say these words, changing the meaning of the Islamic greeting, into an abusive statement, and then say, `Had he been a Prophet, Allah would have punished us for what we said. Allah knows what we conceal. Therefore, if Muhammad were a Prophet, Allah would have sent His punishment on us sooner, in this life.' 

Allah the Exalted replied,

(Hell will be sufficient for them;) ell should be sufficient for them in the Hereafter,