As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 59, Al-Hashr or the Mustering, verses 1-17. These verses tell of the Jewish tribe of Banu Al-Nadeer and their exile. It talks of the good qualities of immigrants and the true Ansar (the residents of Madinah). Lastly it speaks of a conspiracy among the hypocrites and the People of the Book and a parable of Satan and a Disbeliever.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, and He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.[1] It is He Who drove the disbelievers from among the People of the Book (reference is to the Jewish tribe of Bani Al-Nadeer) out of their homes at the first banishment. You did not think that they would ever go out; and they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allah, but the wrath of Allah came to them from where they never expected – which cast such terror into their hearts – that they destroyed their homes by their own hands as well as by the hands of the believers. So learn a lesson from this example! O people of insight.[2] Had Allah not decreed exile for them, He would certainly have punished them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have the torment of the Fire.[3] That is because they set themselves up against Allah and His Messenger; and he that sets himself up against Allah should know that Allah is stern in retribution.[4] Whatever palm-trees you cut down or left them standing on their stems, was by the leave of Allah, so that He might humiliate the transgressors.[5] 59:[1-5]
As for those spoils of theirs which Allah has bestowed on His Messenger, you spurred neither cavalry nor camelry to capture them: but Allah gives authority to His Messengers over whom He pleases, for Allah has power over all things.[6] Whatever spoils from the dwellers of the township Allah has bestowed on His Messenger, shall belong to Allah, His Messenger, Messenger’s relatives, and to the orphans, the needy and the travelers in need; so that it may not become the property of the rich among you. Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it and from whatever he forbids you, refrain from it. Fear Allah; for Allah is stern in retribution.[7] 59:[6-7]
A share of the spoils shall be given to the indigent Muhâjireen (immigrants) who were driven out of their homes and their possessions, and are seeking Allah’s grace and His good pleasure and who want to help Allah and His Messenger, they are indeed the true believers.[8] A share of the spoils shall also be given to those who had homes in Madinah (the Ansâr) and believed even before the arrival of the Muhâjireen and love those who migrated to them and entertain no jealousy in their hearts for things given to them, and prefer those Muhâjireen over themselves, even though they themselves are poor. In fact, those who are saved from their own covetousness, are the ones who will achieve true success.[9] And it is also for those who came after them and say: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers who embraced the faith before us and do not leave any malice in our hearts towards the believers. Our Lord! Surely, You are the Kind, the Merciful.”[10] 59:[8-10]
Have you not observed the hypocrites? They say to their fellow unbelievers among the people of the Book: “If they drive you out, we will go with you. We will never obey anyone against you. If you are attacked we will certainly help you.” Allah bears witness that they are lying.[11] If the People of the Book are driven out, they will never go with them, if the people of the Book are attacked, they will not help them; and even if they help them, they will turn their backs, leaving them with no help at all.[12] In their hearts there is greater dread of you than of Allah, because they are a people devoid of understanding.[13] They will never fight against you together except in fortified townships or from behind walls. Strong is their enmity amongst themselves; you think of them united, whereas their hearts are divided. This is because they are a people devoid of common sense.[14] Their example is like those who have (Jews of Bani Qainuqa) tasted, a short while before them, the evil consequences of their deeds. They shall have a painful punishment.[15] 59:[11-15]
Their parable is like the Shaitân who says to man: “disbelieve,” and when he becomes a disbeliever, he says: “I am free of you; I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”[16] The end of both will be that they will be tossed in hell and remain there forever. Thus shall be the reward of the wrongdoers.[17] 59:[16-17]
Ameen.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.