THIS SLIGHTLY longer chapter was revealed after The House of Imran 3 and before Examining Her 60. It contains 73 verses arranged in nine sections, all of which were revealed in Madina. This thus represents a break in the diminishing sequence of chapters.
The Jews and pagan Arabs around Madina had risen 10,000 strong in a conspiracy directed against the nascent Islamic state at this point (the year 5 / 626-7), and the chapter bears witness to the difficulties existent in this developing society. The troubles which Muhammad faced in Madina in the year 5 / 626-7 were different from the ones he had met with in Mecca. We hear graphic portrayals of meddlers and slackers who, for instance, gave rise to recruiting and defence problems (it). Salman the Persian had a trench dug so the Madinese could withstand a siege. Following this success, the Prophet began to achieve the hegemony of Arabia and control over the trade routes to Syria.
The Prophet's wives appear again (IV &VI), plus rules for divorce (VI) and modesty (VIII). There is also a section on protocol in connection with affairs of state (VII). The chapter ends with a statement on the philosophy of history (VIII) plus a vivid picture of how God's trust was offered to the mountains, but they were prudent enough to reject it (IX).
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
(I) *0 Prophet, heed God and do not obey disbelievers and hypocrites. God is Aware, Wise. * Follow whatever you are inspired with by your Lord; God is Informed about what you (all) are doing. * Rely on God; God suffices as a Trustee.
* God has not placed two hearts in any man's body. Nor has He granted you wives whom you may back away from, to act as your mothers, nor has He granted your adopted sons to be your own sons. That is your own statement made by your own mouths. God states the Truth and He guides one along the Way. ** Call them after their own fathers; it is fairer so far as God is concerned. If you do not know who their fathers were, then [call them] your brothers in religion and your wards.
What you may have slipped up on already will not be held against you, but only something your hearts have done intentionally. Yet God is Forgiving, Merciful.
* The Prophet is closer to believers than even they themselves are, and his wives are [like] their mothers. Yet blood relatives are closer to one another in God's book than are believers and the Refugees, except that you should act in a proper manner towards your wards. That has been underlined in the Book.
* When We made an agreement with the prophets, with you and with Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus the son of Mary, We pledged a solemn agreement with them * so He might question sincere persons concerning their sincerity. He has prepared painful torment for disbelievers!
Divine Intervention
(II)* You who believe, remember God's favor upon you when the armies charged at you! We sent a wind and even armies you did not see against them. God was Observant of what you were doing, ** as they came at you both from above you and from below you, and your eyesight faltered and your hearts leaped up into your throats, and you entertained certain thoughts about God; there believers were tested and severely shaken as if in an earthquake. Thus hypocrites and those whose hearts contain malice said: "God and His messenger have only promised us something to lure us on."
Recruiting Problems
* So when a faction of them said: "O people of Yathrib, there is no room for you, so return!", a group of them took leave of the Prophet, saying: "Our houses lie exposed." They were not defenceless; they merely wanted to run away. * If a raid had been made on them from [all] its quarters, then they had been asked to rise up in dissension, they would have done so and yet not lasted very long. ** Still they had already pledged to God that they would not turn their backs! Any oath [made] to God will be asked about.
* SAY: "Fleeing will never help you: if you should flee from death or slaughter, then you will still enjoy (life) only briefly." * SAY: "Who is there to shield you from God if He should want any ill for you or wants mercy for you?" They will find they have no patron nor any supporter besides God.
* God knows the meddlers among you and the ones telling their brethren: "Come over to our side!" They only take part in conflict for a little while, * skimping towards you (all). Whenever fear comes over them, you will see them looking at you, their eyes rolling around like someone whom death has almost seized. Once fear leaves them. they will lash out at you (all) with [their] sharp tongues, yet skimping about [doing] any good. Those persons do not believe, so God has foiled their actions. That is so easy for God [to do]. ** They reckon the Coalition will not go away. If the Coalition should come [again], they would like to be wandering around far away among the [desert] Arabs, asking for news about you. Yet even if they were among you, they would only fight a little.
(III)* In God's messenger you have a fine model for someone who looks forward to [meeting] God and the Last Day, and mentions God frequently. * When believers saw the Coalition, they said: 'This is what God and His messenger have promised us. God and His messenger have told the truth." It merely increased them in faith and submission. * Some believers are men who are sincere in what they pledge to God, while others have already fulfilled their mortal duty, and still others are waiting [their chance]; they have not changed in the least, * so God may reward the truthful for their truthfulness and punish hypocrites if He so wishes, or else relent towards them. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
** God sent the ones who disbelieved back in their fury; they did not accomplish any good. God spares believers the trouble of fighting; God is Strong, Powerful! * He has tossed some People of the Book who had backed them up, out of their strongholds and cast panic into their hearts; one group you killed while you captured another group. * He let you inherit their land, their homes and their property, plus a land you have not yet set foot on. God is Capable of everything!
The Prophet's Wives
(IV) * 0 Prophet, tell your wives: "If you are wanting worldly life and its attraction, then come on! I'll let you enjoy them and dismiss you in a handsome fashion. * However if you have been wanting [to see] God and His messenger, as well as having a home in the Hereafter, well God has prepared splendid payment for the kindly women among you. ** 0 wives of the Prophet, anyone of you who commits some flagrant act of misconduct shall have [her] punishment doubled twice over. That is easy for God [to do].
PART TWENTY-TWO
(IV contd) * "Yet We will give any of you who is devoted to God and His messenger, and acts honorably, her earnings twice over. We have reserved a generous provision for her. * 0 wives of the Prophet, you are not like any other women! If you do your duty, then do not act too deferential while talking [to others] lest someone whose heart contains malice may thereby be encouraged. Employ suitable speech. * Remain in your homes and do not dress up fancily the way they used to dress during [the time of] primitive Ignorance. Keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax, and obey God and His messenger. God merely wants to remove any blight from you [since you are] People of the [Prophet's] House, and to cleanse you thoroughly. * Remember any of God's verses and wisdom which are recited in your homes. God is Gracious, Informed."
(v) ** Muslim men and Muslim women, believing men and believing women, devout men and devout women, truthful men and truthful women, patient men and patient women, reverent men and reverent women, charitable men and charitable women, fasting men and fasting women, and men who safeguard their private parts and women who safeguard [theirs], and men who remember God often and women who remember [Him]-for [all of] them God has prepared forgiveness and a splendid wage.
* No believing man nor any believing woman should exercise any choice in their affair once God and His messenger have decided upon some matter. Anyone who disobeys God and His messenger has wandered off into manifest error.
* Thus you told someone whom God had favored and whom you yourself have favo