9 Repentance -Al-Tawba
[9.1] An acquittal from Allah and His Messenger to the
idolaters with whom you have made agreements;
[9.2] 'For four months you shall journey freely in the
land. But know that you shall not render Allah incapable, and that Allah will
humiliate the unbelievers. '
[9.3] A proclamation from Allah and His Messenger, to
the people on the day of the Grand Pilgrimage; 'Allah rejects, and His
Messenger (rejects) the idolaters. So if you repent, that will be better for
you; but if you turn your backs, know that you cannot frustrate Allah. And give
glad tidings to the unbelievers of a painful punishment,
[9.4] except those idolaters who have fully honored
their treaties with you and aided none against you. With these fulfill your
covenant till their term. Surely, Allah loves the righteous.
[9.5] When the sacred months are over, slay the
idolaters wherever you find them. Take them and confine them, then lie in
ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and establish the prayer and pay the
obligatory charity, let them go their way. Allah is Forgiving and the Most
Merciful.
[9.6] If an idolater seeks asylum with you, give him
protection in order that he hears the Word of Allah, and then convey him to his
place of safety, because they are a nation who do not know.
[9.7] How can the idolaters have any treaty with Allah
and His Messenger, except those with whom you have made treaties by the Sacred
Mosque? So long as they are straight with you, so be straight with them. Allah
loves the righteous.
[9.8] How? If they prevail against you they will
respect neither agreements nor ties of kindred. They satisfy you with their
tongues, but their hearts are averse; and most of them are wicked.
[9.9] They sell the verses of Allah for a small price
and bar others from His Path. Evil is what they have been doing.
[9.10] They honor with the believers neither bonds nor
treaties. Such are the transgressors.
[9.11] If they repent and establish the prayer and pay
the obligatory charity, they shall become your brothers in the religion. So We
make plain Our verses for a nation that knows.
[9.12] But if, after coming to terms with you, they
break their oaths and revile your belief, fight the leaders of the disbelief
for they have no oaths in order that they will desist.
[9.13] Will you not fight against those who have broken
their oaths and conspired to expel the Messenger? They were the first to attack
you. Do you fear them? Surely, Allah has better rights that you fear Him, if
you are believers.
[9.14] Fight them, Allah will punish them with your
hands and degrade them. He will grant you victory over them and heal the chests
of a believing nation.
[9.15] He will take away all anger from their hearts:
Allah turns to whomsoever He will. Allah is Knowing, Wise.
[9.16] Did you suppose that you would be left before
Allah has known those of you who fought and did not take a confidant other than
Allah, His Messenger, and the believers? Allah is Aware of what you do.
[9.17] Idolaters should not inhabit the mosques of
Allah bearing witness against themselves with disbelief. Those, their deeds
have been annulled, and in the Fire they shall live for ever.
[9.18] None should inhabit the mosques of Allah except
those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish their prayers and pay
the obligatory charity, and fear none except Allah. May these be among the
guided.
[9.19] Do you consider giving drink to the pilgrims and
inhabiting the Sacred Mosque is the same as one who believes in Allah and the
Last Day, and struggles in the Way of Allah? These are not held equal by Allah.
Allah does not guide the harmdoers.
[9.20] Those who believe, and migrated, and struggle in
the Way of Allah with their wealth and their persons are greater in rank with
Allah. It is they who are the winners.
[9.21] Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from
Him, and pleasure; for them await gardens in which there is eternal bliss.
[9.22] where they shall live for ever. The wage with
Allah is great indeed.
[9.23] Believers, do not take your fathers or your
brothers for a guide if they love disbelief rather than belief. Whosoever of
you takes them for guides are the harmdoers.
[9.24] Say: 'If your fathers, your sons, your brothers,
your wives, your tribes, the property you have acquired, the merchandise you
fear will not be sold, and the homes you love, are dearer to you than Allah,
His Messenger and the struggling for His Way, then wait until Allah shall bring
His command. Allah does not guide the evildoers. '
[9.25] Allah has helped you on many a battlefield. In the
[9.26] Then, Allah caused His tranquility (sechina) to
descend upon His Messenger and the believers; He sent legions you did not see
and sternly punished the unbelievers. Such is the recompense of the
unbelievers.
[9.27] Yet thereafter, Allah turns to whom He will. He
is the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
[9.28] Believers, the idolaters are unclean. Do not let
them approach the Sacred Mosque after this year. If you fear poverty, Allah, if
He wills, will enrich you through His bounty. He is Knowing, Wise.
[9.29] Fight those who neither believe in Allah nor the
Last Day, who do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and do
not embrace the religion of the truth, being among those who have been given
the Book (Bible and the Torah), until they pay tribute out of hand and have
been humiliated.
[9.30] The Jews say Ezra is the son of Allah, while the
Christians (who follow Paul) say the Messiah is the son of Allah. Such are
their assertions, by which they imitate those who disbelieved before. Allah
fights them! How perverted are they!
[9.31] They take their rabbis and monks as lords
besides Allah, and the Messiah, son of Mary, though they were ordered to
worship but one God, there is no god except He. Exalted is He above that they
associate with Him!
[9.
32] They desire to extinguish the Light of
Allah with their mouths; but Allah seeks only to perfect His Light, though the
unbelievers hate it.
[9.33] It is He who has sent forth His Messenger with
guidance and the religion of truth to uplift it above every religion, no matter
how much the idolaters hate it.
[9.34] Believers, many are the rabbis and monks who in
falsehood defraud people of their possessions and bar people from the Path of
Allah. Give glad tidings of a painful punishment to those who treasure gold and
silver and do not spend it in the Way of Allah.
[9.35] On that Day they (the treasures) will be heated
in the fire of Gehenna (Hell), and their foreheads, sides, and backs will be
branded with them, and told: 'These are the things which you have treasured.
Taste then that which you were treasuring! '
[9.36] The number of the months, with Allah, is twelve
in the Book of Allah, the day when He created the heavens and the earth; of
these, four are sacred. That is the right religion. Therefore, do not wrong
yourselves in them and fight against the unbelievers all together as they
themselves fight against you all together; know that Allah is with the
cautious.
[9.37] The postponement of sacred months is an increase
in disbelief in which the unbelievers are misguided. They allow it one year and
forbid it another year, so that they can make up for the months that Allah has
sanctified so making lawful what Allah has forbidden. Their foul acts seem fair
to them Allah does not guide the unbelievers.
[9.38] Believers, why is it that when it is said to you:
'March in the Way of Allah, ' you linger with heaviness in the land? Are you
content with this life rather than the Everlasting Life? Yet the enjoyment of
this life in (comparison to) the Everlasting Life is little.
[9.39] If you do not go forth, He will punish you with
a painful punishment and replace you by another nation. You will in no way harm
Him; for Allah has power over all things.
[9.40] If you do not help him, Allah will help him as
He helped him when he was driven out with one other (Abu Bakr) by the
unbelievers. When the two were in the cave, he said to his companion: 'Do not
sorrow, Allah is with us. ' Then Allah caused His tranquility (shechina) to
descend upon him and supported him with legions (of angels) you did not see,
and He made the word of the unbelievers the lowest, and the Word of Allah is
the highest. Allah is Mighty, Wise.
[9.41] Whether lightly or heavily, march on and fight
for the Way of Allah, with your wealth and your persons. This will be best for
you, if you but knew.
[9.42] Had the gain been immediate or the journey easy,
they would have followed you; but the distance seemed far to them. Yet they
will swear by Allah: 'Had we been able, we would have gone out with you. ' They
bring destruction upon their souls. Allah knows that they are lying.
[9.43] Allah has forgiven you! Why did you give them
leave (to stay behind) until it was clear to you which of them was truthful and
knew those who lied?
[9.44] Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day will
not ask your permission so that they may struggle with their wealth and their
selves. Allah knows best the righteous.
[9.45] Only those who ask your permission do not
believe in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are filled with doubt. And
in their doubt, they waiver.
[9.46] Had they intended to set forth with you, they
would have prepared themselves for it. But Allah did not like their going forth
and held them back, and it was said: 'Stay back with those who stay back. '
[9.47] Had they gone forth among you, they would only
have increased your burden, and run to and fro in your midst, seeking to stir
up sedition between you; and some of you would listen to them; and Allah knows
the harmdoers.
[9.48] Beforehand they had already sought to stir up
sedition, and turned things upside down for you, until the truth came, and the
command of Allah appeared, although they were averse.
[9.49] Among them are some that say: 'Give us leave and
do not expose us to temptation. ' Surely, they have already succumbed to
temptation. Gehenna shall encompass the unbelievers.
[9.50] If good comes to you, it grieves them; but if
hardship befalls you, they say: 'We have taken our precautions, ' and they turn
away, rejoicing.
[9.51] Say: 'Nothing will befall us except what Allah
has ordained. He is our Guardian. In Allah, let the believers put their trust.
'
[9.52] Say: 'Are you waiting for anything to befall us
except one of the two excellent things (victory or martyrdom)? We are waiting
for the punishment of Allah to smite you, either from Him or at our hands. Wait
if you will, we are waiting. '
[9.53] Say: 'Whether you spend voluntarily or
reluctantly it shall not be accepted from you; for you are a wicked nation. '
[9.54] Nothing prevents their offerings from being
accepted except that they do not believe in Allah and His Messenger. They do
not come to the prayer except lazily and spend grudgingly.
[9.55] Let neither their wealth nor their children
please you. Through these Allah seeks to punish them in this life, and that
their souls depart while they are unbelievers.
[9.56] They swear by Allah that they belong with you,
yet they are not of you. They are a nation that are afraid.
[9.57] If they could find a shelter or caverns, or any
place to creep into they will turn stampeding to it.
[9.58] There are some among them who find fault with
you concerning the distribution of alms. If a share is given to them they are
contented, but if they receive nothing then they are angry.
[9.59] Would that they were wellpleased with what Allah
and His Messenger have given them, and would say: 'Allah is sufficient for us.
Allah will provide for us from His abundance, and so will His Messenger. To
Allah, we hope. '
[9.60] The obligatory charity shall be only for the
poor and the needy, and for those who work to collect it, and to influence
hearts (to belief), for ransoming captives, and debtors in the Way of Allah and
the destitute traveler. It is an obligation from Allah. Allah is Knowing, Wise.
[9.61] And there are others among them who hurt the
Prophet saying: 'He lends an ear (to everything). ' Say: 'He lends an ear of
good for you; he believes in Allah and trusts the believers, and he is a mercy
to the believers among you. Those who hurt the Messenger of Allah for them
there is a painful punishment. '
[9.62] They swear in the Name of Allah in order to
please you. But it is more just that they should please Allah and His Messenger
if they are believers.
[9.63] Are they not aware that whosoever opposes Allah
and His Messenger shall live for ever in the Fire of Gehenna? That surely is
the greatest degradation.
[9.64] The hypocrites are afraid lest a chapter be sent
down against them telling them what is in their hearts. Say: 'Mock if you will;
Allah will surely bring forth what you are fearing. '
[9.65] If you question them, they will say: 'We were
only plunging and playing. ' Say: 'Were you mocking Allah, His verses, and His
Messenger?
[9.66] Do not make excuses. You have disbelieved after
you believed. If we forgive some of you, We will punish others, for they were
sinners. '
[9.67] Be they men or women, the hypocrites are all
alike. They order what is evil, forbid what is just, and tighten their purse
strings. They forsook Allah, so Allah forsook them. Surely, the hypocrites are
evildoers.
[9.68] Allah has promised the hypocrites, both men and
women, and the unbelievers the Fire of Gehenna. They shall live in it for ever.
It is sufficient for them. Allah has cursed them and for them is a lasting
punishment.
[9.69] You are like those before you. They were
stronger than you in might, and had greater riches and more children. They took
enjoyment in their share, so do you take enjoyment in your share as those
before you took enjoyment in their share. You have plunged as they plunged.
Those, their works are annulled, failed in this world and in the Everlasting
Life, those, they are the losers.
[9.70] Have they not heard the news of those who have
gone before them? The news of the nations of Noah, Aad and Thamood, of
Abraham's nation, and the people of Midian and the ruined cities? Their
Messengers showed them clear signs. Allah did not harm them, but they harmed
themselves.
[9.71] The believers, both men and women, are guides to
each other. They order what is just and forbid what is evil; they establish
their prayers and pay the obligatory charity and obey Allah and His Messenger.
On these Allah will have mercy. He is Mighty, Wise.
[9.72] Allah has promised the believing men and women
gardens underneath which rivers flow, in which they shall live for ever. Goodly
mansions in the Gardens of Eden, and the pleasure from Allah which is greater.
That is the greatest winning.
[9.73] O Prophet, struggle with the unbelievers and the
hypocrites and be harsh with them. Gehenna shall be their refuge an evil
arrival.
[9.74] They swear by Allah that they said nothing. Yet
they did utter the word of disbelief and disbelieved after they had submitted.
They intended what they never attained to, and took revenge only that Allah
enriched them, and His Messenger, of His Bounty. If they repent, it will indeed
be better for them; but if they turn away, Allah will sternly punish them both
in this world and in the Everlasting Life. They have none on earth to protect
or help them.
[9.75] Some of them have made a covenant with Allah,
'If Allah gives to us of His bounty, we will give charity and be of the
righteous. '
[9.76] But when Allah had bestowed His bounty on them they
became greedy and turned away, swerving aside.
[9.77] He has caused hypocrisy to be in their hearts
till the Day they meet Him, because they have changed what they promised Allah
and because they were liars.
[9.78] Did they not know that Allah knows their secret
and what they conspire together, and that Allah knows all the unseen?
[9.79] As for those who taunt the believers who give
charity voluntarily, and scoff at those who give according to their means,
Allah will scoff at them. Theirs shall be a painful punishment.
[9.80] (It is the same) whether or not you beg
forgiveness for them. If you beg forgiveness for them seventy times Allah will
not forgive them, for they have disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger. Allah
does not guide the evildoers.
[9.81] Those who were left behind were glad that they
were left behind by the Messenger of Allah, for they disliked to struggle in
the Way of Allah with their wealth and their persons. They said: 'Do not go
forth in the heat. ' Say: 'The Fire of Gehenna is more hot! ' Would that they
understood!
[9.82] They shall laugh but little and shed many tears.
So shall they be recompensed for their earnings.
[9.83] If Allah brings you back to a party of them and
they ask permission to march with you, say: 'You shall never march with me, nor
shall you fight with me against any enemy. You were pleased to remain on the
first occasion, therefore, you shall now stay with those who remain behind. '
[9.84] You shall never pray over any one of them when
he is dead, nor stand over his tomb. For they disbelieved in Allah and His
Messenger and died whilst they were sinners.
[9.85] Let neither their riches nor their children
please you. With it Allah wants to punish them in this life, so that their
souls depart while they disbelieve.
[9.86] Whenever a chapter is sent down, saying:
'Believe in Allah and struggle with His Messenger, ' the rich among them asked
you to excuse them, saying: 'Leave us with those who are to stay behind. '
[9.87] They were content to be with those who stayed
behind, a seal was set upon their hearts, so they do not understand.
[9.88] But the Messenger and those who believed with
him struggled with their wealth and their selves For them awaits goodness and
those are the winners.
[9.89] Allah has prepared for them gardens underneath
which rivers flow, in which they shall live for ever. That is the greatest
winning.
[9.90] Some Arabs of the desert who had an excuse came
asking permission to stay behind; whilst those who belied Allah and His
Messenger remained behind. A painful punishment shall fall on those of them
that disbelieved.
[9.91] There is no fault for the weak, the sick, and
those lacking the means to spend (to stay behind), if they are true to Allah
and His Messenger. There is no way against the righteous; Allah is Forgiving,
the Most Merciful.
[9.92] Nor shall those who came to you to be provided
with mounts. And when you said: 'I can find no mounts for you, ' they turned
back, their eyes streaming with tears grieving that they could not find the
means to spend.
[9.93] But the blame is to be laid on those who asked
permission of you whilst they are rich. They are content to remain with those
who stay behind. Allah has set a seal upon their hearts so they do not know.
[9.94] When you return, they will apologize to you.
Say: 'Make no excuses; we will not believe you. Allah has already told us of
your news. Surely, Allah and His Messenger will see your work; then you will be
returned to the Knower of the unseen and the visible, and He will inform you of
what you were doing. '
[9.95] When you return to them, they will swear to you
by Allah that you might turn aside from them. Let them alone, they are unclean.
Gehenna shall be their refuge, a recompense for their earnings.
[9.96] They will swear to you in order to please you.
But if you will be pleased with them, Allah will not be pleased with the
evildoing nation.
[9.97] The Bedouin Arabs surpass (the city dwellers) in
disbelief and hypocrisy, and are more likely not to know the bounds that Allah
has sent down to His Messenger. But Allah is Knowing, Wise.
[9.98] Some Arabs (Banu Asad and Ghatfan tribes) regard
what they spend as a (compulsory) fine and wait for some misfortune to befall
you. Theirs shall be the evil turn! Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
[9.99] Yet there are some Arabs (Juhaina and Muszaina
tribes) who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and regard what they spend as a
means of bringing them close to Allah and to the prayers of the Messenger.
Indeed, they are an offering for them; Allah will admit them to His Mercy. He
is Forgiving, Merciful.
[9.100] As for the first outstrippers among the
migrants and supporters and those who followed them in doing good, Allah is
pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. He has prepared for them
gardens underneath which rivers flow, where they shall live for ever. That is
the greatest winning.
[9.101] Some of the Bedouin Arabs around you are
hypocrites, and so are some of the people of Madinah who are well versed in
hypocrisy. You do not know them, but We do. Twice We will punish them then they
shall return to a mighty punishment.
[9.102] There are others who have confessed their sins;
they intermixed good deeds with another evil. It may be that Allah will turn
towards them in mercy. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[9.103] Take charity from their wealth, in order that
they are thereby cleansed and purified, and pray for them; for your prayer is a
comforting mercy for them. Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
[9.104] Do they not know that Allah accepts the
repentance of His worshipers and takes their charity, and that Allah is the
Forgiving, the Merciful?
[9.105] Say: 'Allah will see your works and so will His
Messenger and the believers; then you shall be returned to the Knower of the
unseen and the visible, and He will inform you of what you were doing. '
[9.106] There are others who must wait for the Commandment
of Allah. He will either punish or turn towards them. And Allah is Knowing,
Wise.
[9.107] And there are those who have taken a mosque to
cause harm, disbelief, and to divide the believers, and as a place of ambush
for those who fought Allah and His Messenger before. They swear: 'We desired
nothing but good', but Allah bears witness that they are liars.
[9.108] You shall never stand there. A mosque founded
upon piety from the first day is worthier for you to stand in. In it are men
who love to purify themselves. Allah loves those who purify themselves.
[9.109] Is he who founds his building on the fear of
Allah and His pleasure, better or he who founds his building on the brink of a
crumbling edge so that it will tumble with him into the Fire of Gehenna? Allah
does not guide the harmdoers.
[9.110] The buildings they have built will always cause
doubt in their hearts, unless their hearts are torn into pieces. Allah is
Knowing, Wise.
[9.111] Allah has purchased from the believers their
selves and possessions, and for them is
[9.112] Those who repent, those who worship Allah and
praise (Him); those who journey, those who bow, those who prostrate themselves;
those who order righteousness and forbid evil, and those who observe the limits
of Allah give glad tidings to the believers.
[9.113] It is not for the Prophet or the believers to
ask forgiveness for idolaters, even though they are near kindred, after it has
become clear that they are the inhabitants of Hell.
[9.114] Abraham only asked for forgiveness for his
father because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him
that he was an enemy of Allah, he declared himself quit of him. Surely, Abraham
was earnest in his supplication and tenderhearted.
[9.115] Nor will Allah lead a nation astray after He
has given them guidance until He has made clear to them all that they should
guard against. Allah has knowledge of all things.
[9.116] Indeed, to Allah belong the kingdom of the
heavens and the earth; He gives life and causes death. Other than Allah, you
have neither a guardian nor a helper.
[9.117] In the hour of adversity, Allah turned (in
mercy) to the Prophet, the Emigrants (of
[9.118] And to the three who were left behind (at the
[9.119] Believers, fear Allah and stand with the
truthful.
[9.120] The people of Madinah and the Arabs who dwell
around them have no cause to stay behind the Messenger of Allah, or to prefer
their lives to his. They are neither stricken by thirst, nor by tiredness, nor
yet by hunger in the Way of Allah, nor do they take steps that anger the
unbelievers, nor gain any gain from an enemy, but that it is counted as a
righteous deed. Allah does not waste the wage of the gooddoers.
[9.121] Each sum they spend, be it small or large, and
each valley they cross is written to their account, so that Allah may
recompense them for their best deeds.
[9.122] The believers should not go forth altogether,
rather, a party from each section should go forth to become well versed in the
religion, and when they return to their people warn them in order that they may
beware.
[9.123] Believers, fight the unbelievers who are near
you. Let them find firmness in you. Know that Allah is with those who are
cautious.
[9.124] . Whenever a chapter is sent down to you, some
ask: 'Which of you has it increased in belief? ' It will surely increase the
belief of the believers and they are joyful.
[9.125] As for those whose hearts are diseased, they
will be increased in filth added to their filth, so that they die as
unbelievers.
[9.126] Do they not see how once or twice every year
they are tried? Yet still they neither repent nor remember.
[9.127] Whenever a chapter is sent down, they glance at
each other, (asking): 'Does anyone see you? ' Then they turn away. Allah has
turned away their hearts, for they are a nation who do not understand.
[9.128] Indeed, there has come to you a Messenger from
your own, he grieves for your suffering, and is anxious about you, and is gentle,
merciful to the believers.
[9.129] Therefore, if they turn away, say: 'Allah is
sufficient for me. There is no god except He. In Him I have put my trust. He is
the Lord of the Mighty Throne. '