English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah
Ayah (14-19)
“Have you not seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful? They neither belong to you nor to them, and they swear falsely while they know.” [Q58:14]
“Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Evil indeed is what they used to do.” [Q58:15]
“They have taken their oaths as a shield; thus, they turn others away from the path of Allah. For them is a disgracing torment.” [Q58:16]
“Neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them anything against Allah. They are the inhabitants of the Fire; therein they shall abide.” [Q58:17]
“On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all, they shall swear to Him as they swear to you, thinking that they are upon something. Indeed, they are the liars.”58:18]
“Satan has taken control of them and caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Satan. Verily, the party of Satan shall be the losers.” [Q58:19]
Relationship with the Preceding Part
In the preceding section, the believers were commanded to offer charity before engaging in private consultation with the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). However, this command was burdensome for some of the companions. Subsequently, Allah forgave them and permitted private consultation with the Messenger without the requirement of charity.
This section then addresses the condition of certain hypocrites who befriended the Jews and disclosed the secrets of the believers to them. These hypocrites belonged neither to the believers nor to the Jews; rather, they fluctuated between both sides, as described in the following ayah:
“Wavering all the time—not with these nor with those. And whomever Allah leads astray, you shall never find for him a way.” [Q4:143]
Tafsir
“Have you not seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful? They neither belong to you nor to them, and they swear falsely while they know.” [Q 58:14]
The interrogative form in this ayah expresses amazement at the condition of the hypocrites, who have taken the Jews as allies and conveyed to them the news of the believers.
The people against whom Allah is wrathful are the Jews.
This ayah eloquently portrays the state of the hypocrites who secretly befriend the Jews. They used to relay the secrets of the Muslims to them—an astonishing behavior, as they neither belong to the Jews nor to the Muslims. Therefore, Allah—Exalted be He—is wrathful against them.
Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him, said regarding this ayah: “Have you seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful?”—they are the hypocrites who take the Jews as allies.”
They neither belong to you nor to them, and they swear falsely while they know.
By allying themselves with the Jews, the hypocrites have excluded themselves from the believers, yet they do not truly belong to the Jews either. In reality, the hypocrites possess neither a consistent creed nor a defined ideology.
The hypocrites not only convey the secrets of the believers to the Jews, but also habitually swear falsely—despite knowing they are lying.
“Have you not seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful? They neither belong to you nor to them, and they swear falsely while they know.” [Q58:14]
It is reported that the following narration relates to the cause of the revelation of this ayah:
Abdul Allah Bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “The Messenger Muhammad said, ‘A man will come to you who looks with Satan’s eye, or Satan’s eyes.’ Then a man with blue skin came. The Messenger said to him, ‘Why do you insult me?’ The man continued to swear, claiming that he had not insulted the Messenger. Then Allah, Exalted be He, revealed: ‘And they swear falsely while they know.’”
“Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Evil indeed is what they used to do.” [Q58:15]
Allah, Exalted be He, has prepared for the hypocrites—those who befriend the Jews and swear falsely—a severe punishment in the Hereafter. Indeed, they committed evil deeds in worldly life by deceiving the Muslims and allying themselves with the Jews.
“They have taken their oaths as a shield; thus, they turn others away from the path of Allah. For them is a disgracing torment.” [Q58:16]
This ayah highlights another reprehensible characteristic of the hypocrites.
The hypocrites used their false oaths—swearing to the Muslims that they were among them—as a means of protection from punishment. In doing so, they deceived those unaware of their true intentions and led them away from the path of Allah and His religion, Islam. Their punishment will be severe; for them is a humiliating torment that Allah has prepared.
“Neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them anything against Allah. They are the inhabitants of the Fire; therein they shall abide.” [Q58:17]
This ayah refutes the claims of the hypocrites, who asserted that they would not be punished because they were wealthier than the Muslims and had more children.
Their wealth and children will be of no benefit to them against Allah’s punishment on the Day of Judgment. They will be the inhabitants of Hell, in which they will remain, suffering its severe torment.
Muqatil said: “The hypocrites say, ‘Muhammad claims that he can help people on the Day of Judgment. By Allah, we shall help ourselves with our children and wealth on the Day of Judgment.”
“On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all, they shall swear to Him as they swear to you, thinking that they are upon something. Indeed, they are the liars.”58:18]
This ayah describes the condition of the hypocrites on the Day of Judgment. It states that they will attempt to use false oaths to shield themselves against Allah’s punishment, just as they did in worldly life.
On that Day, Allah—Exalted be He—will raise the hypocrites for reckoning and recompense for their deeds. They will falsely swear to Allah, affirming that they were Muslims, just as they used to do in this life to avoid His severe punishment.
Due to their ignorance and lack of insight, they believe that such false oaths will benefit them and protect them from the punishment of Allah. Indeed, they are liars—those who have reached the highest level of falsehood.
In other words, the hypocrites used to make false oaths in worldly life to deceive the Muslims into believing that they were true believers. They did so to protect themselves from any consequences that might befall them. Their delusion reaches such an extent that they believe they can deceive Allah—Exalted be He—on the Day of Judgment with the same false oaths to avoid His punishment.
It is not surprising that the hypocrites swore falsely to the Muslims, as human beings cannot know what lies within the hearts. In this way, the hypocrites managed to protect themselves and secure worldly benefits. What is astonishing, however, is that they will repeat this behavior before Allah, Who knows both the hidden and the manifest, even though such oaths will be of no benefit to them against His punishment.
Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him, said regarding the ayah: “Then they shall swear to Him, as they swear to you, and think they are upon something. Indeed, they are the liars!”—the hypocrite will falsely swear to Allah on the Day of Judgment just as he used to swear to his companions in worldly life.”
“Satan has taken control of them and caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Satan. Verily, the party of Satan shall be the losers.” [Q58:19]
This ayah identifies the underlying reason that led the hypocrites to persist in their wickedness and hypocrisy.
Satan gained control over them, prompting them to follow his incitement and provocation. They came under his influence and became obedient to his commands. As a result, they forgot the remembrance of Allah and that He will hold them accountable for all their deeds on the Day of Judgment. Consequently, they lived their lives neglecting what would bring them happiness in the Hereafter and instead pursued that which would lead to their ultimate loss and ruin.
Verily, the party of Satan shall be the losers.
Those who possess such attributes are the party of Satan—his followers and soldiers. Indeed, the party of Satan shall be the losers, for they preferred the fleeting life of this world over the enduring life of the Hereafter.
Key Lessons from Surah Al-Mujadilah, Ayat (14–19)
• Islam prohibits forming friendly relationships with the enemies of Islam or disclosing to them the secrets of the Muslims.
• The hypocrites belong neither to the Jews nor to the Muslims; rather, they waver between the two groups.
• Severe punishment awaits the hypocrites on the Day of Judgment due to their wickedness and evil deeds.
• The hypocrites use false oaths as a means of protection from punishment. However, they will suffer humiliation and disgrace because of their despicable actions.
• Neither wealth nor children will avail the hypocrites on the Day of Judgment.
• The hypocrites believe that false oaths will benefit them on the Day of Judgment, just as they did in worldly life. However, they are mistaken; such oaths will not protect them from Allah’s punishment.
• Satan has gained control over the hypocrites and caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah, which will lead to their loss in the Hereafter.
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