All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. 59:1
It is He Who expelled those who disbelieved among the People of the Book from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think they would leave, and they thought their fortresses would protect them from Allah. But Allah came upon them from where they did not expect, and He cast terror into their hearts. They destroyed their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So take heed, O you who have insight. 59:2
Had Allah not decreed exile for them, He would have punished them in this world. And in the Hereafter, theirs shall be the torment of the Fire. 59:3
That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. Whoever opposes Allah—indeed, Allah is severe in punishment. 59:4
Whatever palm trees you cut down or left standing on their roots, it was by Allah’s permission, so that He might disgrace the transgressors. 59:5
Tafsir
All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. 59:1
All that exists in the heavens and the earth glorifies and praises Allah, for He is free from all imperfections and defects. Allah is All-Mighty and All-Wise in His words and deeds. He is All-Powerful, taking revenge on wrongdoers and oppressors, and He manages all affairs with perfect wisdom.
It is He Who expelled those who disbelieved among the People of the Book from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think they would leave, and they thought their fortresses would protect them from Allah. But Allah came upon them from where they did not expect, and He cast terror into their hearts. They destroyed their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So take heed, O you who have insight. 59:2
Historical Background
• The phrase “those who disbelieved among the People of the Book” refers to the Jews of Banu An-Nadir, according to the opinion of Ibn ‘Abbas, Mujahid, al-Zuhri, and others.
• When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) arrived in Madinah, he made a treaty with them stating that neither side would fight the other.
• However, Banu An-Nadir broke this covenant. As a result, Allah’s decree—inevitable and inescapable—was carried out against them.
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) expelled them from their strong fortresses, which the Muslims had never expected to possess.
• The Jews believed their fortresses would protect them from Allah’s punishment, but nothing could save them from His command, which reached them in a way they did not anticipate.
• Some of them were exiled to ash-Sham, the land of gathering and resurrection on the Day of Judgment, while others went to Khaybar, an oasis near Madinah.
• They were expelled on the condition that they could take only what their camels could carry. Consequently, they destroyed whatever property and possessions they could not take.
Allah says in the Quran:
They destroyed their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So take heed, O you who have insight.
This means: O people of understanding, reflect on the outcome of those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and reject the Quran. They will face humiliation in this world and severe punishment in the Hereafter .
It is He Who expelled those who disbelieved among the People of the Book from their homes at the first gathering.
Allah, Exalted be He, decreed the expulsion of those who disbelieved among the People of the Book, namely the Jews of Banu An-Nadir, from their homes at the first gathering. The Jews made an agreement with Messenger Muhammad that he would grant safety to them, their wives, and children, and allow them to take whatever their camels could carry from their wealth, on the condition that they would leave their homes along with any remaining property. The Messenger of Allah accepted their request. Thus, the Jews of Banu An-Nadir departed from their homes; some went to Ash-Sham, while others settled in Khaybar.
The expression “the first gathering” refers to the first gathering of the Jews in this worldly life, namely when they were expelled to Ash-Sham .
The ayah states that Allah was the One Who expelled them, even though the believers participated in driving them out by besieging them. This is because the primary cause of their expulsion was the fear that Allah cast into their hearts, whereas the siege by the believers was only a secondary cause.
The Jews are described as disbelievers in this ayah because they rejected Messenger Muhammad, even though they were commanded in their Scriptures to believe in him. This indicates their denial of the truth and their persistence in following the path of misguidance.
You did not think they would leave….
The believers did not think that the Jews would leave their homes and wealth. This was because they were wealthy and strong, possessing large and fortified fortresses. Moreover, they had allies among the inhabitants of Al-Madinah who were ready to defend them against any aggression.
And they thought their fortresses would protect them from Allah.
The Jews believed that their strong fortresses would protect them from the punishment of Allah and that they would not suffer any hardship. It was reported that Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul and some hypocrites sent a messenger to the Jews after the Messenger of Allah besieged them, encouraging them to remain firm in their fortresses and promising them support and defense. This, however, was a false promise .
But Allah came upon them from where they did not expect, and He cast terror into their hearts. They destroyed their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers.
The believers thought that the Jews would not leave their homes, and the Jews thought that their wealth and fortresses would protect them from Allah’s punishment. However, Allah’s punishment came upon them from where they had not expected. Allah cast terror into their hearts, which compelled them to demolish their houses with their own hands to deprive the believers of any benefit from them. They dismantled parts of their homes, removing useful items such as doors and windows. Their houses were also demolished by the believers, who destroyed anything that obstructed their way during the assault against the Jews.
In other words, Allah’s punishment came upon them unexpectedly and at a time they did not anticipate. Thus, they departed from their homes after demolishing them with their own hands and with the hands of the believers.
So take heed, O you who have insight.
O you who possess insight, take heed and learn from the punishment that befell the Jews of Banu An-Nadir. Allah, Exalted be He, severely punished them when they disobeyed His commands and betrayed the Messenger after making a covenant with him. Allah is All-Powerful and will punish anyone who persists in disobedience and insists on following the path of misguidance.
Had Allah not decreed exile for them, He would have punished them in this world. And in the Hereafter, theirs shall be the torment of the Fire. 59:3
Had Allah not decreed the exile of the Jews from their homes, He would have punished them in this world. However, Allah decreed that they would be expelled from their homes for a wisdom known only to Him. This might have been to allow the believers to take their houses and property without shedding blood and without exposing the believers to the danger of fighting.
Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said regarding this ayah: “And had Allah not decreed the exile for them, He would have punished them in this world.” He explained that the Messenger of Allah besieged the Jews until they were exhausted. Consequently, they agreed to submit to his judgment. Then the Messenger of Allah made a covenant with them to spare their lives and allow them to leave their homes and lands on the condition that they would only carry what their camels could bear .
And in the Hereafter, theirs shall be the torment of the Fire.
On the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers among the Jews will suffer severe and eternal punishment in the Fire of Hell.
The reason for expelling the Jews of Banu An-Nadir from their homes was that the Messenger of Allah went to them with some of his companions to request their assistance in paying blood money for two men killed by mistake by a Muslim. The Jews had previously made a covenant with the Messenger of Allah to assist him in paying blood money if needed. Outwardly, they pretended to offer help, but secretly, they conspired to kill him.
The Messenger of Allah was sitting beside a wall of one of their houses when they planned to drop a large stone upon him. Allah, Exalted be He, informed His Messenger of their plot. The Prophet then left their dwellings and returned to Al-Madinah. He subsequently prepared himself and the believers to confront them. He returned to the Jews and commanded them to leave their homes and depart from Al-Madinah .
That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. Whoever opposes Allah—indeed, Allah is severe in punishment. 59:4
Allah, Exalted be He, punished the Jews of Banu An-Nadir severely and drove them from their homes because they opposed Allah and His Messenger Muhammad. They disbelieved in the revelation that Allah sent down to His Messenger, even though they knew from their own Scriptures that Allah would send him as His Messenger. They also conspired to kill the Messenger of Allah. Indeed, whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger will face severe punishment. Truly, Allah’s painful torment will befall those who disobey His commands and persist in following the path of misguidance.
Whatever palm trees you cut down or left standing on their roots, it was by Allah’s permission, so that He might disgrace the transgressors. 59:5
This ayah provides reassurance to the believers who participated in cutting down the palm trees of the Jews of Banu An-Nadir and destroying their houses.
This ayah was revealed when the Messenger of Allah commanded the believers to cut and burn the palm trees of Banu An-Nadir. In response, the Jews said to the Messenger of Allah: “You used to forbid and criticize making mischief on the earth. Why do you cut and burn our palm trees?” Thereupon, Allah, Exalted be He, revealed: “Whatever palm trees you cut down or left standing on their roots, it was by the leave of Allah…” The ayah makes clear that what the Messenger of Allah cut or left standing was by Allah’s command.
Mujahid said regarding this ayah: “Some emigrants forbade some believers from cutting the palm trees, saying that these trees were considered spoils of war for the Muslims. Then, a Quranic revelation came affirming both views—that of those who prohibited cutting them and that of those who considered it permissible. It confirms that cutting or leaving the trees was by the leave of Allah .”
Whatever palm trees you cut down or left standing on their roots, it was by Allah’s permission, so that He might disgrace the transgressors. 59:5
O believers, do not dispute about cutting or burning the palm trees of Banu An-Nadir. Whoever cut any palm trees has not sinned, and whoever did not cut any trees has not sinned, because both actions were by Allah’s permission and both were beneficial.
Those who cut the palm trees of Banu An-Nadir performed an act that enraged the enemy and forced them to surrender. Those who refrained from cutting the trees also did something beneficial, as the remaining trees would be of use to the believers.
And that He might disgrace the transgressors.
Allah, Exalted be He, made cutting and leaving the palm trees lawful for the believers in order to disgrace the transgressors—namely, the Jews of Banu An-Nadir, their allies, and anyone who follows their example.
The intended meaning is to comfort the believers so that they would not feel distressed about what happened to the palm trees of Banu An-Nadir and so that they would not dispute over which course of action was correct after knowing Allah’s ruling on this matter.
Lessons Learned from Surah Al-Hashr (Ayahs 1–5)
• All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah and affirms that He is free from any imperfection.
• The Jews were gathered and expelled from their homes twice in this worldly life by the command of Allah. The first time was when they were expelled from Al-Madinah to Ash-Sham. The second time was when Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, expelled them from Khaybar to Ash-Sham. They were driven from their homes because of their disbelief in the Oneness of Allah and their violation of covenants with the Muslims. They will also be gathered on the Day of Judgment for reckoning, just as all people will be.
• The expulsion of the Jews of Banu An-Nadir from Al-Madinah and Khaybar was unexpected because of their strength, the security of their fortresses, and their unity. However, Allah’s punishment came upon them from where they did not expect, and He cast terror into their hearts.
• Because of the great terror that the Jews of Banu An-Nadir experienced when leaving their homes, they destroyed their houses with their own hands so that the Muslims would not benefit from them. The Muslims also destroyed their homes when they attacked their fortresses. This was done to establish the religion of Allah, honor His Messenger, elevate the rank of the Muslims, and humiliate those who spread corruption on earth.
• Destroying the houses of enemies and cutting their trees is permissible in times of war when it serves the interest of the Muslims and brings benefit to them.
• The expulsion of the Jews of Banu An-Nadir from their homes and lands is a lesson for those who possess insight. It demonstrates that Allah is All-Powerful and nothing can stand against His will.
• The expulsion of the Jews of Banu An-Nadir was ultimately better for them, for otherwise, they would have faced killing and captivity in this world as the Jews of Banu Qurayza did.
• The Jews of Banu An-Nadir deserved such a severe punishment because they opposed Allah and His Messenger and plotted to kill the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
Practical Lessons
• Trust in Allah’s Decree: No matter how strong the enemy may appear, nothing can withstand Allah’s will. Believers should rely on Allah and remain firm in times of hardship.
• The Importance of Honoring Covenants: Breaking agreements and plotting treachery lead to humiliation and destruction. Upholding trust and fulfilling promises is a fundamental principle in Islam.
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