Sunday, August 24, 2025

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Hashr Ayahs 11-17, Complicity of the Hypocrites and the Jews and Their Recompense

 

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Hashr Ayahs 11-17

Have you not seen those who are hypocrites? They say to their brothers, who disbelieve, among the People of the Book, "If you are expelled, we shall go forth with you and we shall never obey anyone concerning you, and if you are fought against, we shall help you." And Allah bears witness that they are truly liars. 59:11

If they are expelled, they will not go forth with them, and if they are fought against, they will not help them. And if they helped them, they would surely turn their backs in flight, and they would not be helped. 59:12

Truly, you arouse greater fear in their hearts than Allah; that is because they are people who understand not. 59:13

They will not fight against you all together except in fortified cities, or from behind walls. Their enmity among themselves is great. You think that they are united, but their hearts are divided, that is because they are a people who have no sense. 59:14

Like those before them, a short while - they tasted the evil consequence of their conduct, and for them will be painful torment. 59:15

Like Satan, when he said to man, "Disbelieve," then, when he disbelieved, he said, "Surely, I disown you; I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds." 59:16

Their end is that both are in the Fire, abiding therein, and that is the recompense of the wrong-doers. 59:17

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part mentions the fate of Banu an-Nadir and Islamic rulings on the distribution of spoils of war. This part then refers to the suspicious relationship between the hypocrites and the Jews. The hypocrites belonged outwardly to the believers among the inhabitants of al-Madinah; however, they used to support and help the Jews secretly. Thus, they were brothers of the Jews in disbelief and their friends in their enmity against the believers. Such relationships are repeated at all times. We find that those whose beliefs and souls are weak and the traitors among the Muslim nation support and help their enemies. Moreover, some people promise others to help them concerning something, but they forsake them in times of crisis.

Tafsir

Have you not seen those who are hypocrites? They say to their brothers, who disbelieve, among the People of the Book, "If you are expelled, we shall go forth with you and we shall never obey anyone concerning you, and if you are fought against, we shall help you." And Allah bears witness that they are truly liars. 59:11

Have you not seen those who are hypocrites?

This ayah narrates the false statements of the disbelievers and the hypocrites. The address is directed to Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to whoever is eligible to be addressed.

They say to their brothers, who disbelieve, among the People of the Book,

Brotherhood in this ayah means brotherhood in disbelief and disobedience to Allah.

O noble Messenger Muhammad, have you not seen the condition of the hypocrites who outwardly claim that they are believers while they are secretly disbelievers?

When the believers besieged the Jews of Banu an-Nadir, the hypocrites said to their brothers in disbelief in the Oneness of Allah among the Jews, "If you are expelled from your homes, we shall go forth with you. We shall never obey anyone who wants to attack you or intends to prevent us from helping and supporting you. If the Muslims fight against you, we shall help and defend you."

AbdullahIbn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, said, "The hypocrites in the ayah refer to Abdullah Ibn Abi Salul and his companions. "

And Allah bears witness that they are truly liars.

This is a refutation of the claim of the hypocrites. Allah, Exalted be He, bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars in their statement and promise to the Jews of Banu an-Nadir.

Indeed, the Jews knew the falsity of the hypocrites' statement from firsthand experience. The hypocrites did not support the Jews when the Muslims besieged them. Allah cast terror in the hearts of the Jews and asked Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) to let them leave their homes in return for leaving their wealth for the Muslims.

If they are expelled, they will not go forth with them, and if they are fought against, they will not help them. And if they helped them, they would surely turn their backs in flight, and they would not be helped. 59:12

This ayah refutes the false claims of the hypocrites in detail.

If the Muslims expelled the Jews from their homes, the hypocrites would not go forth with them, and if the Muslims fought against the Jews, the hypocrites would not help them. And if the hypocrites helped the Jews, they would surely turn their backs in flight for fear of the Muslims. Then, they would not be helped, and the Jews would not be helped because they both come together to support falsehood, and their hearts are full of cowardliness, weakness, and extreme love for the present life.

In other words, if the hypocrites helped the Jews, they would flee from the battlefield. Then, they would never be helped, and Allah would destroy them. Thus, their hypocrisy would not benefit them at all since their true personality would be unveiled.

In sum, ayahs 11 and 12 describe the hypocrites as being disbelievers, disobedient, allied with the enemies of Islam, breaking their covenants and promises, being cowardly, and liars.

In fact, what happened in reality was identical to what the Quran mentions. The hypocrites did not go forth with the Jews, and they did not help the Jews when they fought against the Muslims.

Truly, you arouse greater fear in their hearts than Allah; that is because they are people who understand not. 59:13

O believers, truly, you arouse greater fear in the hearts of the hypocrites and the Jews than Allah, Who created them, though they must fear Him alone. That is because the hypocrites and the Jews are people who do not understand and do not know the truth. They do not revere Allah as He must be revered, and they do not comprehend the greatness of Allah and His perfect power.

The intended meaning is that the concealed fear in the hearts of the hypocrites and the Jews is known only to Allah, Exalted be He, as they pretend to be powerful before the believers, though they extremely fear the believers.

They will not fight against you all together except in fortified cities, or from behind walls. Their enmity among themselves is great. You think that they are united, but their hearts are divided. That is because they are a people who have no sense. 59:14

This Ayah describes the method adopted by the Jews and the hypocrites when fighting against the believers. They will not fight collectively except from within fortified cities or from behind walls, due to their extreme fear of confronting the believers. They seek any form of protection—such as walls and forts—to shield themselves from attack, and they only engage in battle when forced to do so.

The Ayah further reveals the true nature of the relationship between the Jews and the hypocrites. Although they appear outwardly united, their enmity among themselves is severe, and their hearts are divided. Their intentions and opinions differ because enmity and hatred prevail among them. This division stems from their lack of sense, as they turn away from the path that pleases Allah, exalted be He.

Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him, said regarding this Ayah: “Followers of falsehood are divided. Their testimonies differ, their whims differ, and their deeds differ. They are united only in their enmity against the followers of the truth.”

Like those before them, a short while—they tested the evil consequence of their conduct, and for them will be painful torment. 59:15

This Ayah presents an example illustrating the weakness and insignificance of the enemies of Islam.

The condition of the Jews of Banu An-Nadir and the hypocrites in their stance toward Islam and the believers resembled that of the Jews of Banu Qaynuqa, who were expelled from Al-Madinah earlier because of their betrayal of the Muslims. It was also similar to the condition of the Quraysh tribe, who were defeated at the Battle of Badr at the hands of the Muslims. Both the Jews of Banu Qaynuqa and the Quraysh experienced the evil consequences of their disbelief and betrayal in this world. As for the Hereafter, severe and humiliating torment awaits them.

The similarity lies in the fact that all were deceived by their wealth and power, which led them to arrogantly violate their covenants with the Muslims. The consequence of their evil conduct was humiliation in this life, and painful punishment awaits them on the Day of Judgment.

Like Satan, when he said to man, ‘Disbelieve.’ Then, when he disbelieved, he said, ‘Surely, I disown you; I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.’ 59:16

This Ayah provides another example illustrating the condition of the Jews and the hypocrites in their dealings with the Muslims.

The behavior of the hypocrites, when they encouraged the Jews of Banu An-Nadir to engage in corruption and evil conduct, is likened to Satan’s attitude toward man. Satan beautified disbelief when he said, “Disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah.” When man accepted Satan’s suggestion and disbelieved, he died upon disbelief. On the Day of Judgment, he will face the evil consequence of his rejection of Allah by entering Hell and suffering its severe punishment. On that day, he will encounter Satan and blame him for his ruin, but Satan will declare: “I disown you; I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”

Similarly, the hypocrites abandoned the Jews of Banu An-Nadir at the time of confrontation with the Muslims, just as Satan disowns man at the time of reckoning.

Their end is that both are in the Fire, abiding therein, and that is the recompense of the wrongdoers. 59:17

The end of Satan and the disbeliever will be the Fire. They will enter Hell and remain therein, enduring its severe torment. This is the recompense of the wrongdoers.

Key Lessons from Surah Al-Hashr, Ayah 11–17

  • There is friendship and alliance between the hypocrites and the Jews because of their shared disbelief and their common enmity toward Messenger Muhammad and the Muslims.
  • The hypocrites did not leave Al-Madinah with the Jews as they had promised, claiming that they would accompany them if they were expelled. This is clear evidence of the truthfulness of Messenger Muhammad , who had informed them about their betrayal before it occurred.
  • The hypocrites would not assist the Jews in their fight against the Muslims. Even if they attempted to support them, they would surely turn their backs and flee out of fear of the believers.
  • The Jews of Banu An-Nadir feared the Muslims more than they feared Allah, because they did not understand His greatness and power, exalted be He.
  • The Jews and the hypocrites could not fight the Muslims directly unless protected in fortresses, castles, or behind walls and fences. They were too cowardly to face the Muslims openly, and they lacked true unity. Allah cast terror into their hearts and granted support and victory to the Muslims.
  • The expulsion of the Jews of Banu An-Nadir from Al-Madinah was a punishment similar to that suffered by the Jews of Banu Qaynuqa and by the Quraysh at the Battle of Badr. They will also face painful torment in the Hereafter.
  • The betrayal and broken promises of the Jews and hypocrites resembled the attitude of Satan. Satan incited man to disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah, and when man obeyed and disbelieved, Satan disowned him, claiming that he feared Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The recompense of the hypocrites, Satan, and the disbelievers will be painful torment in Hell on the Day of Judgment.

Practical Lessons

1.      Beware of false alliances: Alliances based on disbelief or opposition to the truth are fragile and doomed to collapse, as betrayal and disunity are inevitable among those who reject Allah.

2.     Trust in Allah’s promise: Victory and protection come only from Allah. Believers should place their reliance upon Him rather than fearing the plots of hypocrites or disbelievers.

3.     Learn from history: The repeated downfall of those who oppose Allah and His Messenger is a reminder that disobedience, betrayal, and arrogance always lead to humiliation in this world and punishment in the Hereafter.

The Noble Quran, English Translation of Surah Al-Hashr
The Noble Quran: English Translation and Tafsir of SurahAl-Kahf: The Cave of Guidance: A Thematic Commentary on Surah Al-Kahf withClear English Translation and Reflections
English Translation of Surah Al-Hashr Ayah 6-10 Islam Ruleon Spoils of War
 

 


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