Name of the Surah
This
Surah is called Al-Mumtahinah (“The Tested [Woman]”). It was revealed in
Al-Madinah and consists of thirteen Ayat.
Relationship between Surah Al-Hashr and Al-Mumtahinah
Surah
Al-Hashr states that the believers are allies of one another, while the
hypocrites are allies of the disbelievers among the People of the Scripture.
Surah Al-Mumtahinah then prohibits the believers from taking the
disbelievers as allies, lest they resemble the hypocrites.
Furthermore,
Al-Hashr discusses the People of the Scripture who entered into a
covenant with the believers, whereas Al-Mumtahinah addresses the
disbelievers who made an agreement with the Muslims after the Treaty of
Al-Hudaybiyah.
Main Themes and Topics of the Surah
The
general theme of Surah Al-Mumtahinah aligns with that of other Madinan
surahs, as it presents rulings related to Islamic Shariah. It discusses the
regulations concerning disbelievers who did not fight against the Muslims and
were granted a covenant. It also addresses the case of the believing women who
emigrated to Al-Madinah and were subsequently tested regarding the sincerity of
their faith.
Prohibition of Befriending Disbelievers
The
Surah begins by commanding the believers not to befriend the disbelievers,
outlining the reasons for this prohibition—namely, their abuse of the
believers, their enmity towards Allah and the believers, and their forcing the
believers to emigrate from their homeland.
O you who believe, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, showing them affection while they disbelieve in what came to you of the truth, driving out the Messenger and you because you believe in Allah, your Lord. If you came out for My sake and My pleasure, do not take as friends My enemies by showing them affection secretly while I know what you conceal and what you proclaim. And whoever does that among you has truly gone astray from the straight path. 60:1
The Futility of Kinship and Friendship on the Day of Judgment
The
Surah then emphasizes that kinship and friendship will be of no benefit on the
Day of Judgment. Only righteous deeds performed sincerely for the sake of Allah
will bring salvation by His permission and bounty.
Neither your relatives nor your children will benefit you; on the Day of Judgment, He will separate you. And Allah, of what you do, is All-Seeing. 60:3
The Example of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
Afterward,
Surah Al-Mumtahinah presents the example of Prophet Ibrahim and his
followers among the believers, who renounced the disbelievers for worshipping
other deities besides Allah, Exalted be He. Their example is cited so that the
believers may take the father of the Prophets as their role model.
You have a good example in Abraham and those with him when they said to their people, ‘Truly we disown you and what you worship besides Allah. We disbelieve in you and enmity and hatred have arisen between us and you forever until you believe in Allah alone,’ save the saying of Ibrahim to his father. ‘I shall seek forgiveness for you, and I have no power to avail you against Allah at all.’ ‘O our Lord, in You, we put our trust, and to You we turn, and to You is the return.’ 60:4
Principles of Relations with Non-Muslims
The
Surah then clarifies the principles governing relations between Muslims and
others—whether disbelievers or the People of the Scripture—during times of
peace and war:
Allah
forbids you not as regards those who have not fought against you on account of
the religion, nor expelled you from your homes, that you should be kind to them
and be just with them; verily, Allah loves the just. 60:8
Allah
only forbids you as to those who have fought against you on account of the
religion, and expelled you from your homes, and have supported in your expulsion,
that you should befriend them. And whoever befriends them – those – they are
the wrongdoers. 60:9
The Case of the Emigrant Believing Women
Next,
the Surah addresses the issue of the emigrant believing women. It instructs
that their faith should be tested when they migrate to the land of Islam and
that they should not be returned to the disbelievers. It also outlines the
stipulations for accepting the pledge of allegiance from such women.
O you who believe, when believing women come to you as emigrants, test them. Allah best knows about their belief. Then, if you know them to be believers, do not return them to the disbelievers. They are not lawful for them, nor are they lawful for them. And give them what they have spent, and there will be no sin on you to marry them if you have paid their bridal money. And do not hold to the marriage ties with disbelieving women. And ask for what you have spent, and let them ask for what they have spent. That is the Judgment of Allah; He judges between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. 60:10
Final Prohibition of Alliance with Disbelievers
Finally,
Surah Al-Mumtahinah reiterates the prohibition of befriending those
against whom Allah is wrathful.
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