BRIEF INTRODUCTION:

Now another group of Quranic chapters begins. This and other two chapters deal with the organization and arrangement of Muslim Umma both internally and externally. The chapter was revealed at Madina just after migration. It has four sections thirty eight verses, five hundred fifty eight words and two thousand four hundred seventy five letters.

For complete thirteen years the Prophet and his faithful followers faced all types of trials and tribulation, torture and humiliation patiently and courageously in Mecca.

Now they were commanded to migrate to Madina and to adopt new strategy to face the enemies. They were allowed to defend themselves by waging defensive war. It became necessary to begin armed struggle against enemies.

Allah promised His help to the faithful. Apparently they were less in number and possessed meager resources, but they were resolute and bold. Allah declared that the infidels are weak and misguided and are obstructing the way of Islam. But their effort will fail ad the believers would be triumphant.

The chapter deals with the strategy of war against enemies. The principles regarding treatment of the prisoners of war have been explained. The martyrs would gain a very high status before Allah.

Those who would face the enemies of Allah having full faith and without fear, they would be successful. This chapter has clearly distinguished between hypocrites and Muslims. The command for armed struggle stunned the hypocrites. Allah opened their guiles.

Allah declares in verse 35 that Muslims should be steadfast and resolute, "So be not slack ad call not yourself towards peace for you shall over come and Allah is with you. He will never give you loss in your works". (35:47)

In the-end the attention towards spending of money and wealth has been diverted. The Muslims are advised to spend their wealth in the way of Allah. No one should hesitate in spending, if any one is niggardly he would harm himself. Allah warns "If you turn your face, He will substitute for you another people and then they will not be like you".

SURAH MOHAMMAD
Revealed at Madina, 4 Sections, 38 Verses.

Allah in the name of the Most Affectionate, the Merciful.

SECTION 1:

1. Those who disbelieved and hindered from the path of Allah, Allah has destroyed their deeds.

2. And those who believed and did good works and believed in what has been sent down upon Mohammad, and that is the truth from their Lord, Allah has removed from them their evils and has made good their conditions.

3. This is because that the infidels followed the falsehood and the believers followed the truth which is from their lord. Thus, Allah narrates to people their descriptions.

4. Therefore when you encounter the infidels, then there is smiting of the necks, till when you have fully slaughtered, then tie fast, and afterwards leave them, either by grace or for ransom, till the war lay down its burdens. This is so. And had Allah willed, He would have avenged Himself upon them, but that He may try among you one against the other. And those who have been killed in the way of Allah, Allah shall never render their works vain.

5. He will soon guide them and will set right their work.

6. And will make them enter the Paradise that He has made known to them.

7. O believers! if you will help the religion of Allah, Allah will help you and will make your feet firm

8. And those who disbelieved, for them is the destruction and Allah destroys their works.

9. This is because they hated what Allah has sent down, so He has made their works futile.

10. Have they, then not traveled in the land that they may see what became the end of those who were before them? Allah has cast destruction upon them and for the infidels there are so many the like thereof.

11. This is because Allah is the Protector of the muslims and the infidels have no protector.

SECTION 2:

12. Undoubtedly, Allah will make those who believed and did good works enter the Gardens underneath which the rivers flow; while the infidels enjoy and eat as cattle eat, and the Fire is their resort

13. And how many a city that was stronger in might than this city which has driven you out have We destroyed, and they have no helper.

14. Will he then, who is upon a clear proof from his Lord be like him whose evil deeds have been shown fair to him and they followed their caprices.

15. The description of the Paradise promised to the God fearing; therein are rivers of water which never stales; and rivers of milk of which the taste does not change, and rivers of wine of which the drinking is delightful; and the rivers of honey purified. And therein for them are every kind of fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. Shall persons enjoying such comforts be equal to those who are to abide in the Fire and are given to drink boiling water so that it may cut their entrails into pieces?

16. And among them are some who listen to you till when they go forth from before you say to the men of learning, 'what he has said just now?' These are they upon whose hearts Allah has set a seal and they followed their coprices.

17. And those who have been guided, Allah has added to their guidance and bestowed them their piety.

18. What they are then waiting for but the Hour that it should come upon them suddenly? The signs thereof have already come, therefore when it will come to them, then where will they be and where their understanding?

19. Know you therefore that there is no worshipping save Allah and O beloved, ask forgiveness for the sins of your near ones and for general Muslim men and women. And Allah knows Your moving about in the day and your taking rest by night.

SECTION 3:

20. And the muslims say, 'why not a sure has been sent down? But when any decisive Sura is sent down and therein fighting is ordained, you will see those in whose hearts is sickness looking at you with a look of one upon whom death has overshadowed but it was better for them

21. That they would have obeyed and spoken good words. Then-when the order has been finalized, if they were true to Allah, it would have been better for them.

22. Do you then have the sign that if you get the authority, spread disorder in the land and sever your ties of Kinship?

23 These are they whom Allah has cursed and made them deaf from the truth and made their eyes blind.

24. Do they then ponder not over Quran, or there are locks on the hearts of some of them?

25. Undoubtedly, those who turned away to their backs after the guidance had become clear to them. The devil seduced them and gave them false hope of long living in the world.

26. That is because they said to those who hate what Allah has sent down, 'we shall obey you in one matter', and Allah knows their secrets.

27. How then shall it be, when the angles will cause them to die, beating their faces and their backs?

28 That is because they have followed what angers Allah and hated His pleasure, so He has rendered their works vain.

SECTION 4:

29. Do those on whose hearts there is disease think that Allah will not bring to light their rancour?

30. And if We pleased, We could show them to you so that you should recognize them by their faces and you shall certainly recognize them by the tone of their speech. And Allah knows your deeds.

31. And We shall certainly test you until We see those among you who struggle and are steadfast and try your tidings.

32 Undoubtedly, those who committed infidelity and hindered from the way of Allah and opposed the Messenger after the guidance had become clear to them, they shall never harm Allah and He will make their works fruitless soon.

33. 0 believers! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and let not your works go vain.

34. Undoubtedly those who disbelieved and hindered from the way of Allah and then died as disbelievers, Allah shall never forgive them.

35. So be not slack and call not yourself towards peace for you shall overcome and Allah is with you, He will never give you loss in your works.

36. The wordily life is but a sport and pastime. And if you believe and ward off evil, He will give you your rewards, and will not ask you your wealth.

37. If He asks them of you and asks more you would be niggardly, and the niggardliness will bring, to light the malice of your hearts.

38. Look here yes, you are those who are called upon to spend in the way of Allah, then of you there are some who are niggardly and whoso is niggardly is only niggardly to his soul. And Allah is self-sufficient. And you all are needy. And if you turn your face, He will substitute for you another people and then they will not be like you.