Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (Those who disbelieve): '(Those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (and turn (men) from the way of Allah) and prevent people from the religion and obedience of Allah-the reference here is to those who fed the army of the disbelievers on the Day of Badr: 'Utbah and Shaybah the sons of Rabi'ah, Munbih and Nabih the sons of al-Hajjaj, Abu'l-Buhturi Ibn Hisham and Abu Jahl Ibn Hisham and their host-, (He rendereth their actions vain) He thwarts their good deeds and spending on the Day of Badr.

(And those who believe) in Allah, Muhammad and the Qur'an (and do good works) acts of obedience, privately between them and their Lord: i.e. the Companions of Muhammad (pbuh) (and believe in that which is revealed unto Muhammad) and believe in that with which Allah sent down Gabriel to Muhammad (pbuh) (and it is) i.e. the Qur'an (the Truth from their Lord. He riddeth them of their ill deeds) i.e. their sins by means of jihad (and improveth their state) and improves their condition, intention and works in the life of he world; and it is said: He makes their matter manifest in Islam.

Then Allah explained why He thwarts the works of the disbelievers, saying: (That is because those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (follow falsehood) i.e. ascribing partners to Allah (and because those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) (follow the Truth from their Lord) i.e. the Qur'an. (Thus Allah coineth) thus Allah present (their similitudes) the similitudes of those who came before them: how Allah had destroyed them when they denied the messengers (for mankind) for the community of Muhammad (pbuh).

Allah then encouraged the believers to fight, saying: (Now when ye meet in battle) on the Day of Badr (those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks) they smite their necks (until, when ye have routed them) and taken them prisoners, (then making fast of bonds) keep the prisoners in captivity; (and afterward either grace) either release the prisoners without asking for a ransom (or ransom) or the prisoner ransoms himself (till the war lay down its burdens) until the disbelievers lay down their arms; it is also said that this means: until the disbelievers give up. (That (is the ordinance)) to punish whoever disbelieves in Allah. (And if Allah willed He could have punished them (without you)) if Allah willed He could have punished the disbelievers of Mecca through the angels; it is also said that this means: if Allah willed He could have punished the disbelievers of Mecca without you having to fight them, (but (thus it is ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others) but it is thus that He may test the believers with the disbelievers and the relative with his relative. (And those who are slain in the way of Allah) and those who are killed in obedience of Allah on the Day of Badr, referring here to the prophetic Companions, (He rendereth not their actions vain) Allah will not thwart their good deeds which were performed during jihad.

(He will guide them) He will give them success to perform righteous deeds (and improve their state) and improve their condition and intention; it is also said that this means: He will save them in the Hereafter and improve their state and accept their works on the Day of Judgement,

(And bring them in unto the Garden which He hath made known to them) He will indicate it for them such that they are guided to it, just as in the life of the world they know how to find their homes.

(O ye who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an! (If ye help Allah, He will help you) if you help Allah's Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh) in fighting against the enemy, Allah will help you to conquer this enemy (and will make your foothold firm) in fighting so that you do not swerve.

(And those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an: these are those who fed the army of disbelievers at Badr, (perdition) and abasement (is for them, and He will make their actions vain) He will thwart their good deeds and spending at Badr.

(That) thwarting (is because they are averse to) they deny (that which Allah hath revealed) that which Allah has sent Gabriel with to Muhammad (pbuh) (therefore maketh He their action fruitless) therefore He thwarts their good deeds and spending at Badr.

(Have they) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (not travelled in the land to see) to reflect upon (the nature of the consequence for) the requital of (those who were before them? Allah wiped them out) Allah destroyed them. (And for the disbelievers) of Mecca (there will be the like thereof) the like of that torment.

(That) i.e. helping the believers (is because Allah is patron) helper (of those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (and because the disbelievers) of Mecca (have no patron) have no helper.

(Lo! Allah will cause those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and do good works) and do acts of obedience privately between themselves and their Lord (to enter Gardens beneath which) beneath its trees and houses (rivers) of wine, water, honey and milk (flow; while those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an: Abu Sufyan and his host (take their comfort in this life and eat) with avidity without sparing a thought for what tomorrow holds (even as the cattle eat, and the Fire is their habitation) in the Hereafter.

(And how many a township) how many inhabitants of townships (stronger) physically and numerically (than thy township (O Muhammad)) i.e. Mecca (which hath cast thee out) whose inhabitants caused you to move to Medina, (have We destroyed) when they rejected faith, (and they had no helper) they had no one to save them from Allah's chastisement!

(Is he who relieth on a clear proof) and a religion (from his Lord) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) (like those for whom the evil that they do is beautified) like him whose evil works are beautified, i.e. Abu Jahl (while they follow their own lusts) through the worship of idols?

(A similitude of the Garden) the description of Paradise (which those who keep their duty (to Allah)) which those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies (are promised: Therein are rivers of water unpolluted) unpolluted in taste or smell, (and rivers of milk whereof the flavour changeth not) into a sour taste and pollen has not cause the offensive smell of its fat to spread, (and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers) and this wine was not pressed with people's feet, (and rivers of clear run honey) without wax, yet it has not come from the bellies of bees; (therein for them) for the dwellers of Paradise (is every kind of fruit, with pardon from their Lord) of the sins which they committed in the life of the world. ((Are those who enjoy all this) like those who are immortal in the Fire) never to die therein nor leave; in reference here to Abu Jahl (and are given boiling water to drink so that it teareth their bowels?

Among them) among the hypocrites (are some who give ear unto thee (Muhammad)) who listen to your Friday sermon (till, when they go forth from your presence) until when they disperse, (they) i.e. the hypocrites (say unto those who have been given knowledge) i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud: (What was that he) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) (said just now) from the pulpit? They asked this question in mockery of what the Prophet (pbuh) had just said. (Those) hypocrites (are they whose hearts Allah hath sealed) such that they do not perceive the Truth or guidance, (and they follow their own lusts) because of their secret disbelief, hypocrisy, treachery and enmity towards the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).

(While as for those who walk aright) through faith, (He addeth) by means of your sermon (to their guidance) an insight into the matters of religion and sincerity in their intention, (and giveth them their protection) and inspire them their fearingness by shunning transgression and avoiding unlawful matters; it is also said that this means: and those who are guided by the abrogating revelations, Allah increases their guidance in the abrogated revelations and Allah, glorified and Exalted is He, honours them with the use of both the abrogating and the abrogated.

(Await they aught) do the disbelievers of Mecca, if they disbelieve in you, await anything (save the Hour, that it should come upon them unawares) by surprise? (And the beginnings thereof) the signs of the coming of the Hour: the splitting of the moon and the coming of the Prophet (pbuh) with the Qur'an which are of its signs (have already come. But how, when it hath come upon them) i.e. the Hour, (can they take their warning) by repenting?

(So know) O Muhammad (that there is no God save Allah) there is none that harms or benefits, gives or withholds, raises or abases except Allah; and it is also said that this means: and know there is nothing that has the merit of �there is no deity save Allah�, (and ask forgiveness for thy sin) O Muhammad, when he beat up Zayd Ibn al-Samin, the Jew (and for believing men and believing women) and seek forgiveness for the sins of the believing men and believing women. (Allah knoweth (both) your place of turmoil) your goings and comings as well as your works in the life of the world (and your place of rest) and He knows your destination and abode in the Hereafter.

(And those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, the sincere ones, (say: If only a surah were revealed) if only Gabriel would bring down a surah! They said this out of longing for the remembrance of Allah and wishing to engage in more acts of obedience. (But when a decisive surah is revealed) explaining the lawful and unlawful, the commands and prohibitions (and war is mentioned therein) and fighting is commanded therein, (thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease) i.e. doubt and hypocrisy (looking at thee) upon mentioning fighting (with the look of men fainting unto death) as people who are suffering the pangs of death because of their dislike of fighting the enemies. (Therefore woe unto them!) This is a threat to them with Allah's chastisement.

(Obedience) He says: for the believers, this is an act of obedience towards Allah and His Messenger, (and a civil word) and kind word; it is also said that this means: the hypocrites' obedience of Allah and His Messenger and kind speech to the Prophet (pbuh) is better for them than transgression, disobedience and hatred; and it is also said this means: show obedience to Allah and say kind words to Muhammad (pbuh). (Then, when the matter is determined) when the matter is resolved, Islam becomes manifest and the Muslims are numerous, (if they) i.e. the hypocrites (are loyal to Allah) through their faith and jihad (it will be well for them) it will be better for them than transgression.

(Would ye then, if ye were given the command) would you then, O group of hypocrites, wish that if you were given the command of this community after the Prophet (pbuh) (work corruption in the land) through killing, transgressions and corruption (and sever your ties of kinship) by making disbelief manifest?

(Such) the hypocrites (are they whom Allah curseth) are they whom Allah banished from any good (so that He deafeneth them) from the Truth and guidance (and maketh blind their eyes) such that they do not see the Truth and guidance.

(Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an) regarding that which has been revealed about them, (or are there locks on the hearts) or are there locks on the hearts of the hypocrites such that they do not understand what is revealed about them?

(Lo! those who turn back) to the religion of their forefathers, i.e. the Jews (after the guidance) Allah's divine Oneness, the Qur'an and the attributes and description of the Prophet (pbuh) in the Qur'an (hath been manifested unto them, Satan hath seduced them) into going back to the religion of their forefathers, (and He giveth them the rein) Allah gives them a reprieve, since He did not destroyed them immediately.

(That) reversion to their old religion (is because they) the Jews (say unto those who hate) who disbelieve in secret, i.e. the hypocrites (what Allah hath revealed) what did Allah send with Gabriel to Muhammad (pbuh): (We will obey you) we will help you, O hypocrites, (in some matters) in the matter of Muhammad by saying �there is no deity save Allah� if he has the upper hand over us; (and Allah knoweth their secret talk) Allah knows the secret talk of the Jews with the hypocrites.

(Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them) when the angels take away the souls of the Jews, (smiting their faces and their backs) with iron skewers!

(That) smiting and punishment (will be because they followed that which angereth Allah) within Judaism, (and hated that which pleaseth Him) they denied His divine Oneness. (Therefore He hath made their actions vain) He annulled the good actions which they performed in their practice of Judaism; and it is also said that the above verses were revealed about the hypocrites who moved from Medina to Mecca because they changed their religion; and it is also said that it was revealed about the hypocrite al-Hakam Ibn Abi al-'As and his host who deliberated on one Friday about taking the leadership of the Muslim community after the Prophet (pbuh) and vowed to spread corruption. They did this while completely ignoring the Prophet who was on the pulpit delivering his sermon. And then, in mockery, asked 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud about what the Prophet (pbuh) said in his sermon.

(Or do those in whose hearts is a disease) doubt and hypocrisy (deem that Allah will not bring to light their (secret) hates) and enmity towards Allah and His Messenger; and it is also said that this means: did they think that Allah will not bring to light their hypocrisy, enmity and hatred for the believers to know?

(And if We would, We could show them unto thee) O Muhammad by singling them out with an evil mark (so that thou shouldst know them surely by their marks. And thou shalt know them by the burden of their talk) by the way they talk and try to find excuses. (And Allah knoweth your deeds) your secrets, enmity and hatred towards Allah and His Messenger.

(And verily We shall try you) through fighting (till We know) until We distinguish (those of you) O group of hypocrites (who strive hard (for the cause of Allah) and the steadfast) and those of you who are steadfast in war, (and till We test your record) and until We bring to light your secrets, hatred, enmity and contravention against Allah and His Messenger; and it is also said this means: until We bring to light your hypocrisy.

(Lo! those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (and turn from the way of Allah) and bar people from the religion and obedience of Allah (and oppose the messenger) in relation to Religion (after the guidance) Allah's divine Oneness (hath been manifested unto them, they hurt Allah not a jot) they do not diminish Allah in any way, (and He will make their actions fruitless) He annuls their good works and whatever they have spent on the Day of Badr; this refers to those who fed the army of the disbelievers on the Day of Badr.

(O ye who believe) openly! (Obey Allah and obey the messenger) in private, (and render not your actions vain) through hypocrisy, hatred, enmity and opposition of the Messenger; it is also said that this verse was revealed about true believers. Allah says to them: O you who believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, obey Allah in that which He commands you of obligations and spending, and obey also the Messenger in that which he commands you of the Sunnah, conquest and Jihad; and do not annul your works through ostentation and seeking fame.

(Lo! those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an; this refers to those who sponsored the feeding of the army of disbelievers on the Day of Badr (and turn from the way of Allah) and turn away people from the religion and obedience of Allah (and then die) or killed as (disbelievers) in Allah and His Messenger, (Allah surely will not pardon them) because they are disbelievers in Allah and His Messenger.

(So do not falter) do not weaken, O believer, upon fighting the disbelievers (and cry out for peace) and it is said this means: for Islam before fighting (when you (will be) the uppermost) when you are the victorious and the ultimate consequence will be in your favour, (and Allah is with you) He helps you to defeat your enemy, (and He will not grudge (the reward of) your actions) and He will not diminish the works in which you engage during jihad.

(The life of the world) that which is in the life of the world (is but a sport) vain sport (and a pastime) and exultation which does not last. (And if ye believe) and if you are steadfast in your faith in Allah and His Messenger (and ward off (evil)) disbelief, idolatry and indecencies, (He will give you your wages) He will give you the reward of your works, (and will not ask of you your worldly wealth) all your worldly wealth to give to charity.

(If He should ask it) if He should ask all of it (of you) to give to charity (and importune you) and burden you, (ye would hoard it) you would refrain from giving alms in obedience of Allah, (and He would bring to light your (secret) hates) and He would bring to light your miserliness.

(Lo! ye are those who are called to spend in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah, (yet among you there are some who hoard) there are some who refrain from spending in obedience of Allah. (And as for him who hoardeth) and refrains from spending in obedience of Allah, (he hoardeth only from his soul) he is miserly only insofar as reward for, and honour of, his soul are concerned. (And Allah is the Rich) He has no need for your wealth and charity, (and ye are the poor) for Allah's mercy, Paradise and forgiveness. (And if ye turn away) from obeying Allah and obeying His Messenger regarding that which He commands you of spending (He will exchange you for some other folk) He will make you perish and replace you with others who are better and more obedient than you, (and they will not be the likes of you) in relation to transgression and disobedience; rather, they will be better and more obedient than you. It is also said that from Allah's saying (O ye who believe) to the end were revealed about the hypocrites of Asad and Ghatafan, and so Allah replaced them with Juhaynah and Muzaynah who were better and more obedient to Allah'.