Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said about the interpretation of Allah's saying (All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifieth Allah): '(All that is in the heavens) He says: all that is in the heavens of creation (and all that is in the earth) of created beings (glorifieth Allah) pray to Allah; and it is also said this means: remember Allah, (and He is the Mighty) in His kingdom and dominion, (the Wise) in His command and decree; He commanded that none should be worshipped except Him.

(He it is Who hath caused those of the People of the Scripture who disbelieved) i.e. Banu'l-Nadir (to go forth from their homes) and fortresses (unto the first exile) because they are the first to be gathered and exiled from Medina to Historic Syria, and specifically to Jericho and Adhri'at, as a result of breaking their covenants with the Prophet (pbuh) after the battle of Uhud. (Ye deemed not) you did not have any hope, O group of believers, (that they) i.e. Banu'l-Nadir (would go forth) from Medina to Historic Syria, (while they) the Banu'l-Nadir (deemed that their strongholds) their fortresses (would protect them from Allah) from Allah's chastisement. (But Allah reached them) Allah punished them and humiliated them through the killing of Ka'b Ibn al-Ashraf (from a place whereof they reckoned not) they did not think that Ka'b Ibn al-Ashraf would be killed nor did they have any fear regarding this, (and cast terror in their hearts) fear from Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions, when they did not fear them at all before this (so that they ruined their houses) some of their houses (with their own hands) and throw its stones on the believers (and the hands of the believers) and they left some of their homes to the believers who destroyed them and threw their stones at them. (So learn a lesson, O ye who have eyes!) learn a lesson, O you who have insight in Religion, from what Allah has done to them concerning their exile.

(And if Allah had not decreed migration) from Medina to Historic Syria (for them) for the Banu'l-Nadir, (He verily would have punished them in this world) by exposing them to killing, (and theirs in the Hereafter is the punishment of the Fire) which is worse than being killed.

(That) exile and punishment (is because they were opposed to Allah and His messenger) concerning Religion; (and whoso is opposed to Allah) in the matter of religion and shows enmity towards Him, ((for him) verily Allah is stern in reprisal) in the life of the world as well as in the Hereafter.

The Prophet (pbuh) then ordered his Companions to cut down their palm-trees except a particular tree called the 'Ajwah, which he asked them not to cut down. When the Banu'l-Nadir reproached the believers for doing so, Allah revealed: (Whatsoever palm-trees you cut down) other than the 'Ajwah palm-tree (or left standing on their roots) and did not cut down, i.e. the 'Ajwah, (it was by Allah's leave) both commands of cutting down and not cutting down are from Allah, (in order that He might confound the evil-livers) in order that He might humiliate the disbelievers, i.e. the Banu'l-Nadir, through that which you have cut down of their palm-trees.

(And that which Allah gave as spoil unto His messenger from them) from Banu'l-Nadir, it is solely for the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and there is nothing in it for you, (ye urged not) you did not use (any horse or riding-camel for the sake thereof) but you walked to it, for it was very close to Medina, (but Allah giveth His messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (lordship over whom He will) the Banu'l-Nadir. (Allah is Able to do all things) in terms of giving help and spoils.

(That which Allah giveth as spoil unto His messenger from the people of the townships) of 'Uraynah, Qurayzah, Banu'l-Nadir, Fadak and Khaybar, (it is for Allah) specifically and there is nothing in it for you (and His messenger) the command of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) regarding this is permissible, and this is why he made the spoils of Fadak and Khaybar an endowment for the needy people; it remained under his control during his lifetime, and after his death it came under the control of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, and after him under 'Umar, 'Uthman and 'Ali respectively exactly as it was under the control of the Prophet (pbuh) and it remains so to this day. The Prophet (pbuh) also divided the spoils of Banu Qurayzah and Banu'l-Nadir on the poor from among the Emigrants (al-Muhajirun), he gave them according to their need and the need of their dependents (and for the near of kin) and he gave some of it to the needy among the Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib (and the orphans) and he gave some of it to the orphans, other than the orphans of Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib (and the needy) and gave some of it to the needy, other than the needy of the Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib (and the wayfarer) the guest and the passer-by, (that it become not a commodity) a division (between the rich among you) between the strong among you. (And whatsoever the messenger giveth you) of spoils, (take it) accept it; it is also said that this means: whatever the messenger commands you, act upon it. (And whatsoever he forbideth, abstain (from it). And keep your duty to Allah) fear Allah in that which He commanded you. (Lo! Allah is stern in reprisal) when He punishes; this is because they said to the Prophet (pbuh): �Take your share of the spoils and leave us to deal with the rest of it�.

Allah therefore said to them: these spoils-i.e. seven gardens that belonged to the Banu'l-Nadir-(And (it is) for the poor fugitives who have been driven out from their homes) because they were driven out of their homes in Mecca (and their belongings) the disbelievers of Mecca expelled them from Mecca, they were about one hundred men, (who seek bounty) who seek reward (and pleasure from Allah) and the good pleasure of Allah by means of jihad (and help Allah and His messenger) through jihad. (They are the loyal) they are the ones who are true in their faith and jihad.

Then the Prophet (pbuh) to the Helpers (al-Ansar): �These spoils and gardens are solely for the poor among the Emigrants. If you wish, I will divide your wealth and properties on the Emigrants and give you a share of the spoils, or you keep your wealth and properties and I divide the spoils on the poor among the Emigrants�. They said: �O Messenger of Allah, we would like to share our wealth and properties with them and we will also prefer them over ourselves and let them have the spoils�. Allah praised them for this by saying: (Those who entered the city) those who made it possible for the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions to live in the abode of migration (and the faith before them) and were believers before the Immigrants came to them (love these who flee unto them for refuge) in Medina from among the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) (and find in their breasts) in their hearts (no need) no resentful envy; and it is said this means: no vexation (for that which hath been given them) of spoils, while they did not get any, (but prefer (the fugitives) above themselves) with their wealth and homes (though poverty become their lot. And whoso is saved from his own avarice) and whoever drives away avarice from his own self (such are they who are successful) such are they who are saved from Allah's wrath and chastisement.

(And those who came (into the faith) after them) after the first Emigrants (say: Our Lord Forgive us) our sins (and our brethren who were before us in the faith) and migration, (and place not in our hearts any rancour) or resentful envy (towards those who believe) among the Emigrants. (Our Lord! Thou art Full of Pity, Merciful) they made these supplications because they were afraid of resentful envy, because the Prophet (pbuh) gave the spoils to the first Emigrants and did not give them anything.

(Hast thou not observed) O Muhammad (those who are hypocrites) those who are double-faced in their religion: these were a group of people from the Aws tribe who claimed to be believers in the open but were disbelievers in private, ((how) they tell) in private (their brethren who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture) i.e. Banu Qurayzah; they said to them when they were surrounded by the Prophet (pbuh) �Remain firm in your faith inside your strongholds�: (If ye are driven out) from Medina as were driven out the Banu'l-Nadir, (we surely will go out with you, and we will never obey anyone against you) and we will not help anyone in Medina against you, (and if ye are attacked) by the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions (we verily will help you) against them. (And Allah beareth witness) and Allah knows (that they) i.e. the hypocrites (verily are liars) they lie in what they say.

((For) indeed if they) i.e. the Banu Qurayzah (are driven out) from Medina (they) the hypocrites (go not out with them, and indeed if they are attacked) by the Prophet (pbuh) (they help not) against Muhammad (pbuh) (and indeed if they had helped them) against Muhammad (pbuh) (they would have turned and fled) in defeat, (and then they would not have been victorious) they will not escape what will befall them.

Allah then said to the believers: (Ye are more awful as a fear in their bosoms than Allah) He says: the fear of the Jews and hypocrites of the swords of Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions is greater than their fear of Allah. (That) fear (is because they are a folk who understand not) the command of Allah or Allah's divine Oneness.

(They) i.e. Banu Qurayzah and Banu'l-Nadir (will not fight against you in a body save in fortified villages or from behind walls) or if there is between you and them walls. (Their adversity among themselves is very great) He says: their fighting against each other is great, for they fought against their own folk and not against the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions. (Ye think of them as a whole) united (whereas their hearts are diverse) whereas they differ a great deal. (That) differing and betrayal (is because they are a folk who have no sense) is because they do not understand Allah's command and divine Oneness.

(On the likeness of those (who suffered) a short time before them) He says: the similitude of Banu Qurayzah with regard to breaking covenants and the punishment inflicted upon them as a result is like that of the Banu'l-Nadir two years before them, (they taste the ill-effects of their conduct) they, i.e. Banu'l-Nadir, taste the punishment of breaking their covenant, (and theirs is painful punishment) in the Hereafter.

((And the hypocrites) with the Banu Qurayzah upon failing them ((are) on the likeness of the devil) with the monk (when he telleth man) the monk Barsisa (to disbelieve) in Allah, (then, when he disbelieveth) he lets him down and (says: Lo! I am quit of thee) and of your religion. (Lo! I fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

And the consequence for both) the devil and the monk (will be that they are in the Fire, therein abiding. Such) eternity in hell (is the reward of evil-doers) is the punishment of the disbelievers.

(O ye who believe) in Muhammad, Allah bless him and the Qur'an! (Observe your duty to Allah) fear Allah. (And let every soul) whether it is righteous or sinful (look to that which it sendeth on before for the morrow) to what it achieved for the Day of Judgement, for it will only find on the Day of Judgement that which it has performed in the life of the world; if it is good, it is good, and if it is evil, it is evil. (And observe your duty to Allah) and fear Allah! (Lo! Allah is informed of what ye do) of good and evil.

(And be not ye) O believers, with regard to sinning, (as those who forgot Allah) as those who shunned the obedience of Allah openly and in private, i.e. the Jews, (therefore He caused them to forget their souls) therefore Allah forsook them such that they left His obedience altogether. (Such are the evil-doers) such are the disbelievers in Allah in private, i.e. the hypocrites; and if it is taken to mean the Jews, this means: such are the disbelievers in Allah openly and in private.

(Not equal) in acts of obedience and reward (are the owners of the Fire) the dwellers of the Fire (and the owners of the Garden) and the dwellers of the Garden. (The owners of the Garden, they are the victorious) they gained the Garden and were saved from the Fire.

(If We had caused this Qur'an) which is recited unto you by Muhammad (pbuh) (to descend upon a mountain) a tremendous mountain whose summit is high in the sky and whose base is deep in the seventh earth, (thou (O Muhammad) verily hadst seen it) i.e. the mountain with all its might (humbled) surrendered because of the promises and threats contained in the Qur'an, (rent asunder) cracked and crumbled (by the fear of Allah) from the fear of Allah. (Such similitudes coin We for mankind) in the Qur'an (that haply they may reflect) upon the similitudes of the Qur'an.

(He is Allah, than whom there is no other God, the Knower of the invisible) the Knower of that which is hidden from people and that which will happen in the future (and the visible) and that which people know and has already happened. (He is the Beneficent) Who shows pity towards the righteous as well as towards the sinful through giving both provision, (the Merciful) specifically towards the believers through forgiving their sins and entering them into the Garden.

(He is Allah, than whom there is no other God, the Sovereign Lord) whose sovereignty is perpetual and never ending (the Holy One) the Pure Who has no son or partner, (Peace) His created being are safe from increase of His punishment for that which is decreed upon them due to their own deeds, (the Keeper of Faith) He says: His created brings are safe from His transgression; it is also said that this means: His friends are safe from His torment; it is also said that this means: He is Trustworthy regarding the deeds of slaves and Trustworthy regarding what He can do to His created beings, (the Guardian) the Witness, (the Majestic) in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Compeller) the Conqueror over His slaves, (the Superb) towards His enemies; it is also said this means: He Who exonerates Himself from what they had imagined about Him. (Glorified be Allah) Allah exonerates Himself (from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)) of idols.

(He is Allah, the Creator) of sperms in the loins of fathers, (the Shaper out of naught) Who transforms them from one state to another, (the Fashioner) of what is in the wombs: i.e. whether it is a male or female, felicitous or damned; it is also said that this means: He Who places the spirit in the living being. (His are the most beautiful names) the most exalted attributes: knowledge, power, sight, hearing, etc., so call upon Him through these attributes. (All that is in the heavens) of creation (and the earth) all that is possessed of life (glorifieth Him) prays to Him; and it is also said this means: remembers Him, (and He is the Mighty) in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Wise) in His command and decree; He commanded that none should be worshipped except Him'.