Al-Mumtahanah | She that is to be Examined
[60:1] O you who believe, do not take My enemies and your enemies for friends, expressing love with them, while they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, expelling the Messenger and your selves (from Makkah) merely because you have faith in Allah who is your Lord, if you have set out to do Jihad (struggle) in My way, and to seek My pleasure. You express love with them secretly, while I know what you have concealed and what you have revealed. Any of you who does this has missed the straight path.
[60:2] Should they have access to you, they will become your enemies, and will stretch their hands and tongues towards you with evil; and they desire that you should reject the (true) faith.
[60:3] Neither your womb-relations nor your children will benefit you on the Day of Judgment. He will decide between you, and Allah is watchful of what you do.
[60:4] Indeed, there is an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people, ‘We disown you and what you worship instead of Allah. We disbelieve in you. Enmity and hatred has arisen between us and you forever unless you believe in Allah alone’, but (his example is) not (to be followed) in what Ibrahim said to his father, ‘I will pray to my Lord for your forgiveness, and I have no power from Allah (to do any thing) for you. O our Lord, in You alone we trust, and to You alone, we turn for help, and to You is the final return.
[60:5] Our Lord, do not make us persecuted by those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord! You, only You, are the AllMighty, the All-Wise’.
[60:6] Indeed, for you there is an excellent example in them, for anyone who hopes (to meet) Allah and the Last Day. And if one turns away, Allah is Free of all needs, Worthy of all Praise.
[60:7] It is hoped that Allah will bring about love between you and those of them with whom you have enmity. Allah is Powerful, and Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[60:8] Allah does not forbid you as regards those who did not fight you on account of faith, and did not expel you from your homes, that you do good to them, and deal justly with them. Surely Allah loves those who maintain justice.
[60:9] Allah forbids you only about those who fought you on account of faith, and expelled you from your homes, and helped (others) in expelling you, that you have friendship with them. Those who develop friendship with them are the wrongdoers.
[60:10] O you who believe, when the believing women come to you as emigrants, put them to a test. Allah knows best about their faith. So, if you find them faithful, do not send them back to the disbelievers. 3 Neither these (women) are lawful for them, nor are those (disbelievers) lawful for these (women). And give them (the disbelievers) that (dower) which they had paid (to these women). And there is no sin for you if you marry them, when you give them their dowers. And do not hold on to the ties of marriage with the disbelieving women, and ask (their new Non-Muslim husbands to pay to you) that (dower) which you had paid (to your previous wives), and they (the previous Non-Muslim husbands of the Muslim women) should ask (their new Muslim husbands) to pay that (dower) which they had paid (to their previous wives). That is the decision of Allah. He decides between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[60:11] And if some of your (Non-Muslim) wives have slipped from you, (and their present Non-Muslim husbands do not pay to you the dower as aforesaid,) and you have your turn (of paying dower to the previous Non-Muslim husbands of your present wives), then (instead of paying dower to them,) give those whose wives have slipped the like amount of what they had paid (to them). And fear Allah, the One in whom you believe.
[60:12] O you who believe, when the believing women come to you, seeking bai‘ah (a pledge of allegiance) with you that they will not ascribe any partner to Allah, and will not commit theft, and will not commit fornication, and will not kill their children, and will not come up with a false claim (about the parentage of a child) that they falsely attribute (to the sperm of their husbands being dropped) between their hands and their feet (i.e. their private parts), and will not disobey you in what is recognized (in Shariah), then take them in your bai‘ah, and pray Allah for their forgiveness. Surely Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[60:13] O you who believe, do not have friendship with a people with whom Allah is angry. They have despaired from the Hereafter as the infidels have despaired from those (buried) in the graves.
[60:1] O you who believe, do not take My enemies and your enemies for friends, expressing love with them, while they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, expelling the Messenger and your selves (from Makkah) merely because you have faith in Allah who is your Lord, if you have set out to do Jihad (struggle) in My way, and to seek My pleasure. You express love with them secretly, while I know what you have concealed and what you have revealed. Any of you who does this has missed the straight path.
[60:2] Should they have access to you, they will become your enemies, and will stretch their hands and tongues towards you with evil; and they desire that you should reject the (true) faith.
[60:3] Neither your womb-relations nor your children will benefit you on the Day of Judgment. He will decide between you, and Allah is watchful of what you do.
[60:4] Indeed, there is an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people, ‘We disown you and what you worship instead of Allah. We disbelieve in you. Enmity and hatred has arisen between us and you forever unless you believe in Allah alone’, but (his example is) not (to be followed) in what Ibrahim said to his father, ‘I will pray to my Lord for your forgiveness, and I have no power from Allah (to do any thing) for you. O our Lord, in You alone we trust, and to You alone, we turn for help, and to You is the final return.
[60:5] Our Lord, do not make us persecuted by those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord! You, only You, are the AllMighty, the All-Wise’.
[60:6] Indeed, for you there is an excellent example in them, for anyone who hopes (to meet) Allah and the Last Day. And if one turns away, Allah is Free of all needs, Worthy of all Praise.
[60:7] It is hoped that Allah will bring about love between you and those of them with whom you have enmity. Allah is Powerful, and Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[60:8] Allah does not forbid you as regards those who did not fight you on account of faith, and did not expel you from your homes, that you do good to them, and deal justly with them. Surely Allah loves those who maintain justice.
[60:9] Allah forbids you only about those who fought you on account of faith, and expelled you from your homes, and helped (others) in expelling you, that you have friendship with them. Those who develop friendship with them are the wrongdoers.
[60:10] O you who believe, when the believing women come to you as emigrants, put them to a test. Allah knows best about their faith. So, if you find them faithful, do not send them back to the disbelievers. 3 Neither these (women) are lawful for them, nor are those (disbelievers) lawful for these (women). And give them (the disbelievers) that (dower) which they had paid (to these women). And there is no sin for you if you marry them, when you give them their dowers. And do not hold on to the ties of marriage with the disbelieving women, and ask (their new Non-Muslim husbands to pay to you) that (dower) which you had paid (to your previous wives), and they (the previous Non-Muslim husbands of the Muslim women) should ask (their new Muslim husbands) to pay that (dower) which they had paid (to their previous wives). That is the decision of Allah. He decides between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[60:11] And if some of your (Non-Muslim) wives have slipped from you, (and their present Non-Muslim husbands do not pay to you the dower as aforesaid,) and you have your turn (of paying dower to the previous Non-Muslim husbands of your present wives), then (instead of paying dower to them,) give those whose wives have slipped the like amount of what they had paid (to them). And fear Allah, the One in whom you believe.
[60:12] O you who believe, when the believing women come to you, seeking bai‘ah (a pledge of allegiance) with you that they will not ascribe any partner to Allah, and will not commit theft, and will not commit fornication, and will not kill their children, and will not come up with a false claim (about the parentage of a child) that they falsely attribute (to the sperm of their husbands being dropped) between their hands and their feet (i.e. their private parts), and will not disobey you in what is recognized (in Shariah), then take them in your bai‘ah, and pray Allah for their forgiveness. Surely Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[60:13] O you who believe, do not have friendship with a people with whom Allah is angry. They have despaired from the Hereafter as the infidels have despaired from those (buried) in the graves.
Tafsir
Overview of Surah Al-Mumtahanah
- Title and Position: Surah Al-Mumtahanah is the 60th chapter of the Quran. The title “Al-Mumtahanah” translates to “The Woman to be Examined,” referring to the examination of women emigrants who fled to Medina from Mecca or other hostile communities, to ensure their sincerity in embracing Islam.
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 13 verses. It is known for its guidance on the interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims, particularly in the context of conflict and alliance.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include the criteria for political and personal alliances, the conditions under which emigrants should be received, the prohibition of taking disbelievers as allies against Muslims, and the emphasis on justice and kindness even in times of hostility.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Al-Mumtahanah is significant for its directives on maintaining community integrity, the balance between political pragmatism and spiritual loyalty, and the ethical treatment of potentially hostile parties.
Detailed Explanation
- Political and Personal Alliances: The surah outlines the principles governing the relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims, advising against forming alliances with those hostile to Islam, while allowing for peace and cooperation with those who are neutral or peaceful.
- Examination of Emigrants: It specifically addresses the need to assess the sincerity of women emigrants seeking refuge in the Muslim community, ensuring that their migration is for the sake of Islam and not for other reasons.
- Prohibition Against Supporting Disbelievers: Surah Al-Mumtahanah warns against offering support to those who oppose Islam and Muslims, emphasizing loyalty to the Muslim community.
- Justice and Kindness: Despite the prohibitions on alliances with hostile parties, the surah encourages Muslims to treat all individuals with justice and kindness, reflecting the ethical and moral standards of Islam.
- Historical Context: The directives are given within the historical context of ongoing conflict between the early Muslim community and the Quraysh of Mecca, but the principles are presented as general guidance.
FAQs
- Why is Surah Al-Mumtahanah named “The Woman to be Examined”?
- The surah is named after the directive to examine the faith and intentions of women emigrating to the Muslim community, ensuring they were fleeing persecution and embracing Islam sincerely.
- How does Surah Al-Mumtahanah address the issue of alliances?
- It provides clear guidance on the conditions under which alliances may be formed, emphasizing the importance of loyalty to the Muslim community and cautioning against alliances with those openly hostile to Islam.
- What does the surah say about the treatment of non-Muslims?
- It distinguishes between those who are hostile and those who are not, advocating for justice and kindness towards non-Muslims who do not engage in oppression or hostility against Muslims.
- How does Surah Al-Mumtahanah contribute to Islamic ethics and morality?
- The surah contributes to Islamic ethics by balancing the needs for community security and integrity with the universal values of justice, kindness, and compassion, even in the context of conflict.
- The surah is named after the directive to examine the faith and intentions of women emigrating to the Muslim community, ensuring they were fleeing persecution and embracing Islam sincerely.
- It provides clear guidance on the conditions under which alliances may be formed, emphasizing the importance of loyalty to the Muslim community and cautioning against alliances with those openly hostile to Islam.
- It distinguishes between those who are hostile and those who are not, advocating for justice and kindness towards non-Muslims who do not engage in oppression or hostility against Muslims.
- The surah contributes to Islamic ethics by balancing the needs for community security and integrity with the universal values of justice, kindness, and compassion, even in the context of conflict.
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