Surah 9: The Repentance, The Disavowal

Surah 9: The Repentance, The Disavowal - Overview

Verses	Description
9:1-29	If the enemy treacherously breaks faith, denounce his treaty, but give time before declaration of war: Mosques are for men of faith
9:30-42	Enemies of Faith cannot put out God's Light: wealth is for good use, not for hoarding: strive and struggle for God in a straight fight
9:43-72	Believers do their duty and make no excuses: alms are for poor and needy and not for hypocrites: bliss of the righteous is in the Good Pleasure of God
9:73-99	Hardest striving needed against Evil: welcome all chance of service and sacrifice
9:100-118	The vanguard of Faith expect their reward in God's Good Pleasure: God's Grace is free and abounding; even the erring obtain it by repentance
9:119-129	Truth in word and deed is our fullest satisfaction and reward: our striving should include study and teaching, for our brethren

Introduction

Logically this Surah follows up the argument of the last Surah (8), and indeed may be considered a part of it, although chronologically the two are separated by an interval of seven years.

We saw that Surah 8 dealt with the large questions arising at the outset of the life of a new Ummah or organized nation; questions of defense under attack, distribution of war acquisitions after victory, the virtues needed for concerned action, and clemency and consideration for one's own and for enemies in the hour of victory.

We pass on in this Surah to deal with the question: what is to be done if the enemy breaks faith and is guilty of treachery? No nation can go on with a treaty if the other party violates it at will; but it is laid down that a period of four months should be allowed by way of notice after denunciation of the treaty; that due protection should be accorded in the intervening period; that there should always open the door to repentance and reunion with the people of God; and that if all these fail, and war must be undertaken, it must be pushed wtih the utmost vigour.

These are the general principles deducible from the Surah. The immediate occasion for their promulgation may be considered in connection with the chronological place of the Surah.

Chronologically, verses 1-29 were a notable declaration of state policy promulgated about the month of Shawwal, A.H. 9, and read out by 'Ali at the Pilgrimage two months later in order to give the policy the widest publicity possible. The remainder of the Surah, verses 30-129, was revealed a little earlier, say about the month of Ramadan, A.H. 9, and sums up the lessons of the Prophet's Tabuk expedition in the late summer of A.H. 9 (say October 630).

Tabuk is a place near the frontier of Arabia, quite close to what was then Byzantine territory in the Province of Syria (which includes Palestine). It is on the Hijaz Railway, about 350 miles northwest of Madinah, and 150 miles south of Ma'an. It had a fort and a spring of sweet water. In consequence of strong and persistent rumors that the Byzantines (Romans) were preparing to invade Arabia and that the Byzantine Emperor himself had arrived near the frontier for the purpose, the Prophet collected as large a force as he could, and marched to Tabuk.

The Byzantine invasion did not come off. But the Prophet took the opportunity of consolidating the Muslim position in that direction and making treaties of alliance with certain Christian and Jewish tribes near the Gulf of 'Aqabah. On his return to Madinah he considered the situation. During his absence the Hypocrites had played, as always, a double game; and the policy hitherto followed, of free access to the sacred center of Islam to Muslims and Pagans alike -- was now altered, as it had been abused by the enemies of Islam.

This is the only Surah to which the usual formula of Bismillah is not prefixed. It was among the last of the Surahs revealed, and though the Prophet had directed that it should follow Surah 8, it was not clear whether it was to form a separate Surah or only a part of Surah 8. It is now treated as a separate Surah, but the Bismillah is not prefixed to it, as there is no warrant for supposing that the Prophet used the Bismillah before it in his recitation of the Qur'an. The Surah is known under many names: the most commonly used are:

Al Tawbah (Repentance), with reference to 9:104 and
Bara'ah (The Disavowal), the opening word of the Surah.

Summary

1- Treaties with those Pagans who have treacherously broken their terms are denounced, but four months' time is given for adjustments or repentance. Pagans to be excluded from the sacred Mosques. Infidelity to be fought. (9:1-29)

Be True to the True [9:1-29] If the Pagans repeatedly break their treaties, denounce the treaties, but give them time either to repent or to prepare for the just punishments of their treachery. Punish the chiefs of the treacherous, and destroy them. But if one of them seek asylum, give it; let him hear the Word of God and escort him to security. Be true to the true, but fight those who are false to plighted word and taunt you for your Faith. No one has the right to approach the mosques of God unless he believes in God and follows God's Law, the law of righteousness.

2- The People of the Book have obscured the light of God, but the Truth of God must prevail over all. We must be ready to fight for the Faith that is in us; otherwise we shall be unworthy to uphold God's banner, and He will raise other people in our place. (9:30-42)

Wealth As a Trust [9:30-42] The enemies of Faith would fain put out God's light, but God's light will shine more glorious than ever. Wealth is for use and on trust for mankind: hoard not, nor misuse it. Fight a straight fight in the cause of Right: Go forth bravely to strive and struggle, and prove yourselves worthy of God.

3- The Hypocrites and their double dealing: their evil ways are pointed out. Their punishment will be as sure as the blessings of the righteous. (9:43-72)

Make No Excuses [9:43-72] The believers do their duty, and make no excuses -- unlike the Hypocrites, who are a burden whether they join you or hold back. No help should be accepted from these last, as they are false and insincere, and have a slanderous tongue. Alms are for the poor and the needy, not for those who come in hypocrisy and mock at things solemn. But the Hypocrites will be found out an receive due punishment, while the righteous will be rewarded with bliss and the good pleasure of God.

Service and Sacrifice [9:73-99] The hardest striving and fighting are needed to combat evil and hypocrisy; for sin can reach a stage when the doors of forgiveness are closed. The good must shun all evil as unclean, and gladly welcome all chance of service and sacrifice, as bringing them closer to the Presence and Mercy of God.

5- The good pleasure of God is with those who are sincere and make sacrifices in His cause; He will forgive those who do wrong and repent, but not those who intend mischief and foment unbelief and disunion among believers. The Believers by their self-surrender obtain eternal Felicity. God will turn in mercy even to those who, though they waver or fail in duty, turn at last to Him. (9:100-118)

His Good Pleasure [9:100-118] The vanguard of Faith think nothing of self-sacrifice. Their reward is God's Good Pleasure. Even those who do wrong but repent will obtain His Mercy; not so those who persist in Unfaith, Hypocrisy, and Mischief. God's grace is free and abounding for the righteous. Even if they waver or fail, He will turn to them in Mercy, if only they repent and come back unto Him.

6- Those who believe should associate with the righteous and the truthful, actively doing their duty. But if the Community marches out, a part of them should remain behind for the purpose of diligently studying religion and teaching their brethren when they return. Every Surah increases the faith of those who believe, though those diseased in heart may add doubt to doubt. Trust in God, Lord of the Throne of Glory. (9:119-129)

In Word and Deed [9:119-129] To be true in word and deed is to hold our selfish desires at bay, and follow God's Call: in this is our fullest satisfaction and reward. But our striving should include study and teaching, for the Brethren's benefit. For God's Message increases our Faith and leads us to love Him and trust Him, the Lord of the Throne of Glory Supreme.