Surah 47: Muhammad, The Fighting - Overview

Introduction

We have examined and followed the current arrangement of the Surahs according to subject matter and independently of chronology, and we have found that a logical thread runs through them. We have now finished more than five-sixths of the Qur'an. The remaining sixth consists of short Surahs, but these are again grouped according to subject matter.

We begin the first of such groups with a group of three Surahs (47 to 49), which deal with the organization of the Muslim Ummah or community both for external defense and in internal relations. The present Surah deals with the necessity of defense against external foes by courage and strenuous fighting, and dates from about the first year of the Hijrah, when the Muslims were under threat of extinction by invasion from Makkah.

Summary

1- Aggressive hostility to Faith and Truth should be fought firmly, and God will guide. (47:1-19)

Be Firm in the Fight [47:1-19] No plots against Truth or Faith will succeed; but those who follow both will be strengthened. Be firm in the fight, and God will guide. Rebellion against God is destruction; fidelity will cool the mind and feed the heart; it will warm the affections and sweeten life. Hypocrisy carries its own doom.

2- Faint-heartedness condemned; those who strive and those who turn away will be sorted out. (47:20-38)

Flag of Righteousness [47:20-38] Those eager for service want to call for service; but the hypocrites blanch at such call. If it were not obeyed, and evil should get the upper hand, will it not stalk arrogant over the land, and trample under foot all claims of right and kinship? Fight it, and fail not in the test of your mettle. Be bold and establish the Flag of Righteousness in the highest places. Thus comes Peace, for which due sacrifice must be made.