[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]: Ayat 17

১৭. বলুন! কে তোমাদেরকে আল্লাহ থেকে রক্ষা করবে যদি তিনি তোমাদের অমঙ্গল ইচ্ছা করেন অথবা তোমাদের প্রতি অনুকম্পার ইচ্ছা? তারা আল্লাহ ব্যতীত নিজেদের কোন অভিভাবক ও সাহায্যদাতা পাবে না।

Ayat 17. Say: "Who is he who can protect you from Allah if He intends to harm you, or intends mercy on you?" And they will not find, besides Allah, for themselves any Wali (protector, supporter, etc.) or any helper.

Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 17. Say: "Who is it that can screen you from Allah if it be His wish to give you punishment or to give you Mercy?" Nor will they find for themselves, besides Allah, any protector or helper. It is still worse if the cowardice or desertion is shown in a Cause, which because of the high issues of truth and justice may be called the Cause of Allah. How can anyone escape Allah's Punishment? And in the same way, how can anyone prevent another from obtaining Allah's mercy by repentance and amendment? The better path, therefore, is to stand firm in Allah's Way, and if you fail through human weakness, to repent and seek Allah's Mercy. Cf. 33:24,

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) when he said, "O boy! I will instruct you in some matters. Be watchful of Allah (Commandments of Allah), He will preserve you. Safeguard His Rights; He will be ever with you. If you beg, beg of Him Alone; and if you need assistance, supplicate to Allah Alone for help. And remember that if all the people gather to benefit you, they will not be able to benefit you except that which Allah had foreordained (for you); and if all of them gather to do harm to you, they will not be able to afflict you with anything other than that which Allah had pre-destined against you. The pens had been lifted and the ink had dried up". Another narration is: Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Safeguard the Commandments of Allah, you will find Him before you. Remember Him in prosperity and He will remember you in adversity. Be sure that which you miss, was not to hit you; and what hits you, was never to miss you. Remember that the Help of Allah is obtained with patience, and relief emerges after distress, prosperity follows adversity, and hardship is followed by ease". [At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2516]. 

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 17. “if He intends to harm you, or intends mercy on you?" And they will not find, besides Allah, for themselves any Wali (protector, supporter, etc.) or any helper. This Hadith brings out 3 points.

1. No one has the power to change the Decision of Allah.

2. Whatever trouble one has to suffer in this world, it does not last forever. Every trouble is followed by prosperity, pleasure and happiness.

3. One should never ask other than Allah anyone's help in supernatural way because it amounts to ascribing partnership with Allah. If a person is mindful of the Rights of Allah, then Allah in return takes care of his needs and helps him.

[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]: Ayat 15-16

১৫. অথচ তারা পূর্বে আল্লাহর সাথে অঙ্গীকার করেছিল যে, তারা পৃষ্ঠ প্রদর্শন করবে না। আল্লাহর অঙ্গীকার সম্পর্কে জিজ্ঞাসা করা হবে।

১৬. বলুন! তোমরা যদি মৃত্যু অথবা হত্যা থেকে পলায়ন কর, তবে এ পলায়ন তোমাদের কাজে আসবে না। তখন তোমাদেরকে সামান্যই ভোগ করতে দেয়া হবে।

Ayat 15. And indeed they had already made a covenant with Allah not to turn their backs, and a covenant with Allah must be answered for.

Ayat 16. Say (O Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH) to these hypocrites who ask your permission to run away from you): "Flight will not avail you if you flee from death or killing, and then you will enjoy no more than a little while!"

Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 15 & 16. And yet they had already covenanted with Allah not to turn their backs, and a covenant with Allah must (surely) be answered for. Apparently, after the battle of Uhud, certain men who had then shown cowardice were forgiven on undertaking that they would behave better next time. A solemn promise made to the Messenger of Allah is a promise to Allah, and it cannot be broken with impunity. Ayat 16. Say: "Running away will not profit you if ye are running away from death or slaughter; and even if (ye do escape), no more than a brief (respite) will ye be allowed to enjoy!" The coward in a fight does not usually save himself from death. He is subject, after desertion, to the fury both of the enemy and of his own side for cowardice and desertion. Assuming that he did escape with his life, where could he go to? The brand of cowardice will be on him, and he will be subject to the vengeance of his own people. In any case, his life would be in ignominy and would be brief, and he would have lost irretrievably the meed of valor.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, “Keep away from the seven fatalities.'' It was asked: "What are they, O Messenger of Allah?'' He  [SAWW](PBUH) replied, "Associating anything with Allah in worship (i.e., committing an act of Shirk), sorcery, killing of one whom Allah has declared inviolable without a just cause, devouring the property of an orphan, the eating of usury (Riba), fleeing from the battlefield and accusing chaste believing women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity.'' [Al-Bukhari Book 04, Chapter 51, Hadith # 028] 

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 16. these hypocrites who ask your permission to run away from you): "Flight will not avail you if you flee from death or killing," All the sins mentioned in the Hadith are major sins but Shirk is the greatest of all. The reason behind this is that it will never be pardoned, and one who commits it, will abide in Hell for all eternity. So far as the other major sins are concerned with Allah, He may forgive them if He so wills; otherwise one who is guilty of such sins will have to suffer the torments of Hell. He will, however, be sent to Jannah after suffering the punishment if he is a Muslim.

[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]: Ayat 14

১৪. যদি শত্রুপক্ষ চতুর্দিক থেকে নগরে প্রবেশ করে তাদের সাথে মিলিত হত, অতঃপর বিদ্রোহ করতে প্ররোচিত করত, তবে তারা অবশ্যই বিদ্রোহ করত এবং তারা মোটেই বিলম্ব করত না।

Ayat 14. And if the enemy had entered from all sides (of the city), and they had been exhorted to Al­-Fitnah (i.e. to renegade from Islam to polytheism) they would surely have committed it and would have hesitated thereupon but little.

Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 14. And if an entry had been affected to them from the sides of the (city), and they had been incited to sedition, they would certainly have brought it to pass, with none but a brief delay! The brunt of all the fighting was on the north side, but the whole Trench was guarded. At one or two points enemy warriors did break within the circuit of the Trench, but they were soon disposed of. 'Ali particularly distinguished himself in many fights, wearing the Prophet's own sword and armor. If any of the enemy had been able to penetrate into the City, the disaffected element, which was only sitting on the fence, would have risen against the Muslims at once-with no delay except what might have been necessary to put on their armor and arms.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said,  "Allah, the Exalted, has said: `I will declare war against him who treats with hostility a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary prayers or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love him, (so much so that) I become his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me something, I will surely give him, and if he seeks My Protection (refuge), I will surely protect him".

[Al-Bukhari Book 08, Chapter 76, Hadith # 509].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 14. “they would surely have committed it and would have hesitated thereupon but little”This Hadith tell us the status and distinctive signs of the favored men of Allah ('Auliya' Allah) The Noble Qur'an has defined them as: "Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah) and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds)". (10:63). According to this definition, every believer who really fears Allah is a favored of Allah. It means that except for Faith and piety, favored of Allah are neither people of the special kind nor have they any special distinctive signs, as is generally thought by some people. In this respect, the ignorance of the general public is shocking because they regard even such persons as favored of Allah who not only neglect the religious obligations and the practice of the Prophet (PBUH), but also woefully lack cleanliness. Sometimes they call even mad or half-mad persons as favorites of Allah, whereas a Wali in the true sense is one who is meticulous about observing the obligations and is fearful of Allah. This Hadith brings about the following points: Firstly, the loves of those whom Allah loves entail the love of Allah, and hating them entails the hatred of Allah. Secondly, when a true Muslim acquires nearness and love of Allah by means of performing religious obligations, supererogatory and voluntary prayers, Allah then becomes his special helper and protects his limbs and organs and does not let them work for His disobedience. 

[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]: Ayat 13

১৩. এবং যখন তাদের একদল বলেছিল, হে ইয়াসরেববাসী, এটা টিকবার মত জায়গা নয়, তোমরা ফিরে চল। তাদেরই একদল নবীর কাছে অনুমতি প্রার্থনা করে বলেছিল, আমাদের বাড়ী-ঘর খালি, অথচ সেগুলো খালি ছিল না, পলায়ন করাই ছিল তাদের ইচ্ছা।

Ayat 13. And when a party of them said: "O people of Yathrib (Al ­Madinah)! There is no stand (possible) for you (against the enemy attack!) Therefore go back!" And a band of them ask for permission of the Prophet ( [SAWW](PBUH) saying: "Truly, our homes lie open (to the enemy)." And they lay not open. They but wished to flee.

Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 13. Behold! A party among them said: "Ye men of Yathrib! ye cannot stand (the attack)! Therefore go back!" And a band of them ask for leave of the Prophet, saying, "Truly our houses are bare and exposed," though they were not exposed they intended nothing but to run away. All the fighting men of Madinah had come out of the City and camped in the open space between the City and the Trench that had been dug all round. The disaffected Hypocrites sowed defeatist rumors and pretended to withdraw for the defense of their homes, though their homes were not exposed, and were fully covered by the vigilant defensive forces inside the Trench.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) at one time when he confronted the enemy, and was waiting for the sun to set, stood up and said, "O people! Do not long for encountering the enemy and supplicate to Allah to grant you security. But when you face the enemy, show patience and steadfastness; and keep it in mind that Jannah lies under the shade of the swords.'' Then he invoked Allah, saying, "O Allah, Revealer of the Book (Al-Quran), Disperser of the clouds, Defeater of the Confederates, put our enemy to rout and help us in over-powering them".

[Al-Bukhari Hadith # 2818 and Muslim Hadith # 1742].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 13. “they lay not open. They but wished to flee” (1) Although great stress has been laid on full preparation and readiness for Jihad, it is prohibited to wish for war with enemy. (2). Patience is a great weapon of a Muslim. In the context of Jihad, it means steadfastness, fortitude and fearlessness of death in the battlefield. (3). Muslims are ordained not to rely entirely on weapons, material resources and their military prowess. They are advised to pray to Allah for victory over their enemy.

[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]: Ayat 11-12

১১. সে সময়ে মুমিনগণ পরীক্ষিত হয়েছিল এবং ভীষণভাবে প্রকম্পিত হচ্ছিল।

১২. এবং যখন মুনাফিক ও যাদের অন্তরে রোগ ছিল তারা বলছিল, আমাদেরকে প্রদত্ত আল্লাহ ও রসূলের প্রতিশ্রুতি প্রতারণা বৈ নয়।

Ayat 11. There, the believers were tried and shaken with a mighty shaking.

Ayat 12. And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts) said: "Allah and His Messenger ( [SAWW](PBUH) promised us nothing but delusions!"

Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 11 and 12. In that situation where the Believers tried: they were shaken as by a tremendous shaking. Ayat 12. And behold! The Hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (even) say: "(Allah) and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion!" Before this year's mass attack on Madinah, the Muslims had successfully reached the Syrian border on the north, and there were hopes of reaching Yemen in the south. The Prophet had seen signs of expansion and victory for the Muslims. Now that they were shut within the Trench on the defensive, the Hypocrites taunted them with having indulged in delusive hopes. But the event showed that the hopes were not delusive. They were realized beyond expectations in a few years.

Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: "O you people! You recite this Verse: `O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the (right) guidance [and enjoin what is right (Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden)] no hurt can come to you from those who are in error.' (5:105) But I have heard Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) saying: "When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allah will punish them all.''  [Abu Dawud Hadith # 4338 and At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2168].

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 12. “the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts)” This Hadith brings out the following points: What Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) had stated was that the Ayah mentioned in this Hadith was generally understood to mean that if a person is on the Straight Path then it is not necessary for him to preach virtue and forbid vice because in that case he neither has the fear of being harmed by the disobedience and sins of others nor is he answerable to Allah for their misdeeds. Thus, what it implies is that Muslim Ummah is not responsible for the enforcement of Islamic Shari`ah in the world and all it is concerned with is its own improvement only. By narrating this Hadith, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) refuted this interpretation of the Ayah and made it clear that it is the duty of the Ummah and each of its member to make best possible efforts to check the vices prevalent in the society. So much so that if a Muslim has the ability to check the vices by means of force or speech but he does not do it, his negligence in this regard will become a cause of Divine wrath and punishment. The true significance of this ayah is that if, in spite of the best efforts on the part of the pious ones there is no improvement, and people do not abstain from sins and disobedience of Allah, then the pious persons will not be held responsible for what the defaulters do, nor would they suffer on this account. This interpretation of the ¢yah removes the conflict that seems to exist between the meaning of the Ayah and the Hadith.

[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]: Ayat 10

১০. যখন তারা তোমাদের নিকটবর্তী হয়েছিল উচ্চ ভূমি ও নিম্নভূমি থেকে এবং যখন তোমাদের দৃষ্টিভ্রম হচ্ছিল, প্রাণ কন্ঠাগত হয়েছিল এবং তোমরা আল্লাহ সম্পর্কে নানা বিরূপ ধারণা পোষণ করতে শুরু করছিলে।

Ayat 10. When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached to the throats, and you were harboring doubts about Allah.

Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 10. Behold! They came on you from above you and from below you, and behold, the eyes became dim and the hearts gaped(3682) up to the throats, and ye imagined various (vain) thoughts about Allah. The psychology of the combatants is described with matchless vigor in the Holy Test. The onrush of the enemy was really tremendous. The Trench round Madinah was between the defenders and the huge attacking force, which had some high ground behind them "above you": when any of them came through the valley or over the Trench they seemed to come from below. The showers of arrows and stone on both sides must also have seemed to come from the air.

Hazrat Abu Bakr bin Abu Musa Al-Ashari reported: I heard my father saying in the presence of the enemy: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "The gates of Jannah are under the shades of the swords.'' A man with a shaggy appearance got up and said, "O Abu Musa! Did you hear the Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) say that in person?'' Abu Musa replied in the affirmative; so he returned to his companions and said: "I tender you farewell greetings.'' Then he broke the scabbard of his sword and threw it away. He rushed towards the enemy with his sword and fought with it till he was martyred. [Muslim Chapter 41, Book 020, Hadith # 4681]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 10. “When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached to the throats” Besides highlighting the distinction of Jihad, this Hadith tells us about the Companions' passion for Jihad and ardent love for Allah and His Prophet [SAWW](PBUH). It also tells about their firm faith in what was ordained by Allah and His Prophet [SAWW](PBUH). In fact, it was this certitude which inclined them more to the Hereafter rather than this world.

[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]: Ayat 09

০৯. হে মুমিনগণ! তোমরা তোমাদের প্রতি আল্লাহর নেয়ামতের কথা স্মরণ কর, যখন শত্রুবাহিনী তোমাদের নিকটবর্তী হয়েছিল, অতঃপর আমি তাদের বিরুদ্ধে ঝঞ্চাবায়ু এবং এমন সৈন্যবাহিনী প্রেরণ করেছিলাম, যাদেরকে তোমরা দেখতে না। তোমরা যা কর, আল্লাহ তা দেখেন।

Ayat 9. O you who believe! Remember Allah’s Favor to you, when there came against you hosts, and Allah sent against them a wind and forces that you saw not [i.e. troops of angels during the battle of Al­-Ahzab (the Confederates)]. And Allah is Ever All Seer of what you do. 

Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 09. O ye who believe! Remember the Grace of Allah, (bestowed) on you, when there came down on you hosts (to overwhelm you): But We sent against them a hurricane and forces that ye saw not: but Allah sees (clearly) all that ye do. In this verse is summed up the beginning and the end of the fateful struggle of the Siege of Madinah in A.H. 5. The composition of the unhallowed Confederacy that came to destroy Islam is referred to in the Introduction. They came with a force of ten to twelve thousand fighting men, an unprecedented army for that time and country. The battle is known as the Battle of the Trench. After a close investment of two to four weeks, during which the enemies were disheartened by their ill success, there was a piercing blast of the cold east wind. It was a severe winter, and February can be a very cold Mondi in Madinah, which is about 3,000 feet above the sea level. The enemy's tents were torn up, their fires were extinguished, the sand and rain beat in their faces, and they were terrified by the portents against them. They had already well nigh fallen out amongst themselves, and beating a hasty retreat, they melted away. The Madinah fighting strength was no more than 3,000, and the Jewish tribe of the Banu Qurayzah who were in their midst was a source of weakness as they were treacherously intriguing with the enemy. And further there were the Hypocrites: see n. 3666 above. But there were hidden forces that helped the Muslims. Besides the forces of nature there were moral forces-mutual distrust and bickering in the enemy camp, and on the other side, perfect discipline among the real Muslims, and the superb leadership of the Prophet. Allah sees everything. Therefore we may conclude that the discipline and moral fervor of the Muslims, as well as the enemy's insincerities, intrigues, and reliance on brute force, were all contributory causes to his repulse, under Allah's dispensation. There were many hidden causes which neither party saw clearly.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: On one occasion the Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) was confronting the enemy. He waited until the sun had declined. Then he stood up to address the people and said, "O people! Do not wish for an encounter with the enemy. Pray to Allah to grant you safety; (but) when you encounter them, show patience, and know that Jannah is under the shades of the swords.'' Then he  [SAWW](PBUH) said: "Allahumma munzilal-kitab, wa mujriyas-sahab, wa hazimal-Ahzab, ihzimhum wansurna alaihim (O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Disperser of the clouds, Defeater of the Confederates, put our enemy to rout and support us against them).'' [Al-Bukhari Book 04, Chapter 52, Hadith # 210]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 09. “Allah sent against them a wind and forces that you saw not [i.e. troops of angels during the battle of Al­-Ahzab” From this Hadith we learn that it is better to start war in the afternoon because this was the practice of the Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH). The desire for war is prohibited, but when war becomes inevitable, one should not show his back to the enemy; rather, one should fight to the best of his ability and be steadfast in it.  Along with steadfastness and patience in fighting, one should also pray for victory because all powers lie with Allah and no one can gain victory without His Will. The Hadith also mentions a supplication which one should make when he encounters the enemy.