Tafsir of Muhammad 47:20

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 20

[47:20] And those who believe say, "Why has a surah not been sent down [concerning fighting]?"

When Allah clarified the state of the hypocrite, the disbeliever, and the guided believer upon hearing the verses concerning knowledge (such as Tawhid and the Hereafter) in His saying, "And among them are those who listen to you..." (47:16) and "And those who are guided, He increases them in guidance..." (47:17), He then clarified their state regarding the practical injunctions (Ayat al-'Amaliyyah).

The believer was eagerly awaiting the revelation of these injunctions and desired their descent. If the obligation was delayed, he would say, "Why have we not been commanded with some act of worship?" out of fear of not being deemed worthy of it.

Conversely, when a Surah or verse containing an obligation was revealed, it became burdensome for the hypocrite. This contrast highlights the difference between the two groups in both knowledge and action: the hypocrite neither understands the knowledge nor desires the action, while the believer knows and loves to act.

The phrase "Why has a surah not been sent down" refers to a Surah containing an obligation that tests both the believer and the hypocrite.

Then, the Almighty revealed a Surah containing the command for fighting, which is the most difficult obligation.

"a surah that is clear (muhkamah)" has several interpretations:

1. A Surah that has not been abrogated.
2. A Surah whose words are intended to mean their literal realities. This contrasts with verses like "The Most Merciful established Himself above the Throne" (20:5) or "at the side of Allah" (39:56). Regarding fighting, the Almighty's statement, "then strike the necks" (4:4), means killing, which is more emphatic than saying, "then kill them" (2:191) or "kill them wherever you find them" (4:91), which are explicit commands for fighting.

In both interpretations, the term "muhkamah" (clear/decisive) carries an added benefit: the hypocrites cannot claim that the intended meaning is different from what is apparent, nor can they claim, "This verse has been abrogated, so we will not fight."

"You see those in whose hearts is a disease (marad)"—meaning the hypocrites—"looking at you with the look of one overwhelmed by death."

This is because when the obligation to fight arrived, their hypocrisy served no purpose. Previously, during times of indecision, they could move between the two factions (Muslims and their enemies). But upon the command to fight, they lost the ability to maneuver.

"So woe to them!" (Fa-waylun lahum)

This is a form of supplication, like saying, "Woe to them!"

Alternatively, it could be a statement confirming a previously implied subject, which is death. It is as if Allah, after mentioning the look of one overwhelmed by death, stated: "Death is better for them," because a life lived not in obedience to Allah and His Messenger is worse than death.

Al-Wahidi suggested that it could mean: "Obedience is better for them" (i.e., obedience is preferable for them).

[47:21] Obedience and good words. But when the matter is decided, if they were true to Allah, it would have been better for them.