Tafsir of Muhammad 47:26

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 26

[47:26] That is because they said to those who hated what Allah had sent down, "We will obey you in some matters."

Translation and Exegesis:

Some commentators suggest that "That" (ذلك) refers to the respite granted (الإملاء), meaning this respite is granted because they said to those who hated what Allah revealed: "We will obey you in some matters." This is the view chosen by Al-Wahidi.

Others suggest "That" refers to the temptation/persuasion (التسويل).

It is also possible that "That" refers to their apostasy (الارتداد), because they said, "We will obey you." This is because we explain that their statement, "We will obey you in some matters," means:

1. They agreed with the disbelievers that Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is not a messenger, but a liar.
2. However, they would not agree with them regarding denying the Prophethood, the Resurrection, or associating partners with Allah (idolatry).

Whoever does not believe in Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a disbeliever, even if they believe in something else. Rather, whoever does not believe in Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) does not truly believe in Allah, His messengers, or the Resurrection. This is because Allah, having informed them of the Resurrection (which is possible), also informed them of the Prophethood of Muhammad (عليه الصلاة والسلام) (which is also possible). If someone does not accept Allah's truth in one matter, they cannot be considered truthful or certain about Allah's word in another matter, such as the Resurrection or the message of any prophet, because the path to knowing them is singular.

The intended meaning of "those who hated what Allah had sent down" is the polytheists and the hypocrites. It is also suggested that it refers to the People of the Book (Jews). The people of Mecca allegedly told the Jews: "We will agree with you in expelling Muhammad, killing him, and fighting his companions."

The first interpretation (polytheists/hypocrites) is stronger. If "those who hated what Allah had sent down" referred to the People of the Book, it would be specific to some of what Allah revealed. If it refers to the polytheists, it is general, as they hated everything Allah revealed, rejected all messengers, and denied prophethood altogether.

The phrase "We will obey you in some matters" means:

• Regarding belief in Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), we will not obey you (we will not believe).
• Regarding denying him and fighting him, we will obey you as you deny him.
• However, regarding associating partners with Allah, taking idols as rivals to Him, and denying the Resurrection and Prophethood—we will not agree with you on these matters.

"And Allah knows their secrets" (والله يعلم إسرارهم).

Most commentators state that this means they said this statement secretly, and Allah revealed it to His Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

A stronger interpretation is that "Allah knows their secrets" refers to what is in their hearts: their knowledge of the truthfulness of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم). They were obstinate deniers, yet they knew the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) as well as they knew their own sons.

The word إسرارهم (their secrets) was also recited with a kasra on the hamza (إسرارهم), meaning the verbal noun (masdar). The meaning we mentioned is clear under this recitation, as they used to conceal their belief in Muhammad's prophethood.

If we adopt the view that "those who apostatized" refers to the hypocrites, they would say to the Muslim fighters, "We will obey you in some matters" (referring to the worldly matters of the battle). They would conceal that if victory came to the disbelievers, they would revert (apostasize), as Allah states: "And if a victory from your Lord comes to them, they will surely say, 'Indeed, we were with you...'"

And Allah states: "...And when fear comes, you see them looking at you, their eyes rolling like one overcome by death. But when the fear departs, they lash you with sharp tongues..." (Al-Ahzab: 15).

[47:27] So how will it be when the angels take their souls, striking their faces and their backs?

Translation and Exegesis:

"So how will it be when the angels take their souls, striking their faces and their backs?"