Tafsir of Muhammad 47:31

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 31

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ مِنكُم وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَ أَخْبَارَكُمْ

Translation & Exegesis (Al-Razi's Perspective):

"And We will surely test you until We know those who strive [in Allah's cause] among you and those who are patient, and We will make manifest your news/deeds."

• "And We will surely test you" (وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ): This means We will command you with matters that are not necessarily destined to occur, but rather matters that might occur and might not occur, just as an examiner does.

• "Until We know those who strive among you" (حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ مِنكُم): Meaning, until We distinguish the strivers (Mujāhidīn) from those who do not strive. This falls under the category of knowledge of witnessing (ʿilm al-shahādah), as Allah already knows them through His hidden knowledge (ʿilm al-ghayb). We have previously discussed the reality of testing (Ibtilāʾ) and the meaning of "until We know."

• "Those who strive" (الْمُجَاهِدِينَ): Those who advance toward Jihad.

• "And those who are patient" (وَالصَّابِرِينَ): Those who remain steadfast and do not turn their backs (flee).

• "And We will make manifest your news/deeds" (وَنَبْلُوَ أَخْبَارَكُمْ): This phrase has several interpretations:

1. Regarding the Oath: It refers to the statement in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:8): "And of the people are those who say, 'We believe in Allah and in the Last Day,' but they are not of the believers." Both the hypocrite and the believer exhibit this claim. Jihad reveals the truthful from the liar, as Allah states: "Those it is who are the truthful" (Al-Hujurāt: 15).

2. Regarding Abandoning Battle: It refers to their previous covenant: "And they had already taken a covenant with Allah before, that they would not turn their backs" (Al-Ahzāb: 15), and so on. The believer fulfilled his covenant and fought alongside his companions for the sake of Allah, standing like a solid structure (a reinforced building). The hypocrite, however, was like scattered dust, agitated by the slightest cry.

3. Regarding Prophetic Tidings: The believer had true tidings heard from the Prophet (peace be upon him), such as: "You will surely enter the Sacred Mosque" (Al-Fatḥ: 27), "Indeed, We will be victorious, We and Our messengers" (Al-Mujādilah: 21), and "Indeed, Our soldiers—they will be the victors" (Aṣ-Ṣāffāt: 173). Conversely, the hypocrite had alarming, false rumors (Arājīf), as Allah states concerning them: "And those who spread rumors in Al-Madīnah" (Al-Ahzāb: 60). When the agitation (Ijfāj) is realized, the truthfulness is distinguished from the rumor-mongering.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَشَاقُّوا الرَّسُولَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الْهُدَىٰ لَن يَضُرُّوا اللَّهَ شَيْئًا وَسَيُحْبِطُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ

Translation & Exegesis:

"Indeed, those who disbelieve and avert [people] from the way of Allah and oppose the Messenger after the guidance has become clear to them—never will they harm Allah at all, and He will cause their deeds to become worthless."

• "Indeed, those who disbelieve and avert [people] from the way of Allah and oppose the Messenger...": This describes the extreme state of the disbelievers.

• "...after the guidance has become clear to them...": This emphasizes that their disbelief is not due to ignorance, but willful rejection despite clear evidence.

• "...never will they harm Allah at all..." (لَن يَضُرُّوا اللَّهَ شَيْئًا): Their actions cannot diminish Allah's power or sovereignty in the slightest.

• "...and He will cause their deeds to become worthless." (وَسَيُحْبِطُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ): Their efforts, even if they appear good in worldly terms, will have no weight or reward in the Hereafter because they stem from disbelief and opposition to the truth.