Tafsir of Muhammad 47:32

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 32

{Indeed, those who disbelieved...} (referring to verse 32)

There are two interpretations regarding whom this refers to:

1. The People of the Book: Specifically, the Jews of Banu Qurayza and Banu Nadir.
2. The Disbelievers of Quraysh.

The first interpretation is supported by the Almighty's saying: {after the guidance has become clear to them}. It is said that this clarity refers to the People of the Book having the truth of Muhammad's (peace be upon him) message made clear to them.

Also, His saying {They will never harm Allah in anything} is a threat meaning: They think that their opposition is directed against the Messenger, and by opposing him, they are opposing him. This is not the case; rather, the opposition is against Allah. For Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and his duty is only to deliver the message. If they cause harm, they harm the Messengers. However, Allah is exalted above being harmed by the disbelief of a disbeliever or the transgression of a sinner.

And His saying {And He will make their deeds worthless}—its meaning is already known.

If it is asked: It was previously mentioned at the beginning of the Surah that Allah has made their deeds worthless (Q. 47:1), so how can He make them worthless in the future?

We reply that there are two answers to this:

1. What is meant by {Those who disbelieved and barred [people] from the way of Allah} (Q. 47:1) at the beginning of the Surah are the polytheists (Mushrikun). From the beginning of their command, their actions were void because they were not based on the Law.
2. What is meant by {those who disbelieved} here are the People of the Book. They had deeds (acts of worship) before the Prophet's mission, and Allah made them worthless due to their rejection of the Messenger. Their belief in the Resurrection, the Messengers, and Monotheism does not benefit them. As for the disbelieving polytheist, his deed is worthless because it was not based on any divine Law, nor did he acknowledge the second resurrection.

The second interpretation is that "deeds" mentioned here refers to their schemes and plots in warfare. This is something they are currently engaged in, and Allah will nullify it when victory is achieved by the believers. The "deeds" mentioned at the beginning of the Surah refer to what they considered to be good deeds (in their own estimation).

{O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.}