Tafsir of Al-Mujadilah 58:16

Surah Al-Mujadilah (The Pleading Woman): Verse 16

{اتخذوا أيمانهم جنة فصدوا عن سبيل الله لهم عذاب مهين} (They have taken their oaths as a shield, and thus they have barred [people] from the way of Allah. For them is a humiliating punishment.)

There are two main points regarding the reading of the word {اتخذوا}:

1. The Reading of Al-Hasan: Al-Hasan al-Basri recited the hamza (initial letter) as kasra (i.e., ittakhadhū).
   • Interpretation (according to Ibn Jinni): This reading implies the omission of a word (a mudaf). It means: "They took the declaration of their oaths (ẓihār imānuhum) as a shield."
   • Purpose of the Shield: This shield served two purposes:
     • To conceal their hypocrisy and malice toward the Muslims.
     • To protect themselves from being killed by the Muslims.
   • Subsequent Action: Once they felt safe from being killed, they occupied themselves with preventing people from entering Islam by casting doubts into their hearts and making the state of Islam appear ugly.

Regarding the phrase {فلهم عذاب مهين} (For them is a humiliating punishment):

1. Distinction between Punishments: We interpreted the preceding statement, {أعد الله لهم عذابا شديدا} (Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment) [in the previous verse], as referring to the punishment of the grave ('adhāb al-qabr).
2. We interpret the statement here, {فلهم عذاب مهين}, as referring to the punishment of the Hereafter ('adhāb al-ākhirah).
3. Reason for Distinction: This distinction is made to avoid repetition (takrār).
4. Alternative View: Some scholars hold that both phrases refer entirely to the punishment of the Hereafter. This is analogous to the verse: {Those who disbelieved and barred [people] from the way of Allah—We will increase them in punishment over the punishment} (Surah An-Nahl: 88).

{لن تغني عنهم أموالهم ولا أولادهم من الله شيئاً أولائك أصحاب النار هم فيها خالدون} (Their wealth and their children will not avail them at all against Allah. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.)