Al-Hashr (The Banishment): (5) What you have cut down...

There are several issues concerning this verse:

This phrase clarifies the meaning of { \text{mā qaṭaʿtum} } (what you have cut down). The relative pronoun { \text{mā} } is in the accusative case because of the verb { \text{qaṭaʿtum} }, as if it means: "Whatever you cut down." The pronoun referring back to { \text{mā} } in { \text{aw taraktumūhā} } (or left them standing) is feminine because it refers to the meaning of layyinah (a type of palm tree).

1. Abu 'Ubaydah said: Layyinah refers to any palm tree except the 'Ajwah or Barnī types. Its origin is lawnah, and the wāw was dropped due to the kasrah on the lām. Its plural is alwān. Thus, layyinah refers to all palm trees except Barnī and 'Ajwah.
2. Others said: Layyinah refers to the noble palm trees, derived from layyin (soft/pliant), and its plural is liyyīn.

Why was the layyinah specifically singled out for cutting?

• If it refers to the alwān (non-premium types), it is so that they (the Muslims) might reserve the 'Ajwah and Barnī for themselves.
• If it refers to the noble palms, it is to intensify the rage of the Jews.

1. The author of Al-Kashshāf mentioned that the reading { \text{qawman} } (people) was recited in its original form (implying the plural form without the expected wāw for the nominative case, similar to kuhun and kuhun).
2. It was also read as { \text{qā'iman} } (standing), referring back to the singular form of the word { \text{mā} }.
3. The phrase { \text{fa-bi-idhn Allāh} } (then by the permission of Allah) means: He permitted the cutting down by His command.
4. And { \text{wa-li-yukhziya al-fāsiqīn} }$ (and to humiliate the transgressors) means: Allah permitted the cutting down for the purpose of humiliating the transgressors, i.e., the Jews.

It is narrated that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was commanded to cut down and burn their palm trees, they objected: "O Muhammad, you used to forbid corruption on earth, so what is the matter with cutting and burning palm trees?" The believers also felt some reservation about this action. This verse was then revealed.

The meaning is that Allah permitted this action specifically so that the rage of the disbelievers might increase, and their distress might multiply due to the execution of the ruling against their enemies over their most cherished possessions.

Scholars use this verse as evidence that there is no harm in demolishing, burning, drowning, or attacking the fortresses and dwellings of the disbelievers with catapults. Similarly, their trees, whether fruit-bearing or not, may be uprooted. Ibn Mas'ud narrated that they cut down only those trees that were used as positions for fighting.

It is narrated that two men were cutting down trees: one was cutting the 'Ajwah, and the other was cutting the lawn (other types). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked them. The first man said: "I left it for the Messenger of Allah." The second man said: "I cut it out of rage against the disbelievers."

From this incident, scholars derived evidence for:

1. The permissibility of Ijtihād (independent legal reasoning).
2. The permissibility of performing Ijtihād in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH).

7 < { And whatever Allah has assigned to His Messenger from them [the spoils], for which you did not exert yourselves [by riding] nor [by marching] on camels or horses, but Allah gives authority to His messengers over whomever He wills. And Allah is over all things competent. } > 7 !