At-Tawbah (The Repentance): (23) O you who believe...

Introduction and Context

It is to be noted that the purpose of mentioning this verse is to serve as a response to another doubt raised by them (the disbelievers/hypocrites).

The doubt was: Complete severance from disbelievers is impossible, because a Muslim man might have a disbelieving father, and a disbelieving man might have a Muslim father or brother. Achieving complete separation between a man and his father or brother is nearly impossible and unattainable. If this is the case, then the complete disavowal commanded by Allah would be difficult, unattainable, and impossible.

Therefore, Allah Almighty mentioned this verse to remove this doubt.

Al-Wahidi narrated from Ibn Abbas that he said: When the believers were commanded to emigrate (Hijra) before the Conquest of Makkah, whoever did not emigrate, Allah did not accept their faith until they distanced themselves from their fathers and relatives if they were disbelievers.

The author (Al-Razi), may Allah be pleased with him, said: This narration is problematic, because the correct view is that this Surah was revealed after the Conquest of Makkah. How can this verse be interpreted according to what they mentioned?

The more probable view, in my opinion, is what I have already stated: When Allah commanded the believers to disavow the polytheists and emphasized this obligation strongly, they asked: How is this complete separation possible between a man and his father, mother, and brother?

Allah Almighty then stated that severing ties with fathers, children, and brothers is obligatory because of disbelief, which is expressed in His saying: {If they prefer disbelief over faith}.

Istihbāb (preferring/loving) means seeking love; it is said, istahabba lahu (he loved it for him), meaning he sought its love.

Furthermore, after Allah forbade associating with them—and the prohibition could imply mere discouragement (nahy tanzihi) or absolute prohibition (nahy tahrimi)—He mentioned what removes the doubt by saying: {And whoever of you allies himself with them, then those are the wrongdoers}.

Ibn Abbas said: This means whoever becomes a disbeliever like them, because he consented to their polytheism. Consenting to disbelief is disbelief, just as consenting to wickedness (fisq) is wickedness.

Al-Qadi (Al-Baqillani or similar scholar) said: This prohibition does not prevent a person from disavowing his father in this world, just as it does not prevent him from paying off the debt of a disbeliever or employing him in his affairs.

Verse 7: {Say, "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your spouses, your kindred, the wealth you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people."}