Tafsir of At-Tawbah 9:71

Surah At-Tawbah (9): 71

And the believing men and believing women are allies of one another.

Exegesis:

• Context: After Allah (Exalted is He) extensively described the corrupt deeds and vile actions of the hypocrites, followed by mentioning the warnings against them in this world and the Hereafter, He then mentions in this verse the description of the believers possessing qualities of goodness and righteous deeds, in direct contrast to the hypocrites. Following this, He mentions the types of eternal reward and lasting bliss Allah has prepared for them.

• The Believers' Description: As for the description of the believers, it is stated: {And the believing men and believing women are allies of one another} (wa-l-mu'minūna wa-l-mu'minātu ba'ḍuhum awliyā'u ba'ḍ).

Addressing a Question:

• The Inquiry: Why did Allah use the phrase {some of them are of each other} (ba'ḍuhum min ba'ḍ) when describing the hypocrites, but used the term {allies of one another} (awliyā'u ba'ḍ) for the believers?

• The Answer:
  1. The statement regarding the hypocrites, {some of them are of each other}, indicates that the hypocrisy of the followers stems from the hypocrisy of their predecessors, as it is a matter derived from imitation of those leaders, driven by mere inclination of desire, nature, and habit.
  2. However, the harmony established among the believers is not due to mere inclination or habit, but rather due to participation in sound reasoning, divine guidance, and true direction.
  3. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said concerning the hypocrites: {some of them are of each other}, and concerning the believers: {allies of one another}.

• The Meaning of Walāyah (Alliance):
  • Walāyah (alliance/patronage) is the opposite of enmity ('adāwah).
  • We have previously mentioned that the root meaning of walāyah is closeness (qurb). This is confirmed because its opposite, enmity, is derived from the concept of something being distant or passed over ('adā).

Elaboration on Believers' Characteristics:

• After describing the believers as being allies to one another, Allah follows this with what serves as an explanation and clarification: {And the believing men and believing women are allies of one another; they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and establish the prayer...}

• Allah mentioned these five matters by which the believer is distinguished from the hypocrite:
  1. Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: The hypocrite, as described previously, enjoins what is wrong and forbids what is right. The believer does the opposite.
  2. Establishing Prayer: The hypocrite does not rise for prayer except with a degree of laziness, whereas the believer does the opposite.
  3. Giving Zakah: The hypocrite is stingy with Zakah and other obligations, as stated elsewhere: {and they withhold their hands}. The believers give Zakah.
  4. Obeying Allah and His Messenger: When Allah and His Messenger command haste toward Jihad, the hypocrite holds back himself and discourages others, as described by Allah. The believers are the opposite. This is what is meant by {and they obey Allah and His Messenger}.

• The Promise of Mercy: After listing the characteristics of the believers, Allah clarified that just as He promised the hypocrites the Fire of Hell, He promised the believers the future Mercy, which is the reward of the Hereafter. Therefore, He said: {Those—Allah will have mercy upon them} (ulā'ika sayarḥamuhum Allāh).

• The Significance of Sīn (سـ): The letter Sīn (the prefix indicating future tense) in {sayarḥamuhum} is for emphasis and exaggeration, similar to how the warning "I will certainly take revenge on you someday" emphasizes that the person will not escape, even if delayed. Examples include: {The Most Merciful will surely establish for him affection} (19:96), {Your Lord will surely give to you, and you will be satisfied} (93:5), and {He will give them their rewards in full} (4:152).

• The Conclusion: Then He said: {Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise} (Inna Allāha 'Azīzun Ḥakīm). This necessitates exaggeration in both encouragement (Targhīb) and warning (Tarhīb), because:
  • The Exalted in Might ('Azīz) is He whose will regarding His servants—whether mercy or punishment—cannot be prevented.
  • The Wise (Ḥakīm) is He who manages the affairs of His servants according to what justice and correctness demand.

Verse 72

{Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in Gardens of Eden. But approval from Allah is greater. That is the great attainment.}