Tafsir of At-Tawbah 9:19

{ Have you made the providing of water to the pilgrims... }

• As-Siqāyah (providing water) and al-ʿimārah (maintaining/tending) are verbal nouns derived from saqā (to water) and ʿamara (to build/maintain), similar to al-ṣiyānah (preservation) and al-wiqāyah (protection).
• There must be an omitted genitive construction (muḍāf), the estimation being: "Have you made the people of the water-provision for the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like those who believed in Allah?"
• Ibn al-Zubayr and Abū Wajzah al-Saʿdī—who were among the reciters—read it as: Suqāt al-ḥajj wa ʿamarat al-masjid al-ḥarām (The water-providers of the pilgrimage and the maintainers of the Sacred Mosque).
• The meaning is a denunciation of equating the polytheists with the believers, and of equating their nullified deeds with their established deeds, or placing them on the same level. To equate them is an injustice added to their injustice of disbelief.

Historical Context:

• It is narrated that the polytheists said to the Jews: "We are the water-providers for the pilgrims and the maintainers of the Sacred Mosque; are we better, or Muhammad and his companions?" The Jews replied: "You are better."
• It is also said that ʿAlī (may Allah be pleased with him) said to al-ʿAbbās: "O uncle, will you not emigrate? Will you not join the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)?" Al-ʿAbbās replied: "Am I not in a position better than emigration? I provide water for the pilgrims of the House of Allah and maintain the Sacred Mosque." When this verse was revealed, al-ʿAbbās said: "I see no choice but to leave our water-provisioning." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Remain at your water-provisioning, for there is goodness for you in it."

{ Those who believed, emigrated, and strove in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him, approval, and gardens wherein they will have lasting pleasure. Abiding therein forever. Indeed, with Allah is a great reward. }