Tafsir of At-Tawbah 9:25

"In many places" (مواطن): The plural of mawtin (place/station). It is indeclinable because it follows a pattern for which there is no singular form. These "many places" refer to the battles of Badr, Qurayza, Nadir, Hudaybiyyah, Khaybar, and the Conquest of Mecca.

If you ask: How is "time" (Day of Hunayn) conjoined with "place" (many places)? I reply: The meaning is "in the places of the Day of Hunayn," or "in the days of many places and the Day of Hunayn." It is also possible that mawtin here refers to a time, like "the place of killing of al-Husayn."

However, it is necessary that "Day of Hunayn" be in the accusative case (mansub) due to an implied verb, not the explicit one (nasarakum). If the explicit verb were the governor, it would be incorrect, because their large numbers did not amaze them in all those places, nor were they numerous in all of them. Thus, it must be governed by a verb specific to it—unless you make id (when) governed by an implied "Remember."

Hunayn: A valley between Mecca and Ta'if. The battle took place there between the Muslims—who numbered 12,000 (those who attended the conquest of Mecca, plus 2,000 of the Tulaqa [freed captives])—and the tribes of Hawazin and Thaqif, who numbered 4,000 plus their Arab allies, forming a massive crowd.

When they met, a man among the Muslims said, "We will not be defeated today due to a lack of numbers," which displeased the Messenger of God (peace be upon him). It is said the speaker was the Messenger himself, or Abu Bakr (may God be pleased with him). This is the meaning of: "When your great number amazed you."

They fought fiercely, but the Muslims were overcome by the pride of their numbers, forgetting that God is the Helper, not the multitude of soldiers. They fled until the remnants reached Mecca. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) remained alone, steadfast in his position, not moving. With him were only his uncle al-Abbas (holding the bridle of his mount) and his cousin Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith. This solitude is sufficient testimony to his ultimate courage and composure—a sign of his Prophethood. He said: "O my Lord, bring me what You have promised me."

He then told al-Abbas, who had a powerful voice, to call out to the people. He called the Ansar, then the "People of the Tree" and the "People of the Surah al-Baqarah." They returned as one body, saying, "We are here!" The angels descended, dressed in white on piebald horses. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) looked at the fighting and said, "Now the furnace has heated up." He took a handful of dust, threw it at them, and said, "Be defeated, by the Lord of the Kaaba!" And they were defeated. Al-Abbas said, "It is as if I am looking at the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) galloping behind them on his mule."

"Despite its vastness" (بما رحبت): Ma is a masdariyyah (infinitive particle), and ba means "with." It means "with all its vastness." The prepositional phrase is in the position of a state (hal), as if saying, "I entered upon him in my travel clothes," meaning "clothed in them." The meaning: You found no place to flee to for safety due to extreme terror; it was as if the earth had become narrow for you.

"Then you turned back, fleeing": Then you were defeated.

"His tranquility" (سكينته): His mercy, through which they found peace and faith.

"And upon the believers": Those who were defeated. It is also said: those who remained steadfast with the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) when the flight occurred.

"And He sent down forces": Meaning the angels. They were 8,000, or 5,000, or 16,000.

"And He punished those who disbelieved": Through killing, captivity, and the enslavement of women and children.

"Then God will accept repentance": Meaning some of them will accept Islam afterward. It is reported that some came and pledged allegiance to the Messenger of God (peace be upon him), saying, "O Messenger of God, you are the best and most righteous of people, yet our families and wealth have been taken."

On that day, 6,000 people were captured, and countless camels and sheep were taken. He said, "I have what you see. The best speech is the most truthful. Choose: either your children and women, or your wealth." They replied, "We would not trade our lineage for anything." The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) stood and said: "These people have come as Muslims. I gave them a choice between their families and their wealth, and they would not trade their lineage for anything. Whoever has something in his possession and is willing to return it, let him do so. Whoever is not, let him give it to us, and it shall be a debt upon us until we acquire something to compensate him." They agreed. He said, "I do not know if there are those among you who are not satisfied, so tell your leaders to report back to us." The leaders reported that they were satisfied.