ﱾ ﱿ ﲀ ﲁ ﲂ ﲃ ﲄ ﲅ ﲆ ﲇ ﲈ ﲉ ﲊ ﲋ ﲌ ﲍ ﲎ ﲏ ﲐ ﲑ ﲒ ﲓ ﲔ
Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].
Tafsir
Verse range: 9:4
If you ask: From what is the statement "Except for those with whom you made a treaty" excepted?
I say: The interpretation is that it is an exception from His statement: "So travel throughout the earth" (At-Tawbah: 2), because the address is directed to the Muslims. Its meaning is: An acquittal from Allah and His Messenger to those of the polytheists with whom you made a treaty. So say to them: "Travel," except for those with whom you made a treaty among them, and who did not break it—so fulfill their treaty for them.
The exception here functions as a rectification (istidrak). It is as if, after the command was given regarding the oath-breakers, it was said: "However, those who did not break their oath, fulfill their treaty for them. Do not treat them as you treat the others, and do not equate the loyal with the treacherous."
"Indeed, Allah loves the righteous" This means that the requirement of righteousness (taqwa) is not to equate the two groups. So fear Allah regarding that.
"And have not lacked anything" They have not killed anyone among you, nor have they harmed you at all.
"And have not supported" They have not aided anyone against you. This is like how the Banu Bakr acted against the Khuza'ah—the allies of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)—and the Quraysh supported them with weapons, until 'Amr ibn Salim al-Khuza'i came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and recited:
O Allah, I appeal to Muhammad By the ancient alliance of our fathers and yours. Indeed, the Quraysh have broken their promise to you, And have violated your confirmed covenant. They attacked us at al-Hatim while we were sleeping, And killed us while we were bowing and prostrating.
The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: "May I not be aided if I do not aid you."
It has been recited as lam yanquḍūkum (with a dotted ḍād), meaning: they did not break your covenant.
"So fulfill for them their treaty" Meaning: Render it to them complete and perfect. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: A tribe from Kinanah had nine months remaining of their treaty, so the Prophet (ﷺ) fulfilled their treaty for them.
"And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them go on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
