Not to befriend the enemies of God and the Apostle, The hypocrites under the protection of their false oaths obstruct others from joining the believers, God helps the believers with a Divine Spirit.

Al-Mujadilah Verses 14 – 22

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا قَوْمًا غَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مَا هُمْ مِنْكُمْ وَلَا مِنْهُمْ وَيَحْلِفُونَ عَلَى الْكَذِبِ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

“Hast thou not seen those who befriend a people on whom hath been the wrath of God? Thy are neither of your party nor are they of theirs, and swear they for falsehood while they know (what they do)1.” (58:14)

أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا إِنَّهُمْ سَاءَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

“For them hath prepared God a severe chastisement; Verily, evil is what they do.” (58:15)

اتَّخَذُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ

“Make they their oaths a shield2, and obstruct they (others) from the way of God, so for them shall be a shameful chastisement.” (58:16)

لَنْ تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

“Never shall avail them aught against God, their wealth nor their children; they are fellows of the fire; they shall abide therein.” (58:17)

يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُ كَمَا يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ

“On the day when God will raise them all, then will swear they unto Him as they swear unto you, and deem they that it will avail them. Nay! verily they, they are the liars!” (58:18)

اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنْسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطَانِ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّيْطَانِ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

“Satan hath gained hold on them, so he maketh them forget3the remembrance of God; They are Satan’s Party; Beware! verily, the party of Satan are the losers.” (58:19)

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحَادُّونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي الْأَذَلِّينَ

“Verily those who are opposed to God, and His Apostle4, they shall be of the most humiliated.” (58:20)

كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَأَغْلِبَنَّ أَنَا وَرُسُلِي إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

“God hath decreed: “I shall prevail5, I and My apostles!” Verily God is the All-Strong, the Ever-Prevalent.” (58:21)

لَا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَوْ كَانُوا آبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ أُولَٰئِكَ كَتَبَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَأَيَّدَهُمْ بِرُوحٍ مِنْهُ وَيُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ أُولَٰئِكَ حِزْبُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

“Thou shalt find not a people who believe in God and the hereafter befriending those who oppose God and His Apostle, be they even their own fathers, or their sons, or their own brothers, or their kinsmen, they are those God hath inscribed faith in their hearts and hath strengthened them with a Spirit6from Himself; and He will admit them into gardens ‘neath which flow rivers, they shall abide therein; with God well pleased7with them, and they will be well-pleased with God; They are the party of God; Be it known, verily the party of God alone shall be the successful ones.” (58:22)

Commentary

Verse 14

The hypocrites had friendship with the Jews and conveyed the secrets of the believers to them.

Among the hypocrites was one Abdullah Ibn Naheel who often used to sit before the Holy Prophet and used to convey to the Jews all the talk which took place with the Holy Prophet. Once the Holy Prophet was seated with his companions in his apartment. The Holy Prophet said, “Now mil come the one those pride is that of the rebellious ones and whose sight is that of Satan.” Abdullah Ibn Nabeel entered the room. The Holy Prophet asked him “Why doth thou and thy chums abuse me?” Abdullah took a false oath saying that he did not do it, and brought his friends who also on a false oath assured the Holy Prophet that they did not do it. It was then this verse was revealed.

. All the references are to the hypocrites who posed as true believers, but their activities used to betray them8. (A.P.)

Verse 17

The hypocrites boasted saying that their abundant wealth and the large number of their issues would be of avail to them on the Day of Judgment. This verse was revealed against their false notion.

Verse 18

On the Day of Judgment, the hypocrites would swear upon their being the sincere believers as they did to deceive the Holy Prophet and the believers in their life, but it will be in vain9.

Verse 20

The reference in this verse to those who opposed God and the Holy Prophet, applies equally to those who go against the Islamic laws and opposed the Holy Prophet, until the end of the world. Apply this verse to those who acted blindly to satisfy their selfish desires in depriving ‘Ali and Fatimah and the other members of the Holy Ahl Al-Bayt which act was diametrically opposed to what God had conveyed to His comrades10 through the Holy Prophet and what the Holy Prophet himself had repeatedly told the people about his Ahl Al-Bayt. It is a well-known historic fact that Othman owing to his own relationship with Hakm the father of Marwan, brought him into Madina from where he was expelled by the Holy Prophet and by Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, and enriched him by bestowing on him the wealth which belonged to the Muslim public.

Verse 21

When after their triumph over the surrounding habitations the Muslims said that very soon God would help us to bring Rome under the sway of Truth (Islam) and the hypocrites said, “Perhaps you imagine Rome and the other countries like those of your environment.” Here is the prophecy about the triumph of the Muslims over the other great countries.

Verse 22

The persons possessing such super excellence of faith referred to in this verse, could not be other than those whom God had Himself purified11. Compare the concluding statement of this verse “God is well-pleased with them, and they are well-pleased with God” with the declaration of the Holy Prophet about ‘Ali on the day of Khaybar “Tomorrow I shall hand over the standard (of the faith) to one who loved God and whom God loves”12. Besides they are called the ‘Party of God’ - The Party of God could never be constituted by any save those who possess the maximum purity of soul and body and who else could be more pure than those whom God Himself has purified with the perfection of it13 , i.e., the Holy Ahl Al-Bayt. The verse clearly refers to ‘Ali and the Holy Ahl Al-Bayt and could never do it even in any sense or in any degree to those who deserted the Holy Prophet and the ranks of the faithful for such selfish cowards could never be included in the Party of God, who run away surrendering the ground to the enemy of God and His Apostle. There are three points to be kept in view while studying this verse. Those who possess the qualities mentioned in this verse, will naturally be the persons of immediate reference.

1. People who believe in God: i.e., Those who possess a confirmed faith, would not dwindle as it was done at Hudaibiyya.

2. Who believe also in the hereafter: Those who really believe in the hereafter will never care for this world more than what they essentially need for their temporary life here. A perfect example or an ideal model of such a person could be found in ‘Ali who standing in the Bayt al-Mal before the heaps of gold and silver addressing the wealth lying before him said, “O’ Yellow (i.e., Gold) O’ white, (i.e., the Silver) infatuate some other than ‘Ali - I have divorced thee thrice - there is no return of thee to me any more - (i.e., a woman divorced for the third time could not return to the husband as she could do under the previous two occasions, without getting wedded to another and after having been divorced by the second husband). Those who believe in the hereafter would under no circumstances fight for personal power, position and the glory of the political leadership in this world.

3. God Himself has impressed. They failed in their hearts: The faith when impressed by God Himself in the heart, the heart could never at any time entertain any doubt of the truthfulness of God’s apostle himself as it was done at Hudaibiyya.

4. Strengthened by the spirit of God: Those who are strengthened by the spirit of God could never have the least fear at the approach of any enemy.

5. God is well-pleased with them, and they are well-pleased with God: God could never be pleased with the cowards and the faithless ones who deserted His cause and His Apostle Muhammad under trying and the dangerous situations which were to decide the future of the faith and the faithful.

6. These people are called the contingent or the Party of God. Could the party of God ever sensibly be imagined consisting of the cowards and the deserters. It will consist only of those who stand firm with the cause and never desert it at any time.

Now judge the personality of ‘Ali in view of these qualities, anyone, even the worst of his enemies could not hut say that ‘Ali alone possessed all these qualifies in such great degrees that his excellence is admitted at all hands as exclusively unique and even inimitable.

This verse establishes the criteria which a true believer is distinguished from the hypocrites.

‘Strengthening with the spirit’ - It clearly asserts that a true believer is always supported and aided with some spiritual power from God which may be called ‘Rooh ul-Quddus’ - the Holy Spirit, for those in rank of the apostle or an Imam and ‘Rooh al-lman’ the spirit of faith for those true followers14. (A.P.)

A few of the exclusive merits of Hazrat ‘Ali Al-Murtaza reported by the famous Historian Jalaluddin al-Suyuti in his well-known historical work Turikh al-Khulafa, which has been translated into English by Major H. S. Jarrat, Calcutta Edition, 1881 A.D. are given below:

1. The Imam Ahmed B. Hambal says: “There hath not come down to us regarding the merits of any one of the Companions of the Apostle of Cod what hath been transmitted concerning ‘Ali.” (Al Hakim).

2. Ibn Asakir from Ibn-Abbas says: “There hath not been revealed in the book of God, the Holy Qur’an regarding any one what hath been revealed concerning ‘Ali and that 300 (Three hundred) verses have been revealed concerning ‘Ali.”

3. At-Tabarani and Ibn-Abi-Hatim record from Ibn-Abbas that he said that “the Lord never revealed the words ‘O’ True Believers’ but, ‘Ali was understood to be the Lord and the Chief of them, and verily the Lord hath reproved the companions of the Prophet in various places but hath never mentioned Alt save with approval.”

4. At-Tirmizi, An-Nisai and Ibn-Maja from Uabshi B. Jonada say that the Apostle of God said, “‘Ali is a part of me and I of ‘Ali.”

5. At-Tabrani records in the Awsat from Jabir B. Abdullah that the Apostle of God said; “The people are of various stocks but I and ‘Ali are of one stock.”

6. At-Tabrani records in the Aswat and Saghir from Omme-Salema that she narrates “I heard the Apostle of God say: ‘Ali with the Qur’an and Qur’an with ‘Ali they shall not be separated until they arrive at the Fountain of Kawthar in Paradise.”

7. Ibn Sa’d records on the authority of ‘Ali that be said: “By Allah a verse of the Qur’an was never revealed but I know regarding what it was revealed and where it was revealed, for my Lord hath given unto me a wise heart and an eloquent tongue.”

8. Ibn Sa’d and others on the authority of Abu Tofail record that ‘Ali said: “Ask ye me regarding the Book of God, for verily there is not a verse hut I know whether it was revealed by night or by day, in the plains or on the mountains.”

9. At Tirmizi and Al-Hakim record from ‘Ali that the Apostle of God said: “I am the City of knowledge and ‘Ali is its Gate.”

10. Ibn Mas’ud says that the Prophet said: “To look at ‘Ali is devotion.”

11. Muslim records on the authority of ‘Ali that he said: “By Him who hath cleft the seed and created the soul, verily the Prophet stated to me that none, but a true believer would love me, and none but a hypocrite hate me.”

12. At-Tirmizi from Abu Sa’d-al-Khudri says that he said, “We used to distinguish the hypocrites by their hatred of ‘Ali.”

13. Ibn-Asakir on the authority of Caliph Abu Bakr records that the Prophet said: “Looking at ‘Ali is worship.”

14. At-Tabrani from Omme-Salema says that the Apostle of God said: “He who hath loved ‘Ali hath verily loved me, and he who hath hated ‘Ali hath verily hated me, and he who hath hated me, verily hath hated the Lord.”

15. Abu Ya’la and Al-Bazzaz from Sa’d B. Abi Waqqas say that the Apostle of God said: “He who grieveth ‘Ali, hath grieveth me.”

16. Ahmed records and Al-Hakim verifying it on the authority of Omme Salema that she narrates “I heard the Apostle of God say: He who who hath reviled ‘Ali verily he hath reviled me.”

17. Sad’ lb. Al-Mosyeb says that ‘Umar Ibn Khattab used to pray to God to preserve him from a perplexing case which the father of Hasan, (i.e., ‘Ali) was not present to decide and that ‘Umar said: “None of the companions used to say, ‘Ask me’ except ‘Ali.”

18. At-Tabrani says in the Awsat from Ibn Abbas that he said: “‘Ali possessed eighteen eminent qualities which belonged to no other of the people.”

19. Al-Bazzaz records on the authority of Sa’d that the Apostle of God said to ‘Ali: “It is not lawful for anyone to be in the Mosque, while under the obligation of performing a total ablution, except for me and for thee.”

20. Abu Ya’la from Abu Hurayra says that ‘Umar Ibn Khattab said: “Verily ‘Ali hath been endowed with three qualities of which had I but one it would be more precious to me than were I given high-bred camels.”

    It was asked of him what they were, he replied: “His remaining in the Mosque, while that is permitted to him which is not lawful for me, his carrying the Standard on the day of Khaybar and his wedding the Apostle’s daughter.”

21. The two Sheikhs (Bokhari and Muslim) record on the authority of Sa’d Ibn-Al Waqqas that the Apostle of God left ‘Ali Ibn Abi Taleb behind as his Vicegerent during the expedition to Tabuk, and ‘Ali said: “O’ Apostle of God dost thou leave me behind among the women and children?” he replied: “Art thou not content to be to me in the relation of Aaron to Moses save that there shall be no Prophet after me?”

22. And from Sahl Ibn Sa’d that the Apostle of God said on the day of Khaybar: “I will surely give the standard tomorrow to one at whose hands the Lord will give victory, one who loveth God and His Prophet and whom God and His Prophet love” and the people passed the night in perplexity as to the one among them to whom it would be given. And when they entered upon the dawn, they went early to the Apostle of God, each one of them hoping that it would be given to him, but he said: “Where is ‘Ali the son of Abu-Taleb?” They said to him “He complaineth of pain in his eyes,” He said: “then send for him.” And they brought him, and the Apostle of God applied his saliva in his eyes and prayed for him, and he was healed so that it was as if he had no pain, and he gave him the Standard.

23. Muslim records on the authority of Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas that when this verse “Let us call together our sons and your sons etc.’ (3:61) was revealed, the Apostle of God summoned ‘Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn and said “O’ God! these are my family.”

24. At-Tabrani records in the Awsat and Abu No’aim in the Dalael on the authority of Zadan, that ‘Ali was relating a tradition when a man accused him of speaking falsely, and ‘Ali said to him, shall I curse, and ‘Ali cursed him, and he did not quit the place till his sight left him.

25. Abul Qasim-al-Zajjaji narrates in his Dictations that ‘Ali composed a work on the principles of the Arabic language, etc. the Grammar of the Arabic language.

• 1. Refer to Verse 60:13.
• 2. A cover, Refer to Verse 63:2. Refer to the conducts of the hypocrites.
• 3. Those who neglect the daily prayers to note - lest they be listed as the Satan’s party.
• 4. Refer to Verse 6:34.
• 5. Dominate.
• 6. Refer to Verse 41:30.
• 7. These cannot be save those whom God Himself purified - Refer to Verse 33:33 Compare this to what the Holy Prophet said at Khaybar before giving the Standard of Islam to fight the enemy.
• 8. See Verses 58:14-21.
• 9. Refer to Verse 63:1.
• 10. See Verse 42:23.
• 11. See Verse 33:33.
• 12. Tabari, Siratun Muhammadiya R.A., TKL. EHI.
• 13. See Verse 33:33.
• 14. For further clarification refer to our note on Verse 41:30.