Before Islam idolaters of Makkah were treacherous

Lesson # 1043 from Noble Quran

Before Islam idolaters of Makkah were treacherous

Surah ‘TAWBAH or BARAAA-‘AH (REPENTANCE) – Chapter – 9)

Stage – 2, Verse – 12 of 129, Section – 2 of 16 (Part – 10)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

12.  And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief – lo! They have no binding oaths – in order that they may desist.

12.  Wa  ‘in-nakasuuu  ‘ay-maanahum-mim-ba’-di  ‘ah-dihim  wa  ta-‘anuu  fii  Diinikum  faqaa-tiluuu  ‘a-‘immatal-kufri,  ‘inna-hum  laaa  ‘ay-maana  lahum  la-‘allahum  yan-tahuun.

Lesson

Nakasuuu – (they break), this word has been derived from nakasun. Nakasun means “breaking anything after making, to break one’s treaty, word or promise”.  

Ta-‘anuu – (they assail), it is from ta’-nun. Ta’-nun means “to thrust any sharp edged tool like a lance etc. Here it aims “to abuse, to reproach, to find fault, to state vices face to face and vex potentially.

‘A-‘immatun – (the heads, leaders), this word is plural of ‘Imaam. ‘Imaam is that individual who leads other people in any matter or the people have chosen him as their leader. ‘Imaam may be for good works as well as for evil deeds. Here it aims “the leaders of bad works, who are usually called chiefs, ringleaders or heads”.

‘Ay-maanun – (the binding oaths), this word is plural of yamiin, which means “the oath”. Here it aims “articles of mutual agreement, a treaty of alliance” which is made strongly.

Before this verse, it was proclaimed that the Muslims have no treaty in future with the idolaters of Makkah and its environs. They were given deadline for four months. After that period, no idolater was allowed to live in the Peninsula of Arab. Its main reason was that the Muslims had observed well by trying them repeatedly and were tired of being patient due to their molesting behavior. Actually, those people did not desire to dwell mutually. Even then, that treaty was to be fulfilled, which was made with some of them, on the condition that they should not do against the treaty. Those circumstances have been mentioned in this verse.  

It is commanded that those people who have promised earlier, if they break their treaty and assail your religion, then they are heads of the infidels. You should fight them because “An oak is not felled with one stroke”. These people are treacherous and dishonest. Breaking the treaty is considered by them as “No matter”. However, if you punish them severely, then haply; they refrain from wickedness.

It should be remembered that these instructions are being delivered against those people who are obstinate and want to win over others in conversation whether they are at wrong, and for this purpose they become ready to kill or die. The aim from idolaters and infidels is such people who were as the people of Makkah before spreading Islam. Those people are not included into them who are pure from treachery and mischief, and desire to dwell together.  

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Pak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)