سُوْرَةُ الْاَحْزَابِ
Surah Al-Ahzaab (33) — Ayah 15
وَلَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن قَبْلُ لَا يُوَلُّونَ ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ۚ وَكَانَ عَهْدُ ٱللَّهِ مَسْـُٔولًا ﴿15﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And indeed they had already made a covenant with Allâh not to turn their backs, and a covenant with Allâh must be answered for.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَقَدْ
walaqad
And certainly
كَانُوا۟
kānū
they had
عَـٰهَدُوا۟
ʿāhadū
promised
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
مِن
min
before
قَبْلُ
qablu
before
لَا
lā
not
يُوَلُّونَ
yuwallūna
they would turn
ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ۚ
l-adbāra
their backs
وَكَانَ
wakāna
And is
عَهْدُ
ʿahdu
(the) promise
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(to) Allah
مَسْـُٔولًۭا
masūlan
to be questioned
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 15) {وَ لَقَدْ كَانُوْا عَاهَدُوا اللّٰهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ … :} This pledge was made by these hypocrites after avoiding battle and retreating at the time of Uhud, that if another opportunity of trial arises, they will make up for their previous shortcoming and will not turn their backs in battle. Allah reminded them of that pledge, that not much time had passed since it, but rather, just before the Battle of Ahzab they had made that pledge. However, Allah cannot be deceived with mere verbal promises; rather, He certainly brings about an occasion of trial and asks whether your promise was true or false. In addition, on the Day of Resurrection, He will also ask about every pledge, from the pledge of faith to not fleeing from battle, whether it was fulfilled or not.
