Context and Rulings of the Opening Verses of Surah At-Tawbah
✍ Translation and Analysis of Key Verses
❖ “This is a declaration of disassociation from Allah and His Messenger ﷺ to those polytheists with whom you had made a treaty without a specified term:”
(At-Tawbah: 1)
“So travel freely throughout the land for four months, but know that you cannot escape Allah, and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.”
(At-Tawbah: 2)
“And [this is] a proclamation from Allah and His Messenger ﷺ to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage that Allah and His Messenger ﷺ are disassociated from the polytheists. So if you repent, it is better for you. But if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape Allah. And give tidings of a painful punishment to those who disbelieve.”
(At-Tawbah: 3)
“Except for those polytheists with whom you made a treaty and who have not violated its terms nor supported anyone against you — so fulfill their treaty until their term. Indeed, Allah loves those who are mindful [of Him].”
(At-Tawbah: 4)
“And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then let them go their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(At-Tawbah: 5)
➊ Conquest of Makkah (8 AH): After the conquest, full control passed into the hands of the Muslims and the power of the polytheists significantly weakened.
➋ Battle of Hunayn: Took place shortly after the conquest of Makkah, resulting in defeat for the tribes of Hawazin and Thaqif.
➌ Expedition to Tabuk (9 AH): In response to the Roman threat, the Prophet ﷺ led a military campaign to the northern regions of Arabia.
➍ Declaration of Disassociation (9 AH): During the Hajj al-Akbar, it was publicly announced that all treaties with polytheists were to be terminated and Arabia was to be established as Dar al-Islam.
➊ The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was concluded in 6 AH with a term of ten years.
➋ The allied tribe of Banu Bakr, supported by the Quraysh of Makkah, attacked the Prophet’s allies Banu Khuza‘ah, breaking the treaty.
➌ In response, the Prophet ﷺ launched the conquest of Makkah.
① Treaty-Breaking Polytheists – e.g. Quraysh of Makkah who violated the Hudaybiyyah pact.
② Treaty-Abiding Polytheists – e.g. Banu Dhumrah, Banu Mudlij who honored their agreements.
③ Polytheists without any Treaty – with whom no pact existed.
④ Polytheists with Indefinite Treaties – no specific term mentioned in their agreements.
Since they themselves violated the treaty, they were not to be granted further leniency.
Ruling: After the sacred months passed, they were given the choice to either embrace Islam or leave the Arabian Peninsula — otherwise, armed conflict would ensue.
(At-Tawbah: 5)
Those who upheld their commitments and did not assist enemies against the Muslims.
Ruling: Their treaties were to be honored until their stipulated end.
(At-Tawbah: 4)
They were granted a four-month grace period to either embrace Islam or leave Arabia.
Ruling: After four months, fighting would commence against those who did not accept Islam.
(At-Tawbah: 2)
In 9 AH, during Hajj, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA) and Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) were commanded to publicly announce:
“Indeed, Allah and His Messenger ﷺ are disassociated from the polytheists.”
A clear four-month notice was given for the polytheists to make their decision.
➊ Grace Period Demonstrates Nobility: A four-month grace period was granted without vengeance, allowing the polytheists to make their decision with peace of mind.
➋ Respect for Treaties: Polytheists who fulfilled their treaties were honored until the end of their terms.
➌ Caution with Enemies: Due to continuous treachery, future treaties with proven enemies were avoided.
① Lesson in Forgiveness: The Prophet ﷺ exhibited extraordinary mercy at the conquest of Makkah, saying:
“No blame will be upon you today.”
(Yusuf: 92)
② Precaution is Necessary: Despite forgiveness, precautions must be taken to prevent future harm.
“A wise man is not bitten from the same hole twice.”
(Hadith)
③ Necessity of Public Declarations: Warfare or evacuation must be preceded by public announcement and a suitable period for reflection and decision.
④ Honoring Agreements: Treaties must be upheld until their expiration unless valid cause for annulment arises.
⑤ Open Door to Reform: If polytheists choose to embrace Islam, they must be accepted — the doors remain open.
⑥ Requirements of Faith: Upon entering Islam, establishing prayer and giving zakat are essential — verbal profession alone is not sufficient.
After the Conquest of Makkah, different categories of polytheists were dealt with according to their behavior and treaty status. Four months were granted to those with no treaty or an indefinite one, while treaties were honored for those who remained loyal.
The objective was to fully transform the Arabian Peninsula into Dar al-Islam, all the while keeping the path to Islam open and accessible to the polytheists.
✍ Translation and Analysis of Key Verses
✦ Translation of the Verses
❖ “This is a declaration of disassociation from Allah and His Messenger ﷺ to those polytheists with whom you had made a treaty without a specified term:”
(At-Tawbah: 1)
“So travel freely throughout the land for four months, but know that you cannot escape Allah, and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.”
(At-Tawbah: 2)
“And [this is] a proclamation from Allah and His Messenger ﷺ to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage that Allah and His Messenger ﷺ are disassociated from the polytheists. So if you repent, it is better for you. But if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape Allah. And give tidings of a painful punishment to those who disbelieve.”
(At-Tawbah: 3)
“Except for those polytheists with whom you made a treaty and who have not violated its terms nor supported anyone against you — so fulfill their treaty until their term. Indeed, Allah loves those who are mindful [of Him].”
(At-Tawbah: 4)
“And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then let them go their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(At-Tawbah: 5)
✦ Background of Revelation
❖ Major Events Leading to These Verses
➊ Conquest of Makkah (8 AH): After the conquest, full control passed into the hands of the Muslims and the power of the polytheists significantly weakened.
➋ Battle of Hunayn: Took place shortly after the conquest of Makkah, resulting in defeat for the tribes of Hawazin and Thaqif.
➌ Expedition to Tabuk (9 AH): In response to the Roman threat, the Prophet ﷺ led a military campaign to the northern regions of Arabia.
➍ Declaration of Disassociation (9 AH): During the Hajj al-Akbar, it was publicly announced that all treaties with polytheists were to be terminated and Arabia was to be established as Dar al-Islam.
✦ Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and Its Violation
➊ The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was concluded in 6 AH with a term of ten years.
➋ The allied tribe of Banu Bakr, supported by the Quraysh of Makkah, attacked the Prophet’s allies Banu Khuza‘ah, breaking the treaty.
➌ In response, the Prophet ﷺ launched the conquest of Makkah.
✦ Categories of Polytheists
① Treaty-Breaking Polytheists – e.g. Quraysh of Makkah who violated the Hudaybiyyah pact.
② Treaty-Abiding Polytheists – e.g. Banu Dhumrah, Banu Mudlij who honored their agreements.
③ Polytheists without any Treaty – with whom no pact existed.
④ Polytheists with Indefinite Treaties – no specific term mentioned in their agreements.
✦ Detailed Rulings
1. Treaty-Breaking Polytheists (e.g. Quraysh)
Since they themselves violated the treaty, they were not to be granted further leniency.
Ruling: After the sacred months passed, they were given the choice to either embrace Islam or leave the Arabian Peninsula — otherwise, armed conflict would ensue.
(At-Tawbah: 5)
2. Treaty-Abiding Polytheists
Those who upheld their commitments and did not assist enemies against the Muslims.
Ruling: Their treaties were to be honored until their stipulated end.
(At-Tawbah: 4)
3. Polytheists Without Treaty or With Indefinite Agreements
They were granted a four-month grace period to either embrace Islam or leave Arabia.
Ruling: After four months, fighting would commence against those who did not accept Islam.
(At-Tawbah: 2)
✦ Proclamation of Disassociation
In 9 AH, during Hajj, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA) and Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) were commanded to publicly announce:
“Indeed, Allah and His Messenger ﷺ are disassociated from the polytheists.”
A clear four-month notice was given for the polytheists to make their decision.
✦ Wisdom Behind the Implementation of These Rulings
➊ Grace Period Demonstrates Nobility: A four-month grace period was granted without vengeance, allowing the polytheists to make their decision with peace of mind.
➋ Respect for Treaties: Polytheists who fulfilled their treaties were honored until the end of their terms.
➌ Caution with Enemies: Due to continuous treachery, future treaties with proven enemies were avoided.
✦ Lessons from the Verses
① Lesson in Forgiveness: The Prophet ﷺ exhibited extraordinary mercy at the conquest of Makkah, saying:
“No blame will be upon you today.”
(Yusuf: 92)
② Precaution is Necessary: Despite forgiveness, precautions must be taken to prevent future harm.
“A wise man is not bitten from the same hole twice.”
(Hadith)
③ Necessity of Public Declarations: Warfare or evacuation must be preceded by public announcement and a suitable period for reflection and decision.
④ Honoring Agreements: Treaties must be upheld until their expiration unless valid cause for annulment arises.
⑤ Open Door to Reform: If polytheists choose to embrace Islam, they must be accepted — the doors remain open.
⑥ Requirements of Faith: Upon entering Islam, establishing prayer and giving zakat are essential — verbal profession alone is not sufficient.
❖ Summary
After the Conquest of Makkah, different categories of polytheists were dealt with according to their behavior and treaty status. Four months were granted to those with no treaty or an indefinite one, while treaties were honored for those who remained loyal.
The objective was to fully transform the Arabian Peninsula into Dar al-Islam, all the while keeping the path to Islam open and accessible to the polytheists.
