Period of Revelation
The theme of this Sura indicates
and traditions support it
that it was revealed after the treaty of Hudaibiyah at the end of 6 A. H. or in the
beginning of 7 A. H. That is why it deals with those problems that arose from this treaty.
The Holy Prophet with 1400 Muslims went to Makkah in Zil-Qaadah 6 A. H. to perform
Umrah
but the Quraish spurred by their enmity
prevented him from its performance
though it was utterly against all the ancient religious traditions of Arabia. After a good
deal of hard and harsh negotiations
a treaty was concluded at Hudaibiyah according to which it was agreed that he could
perform Umrah the following year. That was a very appropriate occasion for teaching
the Muslims the right way of performing a pilgrimage to Makkah with the true Islamic
dignity
and enjoining that they should not prevent the disbelievers from performing pilgrimage
to Makkah as a retaliation for their misbehavior. This was not difficult at all as many
disbelievers had to pass through Muslim territory on their way to Makkah. This is why
the introductory verses deal with the things connected with pilgrimage to Makkah and
the same theme has been resumed in vv. 101-104. The other topics of this Sura also
appear to belong to the same period. The continuity of the subject shows that most
probably the whole of the sura was revealed as a single discourse at one and the same
time. It is also possible that some of its verses were revealed at a later period and
inserted in this Sura at different places where they fitted in. But there appears to be not
the least gap anywhere in the sura to show that it might have comprised two or more
discourses. Occasion of Revelation. This Sura was revealed to suit the requirements of
the changed conditions which were now different from those prevailing at the time of
the revelation of Al-i-'Imran and An- Nisa. Then the shock of the set-back at Uhud had
made the very surroundings of Al-Madinah dangerous for the Muslims
but now Islam had become an invulnerable power and the Islamic State had extended
to Najd on the east
to the Red Sea on the west
to Syria on the north and to Makkah on the south. This set-back which the Muslims had
suffered at Uhud had not broken their determination. It had rather spurred them to
action. As a result of their continuous struggle and unparalleled sacrifices
the power of. the surrounding clans
within a radius of 200 miles or so
had been broken. The Jewish menace which was always threatening Al-Madinah had
been totally removed and the Jews in the other parts of Hijaz had-become tributaries of
the State of Al-Madinah. The last effort of the Quraish to suppress Islam had been
thwarted in the Battle of the Ditch. After this
it had become quite obvious to the Arabs that no power could suppress the Islamic
movement. Now Islam was not merely a creed which ruled over the minds and hearts of
the people but had also become a State which dominated over every aspect of the life
of the people who lived within its boundaries. This had enabled the Muslims to live their
lives without let or hindrance
in accordance with their beliefs. Another development had also taken place during this
period. The Muslim civilization had developed in accordance with the principles of Islam
and the Islamic viewpoint. This civilization was quite distinct from all other civilizations in
all its' details
and distinguished the Muslims clearly from the non Muslims in their moral
social and cultural behavior. Mosques had been built in all territories
prayer had been established and' Imam (leader) for every habitation and clan had been
appointed. The Islamic civil and criminal laws had been formulated in detail and were
being enforced through the Islamic courts. New and reformed ways of trade and
commerce had taken the place of the old ones. The Islamic laws of marriage and
divorce
of the segregation of the sexes
of the punishment for adultery and calumny and the like had cast the social life of the
Topics
It deals with the following three main topics: (1) Commandments and instructions about
the religious
cultural and political life of the Muslims. In this connection
a code of ceremonial rules concerning the journey for Hajj has been prescribed; the
observance of strict respect for the emblems of Allah has been enjoined; and any kind
of obstruction or interference with the pilgrims to the Kaabah has been prohibited.
Definite rules and regulations have been laid down for what is lawful and unlawful in the
matter of food
and self-imposed foolish restrictions of the pre-Islamic age have been abolished.
Permission has been given to. take food with the people of the Book and to marry their
women. Rules and regulations for the performance of Wudu (ablutions) and bath and
purification and tayammum(ablutions with dust) have been prescribed. Punishment for
rebellion
disturbance of peace and theft have been specified. Drinking and gambling have
absolutely been made unlawful. Expiation for the breaking of oath has been laid down
and a few more things have been added to the law of evidence. (2) Admonition to the
Muslims. Now that the Muslims had become a ruling body
it was feared that power might corrupt them. At this period of great trial
Allah had admonished them over and over again to stick to justice and to guard against
the wrong behavior of their predecessors
the people of the Book. They have been enjoined to remain steadfast to the Covenant
of obedience to Allah and His Messenger
and to observe strictly their commands and prohibitions in order to save them- selves
from the evil consequences which. befell the Jews and the Christians who had violated
them. They have been instructed to observe the dictates of the Holy Quran in the
conduct of all their affairs and warned against the attitude of hypocrisy. (3) Admonition
to the Jews and the Christians. As the power of the Jews had been totally weakened
and almost all their habitations in north Arabia had come under the rule of the Muslims
they have been warned again about their wrong attitude and invited to follow the Right
Way. At the same time a detailed invitation has also been extended to the Christians.
The errors of their creeds have been clearly pointed out and they have been
admonished to accept the guidance of the Holy Prophet. . Incidentally
it may be noted that no direct invitation has been made to the Majusis and idolaters
living in the adjoining countries
because there was no need for a separate address for them as their condition. had
already been covered by the addresses to the mushrik Arabs. Subject:Consolidation of
the Islamic Community. In continuation of the instructions about the consolidation of the
Islamic Community given in Sura AN-NISA
the Muslims have been directed to observe and fulfill all their obligations: further
regulations have been prescribed to train the Muslims for that purpose. They have also
been particularly warned as rulers to guard against the corruption
of power and directed to observe the Covenant of the Quran. They have also been
exhorted to learn lessons from the failings of their predecessors
the Jews and the Christians
who in their turn have been admonished to give up their wrong attitudes towards the
Right Way and accept the guidance taught by Prophet Muhammad (God's peace be
upon him).
