If Allah were not to repel some through others…. Divine wisdom in protecting places of worship
Translation of Qur’an 22:40
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“Those who were unjustly expelled from their homes for no other reason than their saying: ‘Allah is Our Lord.’ If Allah were not to repel some through others, monasteries and churches and synagogues and mosques wherein the name of Allah is much mentioned, would certainly have been pulled down. Allah will most certainly help those who will help Him. Verily Allah is Immensely Strong, Overwhelmingly Mighty.”
Tafsir (Exegesis) by Maududi
Context and Background
This verse was revealed in Madinah, marking the first divine permission for Muslims to engage in defensive warfare (jihad) after enduring severe persecution in Makkah. The early Muslims were expelled from their homes solely for their faith in Allah, and this verse justifies their right to resist oppression .
Key Themes and Explanation
- Persecution of Muslims
- The verse highlights the injustice faced by the early Muslims, who were driven out of Makkah simply for declaring “Our Lord is Allah.” Examples include:
- Suhaib al-Rumi, who was stripped of his wealth when migrating.
- Abu Salmah, whose family was forcibly separated.
- Ayyash bin Rabiah, who was tricked and imprisoned by his own kin .
- Divine Principle of Resistance
- Allah decrees that if He did not empower some people to resist others, oppressive forces would destroy all places of worship—monasteries (Christian), churches, synagogues (Jewish), and mosques—where His name is revered. This underscores the universal protection of religious freedom through collective human effort .
- Conditions for Divine Help
- Allah promises victory to those who “help His cause”, i.e., uphold justice, establish prayer (salah), pay alms (zakat), enjoin good, and forbid evil. This aligns with the broader Islamic mission of societal reform .
- Theological Significance
- The verse introduces the concept of permissible warfare (jihad) in Islam, but strictly as a defensive measure against persecution. It refutes the notion that Islam spread by force, emphasizing instead the right to self-defense and the preservation of faith .
Additional Notes
- Terminology:
- Sawami‘ (monasteries), biya‘ (churches), salawat (synagogues), and masajid (mosques) are explicitly mentioned to show Islam’s respect for all divinely revealed religions .
- Historical Impact: This verse laid the foundation for the first Muslim military expeditions, such as the Expedition of Waddan (Safar 2 AH) .
For further study, refer to Tafheem-ul-Qur’an or the full commentary at Englishtafsir.com .
Messages from Quran 