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Chapter 59/ Al Hashr

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/67b356a6-1eb3-45af-804f-28abf15c8e6b/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-59.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Based on Tafheem-ul-Qur’an by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, here is a concise summary of Surah Al-Hashr (Chapter 59):

1. Historical Context

  • Revealed in Madinah concerning the expulsion of the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir in Rabi’ al-Awwal, 4 AH (after the Battle of Uhud) .
  • Banu Nadir violated their treaty with the Muslims by conspiring with Meccan pagans and plotting to assassinate Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, leading to their siege and exile .

2. Key Events Highlighted

  • Divine Intervention: Allah expelled Banu Nadir despite their confidence in fortified strongholds. He cast terror into their hearts, causing them to destroy their own homes while fleeing .
  • Lessons in Accountability: The fate of Banu Nadir serves as a warning (“O people of insight!”) against opposing Allah and His Messenger .
  • Spoils of War (Fai’): The wealth acquired without combat was distributed under divine instruction: prioritizing the Prophet, needy migrants (Muhajirun), and marginalized groups (orphans, poor), ensuring wealth circulation rather than elite monopolization .

3. Spiritual and Social Themes

  • True Believers: Praises the Muhajirun (migrants) who sacrificed their homes for Allah, and the Ansar (helpers of Madinah) who selflessly supported them despite poverty .
  • Hypocrisy Condemned: Exposes the hypocrisy of those who secretly allied with Banu Nadir, undermining Muslim unity .
  • Obedience to Authority: Muslims are commanded to accept the Prophet’s directives unconditionally .

4. Concluding Attributes of Allah

  • The final verses (22–24) encapsulate Allah’s supreme names and attributes (Al-Malik, Al-Quddus, Al-Aziz), emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and perfection, beyond human associations .

5. Core Message

  • Surah Al-Hashr underscores divine justice: Allah’s punishment for treachery, His reward for sincerity, and the socioeconomic ethics of a faith-based community .

For further details, refer to Tafheem-ul-Qur’an, Surah Al-Hashr.

Key Points

  • Surah Al-Hashr (Chapter 59) focuses on the banishment of the Bani an-Nadir, a Jewish tribe, from Medina, as explained in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi.
  • It highlights divine intervention, the distribution of spoils to support poor emigrants and the Ansar, and the importance of Muslim unity and support.
  • The chapter also warns against hypocrisy and encourages prayers for forgiveness among believers, emphasizing community strength.

Overview

Surah Al-Hashr, the 59th chapter of the Quran, is a Medinan surah with 24 verses, and its commentary in Tafheemul Quran provides deep insights into historical events and spiritual lessons. It centers on the banishment of the Bani an-Nadir, illustrating divine justice and the importance of community support among Muslims.

Summary of Chapter 59

According to Tafheemul Quran, the chapter begins by glorifying Allah, emphasizing that everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Him. It then details how Allah caused the disbelieving Bani an-Nadir to be expelled from their homes as a punishment for their opposition to Allah and His Messenger. The spoils from this event were distributed by Allah’s command to support poor emigrants (Muhajirun) who left their homes for Islam and the Ansar (those settled in Medina), highlighting the importance of unity and selflessness within the Muslim community. The chapter also warns against hypocrisy, encouraging believers to pray for forgiveness for fellow Muslims, both past and future, to foster a strong, supportive community.

Supporting Information

For further reading, the commentary can be found at Islamic Studies Info – Surah Al-Hashr 59:1-10.

Detailed Analysis and Background

This section provides a comprehensive exploration of Surah Al-Hashr (Chapter 59) as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, ensuring a thorough understanding of its themes, historical context, and spiritual implications. The analysis is grounded in the detailed information gathered from various online sources, focusing exclusively on Tafheemul Quran for accuracy and relevance.

Historical and Contextual Background

Surah Al-Hashr is a Medinan surah, revealed during a period of significant challenges for the early Muslim community in Medina. The chapter derives its name from the Arabic word “al-hashr,” meaning “the exile” or “the gathering,” which appears in verse 2 and refers to the expulsion of the Bani an-Nadir, a Jewish tribe. According to Tafheemul Quran, this event is central to the surah, and it is described as a manifestation of Allah’s power rather than the result of Muslim military strength. The commentary cites traditions from Hadrat Sa’id bin Jubair and Ibn Abbas, indicating that the surah was revealed concerning the battle against the Bani an-Nadir, similar to how Surah Al-Anfal relates to the Battle of Badr.

The historical context involves the Bani an-Nadir’s breach of a treaty with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Despite a formal written agreement, they committed acts of treachery, including plotting to kill the Prophet, which was exposed and led to their ultimatum to leave Medina or face war. This aligns with Quranic injunctions, such as Surah Al-Anfal (8:58), which allows for the termination of treaties in cases of treachery. Tafheemul Quran frames this expulsion as Allah’s action, emphasizing divine justice and warning for future generations.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis and Themes

The commentary in Tafheemul Quran provides detailed explanations for each verse, which can be summarized into key themes. Below is a table summarizing the content of the first 10 verses, as these were accessible and form the basis for the chapter’s main narrative:VerseSummary of Content from Tafheemul Quran 59:1 All in heavens and earth glorify Allah, who is All-Mighty, All-Wise, setting the tone for divine sovereignty. 59:2 Describes the expulsion of the disbelieving Bani an-Nadir, emphasizing it as Allah’s action, not Muslim power, with a lesson for those with insight. 59:3 States that if Allah hadn’t decreed exile, they would face worldly punishment; Fire awaits in the Hereafter for opposing Allah and His Messenger. 59:4 Their fate is due to opposing Allah and His Messenger; Allah is severe in retribution, reinforcing divine justice. 59:5 Cutting or leaving palm-trees standing was by Allah’s permission to disgrace the disobedient, showing divine command in warfare. 59:6 Spoils from them, not taken by horses or camels, are given by Allah to His Messengers over whom He pleases; Allah is All-Powerful, highlighting divine distribution. 59:7 Spoils belong to Allah, His Messenger, kinsfolk, orphans, needy, wayfarers, to not circulate among the rich; obey the Messenger, fear Allah, who is severe in retribution, emphasizing social justice. 59:8 Spoils for poor emigrants expelled from homes and possessions, seeking Allah’s bounty, helping Allah and His Messenger; they are truthful, focusing on support for the marginalized. 59:9 Also for those settled in faith before emigrants, loving emigrants, preferring them despite poverty; those saved from greed prosper, highlighting selflessness of the Ansar. 59:10 For those after them, praying for forgiveness for predecessors in faith, no rancor towards believers; Allah is Full of Kindness, Most Merciful, encouraging unity and forgiveness.

From these verses, several themes emerge:

  • Divine Intervention and Justice: The banishment of the Bani an-Nadir is portrayed as Allah’s direct action, not a result of Muslim military prowess, serving as a warning to those who oppose Allah and His Messenger. This is evident in verses 2-4, where their fate is linked to their disbelief and treachery.
  • Distribution of Spoils: Verses 6-8 detail how the spoils from the Bani an-Nadir were distributed, emphasizing support for the poor emigrants and the Ansar, ensuring wealth does not circulate only among the rich. This reflects Islamic principles of social justice and community welfare.
  • Unity and Support Among Muslims: Verses 9-10 highlight the selflessness of the Ansar, who welcomed and supported the emigrants despite their own poverty, and encourage later generations to pray for forgiveness and maintain unity, fostering a strong community bond.
  • Warning Against Hypocrisy: While not detailed in the first 10 verses, the commentary mentions later sections (e.g., verses 11-17) addressing hypocrites, warning against insincere claims of faith and encouraging true devotion.

Spiritual and Ethical Lessons

Tafheemul Quran emphasizes that Surah Al-Hashr is not just a historical recount but a source of spiritual and ethical guidance. The chapter teaches the importance of trusting in Allah’s power, as seen in the expulsion of the Bani an-Nadir, and the need for Muslims to support each other, especially the vulnerable, through the distribution of spoils. The encouragement to pray for forgiveness and avoid rancor (verse 10) underscores the importance of maintaining harmony and forgiveness within the community, which is crucial for spiritual growth and societal cohesion.

Additional Insights from Commentary

The commentary also notes the chronological context, suggesting that some sections (e.g., verses 11-17) were revealed before the actual banishment, during the notice period, while others (verses 1-10) were revealed afterward. This ordering in the Quran prioritizes the importance of the themes over chronological sequence, focusing on the lessons for future generations. For instance, the admonition against hypocrisy and the call for unity are timeless messages applicable to all Muslims.

Supporting Sources and Accessibility

The primary source for this analysis is the English version of Tafheemul Quran available at Islamic Studies Info – Surah Al-Hashr, which provides verse-by-verse commentary. Additional context was gathered from biharanjuman.org, which offers downloadable PDFs of Tafheemul Quran in English, such as Tafheemul Quran English PDF, though direct access to the PDF content was not feasible in this analysis. These sources ensure the summary aligns with Maududi’s interpretation, as requested by the user.

Conclusion

Surah Al-Hashr, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran, is a rich narrative of divine justice, community support, and spiritual guidance. It recounts the historical event of the Bani an-Nadir’s banishment, emphasizes the equitable distribution of resources, and calls for unity and forgiveness among Muslims, offering lessons that remain relevant for contemporary Islamic practice and community building.