مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا۟ مَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُۥ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا۟ تَبْدِيلًا 23
Translations
Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allāh. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration -
Transliteration
Minal-mu'minīna rijālun sadaqū mā 'āhadū Allāha 'alayhi faminhum man qaḍā naḥbahu wa minhum man yantaẓiru wa mā baddalu tabdīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah praises the men among the believers who fulfilled their covenant with Allah during the Battle of the Ahzab (Confederates), describing them in two categories: those who died as martyrs having completed their vow, and those still living in expectation of martyrdom. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse celebrates the unwavering commitment of the Companions, particularly those who fought at Khandaq, never compromising or altering their pledge to Allah despite the siege and hardship.
Revelation Context
Revealed during the Medinan period in the context of Surah Al-Ahzab, which addresses the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq) in 5 AH when the Quraysh and their allied tribes besieged Medina. This ayah specifically commends those believers who remained steadfast during this perilous siege without wavering in their commitment to Islam.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record that the Prophet ﷺ said regarding the Companions at Khandaq: 'O Allah, the Revealer of the Book, the Swift in reckoning, defeat the confederates. O Allah, defeat them and shake them.' This demonstrates the Prophet's recognition of the believers' sacrifice. Additionally, the hadith about 'Ammār ibn Yāsir (Muslim 193) relates to those who fulfilled their covenant with ultimate sacrifice.
Themes
Key Lesson
True believers are distinguished by their unwavering commitment to their covenant with Allah, neither compromising their principles under pressure nor altering their promises despite trials and hardship—a timeless call for Muslims to maintain spiritual integrity regardless of worldly circumstances.