وَأَنزَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَـٰهَرُوهُم مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِن صَيَاصِيهِمْ وَقَذَفَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلرُّعْبَ فَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ وَتَأْسِرُونَ فَرِيقًا 26
Translations
And He brought down those who supported them among the People of the Scripture from their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts [so that] a party [i.e., their men] you killed, and you took captive a party [i.e., the women and children].
Transliteration
Wa anzala alladhīna ẓāharū-hum min ahli al-kitāb min ṣiyāṣīhi-m wa qadhafa fī qulūbi-him al-ru'b farīqan taqtulūn wa ta'sirūn farīqā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's aid to the believers against Banu Qurayẓah (a Jewish tribe) who violated their covenant and allied with the Quraysh during the Battle of the Trench. Allah cast terror into their hearts, causing them to descend from their fortified strongholds, resulting in their defeat—some were killed and others were taken captive. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as a manifestation of divine support for the believers and justice against those who betrayed their covenants.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the aftermath of the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq) in 5 AH, specifically addressing the siege and subsequent surrender of Banu Qurayẓah. The broader context of Surah Al-Ahzab concerns the allied forces' attack on Madinah and the challenges faced by Muslims, demonstrating Allah's protection and the consequences of betrayal.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates from Anas ibn Malik details of the Battle of the Trench and the siege of Banu Qurayẓah's fortress. Additionally, Muslim narrates the account of how the tribe was besieged for twenty-five nights until they surrendered.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that honoring covenants and alliances is essential in Islamic ethics, while breaking them invites divine punishment. It also reassures believers that despite overwhelming odds, trusting in Allah's help and maintaining steadfastness brings victory and protection.
Related Ayahs
خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۖ لَّا يَجِدُونَ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
Abiding therein forever, they will not find a protector or a helper.
قُل لَّن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْفِرَارُ إِن فَرَرْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ أَوِ ٱلْقَتْلِ وَإِذًا لَّا تُمَتَّعُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Never will fleeing benefit you if you should flee from death or killing; and then [if you did], you would not be given enjoyment [of life] except for a little."
وَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَدَعْ أَذَىٰهُمْ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا
And do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites and disregard their annoyance, and rely upon Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.
۞ تُرْجِى مَن تَشَآءُ مِنْهُنَّ وَتُـْٔوِىٓ إِلَيْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ وَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَيْتَ مِمَّنْ عَزَلْتَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن تَقَرَّ أَعْيُنُهُنَّ وَلَا يَحْزَنَّ وَيَرْضَيْنَ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْتَهُنَّ كُلُّهُنَّ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَلِيمًا
You, [O Muḥammad], may put aside whom you will of them or take to yourself whom you will. And any that you desire of those [wives] from whom you had [temporarily] separated - there is no blame upon you [in returning her]. That is more suitable that they should be content and not grieve and that they should be satisfied with what you have given them - all of them. And Allāh knows what is in your hearts. And ever is Allāh Knowing and Forbearing.