مَّلْعُونِينَ ۖ أَيْنَمَا ثُقِفُوٓا۟ أُخِذُوا۟ وَقُتِّلُوا۟ تَقْتِيلًا 61
Translations
Accursed wherever they are found, [being] seized and massacred completely.
Transliteration
Mal'unin. Aynamā thūqifū ukhdhu wa quttilū taqtīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the fate of the hypocrites and enemies of Allah, stating that they are cursed and will be seized and killed wherever they are found. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to the punishment awaiting those who actively wage war against Islam and the Muslims, emphasizing both their spiritual condemnation (curse) and the worldly consequences they face. The phrase 'taqtīlā' (severe killing) emphasizes the totality and severity of the punishment they deserve.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ahzab, which addresses the events of the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq) in 5 AH and the broader challenges posed by hypocrites and enemies of Madinah. The surah discusses the fate of various groups opposing the Prophet Muhammad, including those who openly fought against Muslims and those who betrayed them from within.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflects the hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) instructed the capture and execution of those who actively fought against Islam. Related to this is the hadith of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud regarding the treatment of apostates and those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger (Quran 5:33).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that those who actively oppose Allah and His religion face certain divine punishment, encouraging Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith while serving as a warning against hostility toward Islam. It demonstrates that Allah's justice is comprehensive and inescapable, though such severe punishment applies specifically to those engaged in active warfare against believers.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَـٰهَا فِتْنَةً لِّلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.
وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلَّا يُعَذِّبَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَمَا كَانُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآءَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنْ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
But why should Allāh not punish them while they obstruct [people] from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām and they were not [fit to be] its guardians? Its [true] guardians are not but the righteous, but most of them do not know.
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ ٱلْكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلْعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرْفَعُهُۥ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَمَكْرُ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ
Whoever desires honor [through power] - then to Allāh belongs all honor. To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it. But they who plot evil deeds will have a severe punishment, and the plotting of those - it will perish.
مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا۟ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ خَـٰلِدُونَ
It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allāh [while] witnessing against themselves with disbelief. [For] those, their deeds have become worthless, and in the Fire they will abide eternally.