ٱلَّذِينَ عَـٰهَدتَّ مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَهُمْ فِى كُلِّ مَرَّةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يَتَّقُونَ 56
Translations
The ones with whom you made a treaty but then they break their pledge every time, and they do not fear Allāh.
Transliteration
Alladhina 'ahadt-tahumma thumma yanquduna 'ahdahum fi kulli marratin wa-hum la yattaqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who made covenants with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but repeatedly broke their treaties and agreements without any fear of Allah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this specifically addresses the treachery of certain Arab tribes, particularly referencing the Jews of Medina and hypocritical groups who violated their pledges of peace and alliance. The phrase 'in every instance' (fi kulli marratin) emphasizes the habitual and deliberate nature of their betrayal, while 'they do not fear Allah' (wa-hum la yattaqun) indicates their complete disregard for divine accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period following the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and in the context of the Quraysh's and certain Jewish tribes' repeated violations of agreements with the Muslim community. The surah addresses the ethics of warfare and the consequences of treachery, particularly in relation to those tribes who consistently broke their oaths despite multiple opportunities to honor their commitments.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'There are four characteristics; whoever has all of them is a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has a characteristic of hypocrisy until he leaves it: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a covenant, he breaks it; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he quarrels, he abuses.' (Sahih Bukhari 33 and Sahih Muslim 58)
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that honoring covenants and agreements is a fundamental moral and religious obligation, and that breaking oaths—especially those made in Allah's name—is a severe sin indicating spiritual corruption. For modern believers, this serves as a reminder to maintain integrity in all contracts and commitments, understanding that Allah witnesses all agreements and holds transgressors accountable.
Related Ayahs
إِذْ يُرِيكَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى مَنَامِكَ قَلِيلًا ۖ وَلَوْ أَرَىٰكَهُمْ كَثِيرًا لَّفَشِلْتُمْ وَلَتَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَلَّمَ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
[Remember, O Muḥammad], when Allāh showed them to you in your dream as few; and if He had shown them to you as many, you [believers] would have lost courage and would have disputed in the matter [of whether to fight], but Allāh saved [you from that]. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
وَإِذْ قَالُوا۟ ٱللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَـٰذَا هُوَ ٱلْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَةً مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَوِ ٱئْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
And [remember] when they said, "O Allāh, if this should be the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky or bring us a painful punishment."
يُجَـٰدِلُونَكَ فِى ٱلْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَوْتِ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
Arguing with you concerning the truth after it had become clear, as if they were being driven toward death while they were looking on.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
O you who have believed, respond to Allāh and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allāh intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.