قُل لِّلْمُخَلَّفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍ أُو۟لِى بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ تُقَـٰتِلُونَهُمْ أَوْ يُسْلِمُونَ ۖ فَإِن تُطِيعُوا۟ يُؤْتِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا ۖ وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ كَمَا تَوَلَّيْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا 16
Translations
Say to those who remained behind of the bedouins, "You will be called to [face] a people of great military might; you may fight them, or they will submit. So if you obey, Allāh will give you a good reward; but if you turn away as you turned away before, He will punish you with a painful punishment."
Transliteration
Qul lil-mukhallifīna mina al-a'rāb satudʿawna ilā qawmin ulī baʾsin shadīd tuqātilūnahum aw yuslimūn faʾin tuṭīʿū yuʾtikum allāh ajran ḥasan wa-in tatawallaw kamā tawallaytum min qablu yuʿadhdhībkum ʿadhāban alīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Bedouin Arabs (al-aʿrāb) who remained behind during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, informing them they will be called upon to fight formidable enemies who either surrender or be fought. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this refers to future military expeditions, particularly campaigns against the Byzantines and Sasanids. Allah promises good reward for obedience but warns of painful punishment for turning back, similar to their previous refusal to participate in the Hudaybiyyah journey.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the context of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH), when some Bedouin tribes declined to join the Muslims' peaceful march to Mecca. This ayah specifically addresses their hesitation and prepares them for greater responsibilities in future jihād, establishing expectations of continued participation in communal defense and military endeavors.
Related Hadiths
The incident of Hudaybiyyah is extensively documented in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, particularly regarding the Bedouins' refusal to participate. Additionally, hadiths in Sunan Abu Dawud relate to the obligation of jihād and responding to the calls of leadership for communal defense.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that believers cannot isolate themselves from communal obligations or selectively participate in the Muslim community's defense; obedience to Allah's commands through legitimate authority brings divine reward, while turning away brings severe consequences. Modern readers should reflect on how this principle applies to fulfilling communal responsibilities and supporting just causes.