هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَخْرَجَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ لِأَوَّلِ ٱلْحَشْرِ ۚ مَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ ۖ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُم مَّانِعَتُهُمْ حُصُونُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ فَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَمْ يَحْتَسِبُوا۟ ۖ وَقَذَفَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلرُّعْبَ ۚ يُخْرِبُونَ بُيُوتَهُم بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَيْدِى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَٱعْتَبِرُوا۟ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِ 2
Translations
It is He who expelled the ones who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think they would leave, and they thought that their fortresses would protect them from Allāh; but [the decree of] Allāh came upon them from where they had not expected, and He cast terror into their hearts [so] they destroyed their houses by their [own] hands and the hands of the believers. So take warning, O people of vision.
Transliteration
Huwa alladhī akhreja alladhīna kafarū min ahli al-kitābi min diyārihim li-awwali al-hashr. Mā dhannantum an yakhrajū wa-zhannū annahum māni'atuhum husūnuhum min Allāh fa-atāhum Allāhu min haythu lam yahtasibū wa-qadhafa fī qulūbihim al-ru'b. Yukhribūn buyūtahum bi-aydīhim wa-aydī al-mu'minīn fa-i'tabirū yā ulī al-absār.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the expulsion of the disbelieving Jews (Banū Nadir) from Medina, marking the first gathering (hashr) toward the end of times. Allah cast terror into their hearts despite their fortified strongholds, causing them to destroy their own homes either from spite or to prevent Muslim use. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as divine judgment against those who rejected the Prophet's message, while emphasizing that no worldly fortification can protect against Allah's decree.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed after the expedition against Banū Nadir in 4-5 AH, when they were exiled from Medina due to their treachery and violation of the treaty with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The surah addresses the believers' lack of expectation that such a powerful tribe would actually be expelled, and serves as a reminder of Allah's power over all creation.
Related Hadiths
Narrated in Sahih Bukhari and other compilations: The Prophet said regarding Banū Nadir, 'The first of the People of the Book to migrate are the Banū Nadir.' Also relevant is the hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah about the Prophet's instruction to the believers during the siege of Banū Nadir.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no amount of worldly might, fortifications, or preparations can protect one from Allah's judgment when one persists in rejection of truth and betrayal of covenants. Believers should recognize these historical events as signs (ayat) to reflect upon the inevitability of divine justice and the futility of opposing Allah's will.