ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَيْمَـٰنَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ 16
Translations
They took their [false] oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allāh, and for them is a humiliating punishment.
Transliteration
Attakhazu aymanahum junnatan fasaddu an sabili Allahi falahum azabun muhin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who use their oaths as a shield (junnah) to prevent others from following the path of Allah and His religion. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the hypocrites (munafiqun) who swore false oaths to obstruct people from accepting Islam and following the Qur'an. Such deception and obstruction of the divine path incurs a humiliating punishment, emphasizing that Allah is aware of their intentions and will hold them accountable.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mujadila was revealed in Medina and primarily addresses the issue of hypocrites and those who engaged in disbelief while outwardly claiming faith. This particular ayah fits within the broader context of the surah's condemnation of hypocrites who used various tactics, including false oaths and cunning schemes, to undermine the Muslim community and prevent people from embracing Islam.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays it.' (Sahih Bukhari 33). This hadith relates to the deceptive nature of those described in 58:16 who misuse their oaths.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must be vigilant against using deception and false promises to advance worldly interests, and should never allow personal gain to become a barrier preventing others from following the path of Allah; sincerity in speech and action is essential, as Allah is ever-aware of our intentions.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَرِهُوا۟ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأَحْبَطَ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ
That is because they disliked what Allāh revealed, so He rendered worthless their deeds.
لَا يَرْقُبُونَ فِى مُؤْمِنٍ إِلًّا وَلَا ذِمَّةً ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُعْتَدُونَ
They do not observe toward a believer any pact of kinship or covenant of protection. And it is they who are the transgressors.
مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّآ أَضَآءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُۥ ذَهَبَ ٱللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ
Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allāh took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see.
فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ
But when We removed from them the affliction, at once they broke their word.