لَقَدِ ٱبْتَغَوُا۟ ٱلْفِتْنَةَ مِن قَبْلُ وَقَلَّبُوا۟ لَكَ ٱلْأُمُورَ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَظَهَرَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَهُمْ كَـٰرِهُونَ 48
Translations
They had already desired dissension before and had upset matters for you until the truth came and the ordinance [i.e., victory] of Allāh appeared, while they were averse.
Transliteration
Laqad ibtaghaw al-fitnahah min qablu wa qallaboo laka al-umoor hatta jaa'a al-haqqu wa dhahara amru Allahi wa hum karihoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the hypocrites (munafiqun) of Medina who attempted to create discord and trials (fitna) against the Prophet Muhammad and the Muslim community before the expedition of Tabuk. They devised various schemes and manipulated circumstances to obstruct the Prophet's mission, but ultimately Allah's truth prevailed and His command was established despite their aversion and resentment. Ibn Kathir explains that this refers specifically to their attempts to discourage Muslims from participating in the Tabuk expedition through spreading doubt and fear.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9), the only surah without the Bismillah (basmala), which was revealed in the 9th year of Hijrah. It specifically addresses the hypocrisy displayed during the expedition to Tabuk, when the hypocrites used various tactics to weaken resolve, including spreading rumors about the hardship of the journey and the strength of the Byzantine army they would face.
Related Hadiths
The general context relates to Hadith Qudsi on hypocrites found in authentic collections; also relevant is the narration in Sahih Bukhari regarding the events of Tabuk where the hypocrites attempted to discourage participation in the expedition. Al-Tirmidhi also records accounts of the hypocrites' schemes during this period.
Themes
Key Lesson
Despite the plots and manipulations of those who oppose the truth, Allah's religion will inevitably prevail and manifest itself, regardless of the resentment or resistance of disbelievers and hypocrites. Muslims should remain steadfast knowing that ultimately, divine truth supersedes all worldly schemes and opposition.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ يَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Then Allāh will accept repentance after that for whom He wills; and Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
ٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لَا تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِن تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَلَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
Ask forgiveness for them, [O Muḥammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times - never will Allāh forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allāh and His Messenger, and Allāh does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.
أَلَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ قَوْمًا نَّكَثُوٓا۟ أَيْمَـٰنَهُمْ وَهَمُّوا۟ بِإِخْرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَوْهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Would you not fight against a people who broke their oaths and determined to expel the Messenger, and they had begun [the attack upon] you the first time? Do you fear them? But Allāh has more right that you should fear Him, if you are [truly] believers.
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَضُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ سَيُؤْتِينَا ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ رَٰغِبُونَ
If only they had been satisfied with what Allāh and His Messenger gave them and said, "Sufficient for us is Allāh; Allāh will give us of His bounty, and [so will] His Messenger; indeed, we are desirous toward Allāh," [it would have been better for them].