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
وَمِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ قُرُبَـٰتٍ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَصَلَوَٰتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهَا قُرْبَةٌ لَّهُمْ ۚ سَيُدْخِلُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
But among the bedouins are some who believe in Allāh and the Last Day and consider what they spend as means of nearness to Allāh and of [obtaining] invocations of the Messenger. Unquestionably, it is a means of nearness for them. Allāh will admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
سَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ إِذَا ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لِتُعْرِضُوا۟ عَنْهُمْ ۖ فَأَعْرِضُوا۟ عَنْهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ رِجْسٌ ۖ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
They will swear by Allāh to you when you return to them that you would leave them alone. So leave them alone; indeed they are evil; and their refuge is Hell as recompense for what they had been earning.
أَوَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَنَّهُمْ يُفْتَنُونَ فِى كُلِّ عَامٍ مَّرَّةً أَوْ مَرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ لَا يَتُوبُونَ وَلَا هُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
Do they not see that they are tried every year once or twice but then they do not repent nor do they remember?
لَّقَد تَّابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ فِى سَاعَةِ ٱلْعُسْرَةِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٍ مِّنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Allāh has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhājireen and the Anṣār who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.