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
فَإِن رَّجَعَكَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَىٰ طَآئِفَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ فَٱسْتَـْٔذَنُوكَ لِلْخُرُوجِ فَقُل لَّن تَخْرُجُوا۟ مَعِىَ أَبَدًا وَلَن تُقَـٰتِلُوا۟ مَعِىَ عَدُوًّا ۖ إِنَّكُمْ رَضِيتُم بِٱلْقُعُودِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ فَٱقْعُدُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْخَـٰلِفِينَ
If Allāh should return you to a faction of them [after the expedition] and then they ask your permission to go out [to battle], say, "You will not go out with me, ever, and you will never fight with me an enemy. Indeed, you were satisfied with sitting [at home] the first time, so sit [now] with those who stay behind."
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَلْمِزُكَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا۟ مِنْهَا رَضُوا۟ وَإِن لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا۟ مِنْهَآ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ
And among them are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.
وَلَا يُنفِقُونَ نَفَقَةً صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً وَلَا يَقْطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمْ لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Nor do they spend an expenditure, small or large, or cross a valley but that it is registered for them that Allāh may reward them for the best of what they were doing.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَكُمْ وَإِخْوَٰنَكُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ إِنِ ٱسْتَحَبُّوا۟ ٱلْكُفْرَ عَلَى ٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
O you who have believed, do not take your fathers or your brothers as allies if they have preferred disbelief over belief. And whoever does so among you - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.