Period of Revelation
This Sura comprises several discourses which were revealed on different occasions
during the period ranging probably between the end of A. H. 3 and the end of A. H. 4 or
the beginning of A. H. 5. Although it is difficult to determine the exact dates of their
revelations
yet it is possible to assign to them a fairly correct period with the help of the
Commandments and the events mentioned therein and the Traditions concerning them.
A few instances are given below by way of illustration (a) We know that the instructions
about the division of inheritance of the martyrs and for the safeguard of the rights of the
orphans were sent down after the Battle of Uhud in which 70 Muslims were killed. Then
naturally the question of the division of the inheritance of the martyrs and the safeguard
of the rights of their orphans arose in many families at Al-Madinah. From this we
conclude that vv. 1 -28 were revealed on that occasion. (b) We learn from the Traditions
that the Commandment about salat during war time was given on the occasion of
Zat-ur-Riqa'a
an expedition which took place in A. H. 4. From this we conclude that the discourse
containing v. 102 was revealed on that occasion. (c) The last warning (v. 47) to the
Jews was given before the Banu Nadir were exiled from Al-Madinah in Rabi'-ulAwwal
A. H. 4. From this it may safely be concluded that the discourse containing v. 47 must
have been revealed some time before that date. (d) The permission about
tayammum(the performance of ablutions with pure dust
in case no water be available) was given during the Bani-al-Mustaliq expedition
which took place in A. H. 5.. Therefore the probable period of the revelation of the
discourse containing v. 43 was A. H. 5.
Topics and Their Background
Let us now consider the social and historical considerations of the period in order to
understand the Sura. All the discourses in this Sura deal with three main problems
which confronted the Holy Prophet at the time. First of all
he was engaged in bringing about an all round development of the Islamic Community
that had been formed at the time of his migration to Al-Madinah. For this purpose he
was introducing new moral
cultural
social
economic and political ways in place of the old ones of the pre-Islamic period. The
second thing that occupied his attention and efforts was the bitter struggle that was
going on with the mushrik Arabs
the Jewish clans and the hypocrites who were opposing tooth and nail his mission of
reform. Above all he had to propagate Islam in the face of the bitter opposition of these
powers of evil with a view to capturing more and more minds and hearts. Accordingly
detailed instructions have been given for the consolidation and strengthening of the
Islamic Community in continuation of those given in Al-Baqarah. Principles for the
smooth running of family life have been laid down and ways of settling family disputes
have been taught. Rules have been prescribed for marriage and rights of wife and
husband have been apportioned fairly and equitably. The status of women in the
society has been determined and the declaration of the rights of orphans has been
made laws and regulations have been laid down for the division of inheritance
and instructions have been given to reform economic affairs. The foundation of the
penal code has been laid down drinking has been prohibited
and instructions have been given for cleanliness and purity. The Muslims have been
taught the kind of relations good men should have with their Allah and fellow men.
Instructions have been given for the maintenance of discipline in the Muslim
Community. The moral and religious condition of the people of the Book has been
reviewed to teach lessons to the Muslims and to forewarn them to refrain from following
in their footsteps. The conduct of the hypocrites has been criticized and the distinctive
features of hypocrisy and true faith have been clearly marked off to enable the Muslims
to distinguish between the two. In order to cope with the aftermath of the Battle of Uhud
Inspiring discourses were sent down to urge the Muslims to face the enemy bravely
for the defeat in the Battle had so emboldened the mushrik Arab clans and the
neighboring Jews and the hypocrites at home that they were threatening the Muslims
on all sides. At this critical juncture
Allah filled the Muslims with courage and gave them such instructions as were needed
during that period of war clouds. In order to counteract the fearful rumors that were
being spread by the hypocrites and the Muslims of weak faith
they were asked to make a thorough enquiry into them and to inform the responsible
people about them. Then they were experiencing some difficulties in offering their salat
during the expeditions to some places where no water was available for performing
their ablutions
etc. In such cases they were allowed to cleanse themselves with pure earth and to
shorten the salat or to offer the "Salat of Fear"
when they were faced with danger. Instructions were also given for the solution of the
puzzling problem of those Muslims who were scattered among the unbelieving Arab
clans and were often involved in war. They were asked to migrate to Al-Madinah
the abode of Islam. This Sura also deals with the case of Bani Nadir who were showing
a hostile and menacing attitude
in spite of the peace treaties they had made with the Muslims. They were openly siding
with the enemies of Islam and hatching plots against the Holy Prophet and the Muslim
Community even at AI-Madinah itself. They were taken to task for their inimical
behavior and given a final warning to change their attitude
and were at last exiled from Al-Madinah on account of their misconduct. The problem of
the hy
The main object of this Sura is to teach the Muslims the ways that unite a people and
make them firm and strong. Introductions for the stability of family
which is the nucleus of community have been given. Then they have been urged to
prepare themselves for defence. Side by side with these
they have been taught the importance of the propagation of Islam. Above all
the importance of the highest moral character in the scheme of consolidation of the
Community has been impressed.
