9. At-Tawba

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas who said regarding Allah's saying: (Freedom from obligation): '(Freedom from obligation) this is freedom from obligation (from Allah and His messenger towards those of the idolaters with whom ye made a treaty) but then they broke that treaty; freedom from obligation is the breaking of treaties. Allah says: whosoever has a treaty with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) let him know that it is broken. Some of them had a treaty lasting four months, and some of more nine months, while others had treaties for longer or shorter periods. Others had no treaty with Allah's Messenger at all. All these treaties were broken except for the treaty with the Banu Kinanah which was for nine months. Whoever had a treaty for more or less than four months, their treaties were ratified to last four month beginning from the day of immolation; and whoever had a treaty of four months, that treaty was ratified to last four months beginning from the day of immolation. Those who had a treaty of nine months, their treaties were left as they were, while those who did not sign any treaty, were granted one of 50 days beginning from the day of immolation until the departure of the person who was in a state of ritual consecration:

Allah said to them (Travel freely in the land) move about in the land beginning from the day of immolation for (four months) safe from being killed because of the treaty, (and know) O disbelievers (that ye cannot escape Allah) that you cannot escape Allah's punishment, by being killed, after the lapse of a the four months (and that Allah will confound the disbelievers) He will punish the disbelievers after four months by subjecting them to death.

(And a proclamation from Allah) and this is a declaration from Allah (and His messenger to all men on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage) on the day of immolation (that Allah is free from obligation to the idolaters) their religion, and the treaties they broke, (and (so is) His messenger) he is also free from obligation to them. (So, if ye repent) from idolatry and believe in Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) as well as in the Qur'an, (it will be better for you) than idolatry; (but if ye are averse) to faith and repentance, (then know) O idolaters (that ye cannot escape Allah) you cannot escape His punishment. (Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve) i.e. that they will be killed after the elapse of four months.

(Excepting those of the idolaters with whom ye (Muslims) have a treaty) i.e. the Banu Kinanah after the year of al-Hudaybiyyah, (and who have since abated nothing of your right) who they did not break their treaties, i.e. those who had a nine month treaty (nor have supported anyone) of your enemies (against you. (As for these), fulfil their treaty to them till their term) i.e. nine months. (Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty (unto Him)) by not breaking their treaties.

(Then, when the sacred months have passed) then after the day of immolation when the month of Muharram passes, (slay the idolaters) whose treaty is for fifty days (wherever ye find them) whether in the Sacred Precinct or outside it, during the sacred months or at any other time, (and take them (captive)) imprison them, (and besiege them) in their homes, (and prepare for them each ambush) on every road they tread for trade. (But if they repent) from idolatry and believe in Allah (and establish worship) and acknowledge the five daily prayers (and pay the poor-due) acknowledge the payment of the poor-due, (then leave their way free) if they wish to go to the House of Allah. (Lo! Allah is Forgiving) He forgives whoever repents, (Merciful) towards whosoever dies in a state of repentance.

(And if anyone of the idolaters seeketh thy protection (O Muhammad), then protect him so that he may hear the word of Allah) so that he may hear your recitation of the words of Allah; (and afterward convey him to his place of safety) to the place he is going, if he remains an unbeliever. (That) which I have mentioned (is because they are a folk who know not) Allah's command and His divine Oneness.

(How) this is said by way of astonishment (can there be a treaty with Allah and with His messenger for the idolaters save those with whom ye made a treaty at the Inviolable Place of Worship?) after the year of al-Hudaybiyyah, the reference here is to the Banu Kinanah. (So long as they are true to you) in that they honour their treaty, (be true to them) completely. (Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty) and abstain from breaking their treaties.

(How) this is also said by way of astonishment: how can there be any treaty between you and them (when, if they have the upper hand of you) they were to conquer you, (they regard no pact) they would have no regard for the ties of kinship relating you ; it is also said: they would have no regard for you in respect of Allah (nor honour about you?) because of the treaty between you. (They satisfy you with their mouths) with their tongues (the while their hearts refuse) while their hearts are averse to it. (And most of them) all of them (are wrong-doers) breakers of treaties.

(They have purchased with the revelations of Allah) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (a little gain) a small profit, (so they debar (men) from His way) from His religion and obedience. (Lo! evil is that which they are wont to do) evil is that which they used to do of concealment and other things. It is also said that this verse was revealed about the Jews.