9. At-Tawba

(Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers) who are sincere (their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs) in exchange for the Garden (they shall fight in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah (and shall slay) the enemy (and be slain) by the enemy. (It is a promise) from Allah (which is binding on Him) that He must fulfil (in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made) with Allah, i.e. the Garden, (for that is the Supreme Triumph) the abounding safety.

Allah then explained who they were, saying: ((Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah)) those who repent of sins, (those who serve (Him)) the obedient, (those who praise (Him)) the thankful, (those who fast, these who bow down, those who fall prostrate (in worship)) in the five daily prayers, (those who enjoin the right) the confession of Allah's divine Oneness and goodness (and who forbid the wrong) disbelief and all that which is not known in the Sacred Law or the Prophetic Practice (and those who keep the limits (ordained) of Allah) those who observe the obligations of Allah (And give glad tidings to believers) that they shall have Paradise!

(It is not for the Prophet) it is not permissible for Muhammad (pbuh) (and those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (to pray for the forgiveness of idolaters even though they may be near of kin (to them) after it hath become clear that they are people of hellfire) i.e. that they have died in a state of disbelief.

(The prayer of Abraham for the forgiveness of his father was only because of a promise he had promised him) that he would surrender, (but when it had become clear unto him that he (his father) was an enemy to Allah) that he had died an unbeliever (he (Abraham) disowned him) and his religion. (Lo! Abraham was soft of heart) in the face of ignorance, (long-suffering) compassionate; it is also said that Abraham used to complain about fire even before being thrown in it.

(It was never Allah's (part) that he should send a folk astray) that he should leave a folk in error; it is also said this means: Allah will never thwart the works of a folk (after He had guided them) to faith (until He had made clear unto them what they should avoid) that which has been abrogated by means of that which has abrogated it. (Lo! Allah is Aware of all things) the abrogated and the abrogating.

(Lo! Allah! Unto Him belongeth the sovereignty of the heavens) the stores of the heavens: the sun, the moon, etc., (and the earth) the stores of the earth such as the trees, beasts, mountains, seas, etc. (He quickeneth) for the resurrection (and He giveth death) in the life of this world. (And ye have, instead of Allah) against the punishment of Allah, (no protecting friend) to benefit you (nor helper) to save you from His punishment.

(Allah hath turned in mercy to the Prophet) Allah has forgiven the Prophet, (and to the Muhajirin and the Ansar) as He has forgiven the Emigrants and the Helpers who prayed towards the two Qiblahs and had participated in the Battle of Badr. Allah then explained who these were, saying: (who followed him) who followed the Prophet in the Battle of Tabuk (in the hour of hardship) at a time of hardship and adversity. They were short of provision and mounts and in great hardship because of the heat, the enemy and the long distance they had to travel. (After the hearts of a party of them had almost swerved aside) a party of sincere believers almost refrained from going forth with the Prophet (pbuh) (then turned He unto them in mercy) He forgave them and made their hearts firm such that they went with the Prophet (pbuh). (Lo! He is Full of Pity, Merciful for them).

(O ye who believe!) 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers as well as all other believers (Be careful of your duty to Allah) obey Allah in that which He has commanded you, (and be with the Truthful) with Abu Bakr, 'Umar and their companions when they stay behind and when they participate in jihad.

(It is not for the townsfolk of al-Medina) it is not permissible for the folk of Medina (and for those around them of the wandering Arabs) from Muzaynah, Juhaynah and Aslam (to stay behind the Messenger of Allah) when there is a military expedition (and prefer their lives to his life) and it is not permissible that they should feel more compassionate towards themselves than they are towards the Prophet; it is also said that this means: they should not refrain from accompanying the Prophet (pbuh) in jihad. (That) accompaniment (is because neither thirst) when going or returning (nor toil nor hunger afflicteth them in the way of Allah) in jihad, (nor step they any step) nor do they go past any territory they conquer (that angereth the disbelievers, nor gain they from the enemy a gain) by killing or defeating them, (but a good deed is recorded for them therefore) the reward of a good deed is recorded for them in jihad. (Allah loseth not) thwarts not (the wages of the good) the reward of the believers in jihad.