Sūrah Muḥammad The Prophet
محمد
38 verses, Madanī. Also called Al-Qitāl The Fighting. Those who disbelieved and turned from the path of Allah their deeds are voided. Those who believed and did good He will forgive their sins. The command to strike the necks of the disbelievers in battle, then take captives. The hypocrites unmasked.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
The rules of battle and prisoners (47:4): "When you meet the disbelievers strike the necks; when you have overpowered them, bind the captives firmly. Then afterward either grant them favour or ransom until the war lays down its burdens." Ibn Kathīr: this verse establishes the Islamic law of war: after the battle ends, kill no more release captives with grace or accept ransom. Killing captives post-battle requires specific conditions and is not the general rule.
The hypocrites exposed (47:20–21): The believers had hoped for a surah about fighting but when a clear surah was revealed and mention of fighting was made in it, you saw those in whose hearts is disease looking at you like the look of someone fainting from death. Ibn Kathīr: the hypocrites wanted to be Muslims in peace but refused the obligations of Islam in war every hardship reveals the true believer from the nominal one.
- Deeds nullified by disbelief (47:1,8): "Those who disbelieved and averted people from the path of Allah He has made their deeds go astray." Ibn Kathīr: this is a general principle no good deed benefits in the hereafter if done in a state of kufr. The disbeliever's charity and kindness are rewarded in the dunya only.
- Rivers in Paradise (47:15): "The description of Paradise which the righteous have been promised in it are rivers of water unalterable, rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of honey purified." Ibn Kathīr: four rivers, each perfect unlike the impure versions in this world.
- Testing the believers (47:31): "We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you and those who are patient and We will test your affairs." Ibn Kathīr: trial is the sieve it separates the strong from the weak, the sincere from the hypocrite.
- Do not be weary and call for peace (47:35): "So do not weaken and call for peace while you are superior Allah is with you and will not deprive you of your deeds." Ibn Kathīr: negotiating from weakness and fear is forbidden when the believers have the upper hand compromise is permitted only from strength.
- The test of wealth (47:36–37): "If He were to ask you for all your wealth and press you, you would be stingy and He would expose your unwillingness." Ibn Kathīr: even wealth given for Allah is tested the command to spend in His path measures the true priorities of the heart.