Sura 9 The Repentance (Al-Tawbah)

[9:1] This is a declaration of disassociation from God and His messenger to the mushrikeen with whom you have entered into a treaty.

[9:2] So roam the land for four months, and know that you cannot thwart God and that God disgraces the disbelievers.

[9:3] A proclamation from God and His messenger to the people on the great day of Hajj, that God is disassociated from the mushrikeen and so is His messenger. So if you repent, it would be better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot thwart God. Give news of a painful punishment to those who have disbelieved.

[9:4] However, with regards to the mushrikeen with whom you have entered into a treaty, then they did not fall short on any of its terms, nor banded with anyone against you; you shall fulfil your treaty with them to its full term. Indeed, God loves the reverent.

[9:5] Then, when the Hurum Months have peeled off, you may kill the mushrikeen wherever you find them. Seize them and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every lookout position. But if they repent, observe the Salat, and give the Zakat, let them go their way. Indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful.

Footnote 9:5 – The Arabic word 'insalakha', which is used in 9:5, is of great significance. The literal meaning of this word is 'to peel off' or 'to skin' (as in skinning a snake). The peeling/skinning process is done by removing the skin from one end to the other end in a consecutive motion. The allegorical use of this word in relation to the four 'hurum' months (9:36) tells us that the four months are consecutive months, passing one after the other, with no break in the middle. The verb 'salakha' is also used in 36:37 to the same effect. The daylight is extracted from the night gradually and with no break in the middle.

[9:6] If any of the mushrikeen seeks your protection, you shall protect him so that he would hear the Words of God, then escort him to his place of safety. This is because they are a people who do not know.

[9:7] How can the mushrikeen have an oath with God and with His messenger, except for those with whom you have entered into a treaty at the Masjid Al-Haram? If they are straight with you, be straight with them. Indeed, God loves the reverent.

[9:8] How indeed! If they get the upper hand over you, they would not observe the rights of kinship nor have regard for any pledges! They please you with their mouths while their hearts are in a state of rejection! Most of them are wicked.

[9:9] They traded away God's revelations for a cheap price, and so they repelled from His path. Miserable indeed is what they used to do.

[9:10] They do not observe the rights of kinship towards any believer nor have regard for any pledges. They are indeed the transgressors.

[9:11] But if they repent and observe the Salat, and give the Zakat, then they are your brethren in religion. We detail the revelations for a people who know.

[9:12] And if they break their pledge after having taken their oath and they defame your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief, for their pledges are worthless, perhaps they may then cease.

[9:13] Would you not fight a people who broke their pledge and intended to banish the messenger and were the ones who attacked you in the first place? Are you afraid of them? God is more worthy to be the One whom you should fear if you are believers.

[9:14] Fight them, and God will punish them at your hands, disgrace them and grant you victory over them. He will heal the chests of believing people

[9:15] and remove the rage from their hearts. God redeems whom He wills. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.

[9:16] Did you think that you would be left alone without God distinguishing those among you who strove and did not take other than God, His messenger and the believers as intimate allies? God is All-Aware of what you do.