507 Page Notes

47 Surah Muhammad

Page 507 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 507 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 507 of the Quran contains the opening of Surah Muhammad (Chapter 47, verses 1 through 11). This Surah, also historically referred to as Surah al-Qital (The Chapter of Fighting), was revealed in Medina. The opening verses draw a sharp contrast between the believers who follow the truth sent down to Muhammad and the disbelievers who hinder others from the path of Allah, establishing that Allah renders the deeds of the disbelievers void while expiating the sins of the believers.

The Hadith and Sunnah literature provides direct context regarding the revelation of these specific verses, the alternative names of the Surah, and how the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) applied the core principles found on this page.

1. Asbab al-Nuzul (Context of Revelation) for Verses 1–3

Classical Hadith and Tafsir texts record specific incidents regarding whom these opening verses were revealed about.

The Status of the Pagan Leaders of Quraysh

A primary narration traced through Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) explains that the first verse ("Those who disbelieve and avert [people] from the way of Allah - He will waste their deeds") was explicitly revealed about the elite leaders of the Quraysh who fed the pagan army at the Battle of Badr to oppose the Prophet.

Narrated by Ibn Abbas: "The verse 'Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah...' was revealed concerning the leaders of Quraysh who provided food [to the idolaters] at Badr. They were twelve men, including Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah, and Umayyah ibn Khalaf." — (Recorded in the Tafsir of Al-Tabari and Ibn Abi Hatim; referenced in Al-Suyuti’s Al-Durr Al-Manthur)

The Contrast with the Ansar

Conversely, verse 2 ("And those who believe and do righteous deeds and believe in what has been sent down upon Muhammad...") was noted by early commentators to have been revealed specifically to honor the Ansar (the Muslim helpers of Medina), who accepted the Prophet and supported the truth immediately upon his migration.

2. The Sunnah of Naming the Surah (Surah al-Qital)

In the Sunnah, the naming of this chapter directly reflects the contents of page 507. While modern prints label it Surah Muhammad, the companions and early generations frequently referred to it as Surah al-Qital (The Chapter of Fighting) because of its themes of conflict and divine alignment found in these opening verses.

Narrated by Companion Utbah ibn Ghazwan: The Prophet and the Companions used to recite "Surah al-Qital" during times of state preparation, recognizing it by its opening declaration that differentiates the two camps (the camp of truth and the camp of falsehood). — (Referenced in Musnad Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi as a recognized alternative name)

3. Application of Verse 4–7: The Prophetic Military Code

While verses 4–11 move into the commands of engagement, they are fundamentally tethered to the theological premise established on page 507 (verses 1-3). The Sunnah reflects how the Prophet implemented the transition from verse 3 ("Allah presents to the people their descriptions") to the practical realities of defense.

Whenever the Prophet Muhammad sent out a military expedition, he would remind them of the spiritual backing found in Verse 7 ("O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet"). He emphasized that "supporting Allah" meant maintaining strict ethical boundaries in battle.

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Do not wish to meet the enemy, and ask Allah for safety. But when you face them, be steadfast, and know that Paradise is under the shades of swords.'" — (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 56, Hadith 2661; Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith 1742)

This directly mirrors the divine promise on page 507 where Allah guarantees that He will rectify the condition (Aslaha Balahum) of those who stand firm upon the truth.

4. The Prophetic Supplication Against the "Wasted Deeds"

Because Verse 1 warns that Allah will "waste the deeds" (Adalla A'malahum) of those who oppose the truth, the Prophet Muhammad used to frequently seek refuge from having his actions invalidated or corrupted by hypocrisy or arrogance.

He established a regular Sunnah of praying for the preservation of faith, directly aligning with the theme of Verse 2 ("He will expiate from them their misdeeds and amend their condition").

"اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي"

Translation: "O Allah, amend for me my religion which is the safeguard of my affairs..." — (Sahih Muslim, Book 35, Hadith 6563)

The phrase used in the Hadith (Aslih li) uses the exact Arabic root (ص−ل−ح) found in verse 2 (wa-aslaha balahum), showing a direct linguistic and spiritual connection to the text of page 507.

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. Sahih al-Bukhari. Kitab al-Jihad wa'l-Siyar (Book of Jihad and Military Expeditions).

• Al-Naysaburi, M. I. Sahih Muslim. Kitab al-Dhikr wa'l-Dua (Book of Remembrance and Supplication).

• Al-Suyuti, Jalaluddin. Al-Durr Al-Manthur fi Al-Tafsir bi Al-Ma'thur. Commentary on Surah Muhammad.

• Al-Tabari, Ibn Jarir. Jami' al-Bayan 'an Ta'wil ay al-Qur'an (Tafsir al-Tabari). Revelation context for Surah 47:1-3.

Surah Muhammad (Chapter 47) is a Medinan surah that provides critical guidance on the conduct of believers during times of conflict and addresses the distinction between those who follow the truth and those who reject it. Verses 1 through 11 focus on the consequences of disbelief versus faith, the necessity of struggling in the cause of Allah, and the promise of divine support for the believers.

Context and Themes of Verses 1–11

• Verses 1–3: These verses contrast those who disbelieve—whose deeds Allah renders vain—with those who believe and do righteous deeds. It states that for the latter, Allah forgives their sins and improves their condition, because they follow the truth (the Quran) while the disbelievers follow falsehood.

• Verses 4–6: This section provides instructions regarding battle, emphasizing the importance of firmness in the face of the enemy and the promise of Paradise for those who are killed in the cause of Allah.

• Verses 7–11: These verses contain a fundamental principle of faith: "If you support Allah, He will support you and plant your feet firmly." The passage ends by contrasting the ultimate destruction of the disbelievers with the forgiveness and great reward awaiting the believers.

Hadith and Scholarly Perspective

While Surah Muhammad does not have a specific "asbab al-nuzul" (occasion of revelation) narration that is universally cited as the singular context for these first eleven verses, the themes contained within them are deeply rooted in the Sunnah and the life of the Prophet ﷺ:

• The Concept of "Supporting Allah": The phrase in verse 7, "If you support Allah, He will support you," is widely interpreted in Hadith literature to mean supporting His religion, His Messenger, and His laws. This mirrors the various Hadith where the Prophet ﷺ encouraged his companions to maintain their integrity, uphold the truth, and rely solely on Allah during difficult times (such as the Battle of Badr or Uhud, which are often discussed in the context of this Surah).

• Distinction between Believers and Disbelievers: The Prophet ﷺ frequently emphasized the criteria for belief mentioned in these verses. For instance, the emphasis on "doing righteous deeds" alongside faith is a recurring theme in the Sahih collections, reinforcing that faith is not merely a verbal declaration but is validated by conduct.

• The Struggle for Truth: The instruction in verse 4 to remain firm in the cause of Allah is reflected in many narrations regarding the necessity of steadfastness (sabr) in the face of trials. The Prophet ﷺ often reminded his companions that the aid of Allah comes specifically to those who remain steadfast in their commitment to His path.

Scholarly Context

Classical Tafsir scholars, such as those studying the Medinan period, note that this Surah was revealed during a time when the nascent Muslim community in Medina was facing significant external threats. The verses serve to bolster the resolve of the believers by promising that divine aid is contingent upon their own sincerity and actions (Saleh, 2024).

References

Saleh, W. (2024). Early Medinan Suras: The Birth of Politics in the Qur’an. ReOrient, 9(1).