546 Page Notes

59 Surah Al-Hashr (continued)

Page 546 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 546 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Continuing on page 545 of the Qur'an, Surah Al-Hashr, verses 4 through 9 deal with the immediate aftermath of the exile of the Banu Nadir tribe. These verses outline the divine justification for military tactics, establish the legal framework for state treasury distribution (Fay'), and immortalize the profound selflessness of the native Muslims of Madinah (The Ansar).

1. Verses 4–5: The Cutting of the Date Palms

"Whatever you cut down of gentle palm-trees or left standing on their trunks—it was by permission of Allah and so He would disgrace the defiantly disobedient." (Qur'an 59:5)

The Sunnah Context

During the 15-day siege of the Banu Nadir fortresses, the Prophet ﷺ ordered the cutting and burning of some of their valuable date-palm trees (Al-Linah) to break their economic morale and force a bloodless surrender. The Banu Nadir cried out from their walls, accusing the Prophet ﷺ of hypocrisy: "O Muhammad! You have always forbidden corruption on earth, so why are you cutting down our trees?" Even some Muslims felt internal distress, wondering if they would be penalized by Allah for destroying property.

• The Hadith: In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 4031) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1746), Abdullah ibn Umar (ra) reported:
  "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ burned and cut down the date-palm trees of Banu Al-Nadir at a place called Al-Buwayrah. Allah then revealed: 'Whatever you cut down of gentle palm-trees or left standing on their trunks—it was by permission of Allah...'"

• The Legal Precedent: This verse and its accompanying Sunnah established an exceptional rules-of-engagement clause in Islamic jurisprudence. While damaging infrastructure is generally forbidden in Islamic warfare, it is permitted if it serves a direct, critical tactical necessity to end a conflict quickly and prevent loss of life.

2. Verses 6–8: The Law of Fay' (Spoils Acquired Without Fighting)

"And what Allah restored [of property] to His Messenger from them - you did not spur for it an horse or camel, but Allah gives His messengers power over whom He wills..." (Qur'an 59:6)

The Sunnah Context

Typically, spoils of war (Ghanimah) were distributed directly among the soldiers who fought. However, because Banu Nadir surrendered via siege without a physical cavalry or infantry charge, their vast wealth, lands, and fortresses fell under a different legal category called Fay' (spoils gained without bloodshed).

• The Prophet's Budget: In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 5357) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1757), Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) explained how the Prophet ﷺ managed this wealth:
  "The properties of Banu Al-Nadir were part of what Allah bestowed upon His Messenger... This belonged exclusively to the Prophet ﷺ. He would spend out of it for the yearly sustenance of his family, and whatever remained, he would spend on weapons and mounts to be used in Allah's cause."

• Aiding the Emigrants (Muhajirun): Because the Muhajirun had arrived from Makkah completely penniless, the Prophet ﷺ used the lands of Banu Nadir to provide them with financial independence. In Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 2963), it is recorded that the Prophet ﷺ distributed this wealth entirely to the poor Emigrants, and only two exceptionally impoverished members of the native Madinan Ansar received a share.

3. Verse 9: The Supreme Altruism of the Ansar

"And [also for] those who were settled in Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation..." (Qur'an 59:9)

The Sunnah Context

Verse 9 is a divine tribute to the Ansar (the Helpers of Madinah). When the Prophet ﷺ distributed the entirety of the Banu Nadir estates to the Muhajirun, the Ansar did not harbor a single shred of jealousy. Instead, they celebrated that their Makkan brothers were finally stable.

The Sunnah preserves the specific, breathtaking incident of selflessness (Ithār) that triggered the revelation of the final portion of this verse ("and give them preference over themselves, even though they are in privation").

• The Hadith of the Darkened Room: In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3798) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2054), Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated that a starving man came to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ sent word to his wives, but they all replied that they had nothing but water. The Prophet ﷺ then asked his companions: "Who will entertain this man tonight as a guest?" An Ansari man (identified as Abu Talhah) stood up and took the guest home.

• Upon arriving, his wife whispered that they only had enough food for their small children. Abu Talhah instructed her: "Put the children to sleep, bring the food, and when the guest starts eating, extinguish the lamp so he thinks we are eating with him." They sat in the dark, pretending to chew, while the guest ate his fill from their last remaining meal.

• The next morning, Abu Talhah went to the Fajr prayer. The Prophet ﷺ looked at him and smiled, saying:
  "Tonight, Allah laughed (or marveled) at what you and your wife did for your guest." Allah then sent down verse 9: "...and give them preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful."