117 Page Notes

05 Surah Al-Maidah (continued)

Page 117 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

5:51

5:52

5:53

5:54

5:55

5:56

5:57

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 117 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 117 of the Uthmani Mushaf spans Surah Al-Ma'idah (Chapter 5), verses 51 through 57.

This text focuses heavily on the concepts of political allegiance, spiritual loyalty (Wala'), the psychological behavior of the hypocrites in Medina, the warning of mass apostasy, and the defining traits of those who belong to the "Party of Allah" (Hizbullah).

The Prophetic Sunnah and Hadith literature illuminate the specific military crises, societal figures, and theological lessons connected to these verses.

1. Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verses 51-52: The Split of Alliances in Medina

"O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another... And you see those in whose hearts is disease [i.e., hypocrisy] hastening into [association with] them, saying, 'We fear lest a misfortune should strike us.' But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a command from Him..." (5:51-52)

The text at the top of page 117 speaks directly to a massive geopolitical shift occurring in Medina during the Prophet's ﷺ time, following major conflicts like the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud.

The Sunnah Context: Ubadah ibn as-Samit vs. Abdullah ibn Ubayy

Classical exegetes like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari transmit historical narrations (Athaar) through the Sunnah outlining the exact reason for these verses' revelation. Two prominent Medinan figures took completely opposite paths regarding their pre-Islamic tribal pacts:

• The Loyalty of Ubadah ibn as-Samit: When the Jewish tribe of Banu Qaynuqa' broke their peace treaty with the Muslims, Ubadah ibn as-Samit immediately went to the Prophet ﷺ. He renounced his tribe's historical alliance with them, stating: "O Messenger of Allah, I take Allah, His Messenger, and the believers as my allies, and I wash my hands of any alliance with these disbelievers."

• The Hypocrisy of Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul: Conversely, the leader of the hypocrites, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, refused to sever his ties. He argued using the exact words recorded in verse 52: "I am a man who fears that misfortunes and shifts of fortune may strike me; I cannot abandon my alliances."

The Hadith literature notes that verse 51 was revealed to praise Ubadah's clarity of faith and expose Abdullah ibn Ubayy's deep-seated doubt.

2. Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 54: The Warning of Apostasy and the Coming of Abu Bakr

"O you who have believed, whoever among you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him... humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers... And they do not fear the blame of a critic..." (5:54)

The Sunnah Fulfillment: The Ridda Wars

Verse 54 issues a prophetic warning: if the early community abandons Islam, Allah will easily replace them with a superior, deeply devoted generation. The fulfillment of this verse is explicitly traced through the Sunnah to the immediate aftermath of the Prophet's ﷺ death, during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq.

When multiple Arab tribes initiated mass apostasy (Ridda) across the peninsula, Abu Bakr stood firm despite intense political pressure to compromise.

The companion Abu Hurayrah narrated regarding this verse: "By the One besides Whom there is no deity worthy of worship, if Abu Bakr had not been appointed Caliph, Allah would not have been worshipped [on this earth]!" He then recounted how Abu Bakr mobilized the companions to fight the apostate tribes until they returned to the faith, directly embodying the traits of verse 54: being fiercely protective of the faith and completely unbothered by the "blame of a critic."

• Source: Recorded by Al-Bayhaqi in Dalail al-Nubuwwah; cited by Ibn Kathir as the primary historical manifestation of this verse.

3. Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 55: Giving Charity While Bowing

"Your ally is none but Allah and His Messenger and those who have believed - those who establish prayer and give zakah, and they bow [in worship]." (5:55)

The Hadith Concerning Ali ibn Abi Talib

Many classical books of commentary and traditions record a famous historical event regarding the text "and they give zakah, and they bow."

Ibn Abbas and other companions narrated that a needy petitioner entered the Prophet's Mosque while the companions were praying. The man asked for charity, but no one stood up to give him anything. Ali ibn Abi Talib was in the middle of the bowing position (Ruku') of his prayer. Without breaking his prayer, Ali subtly extended his hand and pointed to his finger, allowing the poor man to slide a silver ring off his finger as an act of charity.

• Source: Recorded in the exegeses of Al-Tabari, Al-Wahidi (Asbab al-Nuzul), and referenced across historical traditions. While scholars debate the absolute strength of this specific chain of transmission, it is universally cited as a beautiful example of the early community's urgency to help the poor at all times.

4. Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 57: Protecting the Sanctity of Faith

"O you who have believed, do not take as allies those who take your religion in ridicule and amusement from among those who were given the Scripture before you and the disbelievers..." (5:57)

The Sunnah of Shielding the Faith from Mockery

The page concludes with a strict boundary against aligning with those who mock the rituals of Islam. The Sunnah records that the call to prayer (Adhan) was a particular target of mockery by opposing factions in Medina:

The Prophet ﷺ noted that when the Mu'adhin called people to prayer, certain hypocrites and mockers would mimic the words in a joking manner to dissuade people. The Sunnah responded by making the Adhan a public, proud announcement of monotheism that cannot be compromised or softened to please critics. The Prophet ﷺ stated: "When the call to prayer is made, Satan turns his back and flees..." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 608), showing that the majesty of Islamic rituals naturally repels those who treat faith as "amusement."

References

• Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari (Chapters: Kitab al-Tafsir / Prophetic Commentary; Kitab al-Adhan / The Call to Prayer).

• Al-Tabari, Ibn Jarir. Jami' al-Bayan 'an Ta'wil Ay al-Qur'an (Exegesis of Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verses 51–57).

• Ibn Kathir, Ismail ibn Umar. Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azeem (Volume 3, Commentary on Surah Al-Ma'idah).

• Al-Wahidi, Ali ibn Ahmad. Asbab al-Nuzul (Reasons for the Revelation of Surah Al-Ma'idah).