Surah
Juz
The Surah discusses two important events that are historically well-documented. The first incident involves Hatib bin Abi Balta'a, who sent a secret letter to the Quraysh leaders before the conquest of Mecca, informing them of the Prophet's ﷺ plan to attack. The second incident concerns Muslim women who began migrating from Mecca to Medina after the Hudaibiyah Truce. There was a question about whether these women, like the men, should be returned to the non-believers according to the terms of the Truce. Mentioning these events indicates that this Surah was revealed between the Hudaibiyah Truce and the Conquest of Mecca. Additionally, the Surah ends with guidance on what pledge the Prophet ﷺ should have the women make when they come to pledge allegiance as believers. This part of the Surah is also believed to have been revealed before the conquest of Mecca, as many women from the Quraysh were expected to embrace Islam after the conquest and would need to pledge allegiance.
The first part, comprising verses 1-9 and the concluding verse 13, addresses an incident involving Hatib bin Abi Balta'a. He disclosed a crucial war secret of the Prophet ﷺ to the Quraysh to protect his family, which could have led to significant bloodshed during the conquest of Mecca if not stopped in time. This act endangered many lives and jeopardised the peaceful conquest of Mecca. Through this, believers are reminded not to form close relationships with hostile non-believers, though they can treat non-hostile non-believers with kindness and justice. The second part, verses 10-11, resolves a social issue of Muslim women in Mecca with pagan husbands emigrating to Medina, and Muslim men in Medina with pagan wives left behind in Mecca. It clarifies that marriages between Muslim women and pagan men, and vice versa, are not valid. The third section, verse 12, instructs the Prophet ﷺ to have women who accept Islam pledge to avoid major evils prevalent in pre-Islamic Arab society and commit to following the Prophet's ﷺ teachings of goodness.
