ভূমিকা

Except those with whom you made covenant at the Holy Mosque; so long as they stand faithful to you, then be you (too) faithful to them; verily Allah loves the pious ones.”*** Through the previous verses, Allah (s.w.t.) commanded the covenants of the pagans to be cancelled. Here, in this verse, it explains that the reason of that commandment was the very perjury which appeared from them.

But, concerning those pagans who were faithful to their covenants, the Qur’ān instructs to having perseverance with them. So, it says: “How can there be a covenant for the polytheists with Allah and with His Messenger?…” This phrase of the verse means how they may have the covenant of friendship while they have decided in their hearts to breach the covenant. This statement (of interrogation) is said either because of wonder, or as a positive interrogation with a negative sense.

Some commentators have said that this verse means how may Allah instruct that you desist from shedding the blood of pagans? Then, He has exceptioned the following group of pagans, and said: “…Except those with whom you made covenant at the Holy Mosque...” This part of the verse means that they have covenant with Allah, because they do not intend in their hearts to perform any perjury or treachery against you.

Then the verse continues saying: “…so long as they stand faithful to you, then be you (too) faithful to them...” That is, so long as they are faithful to their covenant and remain in the straight way with you upon their promise, you should act with the same manner, too. And, the last phrase of the verse indicates that Allah loves the pious, the ones who avoid perjury.