Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 17 Surah Muhammad, Chapter 47, Verses 1 - 21 (Muhammad/The Fighting) Section (juz’): 26 Number of Verses: 38 General Overview of the Chapter بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful The Chapter has thirty eight Verses and is revealed at Mecca.
The title of the Chapter derives from the second Verse in which mention is made of the name of the Noble (S). The dominant theme of the Chapter is jihad against the enemies of Islam hence Its designation “The Chapter of Battle” (Surah al-Qital). The main subject matter concerns believers and disbelievers, comparing the twain in this world and the world to come, and the hypocrites’ sabotage in Medina.
Mention is also made of issues regarding the captivity and freedom of the prisoners of war, call to spend money in Allah’s Cause, and forbidding obsequiousness and complacency in dealing with the enemy.
It is narrated that whoever wishes to perceive the circumstances of the Prophet’s (S) Household (as) and their enemies is supposed to recite the Chapter in question.[^1] It is also reported that the Noble Prophet (S) would recite the Chapter in his evening prayers.[^2] The Merits of Reciting the Chapter According to a Prophetic tradition “One who recites Sura Muhammad, God will provide him with the streams of Paradise.” [^3] Surah Muhammad - Verse 1 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أضَلَّ أعْمَالَهُمْ 1. Those who disbelieve and hinder [men] from the Path of Allah, He will render their deeds vain. From among the one hundred and fourteen Chapters of the Holy Qur’an, mention is made of reproaching and threatening the enemies in eleven Chapters. The verse in question is one of such instances.
The Noble Verse reads: “Those who disbelieve and hinder men from the Path of Allah, God will render their deeds vain.” The verse alludes to the Meccan polytheists and leaders of disbelief serving as war mongers waging wars against the Islamic faith. They were not only disbelievers but also employed diverse stratagems to hinder people from the Path of Allah. Some exegets, e.g.