Al-Mumtahanah

Background Info

• When & Where: Revealed in Medina. Likely between the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH) and the Conquest of Mecca (8 AH), possibly closer to the latter.
• The Situation: Despite the treaty, tensions existed between Muslims in Medina and polytheists in Mecca. Issues of loyalty arose, particularly concerning Muslims maintaining ties with relatives actively hostile to Islam (highlighted by the incident of Hatib ibn Abi Balta'a sending a secret letter to Mecca). Also, women were migrating from Mecca to Medina claiming faith, and their status needed clarification under the treaty terms and Islamic law.
• The Need: To establish clear guidelines on relations between Muslims and non-Muslims, distinguishing between those actively fighting Islam and those who are peaceful. To provide a procedure for verifying the faith of female emigrants arriving in Medina and addressing their legal/marital status. To warn against acts that compromise the security and loyalty of the Muslim community.
• Purpose of the Chapter: Forbids taking enemies of God and the believers as intimate allies, citing Prophet Abraham's disavowal of his polytheist people as an example. Clarifies that kindness towards non-hostile non-Muslims is permitted. Sets the rule for "examining" the faith of women emigrating from Mecca. Addresses rulings concerning their previous marriages. Includes the pledge taken by women embracing Islam.
• In short: A Medinan chapter clarifying the boundaries of relationships with non-Muslims (prohibiting alliance with enemies, permitting kindness to the non-hostile), setting procedures for accepting female emigrants, and emphasizing loyalty to the faith community.

Core Message

To define the boundaries of loyalty (wala') and disavowal (bara') for believers, particularly concerning relationships with those hostile to Islam, while permitting kindness towards non-belligerent non-Muslims, and establishing guidelines for integrating believing women migrating from enemy territory.

Summary

This chapter addresses the crucial issue of the believers' relationships with non-believers, particularly those actively hostile towards Islam. It begins by strongly forbidding believers from taking the enemies of Allah and themselves as intimate friends or allies, referencing an incident where a companion attempted to secretly warn the Quraysh 60:1. The Surah emphasizes that kinship or wealth should not override loyalty to Allah and the Muslim community 60:3.

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his followers are presented as a prime example of disavowal (bara') from polytheism and those who practice it, except for Ibrahim's specific plea for his father's forgiveness which cannot be emulated in its context 60:4. However, the Surah makes a vital distinction: Allah does not forbid kindness and justice towards non-Muslims who do not fight believers over faith or expel them from their homes 60:8. The prohibition applies specifically to those who exhibit hostility 60:9.

A significant portion deals with the specific situation arising after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah concerning believing women who migrated from Makkah to Madinah. It instructs the believers to test their faith; if found to be true believers, they should not be returned to the disbelievers. Their previous marriages to polytheist husbands are dissolved, and arrangements for returning dowries are outlined 60:10. The chapter concludes with the pledge (Bay'ah) taken by believing women, outlining key moral and religious commitments 60:12, and a final reinforcement against befriending those under Allah's wrath 60:13.

Reason for the Name

Named after the instruction given in verse 10 60:10 to test the faith of believing women who migrated from Makkah to Madinah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, before accepting them fully into the Muslim community.

Unique Features

• Specifically addresses the concept of Wala' wal-Bara' (Loyalty and Disavowal) with clear distinctions.
• Provides direct legislation concerning female migrants after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
• Contains the pivotal verse 60:8 clarifying permissible relations with non-belligerent non-Muslims.
• Includes the specific wording of the pledge taken by women (Bay'at al-Nisa).

Themes

• Loyalty and Disavowal (Wala' wal-Bara')
• Relations with Non-Muslims (Distinguishing between hostile and non-hostile)
• Testing Faith (Especially for new converts/migrants)
• Migration (Hijrah) of Women
• Treaty Obligations and Social Integration
• The Example of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in Disavowal
• Pledge of Allegiance (Bay'ah) for Women
• Justice and Kindness in Interactions

Key Verses

• 60:1: "O believers! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, showing them affection even though they deny what has come to you of the truth..." - Significance: Sets the core principle regarding relations with active enemies of Islam.
• 60:4: "Indeed, there is an excellent example for you in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'We are disassociated from you and whatever you worship besides Allah...'" - Significance: Provides a Prophetic model for disavowal based on faith.
• 60:8: "Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and justly with those who have not fought you for your faith nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are just." - Significance: A foundational verse for positive relations with peaceful non-Muslims.
• 60:10: "O believers! When believing women come to you as emigrants, test them..." - Significance: Provides specific legal and social guidance for a historical situation with ongoing principles.
• 60:12: "O Prophet! When believing women come to you, pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor steal, nor commit adultery, nor kill their children, nor slander falsely..." - Significance: Outlines the key commitments taken in the women's pledge of allegiance.

Stories

• The context behind the revelation of the opening verses (implicitly, the incident involving Hatib ibn Abi Balta'a trying to warn Quraysh before the Conquest of Makkah).
• The example of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his followers disavowing their polytheistic people.
• The legal and social procedures for accepting believing women migrating from Makkah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.

Personalities

• Ibrahim (AS): Presented as a role model for correct disavowal from disbelief 60:4.
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): Directly addressed to receive the pledge from women 60:12 and implement the rulings.

Practical Guidance

• Understanding the balance: How to maintain loyalty to faith and community while upholding justice and kindness towards peaceful non-Muslims.
• The principle of Wala' wal-Bara' applies primarily based on hostility towards Islam, not mere difference in faith.
• Importance of verifying claims, especially in matters of faith and community membership (as seen in testing the emigrant women).
• Upholding agreements and ensuring financial justice even when dealing with dissolved marriages involving non-Muslims (returning dowries).
• Recognizing the core tenets of Islamic morality outlined in the women's pledge (avoiding shirk, theft, adultery, infanticide, slander, disobedience in what is right).
• Family ties do not excuse compromising one's faith or loyalty to Allah.

Points of Reflection

• How can I apply the principle of kindness and justice outlined in 60:8 in my daily interactions with non-Muslims?
• What does the firmness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in 60:4 teach me about conviction and standing for truth, even against one's own people?
• How does the process of testing and integrating the migrating women 60:10 inform how communities should welcome and support new Muslims today, especially those facing difficulties?

Connection to Chapters

• Follows Surah Al-Hashr (59), which dealt with the expulsion of the treacherous Banu Nadir tribe and themes of hypocrisy and loyalty within the Madinan context. Al-Mumtahanah shifts the focus more externally to relations with non-Muslims outside (Makkans) and the integration of newcomers. Both chapters emphasize community cohesion and loyalty to Allah.
• Precedes Surah As-Saff (61), which calls believers to unity, sincerity, and striving (Jihad) in Allah's cause in cohesive ranks. This theme of unified commitment builds upon the foundations of loyalty and proper association established in Al-Mumtahanah.