In light of recent events, it is fitting that this sūrah would be scheduled to go out, though I did not plan it that way. I highly encourage all readers to go and read Sūrat al-Ḥashr in full and reflect on how so much of what is spoken of has a parallel in what is happening in Palestine right now. It is a huge source of inspiration for how Palestine will become free. Allah ﷻ has spoken the truth.
Sūrat al-Ḥashr (The Gathering) is a Madinan sūrah which primarily focuses on the betrayal of the Jewish tribe of Banu an-Naḍīr towards the Messenger ﷺ and their subsequent assassination attempt. It also praises the Muhājirūn (Muslims who immigrated to Madinah) and Anṣār (Muslims local to Madinah) for their character and selflessness. Finally, it concludes with a fairly long section on the names and attributes of Allah ﷻ.
Taken together, it seems that this sūrah forms a mirror structure.
CONNECTIONS
[A]/[A’] – The sūrah begins and ends praising Allah ﷻ with almost the exact same wording. The opening praises him in the past tense (sabbaḥa) and the closing uses the present tense (yusabbḥu). Together, Allah ﷻ always has, and always is, praised by “mā fi as-samāwāti (whatever is in the heavens) and whatever is in “al-arḍi (the Earth)”, and He is “al-ʿAzīzu al-Ḥakīm (the Almighty, the Wise).”
[B]/[B’] – The sūrah continues with Allah ﷻ describing the exile of Banu an-Naḍīr. Allah ﷻ expelled them from their homes for their betrayal even though, to the Muslims, they “thought they would never be kicked out” on account of Banu an-Naḍīr’s fortresses. Allah ﷻ took them “from where they did not anticipate” and “struck terror into their hearts.” The linked section lists out many names and attributes of Allah ﷻ, each highlighting a different dimension of His power and might. Each name can also be shown to relate to the expulsion narrative in some regard.
After reaffirming His oneness, Allah ﷻ says that He is “the Knower of the unseen and seen,” which relates to Allah ﷻ exposing the treachery and assassination attempt of Banu an-Naḍīr. He continues, saying that He is “the Most Merciful, the Infinitely Merciful,” which is demonstrated in the Muslims sparing the tribe and instead only exiling them.
Again, Allah ﷻ establishes His oneness and continues, “He is the Sovereign,” which is established in His ownership of the land Banu an-Naḍīr occupied until He removed them. He controls the entire dominion and thus can control who lives on His earth, and who does not.
He is the “Grantor of blessings, the Perfect, the Provider of safety, the Protector.” Though He is perfect and has no needs, He still aided the Muslims in banishing Banu an-Naḍīr without want of repayment. He established peace, safety, and protection by removing those who were sowing the seeds to rebellion.
He is the “Authority, the Compeller, the Supreme” in that He evicted Banu an-Naḍīr against their will and they had no recourse to action.
Finally, He is the “Creator, Inventor, and the Fashioner.” He took the fortress Banu an-Naḍīr worked so hard to create and made it so that they refashioned it and destroyed it “by their hands and the hands of the believers.” In the end, the fortresses changed hands from the Jewish tribe over to the Muslims.
[C]/[C’] – The next section focuses heavily on the authority afforded to the Messenger ﷺ. He commanded the cutting down of some trees for a tactical purpose and to disgrace the “defiantly disobedient (fāsiqīn).” Some people questioned the permissibility of cutting the trees, and in response Allah ﷻ revealed that the issue of the trees was all through “the permission of Allah.” In other words, what the Messenger ﷺ decrees comes through the authority of Allah ﷻ, so it needs to be respected. Allah ﷻ says as much later in the same section when He declares, “what the Messenger gives you, take it! And what he prevents you from, stay away from it!”
The parallel section reminds us to give Allah ﷻ His due respect. Twice in the same āyah, believers are commanded to “be conscious of Allah!” We are warned to not be like those who forgot Allah ﷻ, and as a result, Allah ﷻ made them forget themselves! Such people are labeled as the “defiantly disobedient (fāsiqūn).” Instead, we should be like the creation which venerates Allah ﷻ as He should. If the mountains were to have received the revelation they would have “humbled and torn apart from the fear of Allah.” That is a taste of the level of honor and esteem we should be holding Allah ﷻ to.
[D]/[D’] – Finally, the center is a contrast between those who ally the believers and those who ally the disbelievers. The Muhājirūn are described as those who have been kicked out (‘ukhrijū) of their homes in pursuit of Allah’s favors and pleasure. They aid (yanṣurūna) Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ and are labeled as “truthful.” Using similar phrasing, Allah ﷻ describes the hypocrites as promising Banu an-Naḍīr, “If you are kicked out (‘ukhrij-tum), we will go out with you. And if you fight, we will definitely aid you (la-nanṣuranna-kum).” Despite all their pledges, Allah ﷻ bears witness that they are undoubtedly “liars.”
Allah ﷻ also praises the Anṣār, telling us that they were happy to accept the Muhājirūn and in doing so they “did not find any envy in their chests (fī sudūri-him) on account of what they gave” the immigrants. Contrast this with the hypocrites who were filled with the incorrect feelings. They have more fear of the Muslims than Allah ﷻ “in their chests (fī sudūri-him).”
Allah ﷻ also praises the later Muslims for their prayer. They ask, “Our Master, forgive us and for our brothers (‘ikhwāni-nā) who proceeded us in faith. And do not place in our hearts (qulūbi-nā) animosity for those who believed.” Again, the hypocrites are shown to misappropriate the same terms used for believers. Allah ﷻ informs us that their “brothers (‘ikhwāni-him)” are “those who disbelieved, that is to say, the People of the Book.” Additionally, instead of tranquil hearts free of animosity, we are told that “their hearts (qulūbu-hum) are separated.” In other words, they are not aligned with their supposed ally.
And Allah ﷻ knows best.
Barak Allahu feekum
Great reminder, Jazak Allah Khair for sharing