Introduction
Introduction
The chapter refers to the story of the expulsion of Banu al-Naḍīr1, the Jewish tribe, after they broke their covenant with the Muslims. It also mentions the false promises of support and steadfastness made by the hypocrites to Banū al-Naḍīr, their subsequent betrayal, and the divine rulings concerning the spoils from this event.2
Among the paramount verses in this chapter are the seven concluding ones, wherein Almighty God commands His servants to prepare for encountering Him through vigilance and self-accountability, highlighting the sublime nature of His speech and the exaltedness of His rank by extolling the magnificence of the Speaker—marked by His most beautiful names and lofty attributes.
The Sūrah is Madinan, which is apparent from the context of its verses.
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The Banu al-Naḍīr were one of the three main Jewish tribes living in Medina before the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad. They were an influential tribe with considerable economic resources and strong fortifications around their settlements. The Banu al-Naḍīr, like the other Jewish tribes in the region, were involved in various aspects of the social and economic life of Medina, including agriculture, trade, and the forging of alliances. (Trans.) ↩
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The Sūrah takes its name from the banishment (al-ḥashr) of a Jewish tribe from Madinah, which is its main theme. (Trans.) ↩