At-Tawba (ٱلتَّوْبَة)

Surah At-Tawbah (التَّوْبَة) is the ninth Surah in the blessed Quran. The Surah includes a total of 129 verses (ayahs), 16 rukus, and is positioned in Juz numbers 10 and 11. The Surah has two names: Surah Tawbah and Surah Bara'ah (the release). The reason the Surah is called At-Tawbah is due to the theme and subject of the Surah as it is centered around Tawbah (repentance) and how a believer should do Tawbah for his sins or wrongdoings and get their Tawbah accepted by the mercy of Allah.

The name Surah Bara'ah, however, is given due to the opening word of the Surah, which is Bara'ah. The Surah is believed to have been revealed to the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) in the 9th year of his migration/hijrah to Madina and is therefore classified as a Madni Surah. The Surah forms a pair with its previous Surah (Surah Al-Anfal) and also has a similar theme as Surah Anfal.

٩ - ٱلتَّوْبَة

9 - At-Tawba

بَرَاۗءَۃٌ مِّنَ اللہِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖۗ اِلَى الَّذِيْنَ عٰہَدْتُّمْ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ۝۱ۭ
Baraatun mina Allahi warasoolihi ila allatheena AAahadtum mina almushrikeena

English

Ahmed Ali

IMMUNITY is granted those idolaters by God and his Apostle with whom you have a treaty.

1

فَسِيْحُوْا فِي الْاَرْضِ اَرْبَعَۃَ اَشْہُرٍ وَّاعْلَمُوْۗا اَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِي اؘ۝۰ۙ وَاَنَّ اللہَ مُخْزِي الْكٰفِرِيْنَ۝۲
Faseehoo fee alardi arbaAAata ashhurin waiAAlamoo annakum ghayru muAAjizee Allahi waanna Allaha mukhzee alkafireena

English

Ahmed Ali

(They can) move about for four months freely in the land, but should know they cannot escape (the law of) God, and that God can put the unbelievers to shame.

2

وَاَذَانٌ مِّنَ اللہِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖۗ اِلَى النَّاسِ يَوْمَ الْحَجِّ الْاَكْبَرِ اَنَّ اللہَ بَرِيْۗءٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ۝۰ۥۙ وَرَسُوْلُہٗ۝۰ۭ فَاِنْ تُبْتُمْ فَہُوَخَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ۝۰ۚ وَاِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَاعْلَمُوْۗا اَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِي اؘ۝۰ۭ وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِعَذَابٍ اَلِــيْمٍ۝۳ۙ
Waathanun mina Allahi warasoolihi ila alnnasi yawma alhajji alakbari anna Allaha bareeon mina almushrikeena warasooluhu fain tubtum fahuwa khayrun lakum wain tawallaytum faiAAlamoo annakum ghayru muAAjizee Allahi wabashshiri allatheena kafaroo biAAathabin aleemin

English

Ahmed Ali

A general proclamation is (made) this day of the Greater Pilgrimage on the part of God and His Apostle, that God is not bound (by any contract) to idolaters, nor is His Apostle. It is, therefore, better for you to repent. If you do not, remember that you cannot elude (the grip of) God. So announce to those who deny the truth the news of painful punishment,

3

اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ عٰہَدْتُّمْ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَنْقُصُوْكُمْ شَيْــــًٔـا وَّلَمْ يُظَاہِرُوْا عَلَيْكُمْ اَحَدًا فَاَتِمُّــوْۗا اِلَيْہِمْ عَہْدَہُمْ اِلٰى مُدَّتِہِمْ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِيْنَ۝۴
Illa allatheena AAahadtum mina almushrikeena thumma lam yanqusookum shayan walam yuthahiroo AAalaykum ahadan faatimmoo ilayhim AAahdahum ila muddatihim inna Allaha yuhibbu almuttaqeena

English

Ahmed Ali

Except those idolaters with whom you have a treaty, who have not failed you in the least, nor helped anyone against you. Fulfil your obligations to them during the term (of the treaty). God loves those who take heed for themselves.

4

فَاِذَا انْسَلَخَ الْاَشْہُرُ الْحُرُمُ فَاقْتُلُوا الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُّمُــوْہُمْ وَخُذُوْہُمْ وَاحْصُرُوْہُمْ وَاقْعُدُوْا لَہُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ۝۰ۚ فَاِنْ تَابُوْا وَاَقَامُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ وَاٰتَوُا الزَّكٰوۃَ فَخَــلُّوْا سَـبِيْلَہُمْ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ۝۵
Faitha insalakha alashhuru alhurumu faoqtuloo almushrikeena haythu wajadtumoohum wakhuthoohum waohsuroohum waoqAAudoo lahum kulla marsadin fain taboo waaqamoo alssalata waatawoo alzzakata fakhalloo sabeelahum inna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun

English

Ahmed Ali

But when these months, prohibited (for fighting), are over, slay the idolaters wheresoever you find them, and take them captive or besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every likely place. But if they repent and fulfil their devotional obligations and pay the zakat, then let them go their way, for God is forgiving and kind.

5

وَاِنْ اَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَاَجِرْہُ حَتّٰي يَسْمَعَ كَلٰمَ اللہِ ثُمَّ اَبْلِغْہُ مَاْمَنَہٗ۝۰ۭ ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّہُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْلَمُوْنَ۝۶ۧ
Wain ahadun mina almushrikeena istajaraka faajirhu hatta yasmaAAa kalama Allahi thumma ablighhu mamanahu thalika biannahum qawmun la yaAAlamoona

English

Ahmed Ali

If an idolater seeks protection, then give him asylum that he may hear the word of God. Then escort him to a place of safety, for they are people who do not know.

6

كَيْفَ يَكُوْنُ لِلْمُشْرِكِيْنَ عَہْدٌ عِنْدَ اللہِ وَعِنْدَ رَسُوْلِہٖۗ اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ عٰہَدْتُّمْ عِنْدَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ۝۰ۚ فَمَا اسْتَقَامُوْا لَكُمْ فَاسْتَقِيْمُوْا لَہُمْ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِيْنَ۝۷
Kayfa yakoonu lilmushrikeena AAahdun AAinda Allahi waAAinda rasoolihi illa allatheena AAahadtum AAinda almasjidi alharami fama istaqamoo lakum faistaqeemoo lahum inna Allaha yuhibbu almuttaqeena

English

Ahmed Ali

How could there be a treaty between idolaters and God and His Apostle, except those you covenanted by the Sacred Mosque? Therefore as long as they are honest with you be correct with them, for God loves those who are godly.

7

كَيْفَ وَاِنْ يَّظْہَرُوْا عَلَيْكُمْ لَا يَرْقُبُوْا فِيْكُمْ اِلًّا وَّلَا ذِمَّۃً۝۰ۭ يُرْضُوْنَكُمْ بِاَفْوَاہِہِمْ وَتَاْبٰي قُلُوْبُہُمْ۝۰ۚ وَاَكْثَرُہُمْ فٰسِقُوْنَ۝۸ۚ
Kayfa wain yathharoo AAalaykum la yarquboo feekum illan wala thimmatan yurdoonakum biafwahihim wataba quloobuhum waaktharuhum fasiqoona

English

Ahmed Ali

How (can they be trusted)? If they prevail against you they will neither observe pacts nor good faith with you. They flatter you with their tongues, but their hearts are averse to you, for most of them are iniquitous.

8

اِشْتَرَوْا بِاٰيٰتِ اللہِ ثَـمَنًا قَلِيْلًا فَصَدُّوْا عَنْ سَبِيْلِہٖ۝۰ۭ اِنَّہُمْ سَاۗءَ مَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ۝۹
Ishtaraw biayati Allahi thamanan qaleelan fasaddoo AAan sabeelihi innahum saa ma kanoo yaAAmaloona

English

Ahmed Ali

They barter away the words of God for a petty price, and obstruct (others) from His path. How evil indeed are the things they do!

9

لَا يَرْقُبُوْنَ فِيْ مُؤْمِنٍ اِلًّا وَّلَا ذِمَّۃً۝۰ۭ وَاُولٰۗىِٕكَ ہُمُ الْمُعْتَدُوْنَ۝۱۰
La yarquboona fee muminin illan wala thimmatan waolaika humu almuAAtadoona

English

Ahmed Ali

They have no regard for kinship or treaties with believers, for they are transgressors.

10

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah At-Tawbah is one of the last Surahs of the Quran. It was revealed during the 9th year after the migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina. The subject and theme of this Surah suggest that it was revealed to discuss different events that took place after the historic treaty of Hudaybiyyah. It was sent down in three parts, pertaining to three different events.

The first part, comprising verses 1 to 37, was revealed during the month of Zil Qa’adha in 9 AH. It was sent down just before Hajj, when a group of pilgrims had already left Medina for Mecca, under the leadership of Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. After the revelation of this part of the Surah, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ sent Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ with the instructions to join the already sent group of pilgrims and deliver this part of Surah before the pilgrims from different clans reaching there from all around Arabia, as it was a sort of declaration of a new policy towards the disbelievers.

In the month of Rajab, 9 AH, verses 38 to 72 of this Surah were revealed in the context of the Prophet’s preparations for the Battle of Tabuk. It was revealed to urge the believers to actively take part in the Battle (Jihad). At the same time, it is also addressed to those, mostly hypocrites, who were reluctant to sacrifice their wealth and lives in the way of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. This part of the Surah is directly addressed to them, reprimanding them for their weakness in faith, as well as for their negligence in sacrificing their lives and wealth for the sake of Islam.

The last part of the Surah, comprising verses from 73 to 129, was revealed after the successful completion of the military campaign at Tabuk. Mainly, this part is addressed to hypocrites and some other believers of Medina, who preferred to stay back and did not participate in the Battle of Tabuk. While admonishing the hypocrites for their reluctance to take an active part in Jihad, those true believers were pardoned through these verses, who stayed behind and did not take part in Jihad for some valid reasons. 

Hence, the historical background of the revelation of Surah Tawbah mainly pertains to the three historic occasions, which pertain to the events after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Mainly, it pertains to the event of the Battle of Tabuk. Firstly, it was intended to urge the believers to actively participate in Jihad, and secondly, to admonish those hypocrites and believers who showed weakness and reluctance in sacrificing their wealth and lives in the way of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Thirdly, it was intended to address different groups of pilgrims gathered in Mecca for Hajj, declaring the strict policy of dealing with disbelievers.

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah At-Tawbah is a Madni Surah, revealed in 9AH, in three parts, on three different occasions, after the treaty of Hudabiyyah.  

Place in the Quran

It is the 9th Surah of the Quran and appears in Juzz (para) 10 and 11. It appears after Surah Al-Anfal and before Surah Yunus. In the order of revelation, it is the 113th Surah, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it falls at number 9.

  • Number of Verses: Surah At-Tawbah has 129 verses.
  • Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah At-Tawbah is grouped into 16 Rukus (sections).

Significance of Surah At-Tawbah

Like any other Surah of the Quran, Surah At-Tawbah also holds great importance in the teachings of Islam on various subjects, especially in the context of sacrificing one’s wealth and life, while fighting in the way of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ (Jihad). It also represents one of the final declarations of the establishment of Islamic Rule in Arabia and beyond. It is a sort of stern warning against hypocrisy, reluctance in Jihad, betrayal, and polytheism. It also signifies the completion of the Prophet's mission of spreading Islam.

The significance of this Surah can be summarized as follows:

  • Only Surah that Starts Without Bismillah – Surah At-Tawbah is the only Surah of the Quran that does not start with Bismillah. Different scholars have explained it in different ways. The most popular explanation, as given by Imam Razi, is that it is because the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ himself did not dictate it at the beginning of this Surah.
  • Sanctity of Treaties – This Surah emphasizes the importance of maintaining the sanctity of treaties. At the same time, it outlines principles, rules, and regulations that are required to be considered if, at all, Muslims need to break a treaty, in case the other party does not observe the terms of the treaty sincerely.
  • Muslims are urged to fight in the Way of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Jihad (fighting in the way of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is emphasized. Believers are urged to sacrifice their wealth and lives in Jihad. Simultaneously, hypocrites and those believers having a weak faith are admonished, who show reluctance in sacrificing in the way of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
  • Establishing Authority of Islam – The Surah marks the end of tolerance against polytheism and idol worship, declaring Islam as the dominant faith not only in the Arabian Peninsula but even beyond it.
  • Importance of Repentance – As the name of the Surah also reflects (Tawbah, which translates to repentance), the importance of repentance is described in this Surah. It is described in the context of the Battle of Tabuk, where some of the believers showed weakness in faith and stayed back, instead of taking an active part in the Jihad. Those who confessed their weakness were pardoned.
  • Sanctity of Hajj – Surah At-Tawbah also describes and finalizes the purity of Hajj, by way of disallowing the polytheists from performing Hajj. This prohibition ensured the sanctity of Hajj as well as Ka’ba (the House of God).

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah At-Tawbah (التَّوْبَة)

In the previous Surah (Surah Al-Anfal), Allah clarified and instructed the believers on what lessons they had to learn from the battles they had fought after their hijrah to Madina. In Surah Tawbah, however, Muslims are instructed about various important factors, such as how Allah wants Muslims to deal in cases of a breach of treaty. 

Surah At-Tawbah deals with the subject of war against those who had violated the treaty of Hudaybiyah and also directs the believers towards an eventual conquest of Makkah. Moreover, Allah had also reminded the believers that their relationship with the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is greater than any other relation – be it family, wealth, or tribe. 

Allah ordered the Muslims to banish the disbelievers and idolaters from the Sacred Grounds as they had broken the treaty and committed idolatry. Moreover, Allah addresses the hypocrites in Surah At-Tawbah and reminds the Prophet (ﷺ) to continue his struggle against the disbelievers and hypocrites. Believers are also warned that no matter what conditions and oaths are made, the hypocrites will continue to find ways to go against them.

The last few ayahs of the Surah focus on the subject of Tawbah (repentance). Allah reminds the believers that those who meet death as polytheists will not be granted forgiveness. However, those who seek refuge with Allah and sincerely repent from their sins and wrongdoings will be forgiven. And those who are unable to fulfil their obligations due to circumstances beyond their forgiveness will be shown mercy by Allah. Indeed, Allah is the most merciful. The reward for these people is the same as the reward for those who have fulfilled their obligatory duties, as Allah always tests His creation based on their intentions.

In Surah At-Tawbah, Allah emphasizes that those who seek religious knowledge that will benefit society will also be rewarded. Allah also reminds us that the hypocrites will not turn to the right path. However, it is their loss as the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is sent as a mercy for the world, and His message will only bring the world goodness. 

Benefits and Virtues of Reciting Surah At-Tawbah (التَّوْبَة)

Reciting the Quran is the best ibadah a Muslim can do. The Quran is the word of Allah and it holds the message from Allah to Muslims. The more we read the Quran, the closer we will become to Allah. In the Quran, Allah declares the recitation of the Quran and the contemplation of Allah as the best acts a Muslim can perform. Allah Azzawajal says: 

"Those who believe and find peace in their hearts from the contemplation of God: Surely there is peace of heart in the contemplation of God!" (13:28)

Reciting the Quran has also been encouraged by the Holy Prophet (ﷺ):

"Read the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection." – Riyad-as-Salihin 991

Now, let's look at a few virtues and benefits of reciting Surah At-Tawbah:

  • Surah Tawbah serves as a reminder to mankind that Allah's mercy for His creation is boundless. No matter what sins and wrongdoings one engages in, except for shirk and polytheism, Allah will forgive him or her as long as they repent. Therefore, the Surah encourages believers to engage in frequent repentance so they do not stray to the wrong path.

  • Surah Tawbah clearly also warns the believers against hypocrites and their final outcome on the day of judgement, therefore motivating the believers to stay away from hypocrisy and ensure their intentions are in accordance with their actions.

  • Surah Tawbah also reminds the believers about the acts of war – how it is not merely about fighting but struggling to obtain justice and goodness for the society and therefore serves as a reminder to always work towards uplifting the community.

  • Surah Tawbah also reminds Muslims to remain honest and responsible when they sign a treaty or agree to something.

  • Recitation of the Surah can have several benefits for a believer. For instance, reciting the Quran helps gain relief from mental distress, including mental conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah At-Tawbah by Renowned Qaris

Recitation of the Quran by a renowned and authentic reciter (Qari) is a rich source of learning how to recite the Quran, including Surah At-Tawbah, with correct pronunciation. It is a sensitive matter, as correct recitation of the Quranic words is critical. Even a slight deviation in reading a Quranic word may entirely change its meaning. Correct pronunciation might be a difficult task at times for a non-Arabic-speaking person, as they might not be able to read it with correct pronunciation. Hence, listening to the recitation of the Quran by an authentic Qari is highly important to understand how to pronounce a Quranic word.

On the other hand, one may also like to just listen to the Quran, instead of reading it oneself. At Muslim and Quran, we have uploaded recitations of the Quran by different renowned reciters (Qaris). You can find and select a Qari per your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You just need to download the Mobile Application of the MuslimandQuran to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah At-Tawbah.

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Surah At-Tawbah PDF

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FAQs:

The meaning of At-Tawbah is "Repentance". In the context of Surah At-Tawbah, it refers to the importance of repentance, in case a believer commits a mistake, as was done by some of the believers in Medina when they showed reluctance in preparing for the Battle of Tabuk.

Surah At-Tawbah has 129 verses.

Like any other Surah of the Quran, reciting Surah At-Tawbah brings huge rewards and benefits not only in this world but also on the Day of Resurrection. However, no specific benefits are associated with its reciting. Generally, the recitation of Surah At-Tawbah is a reminder for the Muslims to get prepared for fighting in the way of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, sacrificing their wealth and lives for the sake of Islam, and following the teachings of the Prophet.

Yes, Hadith 369 of Sahih Al-Bukhari narrates the event of Hajj, where Haarat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ led a group of pilgrims. Subsequently, after the revelation of the first part of Surah At-Tawbah, the Prophet instructed Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ to join them and recite this Surah in front of the pilgrims.

Yes, it carries huge rewards, just like recitation of any other verse or surah of the Quran.