Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Muslim reports on the authority of `Ā’ishah: “Some desert Arabs came in adelegation to meet God’s Messenger. They asked whether the people ofMadinah used to kiss their sons. When they were given an answer in theaffirmative, they said: ‘But we definitely would not kiss our sons.’ TheProphet said: ‘What can I do for you if God has taken mercy out of yourhearts?’” 35The rough nature of the desert Arabs is well established, even after they hadaccepted Islam. It is only natural, therefore, that they would be harder in theirstubborn rejection of the faith or in their hypocrisy. They were too brutal whenvictorious, and very hypocritical when subdued. They were aggressive and wouldobserve no limits.“God is All-knowing, Wise.” (Verse 97) He knows His creation, their circumstances,characteristics and nature. He has given them a variety of talents, capabilities andspecialities, and He made them into races, communities and nations. All this is inmanifestation of His wisdom.The Gap Separating Faith and HypocrisyHaving given a general description of the desert Arabs, the sūrah classifies themfurther on the basis of what changes in their characteristics the faith has produced,and the gap that has emerged between hearts that have experienced the happinessgenerated by faith and those that remained unbelieving, hypocritical. Thisdescription is drawn against the background of the situation of the Muslimcommunity at that time: “Some desert Arabs regard what they may spend [for God’s cause]as a loss, and wait for some misfortune to befall you. The evil turn of fortune will be theirs.God hears all and knows all.” (Verse 98) Most probably the hypocrites among the desertpeople are mentioned first in order to group them with the hypocrites in Madinahwho were the subject of discussion in the previous passage. This complements thediscussion of hypocrites from both areas.“Some desert Arabs regard what they may spend [for God’s cause] as a loss.” (Verse 98)Such a person needs to give some of his money in zakāt and to contribute to the jihādcampaigns. In this way he gives evidence of his being a Muslim and is thus able toenjoy the comforts of life in the Muslim community. He is also able to win favourwith the Muslims who were the major power in Arabia. To him, what he spends is aclear loss which he is forced to pay. He does not give it out of any good will towardsIslam or the Muslims. He does not like that they are victorious. Indeed his realattitude is quite different. He “waits for some misfortune to befall you.” (Verse 98) He35 Ibn Kathīr, Tafsīr al-Qur'ān al-`Ażīm. Al-Maktabah al-`Aşrīyah, Beirut, 1996, Vol. 2, pp. 348-349.187