In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
*The Graceful Commentary on the Identification Cards for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an*,
by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nassif, may Allah preserve him.
Surah al-Mumtahanah.
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds,
and peace and blessings be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers,
and upon all his family and companions.
We continue with our graceful commentary on the identification cards,
and we have arrived at Surah al-Mumtahanah, regarding which I have three reflections.
The first reflection concerns the opening of this magnificent surah,
for its beginning resembles both Surah al-Ma'idah and Surah al-Hujurat,
as all of them begin with: "O you who have believed."
I wish to focus more closely on al-Hujurat and al-Mumtahanah,
considering that both are relatively short when compared to al-Ma'idah,
so their central themes are much more closely aligned,
and this is particularly evident in Surah al-Mumtahanah.
Both surahs begin with the call to faith,
yet Surah al-Hujurat seems to regulate internal relationships
among the believers, even in instances of fighting between them:
"And if two factions among the believers should fight..."
And prior to that, it addresses the believers' relationship with their Lord,
then with their Prophet, and then among themselves;
thus, it rectifies internal affairs, so to speak.
As for Surah al-Mumtahanah, it addresses external affairs and the stance toward the disbelievers.
In both surahs, the opening address was: "O you who have believed."
It is indeed faith that motivates a person both internally and externally;
it drives one in their relationship with their Lord, with their Prophet, with their fellow brethren, with their enemies,
and with those who differ from them in creed.
In all of this, what motivates the Muslim is faith,
and this is a reality that should never escape our minds;
rather, we derive our decisions from the faith that Allah has placed in our hearts
and which He has called us to substantiate through righteous deeds.
The second reflection concerns the mention of women in the surah,
as this mention of women underscores the principle of contextual correlation (munasabah) between verses.
For some students of knowledge find it problematic and ask: "Why do you assert that there is correlation between the verses?
Why can they not simply address disparate topics?"
Observe now Surah an-Nisa'—
Surah an-Nisa', I mean Surah al-Mumtahanah.
It mentions women, yet if you examine the rulings pertaining to women in this surah—
namely the emigrating women and their pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah—
you will find these rulings to be entirely fitting with the overall theme of this surah.
And if you find rulings concerning women in another surah, you will find them harmonizing with that particular surah, and so on.
Thus, whenever a single theme recurs across different surahs,
you will find that in each surah it aligns seamlessly with the surah's central objective,
which confirms that each surah possesses an overarching context and correlation among its verses.
This is readily apparent, but this instance serves to reinforce this reality:
namely, the reality that there is profound coherence among the verses.
As for the third and final reflection, it concerns a crucial matter:
when you see controversy and dispute intensifying among people regarding an issue,
you must turn to the Qur'an.
When you see people differing over a matter, some pulling east and others pulling west,
do not think for a moment that the Qur'an has overlooked this issue:
"And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things."
So when you see people disputing over the issue of interacting with disbelievers
and the proper stance toward them, you need only read Surah al-Mumtahanah,
and you will see moderation, clarity, and the matter presented as it truly is.
And if anything proves difficult for you to grasp, read the words of the exegetes of the early centuries,
and the statements of the Companions and the Tabi'un, and consult the Tafsir of at-Tabari;
for it neither exceeds proper bounds nor falls short, but rather adheres strictly to the pure Sunnah.
I ask Allah to grant us all success in doing that which He loves and is pleased with.
And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.