Commentary on the Koran: Surah 60 “The Woman to be Examined” (No. Q060)

Pickthall Translation; Bible Quotes are from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

Al-Muntahanah “She who is to be examined” takes its name from verse 10 where they are to examine women who come to them purporting to be converts to Islam and if they find them sincere they are not to return them to the idolaters.

This Surah was a major modification of the terms of the Truce of Hudeybiyah where the Prophet had been forced to agree to the terms that required Islam under the Prophet to return all fugitives, male and female to the idolaters while the idolaters were not obliged to hand over the renegades from Al-Islam.

Those terms under Biblical Law were incorrect and had to be repudiated as soon as possible.

Pickthall holds that it was due to the more terrible persecutions that the women had to endure if extradited and their helpless social conditions that were the cause of the charges but the reasons are clearly seen in Biblical Law when a servant is not to be returned to their masters if they claim sanctuary in Israel, both the nation and the faith.

Women refugees who were sincere and not fugitives of crime or family quarrels could be paid an indemnity for by the Muslims, whereas for Muslim wives who fled to the Qureysh there was no indemnity to be paid. However, the Islamic state provided that in reverse of fortune the indemnities would be paid by the Islamic state whatever their wives had taken of their property.

The women seeking refuge had to make a vow which is seen at verse 12 of the Surah.

The Surah was revealed in the Eighth year of the Hijrah (629/30CE).

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60.1 O ye who believe! Choose not My enemy and your enemy for allies. Do ye give them friendship when they disbelieve in that truth which hath come unto you, driving out the messenger and you because ye believe in Allah, your Lord? If ye have come forth to strive in My way and seeking My good pleasure, (show them not friendship). Do ye show friendship unto them in secret, when I am Best Aware of what ye hide and what ye proclaim? And whosoever doeth it among you, he verily hath strayed from the right way.

60.2. If they have the upper hand of you, they will be your foes, and will stretch out their hands and their tongues toward you with evil (intent), and they long for you to disbelieve.

Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel ³⁰who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

John 15:18-19 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.¹⁹If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

James 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

Psalm 44:21 would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

1Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

Psalm 90:8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Proverbs 27:5-6 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. ⁶Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Revelation 12:17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

See 2Corinthians 6:14-15 at ayat 60.13 below.

The mainstream religions have always persecuted the elect whenever they have had the upper hand. They serve to further the agenda of the adversary who desires to frustrate the plan of God.

60.3. Your ties of kindred and your children will avail you naught upon the Day of Resurrection. He will part you. Allah is Seer of what ye do.

Refer to Revelation 20:12 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017) at ayat 15, and Ecclesiastes 12:14 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 43 (No. Q043) at ayat 64.

Psalm 49:7-8 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, ⁸for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice.

Psalm 33:13-15 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; ¹⁴from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, ¹⁵he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.

Romans 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

60.4. There is a goodly pattern for you in Abraham and those with him, when they told their folk: Lo! we are guiltless of you and all that ye worship beside Allah. We have done with you. And there hath arisen between us and you hostility and hate for ever until ye believe in Allah only - save that which Abraham promised his father (when he said): I will ask forgiveness for thee, though I own nothing for thee from Allah - Our Lord! In Thee we put our trust, and unto Thee we turn repentant, and unto Thee is the journeying.

See Romans 8:7 at verse 2 above and 2Corinthians 6:14 at verse 13 below.

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 9:10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

1Corinthians 15:28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Refer to Ecclesiastes 12:7 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 19 (No. Q019) at ayat 40.

60.5. Our Lord! Make us not a prey for those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord! Lo! Thou, only Thou, are the Mighty, the Wise.

Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Psalm 31:23 Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Psalm 97:10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 130:4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

See Isaiah 40:28 in Surah 50 at ayat 15; Psalm 147:5 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 33 (No. Q033) at ayat 2 and Daniel 9:9 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 39 (No. Q039) at ayat 5.

60.6. Verily ye have in them a goodly pattern for everyone who looketh to Allah and the Last Day. And whosoever may turn away, lo! still Allah, He is the Absolute, the Owner of Praise.

See 1Corinthians 10:11 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 43 (No. Q043) at ayat 8.

Titus 2:7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

Hebrews 11:39-40 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

2Peter 3:16-17 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. ¹⁷You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

See Isaiah 40:28 in Surah 50 at ayat 15 and also refer to Revelation 4:11 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 39 (No. Q039) at ayat 4.

60.7. It may be that Allah will ordain love between you and those of them with whom ye are at enmity. Allah is Mighty, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Refer to Revelation 4:11 at ayat 39.4 and Daniel 9:9 at ayat 39.5 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 39 (No. Q039).

60.8. Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers.

60.9. Allah forbiddeth you only those who warred against you on account of religion and have driven you out from your homes and helped to drive you out, that ye make friends of them. Whosoever maketh friends of them - (All) such are wrong- doers.

1Corinthians 5:9-11 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— ¹⁰not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. ¹¹But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

2Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

1Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness

We should avoid people who persecute us because of our beliefs but with others who want to live at peace with us we should dwell peaceably with them.

Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

60.10. O ye who believe! When believing women come unto you as fugitives, examine them. Allah is Best Aware of their faith. Then, if ye know them for true believers, send them not back unto the disbelievers. They are not lawful for them (the disbelievers), nor are they (the disbelievers) lawful for them. And give them (the disbelievers) that which they have spent (upon them). And it is no sin for you to marry such women when ye have given them their dues. And hold not to the ties of disbelieving women; and ask for (the return of) that which ye have spent; and let them (the disbelievers) ask for that which they have spent. That is the judgment of Allah. He judgeth between you. Allah is Knower, Wise.

60.11. And if any of your wives have gone from you unto the disbelievers and afterward ye have your turn (of triumph), then give unto those whose wives have gone the like of that which they have spent, and keep your duty to Allah in Whom ye are believers.

60.12. O Prophet! If believing women come unto thee, taking oath of allegiance unto thee that they will ascribe no thing as partner unto Allah, and will neither steal nor commit adultery nor kill their children, nor produce any lie that they have devised between their hands and feet, nor disobey thee in what is right, then accept their allegiance and ask Allah to forgive them. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

60.13. O ye who believe! Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter as the disbelievers despair of those who are in the graves.

2Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? ¹⁵What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? ¹⁶What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, ¹⁸and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

1Corinthians 7:9-16 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. ¹⁰To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband ¹¹(but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. ¹²To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. ¹³If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. ¹⁴For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. ¹⁵But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. ¹⁶For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Psalm 106:3 Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!

Jeremiah 22:3 Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

See Psalm 44:21 at ayat 60.2 above.

Vetting of fugitives needs to take place so that those who are genuine may be allowed among the believers especially during a time of war. It would be contrary to Biblical Law to send believing refugees back to their unbelieving people. Those who worship other gods are not welcome among believers who worship the One True God and keep His commandments and testimonies (Rev 12:17; 14:12).

Believers are allowed for believers and non believers should be companions for non believers and not permitted within the nations of the faithful. Those believers who have lost their wives to unbelievers as a result of the conflict should be aided to help them to rehabilitate their lives.

See James 4:4 at verse 2 above and refer to Psalm 147:5 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 33 (No. Q033) at ayat 2.

Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Psalm 7:11-13 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. ¹²If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; ¹³he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.

Revelation 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.

Isaiah 57:21 “ There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

So we see here the correction of an improper agreement forced upon the faith by idolaters in contravention of Biblical Law. The fact that this fact was not understood was because the commentators knew so little about the Scriptures on which the Koran or Qur’an is based.

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