Surah Al Mumtahanah in English Translation with Explain

Surah Al-Mumtahanah (The Woman to be Examined) is the 60th chapter of the Qur'an and contains 13 verses. This Surah was revealed in Madinah and primarily addresses issues concerning relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims, including the treatment of disbelievers, especially in the context of marriage, alliances, and loyalty to the Muslim community.

O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, offering them affection while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth, having driven out the Prophet and yourselves because you believe in Allah, your Lord. If you have come out for jihad in My cause and seeking My pleasure, [then] do not take them as allies. And you confer friendship upon them in secret, while I am most knowing of what you conceal and what you declare. And whoever of you does this has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.

Explanation:
This verse warns the believers not to form alliances or close relationships with those who oppose Islam, especially those who have expelled the Prophet and the believers from their homes because of their faith. Allah is reminding them that their loyalty should be to Him and the Muslim community. Secretly showing affection or seeking friendship with such people undermines the faith and leads the believer astray.

2.

If they gain mastery over you, they would be your enemies and extend to you their hands and tongues with evil, and they wish you would disbelieve.

Explanation:
This verse explains that the enemies of Islam do not seek genuine friendship. If they had the power, they would act against the Muslims, showing hostility and wishing for their downfall. This emphasizes the point that Muslims should not align themselves with people who openly oppose Islam.

3.

Never will your wealth or your children be of any benefit to you on the Day of Resurrection. He will judge between you. And Allah is, over what you do, All-Seer.

Explanation:
On the Day of Judgment, no material possessions or familial ties will save anyone. The only thing that matters is one's relationship with Allah and their deeds. This serves as a reminder to prioritize righteousness over worldly attachments.

4.

Indeed, there is for you a good example in Ibrahim (Abraham) and those with him when they said to their people, "Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from what you worship other than Allah. We have rejected you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone." Except for the word of Ibrahim to his father, "I will ask forgiveness for you, but I do not have [power] to do for you before Allah." Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You is our return.

Explanation:
This verse recalls the example of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his followers, who disassociated themselves from their disbelieving people due to their worship of false gods. They expressed animosity towards them because of their rejection of faith in Allah. The only exception was Ibrahim’s expression of concern for his father, praying for his forgiveness, but ultimately acknowledging that only Allah has the power to forgive. This verse emphasizes loyalty to faith while acknowledging Allah’s sovereignty.

5.

Our Lord, do not make us [objects of] trial for those who have disbelieved, and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

Explanation:
In this supplication, the believers ask Allah not to allow the disbelievers to harm or become a test for them. They ask for forgiveness and seek Allah’s strength and wisdom.

6.

There has certainly been for you in them an excellent example for whoever has hoped in Allah and the Last Day. And whoever turns away – then indeed, Allah is the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy.

Explanation:
The behavior of Ibrahim and his followers serves as an excellent model for those who hope for Allah's pleasure and the Hereafter. For those who do not follow their example, Allah is Self-Sufficient and Praiseworthy, meaning that He is not in need of anyone’s allegiance or obedience.

7.

Perhaps Allah will put, between you and those to whom you have been enemies, among them, affection. And Allah is competent, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Explanation:
This verse gives hope that even those who were once enemies of Islam may eventually become friends and allies, by Allah’s will. Allah has the power to soften hearts, and He is always ready to forgive and show mercy.

8.

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

Explanation:
Muslims are not prohibited from being kind and just to non-Muslims who do not fight them or expel them from their homes due to their faith. In fact, Allah loves those who act with justice, regardless of the other person’s religion.

9.

Allah only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion – [for] such as you take as allies. And whoever makes allies of them – it is those who are the wrongdoers.

Explanation:
While Allah permits kindness and justice to be shown to non-Muslims who do not persecute Muslims, He forbids forming alliances with those who fight Muslims and expel them from their homes due to their faith. Such alliances would be considered wrong and unjust.

10.

O you who have believed, when the believing women come to you as emigrants, examining them [to see] if they believe, then do not return them to the disbelievers. They are not lawful [wives] for them, nor are they lawful [husbands] for them. But give the disbelievers what they have spent. And there is no blame upon you if you marry them when you have given them their due compensation. And do not hold to [the marriage bonds of] disbelieving women. And ask for what you have spent, and let them ask for what they have spent. That is the judgment of Allah. He judges between you. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.

Explanation:
This verse addresses the situation of Muslim women who emigrate to join the Muslim community. If they come to the believers seeking refuge, they should not be returned to their disbelieving husbands. Muslims must compensate the disbelievers for what they spent on their wives. If a woman from the disbelievers decides to convert and marry a Muslim man, the marriage can proceed after appropriate compensation. This clarifies the rules for marriage and compensation in the context of migration and conversion.

11.

And if a husband of a disbeliever comes to you, then that is when you believe in Allah. If you do not find them in marriage or anyone from the disbelievers, and if you ask for the disbelievers' things, and they ask for yours.

Explanation:
This verse allows Muslims to keep their marriages intact when both sides accept their conditions, clarifying how and when the relationships may occur for clarity.

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12.

And if you ask for the disbelievers' things, and they ask for yours.

Explanation:
This verse refers to situations involving financial exchanges between Muslims and disbelievers. The verse acknowledges that if Muslims have to return the dowries or compensation (for wives who were with disbelievers and later accepted Islam), they can ask for their belongings back in turn. This establishes fair transactions, ensuring that neither party is wronged.

13.

And do not take them back unless they accept Allah as their true deity.

Explanation:
This verse warns against returning the disbeliever’s wives to their previous marriage contracts if the faith has not been accepted by all. However, you may believe or refuse ifApologies for the confusion. Here is the complete translation of Surah Al-Mumtahanah along with the explanations for the remaining verses:

12.

O Prophet, when believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor steal, nor commit adultery, nor kill their children, nor bring forth a slander they invented between their arms and legs, nor disobey you in what is right, then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Explanation:
This verse addresses the situation when believing women come to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), pledging their loyalty and commitment to Islam. They are to swear to avoid major sins such as polytheism, theft, adultery, killing their children, slander, or disobeying the Prophet in good matters. If they uphold this pledge, the Prophet is instructed to accept it, and ask Allah’s forgiveness for them. This highlights the importance of repentance and the mercy of Allah.

13.

O you who have believed, do not take a people as allies who have opposed you in your religion and driven you out of your homes, and supported [others] in your expulsion. And those who do so – it is they who are the wrongdoers.

Explanation:
This verse reiterates that Muslims should not form alliances with those who have fought against them, expelled them from their homes, or supported others in doing so. It emphasizes loyalty to the Muslim community and warns against trusting those who oppose Islam and its followers.

Summary of the Surah:

Surah Al-Mumtahanah primarily addresses issues related to loyalty, alliances, and relationships with non-Muslims, especially in the context of warfare, migration, and marriage. The Surah emphasizes that Muslims must be cautious about forming relationships with those who oppose Islam and its teachings, while also recognizing that kindness and justice should be shown to those who do not actively oppose Islam.

It stresses the importance of faithfulness to Allah and His Messenger, loyalty to fellow believers, and maintaining moral integrity, particularly in relationships and alliances.

The Surah also encourages Muslims to follow the example of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his followers, who disassociated themselves from idolatry and disbelief, yet also demonstrated compassion in certain situations, such as Ibrahim’s concern for his father.

Additionally, the Surah offers guidelines on the treatment of believing women, especially those who convert to Islam and wish to join the Muslim community, ensuring that their rights are upheld, and their migration is supported.

Key Themes of Surah Al-Mumtahanah:

Loyalty to Allah and His Messenger.
The importance of maintaining strong relationships within the Muslim community.
Caution in forming alliances with non-Muslims who oppose Islam.
Justice and fairness in personal and community relationships, including marriage.
Acknowledging the sovereignty and mercy of Allah.

Surah Al Mumtahanah in English Translation with Explain