Understanding Islam — Page 117
115 Quran is in a sense Part II of S ū rah Al-Anf ā l (chapter 8) and contains a declaration of the fulfillment of the great prophecy made in Al-Anf ā l. Another point to be noted is that a second name for S ū rah At-Taubah is Al-Bar ā ’ah which critics translate as “The Disavowal” alleging that all prior treaties that the Muslims made with non-Muslims are now null and void and the Muslims are free to attack anyone. This confusion comes from the meaning of the Arabic word Bar ā ’ah. While it is true that one meaning of this word is “immunity or disavowal”, another meaning of this term is absolution from a fault or responsibility. 3 This second meaning is what applies here in context, especially when S ū rah At-Taubah is seen as a continuation of S ū rah Al-Anf ā l , and a part of the Holy Quran as a whole. The fact is that the Makkans used to mock the Muslims for having fled to Mad ī nah and used to say that the prophecies of Prophet Muhammad sa regarding victory have failed. This S ū rah alleviates this mockery and “fault” from the Muslims, Prophet Muhammad sa and God, stating that the prophecy has indeed been fulfilled as Makkah has come under the control of the Muslims: