The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 645
PT. 21 AL-AḤZĀB CH. 33 وَلَوْ دُخِلَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِّنْ أَقْطَارِهَا ثُمَّ And if entry were effected. 15 against them into the town from سبِلُوا الْفِتْنَةَ لَا تَوْهَا وَمَا تَلَبَّثُوا بِهَا its environs, and then they were إِلَّا يَسِيران asked to join in the disturbance they would have at once done so, and would not have tarried in their houses save a little. 3085 وَلَقَدْ كَانُوْا عَاهَدُوا اللهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ And truly they had already. 16 covenanted with Allah that they لَا يُوَتُونَ الْأَدْبَارَ وَكَانَ عَهْدُ اللهِ would not turn their backs. And مَسْئُولًا a covenant with Allah will have to be answered for. 3086 قُل لَّنْ يَنْفَعَكُمُ الْفِرَارُ إِنْ فَرَرْتُمْ Say, "Flight shall not avail. 17 VIÐ BÍRÓ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ أَوِ الْقَتْلِ وَإِذَا لَّا تُمَتَّعُونَ slaughter; and even then you إِلَّا قَلِيلًا you if you flee from death or will enjoy but little. ' "4:79; 62:9. The expression, "therefore turn back," may mean, return to your old faith, or (2) go back to your homes. 3085. Commentary: The present verse unmasks the falsity of excuses of the hypocrites mentioned in the preceding verse, viz. that their houses were exposed and defenceless and, therefore, they were unable to take part in the fighting on the side of Muslims. It purports to say that if an enemy had entered into Medina from another direction and they were invited to make common cause with him against the Muslims, they would have willingly and readily done so. It is because they have been asked in fulfilment of their solemn pledges to fight for Muslims against disbelievers that they advance the lame excuse of their houses being defenceless. 3086. Commentary: The words, "they had already covenanted with Allah," refer to the treaty that the Jews of Medina had made with the Holy Prophet that they would fight on his side against any enemy who invaded Medina. The verse holds out a solemn warning to these breakers of their plighted word that they will have to account for their treachery. The exact words of the above-mentioned treaty were: 2559 و ان بينهم النصر على من دهم يثرب i. e. "and they take upon themselves to help the Holy Prophet against anyone who should attack Yathrib"