49. Al-Hujurat (The Private Apartments)

Medina Period 106 [18 verses]9H

Asad’s Version:

49:9 Hence, if two groups of believers fall to fighting,' make peace between them; but then, if one of the two [groups) goes on acting wrongfully towards the other, fight against the one that acts wrongfully until it reverts to God's commandment; 10 and if they revert, make peace between them with justice, and deal equitably (with them]: for verily, God loves those who act equitably!

49:10 All believers are but brethren." Hence, [whenever they are at odds,] make peace between your two brethren, and remain conscious of God, so that you might be graced with His mercy.

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِن طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا...

49: 9. If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel make ye peace between them:

C4927. Individual quarrels are easier to compose than group quarrels, or, in the modem world, national quarrels. But the collective community of Islam should be supreme over groups or nations. It would be expected to act justly and try to compose the quarrel, for peace is better than fighting.

But if one party is determined to be the aggressor, the whole force of the community is brought to bear on it. The essential condition of course is that there should be perfect fairness and justice and respect for the highest principles; for Islam takes account of every just and legitimate interest without separating spiritual from temporal matters.

The League of Nations failed because these essentials were absent and today the United Nations fails for the same reason. (R).

...فَإِن بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَى فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّى تَفِيءَ إِلَى أَمْرِ اللَّهِ...

but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah;

...فَإِن فَاءتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا...

but if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair:

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ ﴿٩﴾

for Allah loves those who are fair (and just).

49: 10. The believers are but a single Brotherhood:

C4928. The enforcement of the Muslim Brotherhood is the greatest social ideal of Islam. On it was based the Prophet's Sermon at his last pilgrimage, and Islam cannot be completely realized until this ideal is achieved.

... فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ...

So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers:

... وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ﴿١٠﴾

And fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy.

[[Asad’s notes - 9 The expression "fighting" comprises in this context all modes of discord and contention, both in word and deed, evidently as a consequence of the slanderous rumours spoken of in verse 6 above.

10 I.e., that the believers should act as brethren (see next verse).

1 1 The plural noun ikhwah ("brethren" or "brotherhood") has here, of course, a purely ideological connotation, comprising men and women alike; the same applies to the subsequent mention of "your two brethren" .]]