al-Hashr (Exile, Banishment) at IslamAwakened.com

59:2 He is the One Who drove out the disbelievers of the People of The Book from their homes, by the forces gathered, for the first time. You thought they would never leave, since they believed their fortresses would protect them from Allah. But Allah came upon them from where they didn’t expect, and put fear into their hearts, and they destroyed their homes with their hands and by the hands of the believers. So, learn a lesson from this, people of insight!

59:3 Had Allah not decreed exile for them, He would have severely punished them in some other way in the world. In the Hereafter, they will have the punishment of the Fire.

59:4 That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger, and whoever opposes Allah should know that Allah’s punishment is severe.

59:5 The palm trees you cut down or left standing on their roots was done by the permission of Allah, to humiliate guilty people

59:6 Whatever Allah returned of the booty to His Messenger from them wasn’t due to your swift horses or camels, but Allah gave authority to His Messengers to overwhelm anyone He wills. Allah has control over all things.

59:7 So whatever Allah returned to His Messenger from the booty of the townspeople really belongs to Allah; the Messenger, his relatives; the orphans; the needy; and the travellers. This is to ensure wealth does not circulate among your wealthy only. Whatever the Messenger gives you take it, and whatever he forbids you avoid it; be mindful of Allah, His punishment is severe

59:8 This booty is for the poor Makkan emigrants, who were expelled from their homes, and their wealth confiscated; they are seeking the bounty and pleasure of Allah, and are helping Allah and His Messenger. These are honest people.

59:9 The settled people of Madinah have firm faith, love the emigrants who came to them, and they don’t envy what was given to the emigrants. In fact, they give them preference over themselves, yet they are poor themselves: anyone who is saved from the greed of his selfish desires, is successful

59:10 People who come afterwards will pray for them: “Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers in faith who passed away, and don’t leave any hatred in our hearts of the believers. Our Lord, you are the Compassionate, the Kind.

59:11 Haven’t you seen the hypocrites saying to their disbelieving brothers among the People of The Book, “If you are expelled, we will also leave with you, and we shan’t obey anyone else. If you are attacked, we will help you.” Allah is a witness, they are liars.

59:12 If they are expelled, neither will they leave with them, nor help them if they are attacked. If they came to help them, they would soon turn their backs and flee, they wouldn’t be helped.

59:13 They really fear you more than they fear Allah; that’s because they are a people who don’t understand

59:14 Even if they were all together, they would not fight you except in fortified settlements or behind strong walls. You would think they are united, but their hearts are divided; they are an unreasonable people

59:15 Their example is like the people who were recently punished; they tasted the consequences of their bad behaviour, and for them is a painful punishment in the Hereafter.

59:16 Another comparison of the hypocrites is Satan; he says to man, “Don’t believe,” and when he disbelieves, Satan says to him, “I disown you, I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”

59:17 The punishment for both is the Fire where they will live forever, the reward for the wrongdoers

59:18 Believers, be mindful of Allah, and let everyone consider carefully what they carry forward for tomorrow. Fear Allah! He is fully aware of what you do.

59:19 Don’t be like those who forgot Allah so He made them forget themselves. Those are the sinners.

59:20 The companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise are not alike; the companions of Paradise will be the winners.

59:21 Had We revealed this Quran on a mountain, you would have seen it humble itself and turn to dust out of fear of Allah. We give these examples so people may reflect

59:22 He is Allah: there is no God but Him. He is the Knower of the hidden and the open, the Kind, the Caring.

59:23 He is Allah, there is no God but Him, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Peace Giver, Security Giver, the Guardian, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Greatest. Allah is far above the partners they ascribe to Him.

59:24 He is Allah: the Creator, the Originator and the Fashioner. He has beautiful Names, all things in the Heavens and the Earth glorify Him, the Almighty, the Wise