ٱلَّذِينَ عَـٰهَدتَّ مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَهُمْ فِى كُلِّ مَرَّةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يَتَّقُونَ 56
Translations
The ones with whom you made a treaty but then they break their pledge every time, and they do not fear Allāh.
Transliteration
Alladhina 'ahadt-tahumma thumma yanquduna 'ahdahum fi kulli marratin wa-hum la yattaqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who made covenants with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but repeatedly broke their treaties and agreements without any fear of Allah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this specifically addresses the treachery of certain Arab tribes, particularly referencing the Jews of Medina and hypocritical groups who violated their pledges of peace and alliance. The phrase 'in every instance' (fi kulli marratin) emphasizes the habitual and deliberate nature of their betrayal, while 'they do not fear Allah' (wa-hum la yattaqun) indicates their complete disregard for divine accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period following the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and in the context of the Quraysh's and certain Jewish tribes' repeated violations of agreements with the Muslim community. The surah addresses the ethics of warfare and the consequences of treachery, particularly in relation to those tribes who consistently broke their oaths despite multiple opportunities to honor their commitments.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'There are four characteristics; whoever has all of them is a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has a characteristic of hypocrisy until he leaves it: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a covenant, he breaks it; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he quarrels, he abuses.' (Sahih Bukhari 33 and Sahih Muslim 58)
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that honoring covenants and agreements is a fundamental moral and religious obligation, and that breaking oaths—especially those made in Allah's name—is a severe sin indicating spiritual corruption. For modern believers, this serves as a reminder to maintain integrity in all contracts and commitments, understanding that Allah witnesses all agreements and holds transgressors accountable.
Related Ayahs
فَإِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
So if you, [O Muḥammad], gain dominance over them in war, disperse by [means of] them those behind them that perhaps they will be reminded.
وَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشْرَىٰ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ بِهِۦ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَمَا ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
And Allāh made it not but good tidings and so that your hearts would be assured thereby. And victory is not but from Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.
إِذْ يُرِيكَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى مَنَامِكَ قَلِيلًا ۖ وَلَوْ أَرَىٰكَهُمْ كَثِيرًا لَّفَشِلْتُمْ وَلَتَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَلَّمَ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
[Remember, O Muḥammad], when Allāh showed them to you in your dream as few; and if He had shown them to you as many, you [believers] would have lost courage and would have disputed in the matter [of whether to fight], but Allāh saved [you from that]. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ فِتْنَةً لَّا تُصِيبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنكُمْ خَآصَّةً ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively, and know that Allāh is severe in penalty.