مَا قَطَعْتُم مِّن لِّينَةٍ أَوْ تَرَكْتُمُوهَا قَآئِمَةً عَلَىٰٓ أُصُولِهَا فَبِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيُخْزِىَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ 5
Translations
Whatever you have cut down of [their] palm trees or left standing on their trunks - it was by permission of Allāh and so He would disgrace the defiantly disobedient.
Transliteration
Ma qata'tum min leenatinaw tarraktumooha qaimatan 'ala usoolihā fabi-idhnil-Lāhi wa liyukhzil-fāsiqeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the destruction of the date-palm trees of Banu Nadir during their exile from Medina in 4 AH. Whether the Muslims cut down the trees or left them standing, it was by Allah's permission and for the purpose of humiliating the transgressors who had betrayed their covenant. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this was a strategic action in warfare, and Allah emphasizes His sovereignty over the outcome while clarifying the divine purpose behind it—not mere destruction, but the disgrace of those who violated their agreements.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah Al-Hashr, which details the expulsion of Banu Nadir (a Jewish tribe) from Medina after they conspired against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The surah specifically addresses the dispute between the Prophet's companions regarding whether to cut down the palm trees, and Allah clarifies that both actions (cutting or leaving standing) were permissible under His command.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim report that when Banu Nadir were expelled, there was discussion among the Companions about whether destroying their palm trees was permissible. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clarified that this was allowed as part of warfare strategy. Additionally, hadith sources describe the actual siege and expulsion of Banu Nadir in detail.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that all our actions, even in conflict, occur by Allah's permission and should be aligned with divine purpose rather than mere emotion or revenge. For believers today, it reminds us that Allah's justice ultimately prevails over those who betray covenants and transgress, encouraging patience in trusting Allah's wisdom even when circumstances seem difficult.
Related Ayahs
وَلَوْلَآ أَن كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْجَلَآءَ لَعَذَّبَهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابُ ٱلنَّارِ
And if not that Allāh had decreed for them evacuation, He would have punished them in [this] world, and for them in the Hereafter is the punishment of the Fire.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَآقُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ ۖ وَمَن يُشَآقِّ ٱللَّهَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
That is because they opposed Allāh and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allāh - then indeed, Allāh is severe in penalty.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
O you who have believed, fear Allāh. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Aware of what you do.
وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلْإِيمَـٰنَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّآ أُوتُوا۟ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
And [also for] those who were settled in the Home [i.e.,al-Madīnah] and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what they [i.e., the emigrants] were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.