إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَـٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَنقُصُوكُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَمْ يُظَـٰهِرُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ أَحَدًا فَأَتِمُّوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ عَهْدَهُمْ إِلَىٰ مُدَّتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ 4
Translations
Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allāh loves the righteous [who fear Him].
Transliteration
Illa alladhina 'ahadtum min al-mushrikeen thumma lam yanqusukum shay'an wa lam yuzahiru 'alaykum ahadan fa-atimmu ilayhim 'ahdahum ila mudatihim. Inna Allaha yuhibbu al-muttaqeen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah exempts from the command to renounce treaties with polytheists those who honored their covenants with the Muslims, neither betrayed them nor aided their enemies. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse demonstrates Islam's commitment to honoring agreements even with non-believers, reflecting divine approval for those who fulfill contracts faithfully. The Muslims are commanded to fulfill such treaties completely until their expiration, with the closing phrase indicating that Allah loves the pious—those who maintain integrity in their dealings.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the 9th year of Hijrah (Tawbah period), this ayah follows the general command regarding broken treaties with polytheists (9:1-3). It was revealed when the Prophet and Muslims were in a position of strength and reconsidering their covenant relationships. The context addresses the Hudaybiyyah Treaty and similar agreements, establishing that trustworthiness and honor transcend religious boundaries when the other party acts in good faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Whoever kills a mu'ahad (non-Muslim under treaty) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise' (Sahih Bukhari 3166). Additionally, the Hudaybiyyah Treaty itself exemplifies this principle, where the Prophet honored agreements even during apparent disadvantage (Sahih Bukhari 2731).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that honoring commitments is a cardinal Islamic principle applicable even to non-Muslims, demonstrating that integrity in contracts strengthens societies and reflects piety. For contemporary believers, it emphasizes that keeping one's word and fulfilling agreements—whether personal, commercial, or diplomatic—is an act of worship and a marker of true God-consciousness.