Draft:Verse 105 of Sura al-Tawba

Verse 105 of Sura al-Tawba

Verse's Information
Sura	al-Tawba (Qur'an 9)
Verse	105
Juz'	11
Content Information
Place of Revelation	Medina
Topic	Theological
About	Awareness of God, the Prophet, and believers regarding people's actions.
Related Verses	Qur'an 2:143

Qur'an 9:105 (Verse 105 of Sura al-Tawba) expresses the observation of human actions by God, the Prophet of Islam (s), and the believers. This verse asks the Prophet (s) to tell the people: their good and bad deeds will be made known to them on the Day of Judgment, and they will see their reward or punishment.

Based on narrations, the "believers" in this verse refer to the Infallible Imams, and for this reason, this verse is considered one of the Quranic foundations for the belief in the Presentation of Deeds to the Prophet (s) and the Imams (a).

Haya (modesty), Taqwa (piety), and the reduction of poverty are among the educational and social effects stated for this verse. According to 'Allama Tabataba'i, the addressees of the verse are all human beings.

Introduction, Text, and Translation

Verse 105 of Sura al-Tawba is a warning to people that what they do will be observed by God, His Messenger, and the believers. This awareness is considered a prelude to reward or punishment in the Hereafter. The verse continues stating that God, as the Witness of hidden and manifest deeds, will inform you on the Day of Judgment of what you used to do.

“ وَقُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

And say, ‘Go on working: Allah will see your conduct, and His Apostle and the faithful [as well], and you will be returned to the Knower of the sensible and the Unseen, and He will inform you concerning what you used to do.. ” — Qur'an 2: 143

Quranic Evidence for Presentation of Deeds

Main article: Presentation of Deeds

Verse 105 of Sura al-Tawba is considered one of the Quranic evidences for the belief in the Presentation of Deeds. Accordingly, God presents people's deeds to the Prophet and the Infallible Imams through special means, and they become aware of their deeds.

Who are the "Believers" in the Verse?

According to some exegetes, the "believers" in this verse does not refer to all people of faith, but rather a specific group who become aware of the secrets of the Unseen (ghayb) by God's command. Some have identified it's instance in this verse as the Witnesses (shuhadaʾ), and others as the recording angels. Shi'as, relying on narrations that reach the level of Tawatur, believe that the "believers" who witness human deeds refer to the Infallible Imams who hold the position of succession to the Prophet. In Tafsir-i ithna'ashari, it is argued that being mentioned alongside the Messenger of God implies that the believers are next in rank to the Messenger of God and possess infallibility, and such a characteristic exists only in the Imams.

Educational and Social Effects of Belief in Supervision of Deeds

The spread of piety, modesty, and a healthy society have been listed as educational and social effects of this verse. According to 'Allama Tabataba'i in Tafsir al-Mizan, although the preceding verses are about Zakat, which might suggest that this verse also intends to encourage believers to pay Zakat; however, since "Go on working" (قُلِ اعْمَلُوا) is absolute, the verse is not exclusive to Zakat or even to believers, but rather addresses all humans, even disbelievers and hypocrites, or at least includes believers and hypocrites.