Verse 23 of Sura al-Ahzab
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| Verse's Information | |
|---|---|
| Name | Qur'an 33: 23 |
| Sura | Qur'an 33 |
| Verse | 23 |
| Juz' | 21 |
| Content Information | |
| Cause of Revelation | The believers' covenant with God about accompanying the Prophet (s) in wars |
| Place of Revelation | Medina |
| About | Hamza b. Abd al-Muttalib, Ja'far b. Abi Talib, Imam 'Ali (a) |
| Others | Martyrs of Uhud and Badr wars |
Qur'an 33:23 describes believers who have fulfilled their pledge to God, with some having already attained martyrdom and others awaiting martyrdom. According to 'Allama Tabataba'i, in this verse, the term "pledge" signifies steadfastness alongside the Prophet (s) during times of war, wherein believers refuse to flee or surrender when confronted by the enemy.
Various stories have been cited regarding the occasion of revelation of this verse. The author of the Quranic exegesis Manhaj al-sadiqin suggests that most Quranic exegetes and scholars of hadith consider this verse to pertain to Imam 'Ali, Hamza b. 'Abd al-Muttalib, Ja'far b. Abi Talib, and 'Ubayda b. Harith. A hadith in this regard has also been transmitted from Imam 'Ali. In Sunni sources of Quranic exegesis, this verse is said to have been revealed about Anas b. Nadr, one of the Prophet’s companions.
In Shiite exegeses of the Quran, the phrase "there are some among them who have fulfilled their pledge," which means having been martyred, is interpreted to refer to Hamza and Ja'far b. Abi Talib, while the phrase "some of them who still wait" is said to refer to 'Ali. Nasir Makarim Shirazi believes that there is no conflict among these interpretations and instances, as the verse has a wide scope, encompassing all martyrs and all those who await martyrdom.
This verse is frequently cited in reference to martyrs. For instance, Imam al-Husayn recited this verse after the martyrdom of Muslim b. 'Awsaja and Muslim b. 'Aqil. Moreover, it is often cited in messages of condolences for martyrs.
In Sunni sources, Hamza, martyrs of the Battle of Badr and Uhud, as well as Talha b. 'Ubayd Allah, are considered examples of those who have fulfilled their pledge mentioned in the verse.
Text and Translation
| “ | مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُواْ مَا عَٰهَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ يَنْتَظِرُ وَمَا بَدَّلُواْ تَبْدِيلًا
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| “ | a group of believers who surpassed others in their devotion to and compliance with the Prophet, remaining steadfast in their pledge to God, even unto sacrificing their lives. Some among them fulfilled their pledge and achieved martyrdom, while others await martyrdom, unwavering in their commitment, without faltering or doubting their mission.
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| — Quran 33:23 | ||
Occasion of Revelation
Various stories have been cited as occasions of revelation for Qur'an 33: 23. Mulla Fath Allah al-Kashani (d. 988 AH/1580- 1) states in his Quranic exegesis Manhaj al-sadiqin that the majority of Quranic exegetes and scholars of hadith believe that this verse was revealed regarding Imam 'Ali, Hamza b. 'Abd al-Muttalib, Ja'far b. Abi Talib, and 'Ubayda b. Harith. However, elsewhere, he mentions that the verse was revealed about a group of the Prophet's companions like Hamza b. 'Abd al-Muttalib, Mus'ab b. 'Umayr, and Anas b. Jubayr, who had pledged to remain steadfast alongside the Prophet in battlefields and never give up until they achieved martyrdom. In Qur'an 33: 23, God describes this group of believers as being true to their pledge. A hadith transmitted from Imam 'Ali suggests that this verse was revealed about him, Hamza, Ja'far, and 'Ubayda b. Harith.
In Tafsir al-Tabari, it is cited that the verse was revealed about a group of believers who were not martyred in the Battle of Badr and then pledged to God to fight against the polytheists alongside the Prophet. Some of them were later martyred, while others were not martyred but awaited martyrdom.
In Sunni sources, Anas b. Malik is quoted as saying that this verse was revealed about his uncle Anas b. Nadr. Anas, who was absent during the Battle of Badr, reported that since he missed the first battle led by the Prophet against the polytheists, he pledged that if another battle ensued, he would fight alongside the Prophet. Consequently, he participated in the Battle of Uhud and fought until he attained martyrdom.
Interpretation
'Allama Tabataba'i suggests that "fulfill what they have pledged to Allah" refers to those believers who proved their truthfulness to the pledge they had made to the Prophet. The pledge was that they would never flee when confronted with the enemy. "Fulfilled their pledge" refers to those believers who died during the war or were killed on the path of God, while some others "await" their martyrdom without violating their pledge.
The word "nahb", which occurs in the verse, has various meanings such as pledge, promise, death, and risk. Al-Tabrisi, Mulla Fath Allah al-Kashani, al-Raghib al-Isfahani, and 'Allama Tabataba'i (quoting al-Rahib’s Mufradat) suggest that the original meaning of "nahb" is pledge or vow, and "qada nahbah" means fulfillment of the pledge. However, they believe that the word "nahb" in Qur'an 33: 23 refers to death or being killed on the path of God.
Referents of the Verse
There are disagreements among Quranic exegetes regarding the identity of those referred to in this verse. According to Tafsir al-Qummi’s citation of a hadith from Imam al-Baqir and al-Shaykh al-Tusi’s al-Tibyan, those who have already been martyred include Hamza and Ja'far b. Abi Talib, while those who await include 'Ali. This interpretation is also cited by al-Hakim al-Hasakani (d. 490 AH/1096- 7), a Sunni scholar, in Shawahid al-tanzil, as quoting from Ibn 'Abbas. A hadith transmitted from Imam 'Ali states that this verse was revealed about him, and he swears by God that no change has occurred in his awaiting martyrdom.
In a hadith transmitted by Imam al-Sadiq from the Prophet, the Prophet addressed 'Ali, saying that one who loves you and dies "has fulfilled his pledge", while one who loves you and has not yet died is "awaiting."
Some Quranic exegetes interpret the phrase "fulfilled his pledge" as referring to the martyrs of the battles of Badr and Uhud.
In Tafsir Muqatil b. Sulayman, a Quranic exegesis dating back to the second century AH, it is stated that the phrase "fulfillment of the pledge" alludes to the Al-'Aqaba Night (the Pledge of 'Aqaba in Mecca, where the people of Yathrib pledged allegiance to the Prophet before his migration to their city). The reference to those who have been martyred includes Hamza and his companions who were martyred in the Battle of Uhud.
The Prophet (s) said: O 'Ali! One who loves you and dies has fulfilled his pledge, and one who loves you and has not yet died is awaiting. The sun does not rise or set unless he enjoys new livelihood and faith.
Al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol. 8, p. 306
It has been transmitted from Ibn 'Abbas that "fulfilled their pledge" in this verse refers to Hamza, other martyrs of the Battle of Uhud, Anas b. Nadr, and his companions. In some exegetical sources, Talha b. 'Ubayd Allah is also considered among those who have fulfilled their pledge.
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi believes that there is no conflict among these diverse interpretations and instances, as the verse holds a broad significance encompassing all martyrs of Islam before the Battle of the Trench, and indeed, all martyrs throughout history and in all places. Those who are "awaiting" include all who anticipate victory and martyrdom. Notably, figures like Hamza and 'Ali stand out as prominent examples within both groups.
Applications of the Verse
This verse has been invoked in various contexts concerning martyrs. According to some accounts, Imam al-Husayn recited this verse during the tragic events of Karbala, near the bodies of some martyrs, including Muslim b. 'Awsaja. Additionally, it is reported that the Imam recited this verse upon hearing the news of Muslim b. 'Aqil’s martyrdom. In his message of condolence for the martyrdom of 'Ata' Allah Ashrafi Isfahani, one of the Mihrab Martyrs, Imam Khomeini described him as a notable example of "those who fulfill what they have pledged to Allah". This verse has been frequently referenced in memorials of martyrs and condolence messages, including those issued by Shiite authorities and scholars about General Soleimani.
This verse has been inscribed on the Shrine of Imam al-Husayn, specifically on top of the al-Shuhada' Gate and the Ra's al-Husayn Gate.