Surah Name: Al-Hashr (سورة الحشر)
Translation: The Gathering
Origin of name: The name Al-Hashr ("The Gathering") comes from the second verse, where the term refers to the forced exile of the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir from their homes in Medina. Because of this, the surah is also known as “Surah Banu Nadir”.
Surah Number: 59
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 24
Makki or Madani: Madani
Approximate Time of Revelation: 4 AH (After Hijrah), shortly after the Battle of Uhud
Historical Context
Surah Al-Hashr was revealed in Medina approximately in the fourth year of the Hijrah, after the Battle of Uhud.
The central historical backdrop of the surah is the expulsion of the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir from Medina. Initially, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had established neutrality and peace treaties with various Jewish tribes, including Banu Nadir. However, after the Muslim defeat at Uhud, some of these tribes reconsidered their alliances. Banu Nadir, influenced by political shifts and their internal leadership under Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, broke their treaty and secretly aligned with the Quraysh of Makkah—Muslims' enemy at the time.
Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf's visit to Makkah and alliance with Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraysh, was a clear betrayal. In response, the Prophet prepared an immediate military blockade against Banu Nadir. Although the tribe had fortified homes and expected help from Munafiq (hypocrite) leaders like Abdullah ibn Ubayy and other Jewish tribes, no support arrived. Overcome with fear and cut off from assistance, Banu Nadir was forced to surrender and accept exile.
This event held significant social and political implications. It showed that treachery against the Muslim community, especially from within Medina, would not be tolerated. The Muslims' ability to unite, despite being militarily outnumbered, became a turning point in the consolidation of power in the city. The surah reflects on how trust in Allah, steadfastness, and unity enabled Muslims to overcome betrayal without direct conflict.
Main Themes of Surah Al-Hashr
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Praise of Allah and His Power:
The surah begins and ends by declaring that everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah. It presents Allah as the All-Powerful, the Wise, and highlights His control over events in the world. -
Exile of Banu Nadir and Divine Justice:
A major event mentioned in this surah is the exile of the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir from Medina. Their betrayal of a peace treaty and secret alliances with the enemies of Muslims are shown as causes of their punishment. The surah makes it clear that their defeat was not due to human effort alone, but by Allah’s will and assistance. -
Unity, Brotherhood, and Social Justice:
The surah praises the unity and sacrifice between the Muhajirun (migrants from Mecca) and the Ansar (helpers of Medina), highlighting their brotherhood and mutual support. It emphasizes helping others, avoiding selfishness, and sharing blessings for the sake of Allah. This reflects the Quranic ideal of a cooperative and caring society. -
Proper Use of Wealth (Fay’):
The surah gives rules about the use of war gains obtained without fighting (fay’). It teaches that these resources should not circulate only among the wealthy but must be used to support the poor, orphans, travelers, and the community. Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) decisions and guidance in these matters are to be fully followed. -
Warning Against Hypocrisy and Betrayal:
The middle section describes the behavior of hypocrites and their broken promises. Though they appear united, their hearts are divided. They lie, betray one another, and abandon others in dangerous situations. The hypocrites are compared to Satan—who pushes people toward sin and then extracts himself—teaching Muslims to avoid such traits. -
Call to Taqwa (Consciousness of God):
Believers are urged to fear Allah, to remember the Hereafter, and to avoid becoming like those who forget Allah. Forgetting Allah leads to moral failure and, ultimately, punishment. Believers must stay mindful of their spiritual responsibilities. -
Majestic Attributes of Allah:
The final verses describe Allah’s names and attributes, such as The King, The Holy, The Giver of Peace, The Mighty, The Just, and more. These names emphasize His uniqueness, perfection, and the reasons He alone deserves worship and obedience.
Key Lessons from Surah Al-Hashr
- True strength and victory come only from Allah’s help, not from human plans or alliances.
- Betraying trust and breaking promises lead to disgrace and loss.
- Social unity and strong faith lead to success against enemies.
- Wealth and public resources should be shared fairly to prevent inequality.
- Supporting one another with love and sacrifice, like the Ansar and Muhajirun, builds a strong Muslim community.
- Believers should avoid selfishness and remove hatred from their hearts.
- Muslims must be sincere, fear Allah, and prepare for the Hereafter.
- Reflection on the Quran and Allah’s creation strengthens faith.
- Allah’s names remind us of His greatness, mercy, and authority over all things.
Notable Ayahs from Surah Al-Hashr
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Verse 1:
"Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise."
This verse emphasizes that all creation praises Allah and highlights His power and wisdom. -
Verse 2:
"He is the One Who expelled the disbelievers of the People of the Book from their homes for ˹their˺ first banishment ˹ever˺. You never thought they would go. And they thought their strongholds would put them out of Allah’s reach. But ˹the decree of˺ Allah came upon them from where they never expected. And He cast horror into their hearts so they destroyed their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So take a lesson ˹from this˺, O people of insight!"
Refers to the expulsion of the Banu Nadir tribe and Allah’s unseen support for the Muslims. -
Verse 7:
"As for gains granted by Allah to His Messenger from the people of ˹other˺ lands, they are for Allah and the Messenger, his close relatives, orphans, the poor, and ˹needy˺ travellers so that wealth may not merely circulate among your rich. Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it. And whatever he forbids you from, leave it. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is severe in punishment."
Explains the rule of "fay", or war gains obtained without battle, as Allah's provision to the Prophet. -
Verse 9:
"As for those who had settled in the city and ˹embraced˺ the faith before ˹the arrival of˺ the emigrants, they love whoever immigrates to them, never having a desire in their hearts for whatever ˹of the gains˺ is given to the emigrants. They give ˹the emigrants˺ preference over themselves even though they may be in need. And whoever is saved from the selfishness of their own souls, it is they who are ˹truly˺ successful."
A beautiful example of selflessness and true brotherhood between the Ansar (Helpers) and Muhajirun (Emigrants). -
Verse 16:
"˹They are˺ like Satan when he lures someone to disbelieve. Then after they have done so, he will say ˹on Judgment Day˺, “I have absolutely nothing to do with you. I truly fear Allah—the Lord of all worlds."
Illustrates the hypocritical nature of those who mislead others and then abandon them. -
Verse 21:
"Had We sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have certainly seen it humbled and torn apart in awe of Allah. We set forth such comparisons for people, ˹so˺ perhaps they may reflect."
Reflects the power and weight of the Quran’s message, even affecting mountains. -
Verses 22-24:
"He is Allah—there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him: Knower of the seen and unseen. He is the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. He is Allah—there is no god except Him: the King, the Most Holy, the All-Perfect, the Source of Serenity, the Watcher ˹of all˺, the Almighty, the Supreme in Might, the Majestic. Glorified is Allah far above what they associate with Him ˹in worship˺! He is Allah: the Creator, the Inventor, the Shaper. He ˹alone˺ has the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Him. And He is the Almighty, All-Wise."
A majestic description of Allah’s Names and Attributes, ending the surah with His glory and greatness.
