Revealed in Madinah during the very late stages of the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) life, primarily surrounding the incredibly difficult Expedition to Tabuk, Surah At-Tawbah (The Repentance) is uniquely the only chapter in the Quran that does not begin with the customary invocation of divine mercy (Bismillah). This notably stern opening reflects its initial purpose: issuing a final, severe ultimatum to the polytheistic tribes of Arabia who had repeatedly and treacherously broken their peace treaties with the Muslims. The chapter serves as a profound socio-political and psychological purge for the newly established Islamic state, meticulously exposing the deceitful nature of the hypocrites who lived among the believers but fabricated endless excuses to avoid collective struggle and hardship. Furthermore, it provides critical legislative guidelines, such as explicitly defining the exact categories of people eligible to receive Zakat (obligatory charity). Yet, despite its overarching tone of strict justice, martial readiness, and accountability, the chapter takes its name from its powerful concluding themes of divine grace. It immortalizes the story of three sincere companions who failed to join the expedition but offered such genuine, agonizing repentance that God Himself revealed their forgiveness, ultimately demonstrating that even in the midst of severe divine ultimatums, the door to God's mercy remains open for those who return to Him with absolute honesty.
Transliteration
Baraatun mina Allahi warasoolihi ila allatheena AAahadtum mina almushrikeena
Translation
A declaration of immunity from God and His Messenger to the polytheists with whom you had made a treaty
Transliteration
Faseehoo fee alardi arbaAAata ashhurin waiAAlamoo annakum ghayru muAAjizee Allahi waanna Allaha mukhzee alkafireena
Translation
So travel the land for four months, and know that you cannot escape God, and that God will disgrace the disbelievers
Transliteration
Waathanun mina Allahi warasoolihi ila alnnasi yawma alhajji alakbari anna Allaha bareeon mina almushrikeena warasooluhu fain tubtum fahuwa khayrun lakum wain tawallaytum faiAAlamoo annakum ghayru muAAjizee Allahi wabashshiri allatheena kafaroo biAAathabin aleemin
Translation
And a proclamation from God and His Messenger to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage, that God has disowned the polytheists, and so did His Messenger. If you repent, it will be better for you. But if you turn away, know that you cannot escape God. And announce to those who disbelieve a painful punishment
Transliteration
Illa allatheena AAahadtum mina almushrikeena thumma lam yanqusookum shayan walam yuthahiroo AAalaykum ahadan faatimmoo ilayhim AAahdahum ila muddatihim inna Allaha yuhibbu almuttaqeena
Translation
Except for those among the polytheists with whom you had made a treaty, and did not violate any of its terms, nor aided anyone against you. So fulfill the treaty with them to the end of its term. God loves the righteous
Transliteration
Faitha insalakha alashhuru alhurumu faoqtuloo almushrikeena haythu wajadtumoohum wakhuthoohum waohsuroohum waoqAAudoo lahum kulla marsadin fain taboo waaqamoo alssalata waatawoo alzzakata fakhalloo sabeelahum inna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun
Translation
When the Sacred Months have passed, kill the polytheists wherever you find them. And capture them, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every ambush. But if they repent, and perform the prayers, and pay the alms, then let them go their way. God is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful
Transliteration
Wain ahadun mina almushrikeena istajaraka faajirhu hatta yasmaAAa kalama Allahi thumma ablighhu mamanahu thalika biannahum qawmun la yaAAlamoona
Translation
And if anyone of the polytheists asks you for protection, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of God; then escort him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know
Transliteration
Kayfa yakoonu lilmushrikeena AAahdun AAinda Allahi waAAinda rasoolihi illa allatheena AAahadtum AAinda almasjidi alharami fama istaqamoo lakum faistaqeemoo lahum inna Allaha yuhibbu almuttaqeena
Translation
How can there be a treaty with the polytheists on the part of God and His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty at the Sacred Mosque? As long as they are upright with you, be upright with them. God loves the pious
Transliteration
Kayfa wain yathharoo AAalaykum la yarquboo feekum illan wala thimmatan yurdoonakum biafwahihim wataba quloobuhum waaktharuhum fasiqoona
Translation
How? Whenever they overcome you, they respect neither kinship nor treaty with you. They satisfy you with lip service, but their hearts refuse, and most of them are immoral
Transliteration
Ishtaraw biayati Allahi thamanan qaleelan fasaddoo AAan sabeelihi innahum saa ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
Translation
They traded away God's revelations for a cheap price, so they barred others from His path. How evil is what they did
Transliteration
La yarquboona fee muminin illan wala thimmatan waolaika humu almuAAtadoona
Translation
Towards a believer they respect neither kinship nor treaty. These are the transgressors
Transliteration
Fain taboo waaqamoo alssalata waatawoo alzzakata faikhwanukum fee alddeeni wanufassilu alayati liqawmin yaAAlamoona
Translation
But if they repent, and perform the prayers, and give the obligatory charity, then they are your brethren in faith. We detail the revelations for a people who know
Transliteration
Wain nakathoo aymanahum min baAAdi AAahdihim wataAAanoo fee deenikum faqatiloo aimmata alkufri innahum la aymana lahum laAAallahum yantahoona
Translation
But if they violate their oaths after their pledge, and attack your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief—they have no faith—so that they may desist
Transliteration
Ala tuqatiloona qawman nakathoo aymanahum wahammoo biikhraji alrrasooli wahum badaookum awwala marratin atakhshawnahum faAllahu ahaqqu an takhshawhu in kuntum mumineena
Translation
Will you not fight a people who violated their oaths, and planned to exile the Messenger, and initiated hostilities against you? Do you fear them? It is God you should fear, if you are believers
Transliteration
Qatiloohum yuAAaththibhumu Allahu biaydeekum wayukhzihim wayansurkum AAalayhim wayashfi sudoora qawmin mumineena
Translation
Fight them. God will punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them, and heal the hearts of a believing people
Transliteration
Wayuthhib ghaytha quloobihim wayatoobu Allahu AAala man yashao waAllahu AAaleemun hakeemun
Translation
And He will remove the anger of their hearts. God redeems whomever He wills. God is Knowledgeable and Wise
Transliteration
Am hasibtum an tutrakoo walamma yaAAlami Allahu allatheena jahadoo minkum walam yattakhithoo min dooni Allahi wala rasoolihi wala almumineena waleejatan waAllahu khabeerun bima taAAmaloona
Translation
Or do you think that you will be left alone, without God identifying which of you will strive, and take no supporters apart from God, His Messenger, and the believers? God is well Aware of what you do
Transliteration
Ma kana lilmushrikeena an yaAAmuroo masajida Allahi shahideena AAala anfusihim bialkufri olaika habitat aAAmaluhum wafee alnnari hum khalidoona
Translation
It is not for the polytheists to attend God’s places of worship while professing their disbelief. These—their works are in vain, and in the Fire they will abide
Transliteration
Innama yaAAmuru masajida Allahi man amana biAllahi waalyawmi alakhiri waaqama alssalata waata alzzakata walam yakhsha illa Allaha faAAasa olaika an yakoonoo mina almuhtadeena
Translation
The only people to attend God’s places of worship are those who believe in God and the Last Day, and pray regularly, and practice regular charity, and fear none but God. These are most likely to be guided
Transliteration
AjaAAaltum siqayata alhajji waAAimarata almasjidi alharami kaman amana biAllahi waalyawmi alakhiri wajahada fee sabeeli Allahi la yastawoona AAinda Allahi waAllahu la yahdee alqawma alththalimeena
Translation
Do you consider giving water to pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque the same as believing in God and the Last Day and striving in God’s path? They are not equal in God’s sight. God does not guide the unjust people
Transliteration
Allatheena amanoo wahajaroo wajahadoo fee sabeeli Allahi biamwalihim waanfusihim aAAthamu darajatan AAinda Allahi waolaika humu alfaizoona
Translation
Those who believe, and emigrate, and strive in God’s path with their possessions and their persons, are of a higher rank with God. These are the winners