Surah Al Hujuraat states in verse 8 & 9:
- (This is) a Grace from Allah and His Favour. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
This verse explains that what has been granted to these believers by Allah, by making Imaan (faith) beloved to them and then making it beautiful in their hearts, as well as, placing in their hearts hatred/detestation for disbelief and sins, these are all from the grace and bounties of Allah which He has granted to them.
The verse further states, ‘And Allah is All Knowing, All Wise’. It means that Allah has complete knowledge of those who are deserving to be rightly guided and those who are not deserving of it, and He is the Most Wise, whose actions and statements, laws and decrees, are filled with wisdom.
Surah Al Hujuraat states in verse 9:
- And if two parties (or groups) among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both, but if one of them rebels against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that rebels till it complies with the Command of Allah; then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allah loves those who are equitable.
This verse explains to the believers that if two parties or two groups from among them begin to fight each other, then they (the believers) must make peace among them and try their best to get them to reconcile.
The verse further explains that if one person (group) transgresses/rebels upon another and crosses the limits through injustice and transgression and does not accept reconciliation, but remains upon rebellion, then those endowed with authority should fight the rebellious group until they comply with the law of Allah and desist from their rebellious attitude. If they comply, then peace must be made among them and fairness and justice should be shown to all parties.
With respect to the above verse, commentators of the Holy Quran have mentioned different incidents in which there was discord among two groups of the believers, and Allah revealed the above verse commanding the believers to make peace among them.
In one narration, Mu’tamir bin Sulaiman (A.R) narrates that Anas bin Malik (R.A) said, ‘It was once said to the Prophet (ﷺ), ‘O Prophet of Allah, if you come to Abdullah bin Ubayy (it may be beneficial and good)?’ Upon this, the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) proceeded to him while riding a donkey, and the Muslims also joined while walking along with him. They eventually passed a tract of barren land and when the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Abdullah bin Ubayy, he said, ‘Stay away from me! By Allah, the stench of your donkey has harmed me’. Thereupon, a man from the Ansar (Muslims) said (to him), ‘By Allah, the donkey of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has a more fragrant smell than you’. Upon hearing this, people from the tribe of Abdullah bin Ubayy became angry, and those with the Prophet (ﷺ) also became enraged, since Abdullah bin Ubayy (who was the chief of the hypocrites) had shown grave disrespect to the Prophet (ﷺ). A war of words then ensued between the two groups which led to a skirmish between them with tree branches, shoes and their hands. Anas (R.A) said that they were informed that the above verse was revealed regarding that incident.
Mujahid (A.R) states that two tribes from the Ansar fought each other with sticks and shoes (slippers), and the above verse was revealed instructing the believers to make peace between them.(Tafseer Al Qurtubi vol.16 pg. 267-268 Maktaba Rasheediya Queta)
In all these incidents, as well as, in other situations where two groups of Muslims fight each other, or two Muslim individuals fight one another, the law of Allah is that other Muslims must make peace between the fighting groups. About this, Allah says, ‘And if two parties (or groups) among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them’.
The act of making peace between two people or two groups means that the wrongdoer should be told of his wrongdoing or his injustice and should be stopped from doing wrong to others. Both groups should be called towards making peace and following the teachings of Islam, while ending their enmity with each other.
The verse further states, ‘but if one of them rebels against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that rebels till it complies with the Command of Allah’. This means that if one group continues to be unjust to another (group) or it continues to fight the other group, and refuses to comply with the teachings of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), then if that rebellious group is so powerful that it cannot be stopped from wrongdoing or be imprisoned by the Muslim authorities, the believers are instructed to fight against them until they comply with the laws of Allah.
The verse further states, ‘Then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them justly’. This means that if the rebellious group decides to follow/obey, and return to the laws of Allah (voluntarily or after suffering defeat in a fight against the Muslim authority), then peace/reconciliation between both groups must be made with fairness and justice. At this time, it will not be allowed to continue to fight the group since it has decided to return to the obedience of Allah.
Allah reminds the believers of being fair and just at all times and says, ‘And be just, verily, Allah loves those who are just’. This statement sends a message to the Muslims, and more so, to those in authority, that even though a party/group among the Muslims became rebellious, then they must be just/fair to them when they return to obedience and compliance to the laws of Allah. Their previous rebellious conduct must not be used against them after they have repented from that. (Tafseer Mazhari vol. 11 pg. 23 Darul Ishaat Karachi)
While speaking of the virtues of being just, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Verily, those who are just in this life, will be on pulpits made of pearls in front of Ar Rahman (Allah, the Most Compassionate), on account of their being fair/just in the world’ (An Nasaii)
In another tradition, Abdullah bin Amr (R.A) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘Those who are just and fair (in this world), shall be in front of Allah on the Day of Judgment on pulpits of light on the right side of the Arsh. They are those who were just in their judgments and in their families, and in all that they were in charge of’. (Sahih Muslim Hadith No.1827)
While explaining the above verse, commentators of the Holy Quran have stated that the instructions of Allah given in the above verse ‘to make peace (and reconcile) between groups that are fighting one another’ and ‘to fight the transgressing group until they return to Allah’s command’ are directly addressed to the Muslim leaders and authorities who are rulers of Muslim lands/cities, or are appointed in authoritative positions by the Khalifa or Ameerul Mumineen. It is also indirectly addressed to all Muslims who are required to support and help the Muslim rulers and leaders when they are upon the right path. (Tafseer Al Bahrul Muheet vol.9 pg. 516 Dar Al Fikr Beirut 1992; Tafseer At Tabari vol.26 pg. 146 Dar Ihya At Turath Al Arabi Beirut 2001)
Thus, based on the above, the verse explains that when discord or a fight takes place between two Muslim groups, it is the duty/responsibility of the leader/ruler of the Muslims to settle/resolve their differences and bring peace among them by inviting them to follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet (ﷺ). If any party rebels against the leader/ruler of the Muslims, their complaints should be listened to and their grievances duly addressed. If they conclusively prove that the leader of the Muslims has oppressed them, it will be necessary for the Muslim public to support them so that the leader of the Muslims desists from his oppression. However, if they cannot prove this and are prepared to settle the affair only with a fight, the Muslim public has to support the leader of the Muslims in a battle against them. (Tafseer Anwarul Bayaan vol.4 pg. 629 Darul Ishaat Karachi 2005)
The scholars have further written that when two Muslim groups/parties fight each other and there is no Muslim ruler/leader, or Muslim authority in that land/city, then Muslims in that place should speak to the two groups and try their best to stop them from fighting each other. If both groups do not listen to them and insist on continuing their fight and discord, then the Muslims should disassociate themselves from those groups. They should not support any nor oppose any. (Ma’ariful Quran vol.8 pg. 111 Idaratul Quran Karachi 1999).