Tafseer of The Clans · Al-Ahzaab · 33:15
And they had already promised Allah before not to turn their backs and flee. And ever is the promise to Allah [that about which one will be] questioned.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The explanation of the saying of the Exalted: And indeed, they had previously made a covenant with Allah that they would not turn their backs; and the covenant with Allah will be called to account (15)
The Exalted, whose praise is exalted, says: And indeed, these who ask the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for permission to withdraw from him, and who say, "Truly, our houses lie exposed," had, before all that, made a covenant with Allah that they would not turn their backs to their enemy — should there be any occasion for their word in the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, with them present — but they did not fulfill their covenant. (And the covenant with Allah will be called to account): He says: Allah will demand it of the one who had given it to Him of his own accord.
And it has been mentioned that this was revealed concerning the Banū Ḥāritha, on account of what they did at the Trench (al-Khandaq), after what had proceeded from them at Uḥud.
* Mention of who said that:
Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Salama related to us, on the authority of Ibn Isḥāq, who said: Yazīd ibn Rūmān related to me (And indeed, they had previously made a covenant with Allah that they would not turn their backs; and the covenant with Allah will be called to account). They are the Banū Ḥāritha, and they are the ones who contemplated losing heart on the Day of Uḥud, together with the Banū Salima, when those two contemplated losing heart on the Day of Uḥud; thereafter they made a covenant with Allah that they would not return to anything of the like, and Allah reminded them of that which they had given Him of their own accord.
Bishr related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning His words (And indeed, they had previously made a covenant with Allah that they would not turn their backs; and the covenant with Allah will be called to account), he said: There were people who had been absent from the battle of Badr, and they saw what honor and excellence Allah had bestowed upon the fighters of Badr, and they said: If Allah makes us witness a battle, we will surely fight. Then Allah brought that to them, until it took place in a district of Medina.
