Tafseer of The Prohibition · At-Tahrim · 66:9
O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.
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 Exalted, praised be His remembrance, says to His Prophet Muḥammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: ( يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ — "O Prophet, wage jihād against the unbelievers (kuffār)") with the sword ( وَالْمُنَافِقِينَ — "and the hypocrites") with the threat and with the tongue.
Qatāda used to say concerning this what Bishr related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning His words: ( يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنَافِقِينَ — "O Prophet, wage jihād against the unbelievers and the hypocrites"), he said: Allah commanded His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to wage jihād against the unbelievers with the sword, and to be severe against the hypocrites with the prescribed punishments (ḥudūd) ( وَاغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ — "and be harsh against them"). He says: and be hard against them for the sake of Allah ( وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ — "and their abode is Hell (jahannam)"). He says: and their dwelling is Hell, and their final destination to which they go is the Fire of Hell ( وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ — "and that is an evil destination"). He said: and what an evil place it is to which they go: Hell.
