Surah At-Taubah " ٱلتَّوْبَة " (The Repentance) — also known as Bara’ah " البراءة "(Disassociation) — is the 9th chapter of the Qur’an. It contains 129 verses (ayat) and is one of the last Medinan surahs. It is called At-Taubah in light of the fact that it articulates taubah (repentance) and informs about the conditions of its acceptance. (verse 9:102, 9:118). The name Bara'at (release) is taken from the opening word of the Surah.
It deals with almost the same topics as those dealt with in Surat al-Anfal. In contrast to all other surahs, the Islamic prophet Muhammad did not order that this formula should be put at the beginning of this surah. At-Tawba's verse 40 refers to Abu Bakr, the first Muslim to embrace Islam and a very close aide of Prophet of Islam, as thaniya ithnayn ('Second of the Two').
Why opener Bismillah is omitted?
This is the only Surah of the Quran to which Bismillah " بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ " is not prefixed, the usual opening formula, In the name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate. Though the commentators have given different reasons for this, the correct one that which has been given by Imam Razi: namely, this is because the Holy Prophet himself did not dictate it at the beginning of the Surah. Therefore the Companions did not prefix it and their successors followed them., This is a further proof of the fact that utmost care has been taken to keep the Quran intact so that it should remain in its complete and original form.
Let us now have a glance in skeleton form about the subjects and theme of the Surah:
Core Message of Surah At-Tawbah:
A call to sincerity in faith, accountability in action, and clarity in alliances — especially regarding hypocrisy, treaties, and the responsibility of the Muslim community.
Key Themes and Messages
- Disavowal of Treacherous Alliances
- The surah opens with a declaration of disassociation (bara’ah) from pagan tribes who repeatedly broke treaties with the Muslims (verses 1–3).
- It sets a deadline of 4 months for such tribes to repent or face consequences (verse 2).
- The message: Justice requires accountability, not blind tolerance.
- Rules of Engagement and Peace
- It clarifies that not all non-Muslims are enemies. Only those who violate treaties or wage war against Muslims are targeted.
- Those who seek peace, fulfill their treaties, or seek protection must be treated honorably (verse 6).
- Condemnation of Hypocrisy
- A large portion of the surah criticizes hypocrites (munafiqoon)—those who claim Islam but act with cowardice, selfishness, or deceit (verses 38–96).
- Traits of hypocrites:
- Reluctance to join in struggle (jihad).
- Mocking the Prophet and believers.
- Making excuses to avoid obligations.
- The surah calls for discernment between sincere believers and those who only pretend.
- Repentance (Tawbah) and Redemption
- Despite the severity, the surah emphasizes that Allah is always ready to forgive those who turn back sincerely (verses 102–118).
- The example of the Three Who Stayed Behind (verse 118) shows that even grave errors can be forgiven with true repentance.
- Call to Sacrifice for the Faith
- Urges believers not to cling to worldly life, wealth, or comfort when the faith requires action (verse 38–39).
- True believers are those who:
- Support the cause of Islam with their wealth and lives.
- Remain steadfast and honest.
- Avoid hypocrisy and excuses.
- Finality of the Prophet’s Mission
- This surah solidifies the political and spiritual leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
- Declares that Islam is now the dominant religious and moral system in the Arabian Peninsula (verse 33).
Summary Message of Surah At-Tawbah:
Be sincere in faith, firm in justice, and accountable to your word. True belief requires action, courage, and integrity — not just words. Hypocrisy and betrayal have no place in a believing community.
For detailed overlay / outline and the tafseer / explanation of the surah, please refer to our posts on the subject already published from links given herein under:
Herein under are links to some of the slected verses from Surah At Tauba already published:
- He it is Who has sent the True Religion to prevail over all religions - verse 33
- Believers !! Beware of anchorites who devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah - verse 34
- A painful torments awaits for those who hoard and spend not in the way of Allah - verse 34
- Believers! Be contended with what Allah gives you and turn to Him with hope - verse 57
- The Virtue of Contentment and Thankfulness - verse 59
- Who are recipient of glad tidings of Allah - verse 112
- Do not to pray for idolatrous relatives - Lesson from the acts of Two Prophets - verse 114
- Allah is sufficient for me; there is no god but He - The Lord of the Mighty Throne -verse 129
- Allah suffices me: there is no god but He - verse 129
We will continue to add more verses from this sursh in time.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Fore more selected verses from Al-Qurʾān Please refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
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