What is the meaning of Surah Muhammad verse 20?

Quran 47:20 contrasts the sincere believers, who eagerly await a divine command to fight, with the hypocrites. According to classical tafsir by Ibn Kathir, when a decisive chapter (surah) mentioning fighting is revealed, those with a 'disease in their hearts' (hypocrisy) look at the Prophet as if fainting from the fear of death, exposing their lack of true faith.

What is the 'disease in the hearts' mentioned in Quran 47:20?

Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Al-Qurtubi explain that the 'disease in the hearts' mentioned in Surah 47:20 is hypocrisy (nifaq), doubt, and a lack of sincere faith. This spiritual sickness manifests as cowardice and an overwhelming fear of death when confronted with the duty of fighting in Allah's cause, revealing their attachment to worldly life over the hereafter.

How did believers and hypocrites react to the command to fight in the Quran?

Verse 47:20 illustrates a stark difference. The believers actively ask, 'Why is not a Surah sent down?' showing their readiness and desire to obey Allah's commands. In contrast, the hypocrites, upon hearing the mention of fighting, are filled with terror, looking at the Prophet (ﷺ) with the gaze of one fainting at the approach of death, revealing their insincerity.

Mentioning War (Dhikr al-Qital) in Islam: A Test of Faith vs. Hypocrisy

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mentioning war

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🕌Muhammad47:20

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the concept of 'Mentioning War' (Dhikr al-Qital), primarily articulated in Quran 47:20, serves as a divine instrument for revealing the true spiritual state of individuals. Tafsir experts like Ibn Kathir explain that this verse contrasts the sincere believers, who eagerly awaited a clear command for Jihad, with the hypocrites in Madinah. When a decisive surah mentioning fighting was finally revealed, those with the 'disease' of hypocrisy in their hearts were overcome with terror, looking upon the Prophet (ﷺ) with the gaze of one fainting at the prospect of death. Al-Tabari's analysis highlights that this reaction stems from their cowardice and weak faith. Thus, the mere mention of this difficult command acts as a spiritual criterion, separating the true believers, ready for sacrifice, from the hypocrites, who are shackled by their fear and love for worldly life.

📖 Quranic Context

Serves as a critical thematic device to expose the inner state of hypocrites versus believers.

Acts as a divine test, revealing who is truly obedient to Allah's command versus those who fear creation more than the Creator.

References: Specifically 47:20, highlighting the reaction to the command to fight.

💭 Theological Perspective

Exposes the internal conflict between faith (Iman) and the fear of death (khawf al-mawt).

Demonstrates how a divine command can reveal underlying spiritual diseases ('marad') in the heart, such as hypocrisy and cowardice.

The revelation of a decisive surah mentioning fighting is a form of divine clarification that separates the sincere from the insincere.

Confronting the command to fight is a pivotal moment that forces a spiritual reckoning and distinguishes true reliance on Allah.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Sunnah is replete with examples of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions' eagerness for Allah's commands, contrasting with the hypocrites' hesitation and excuses during military campaigns like Tabuk.

The signs of the hypocrite
The virtues of Jihad
The importance of sincerity (Ikhlas)

Scholars unanimously agree that this verse vividly portrays the spiritual state of the hypocrites in Madinah who professed faith externally but harbored doubt and fear internally.

💎 Deeper Insights

The verse reveals that hypocrisy is not just a lack of belief, but an active, visceral *fear* of the consequences of belief. The hypocrites' problem wasn't intellectual disagreement, but a spiritual disease that manifested as mortal terror when faith demanded a real-world price.

— Ibn Kathir

The believers' request, 'Why is not a Surah sent down?', shows that true faith is proactive, not passive. They weren't just waiting for commands; they were *seeking* them, viewing divine legislation as a mercy and an opportunity for action, not a burden. This highlights a key difference in spiritual posture.

— Syed Abul Ala Maududi

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At a Glance

📖 Quranic Context

💭 Theological Perspective

📜 Hadith Perspective

💎 Deeper Insights

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