The Holy Quran 47:4 — Surah Muhammad

Arabic text

فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَضَرْبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا۟ ٱلْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّۢا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَا۟ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ

Translation

When you confront (face) the Kuffaar (in battle) then strike at their necks. When you have eventually slain them (defeated them in battle), then fasten a tight bond (take the survivors as prisoners of war). Thereafter, (when they are captured) it is either unconditional freedom (for them) or (freedom with) ransom until the war lays down her burdens (until the Kuffaar accept Islaam or accept to live under Muslim rule). This is it. If Allaah willed, He could have taken revenge from them (from the Kuffaar by inflicting them with some disaster), but (instead of punishing them in this manner, He has commanded the Muslims to wage Jihaad against the Kuffaar because) this (Jihaad) is to test some of you with others (to test who of the Muslims will fulfil the command for Allaah's pleasure and who of the Kuffaar will realise the truth of Islaam in this manner). Allaah shall never destroy the deeds of those who are martyred (slain) in His way (He will reward them in full).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The command to be firm in jihad: that is, the contest between truth and falsehood always continues. When war breaks out between the Muslims and the disbelievers, the Muslims should act with full firmness and courage. The power of falsehood will only be broken when its greatest evildoers are killed and their bands are shattered.

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.