Sūrat al-Mumtaḥina
سورۃ الممتحنہ
Sūrat al-Mumtaḥina was revealed in Mecca and contains thirteen verses and two sections (rukūʿ).
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا عَدُوِّي وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ تُلْقُونَ إِلَيْهِم بِالْمَوَدَّةِ وَقَدْ كَفَرُوا بِمَا جَاءَكُم مِّنَ الْحَقِّ يُخْرِجُونَ الرَّسُولَ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَن تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ رَبِّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ خَرَجْتُمْ جِهَادًا فِي سَبِيلِي وَابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِي تُسِرُّونَ إِلَيْهِم بِالْمَوَدَّةِ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِمَا أَخْفَيْتُمْ وَمَا أَعْلَنتُمْ وَمَن يَفْعَلْهُ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاءَ السَّبِيلِ
yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū lā tattakhidhū ʿaduwwī wa-ʿaduwwakum awliyāʾa tulqūna ilayhim bi-l-mawaddati wa-qad kafarū bi-mā jāʾakum mina l-ḥaqqi yukhrijūna l-rasūla wa-iyyākum an tuʾminū bi-llāhi rabbikum in kuntum kharajtum jihādan fī sabīlī wa-btigāʾa marḍātī tusirūna ilayhim bi-l-mawaddati wa-anā aʿlamu bi-mā akhfaytum wa-mā aʿlantum wa-man yafʿalhu minkum fa-qad ḍalla sawāʾa l-sabīl.
"O you who believe, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies — extending to them affection, while they have disbelieved in the truth that came to you, driving out the Messenger and yourselves simply because you believe in Allah, your Lord. If you came out to strive in My cause and to seek My pleasure, do not secretly extend affection to them. I am well aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whoever among you does so has indeed strayed from the right path." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:1)
Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O you who have believed. Lā tattakhidhū ʿaduwwī wa-ʿaduwwakum awliyāʾ — do not take My enemies and your enemies as friends and protectors. Tulqūna ilayhim bi-l-mawadda — extending toward them affection and warm relations, taking them as confidants. Wa-qad kafarū bi-mā jāʾakum mina l-ḥaqq — while they have disbelieved in the truth that was brought to you — the clear religion of Islām. Yukhrijūna l-rasūla wa-iyyākum — they drive out the Messenger ﷺ and you yourselves. An tuʾminū bi-llāhi rabbikum — simply because you believe in Allah, your Lord, and on account of nothing else. In kuntum kharajtum jihādan fī sabīlī — if you have truly set out to strive for My cause. Wa-btigāʾa marḍātī — and seeking My pleasure and approval. Tusirūna ilayhim bi-l-mawadda — do not secretly nurture love and affection for them. Wa-anā aʿlamu bi-mā akhfaytum wa-mā aʿlantum — and I know perfectly well what you have concealed and what you have declared openly. Wa-man yafʿalhu minkum fa-qad ḍalla sawāʾa l-sabīl — and whoever among you does this has gone completely astray from the straight path.
Translation: "O believers, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending affection to them — they have rejected the truth that came to you, driving out the Messenger and yourselves simply because you believe in Allah your Lord. If you have come forth for jihād in My path and to seek My pleasure, do not befriend them secretly — I know what you conceal and what you reveal. And whoever among you does this has strayed from the right path."
This verse continues its address to the believers. Esteemed readers, consider the state of some Muslims of this era — what are they doing? They outwardly present themselves as Muslims yet inwardly befriend enemies of faith. To befriend kufr and Islam at the same time is impossible: both kufr and Islam can never come together. Allah Most High clearly declares this: for those who are guided, this is a clear path that ought not to be abandoned. "We have given you this command" — has Allah not made Himself heard? Let us now pray that Allah protect us from going astray.
إِن يَثْقَفُوكُمْ يَكُونُوا لَكُمْ أَعْدَاءً وَيَبْسُطُوا إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَلْسِنَتَهُم بِالسُّوءِ وَوَدُّوا لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ
in yathqafūkum yakūnū lakum aʿdāʾan wa-yabsuṭū ilaykum aydiyahum wa-alsinatahum bi-l-sūʾi wa-waddū law takfurūn.
"If they were to overcome you, they would be your enemies and extend their hands and their tongues against you with evil — and they long for you to disbelieve." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:2)
In yathqafūkum — if they ever gain mastery over you, should you come into their power. Yakūnū lakum aʿdāʾ — they would become your open enemies. Wa-yabsuṭū ilaykum aydiyahum wa-alsinatahum bi-l-sūʾ — and they would stretch out against you both their hands in violence and their tongues in abuse, vilification, and mockery. Wa-waddū law takfurūn — and their deepest wish is that you become disbelievers — they would love nothing more than to see you leave the fold of Islam.
Translation: "If they find an opportunity against you, they will be your enemies and will stretch out their hands and tongues against you with harm — and they wish you would disbelieve."
لَن تَنفَعَكُمْ أَرْحَامُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
lan tanfaʿakum arḥāmukum wa-lā awlādukum yawma l-qiyāmati yafṣilu baynakum wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna baṣīr.
"Your kinship and your children will not avail you on the Day of Resurrection — He will separate you. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:3)
Lan tanfaʿakum arḥāmukum — your family relationships and blood ties will not benefit you in the slightest. Wa-lā awlādukum — and neither will your children. Yawma l-qiyāma — on the Day of Judgement. Yafṣilu baynakum — Allah Himself will separate you — making a judgement between you. Wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna baṣīr — and Allah sees all that you do.
Translation: "Neither your families nor your children will be of any use to you on the Day of Resurrection — He will separate you. And Allah sees all that you do."
قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ إِذْ قَالُوا لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَءَاءُ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ كَفَرْنَا بِكُمْ وَبَدَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةُ وَالْبَغْضَاءُ أَبَدًا حَتَّىٰ تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ إِلَّا قَوْلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ لَأَسْتَغْفِرَنَّ لَكَ وَمَا أَمْلِكُ لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ رَّبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ
qad kānat lakum uswatun ḥasanatun fī ibrāhīma wa-lladhīna maʿahu idh qālū li-qawmihim innā buraʾāʾu minkum wa-mimmā taʿbudūna min dūni llāhi kafarnā bikum wa-badā baynanā wa-baynakumu l-ʿadāwatu wa-l-bughḍāʾu abadan ḥattā tuʾminū bi-llāhi waḥdahu illā qawla ibrāhīma li-abīhi la-astaghfiranna laka wa-mā amliku laka mina llāhi min shayʾin rabbanā ʿalayka tawakkalnā wa-ilayka anabnā wa-ilayka l-maṣīr.
"There is indeed for you an excellent example in Ibrāhīm and those with him, when they said to their people: 'We are innocent of you and of whatever you worship besides Allah — we reject you — and there has arisen between us and you enmity and hatred forever, until you believe in Allah alone' — except for the saying of Ibrāhīm to his father: 'I shall certainly seek forgiveness for you, though I have no power on your behalf before Allah.' — 'Our Lord, in You we have placed our trust, and to You we have turned, and unto You is the final destination.'" (al-Mumtaḥina 60:4)
Qad kānat lakum uswatun ḥasanatun fī ibrāhīm — there is for you an excellent model and example in the Prophet Ibrāhīm (upon him be peace). Idh qālū li-qawmihim — when he and those who believed with him said to their people: Innā buraʾāʾu minkum — "We declare ourselves free and dissociated from you." Wa-mimmā taʿbudūna min dūni llāh — "and from all that you worship besides Allah." Kafarnā bikum — "we reject your ways." Wa-badā baynanā wa-baynakumu l-ʿadāwatu wa-l-bughḍāʾu abadan — "and enmity and hatred has become manifest between us and you forever." Ḥattā tuʾminū bi-llāhi waḥdah — "until you believe in Allah alone — without any partners." Illā qawla ibrāhīma li-abīhi — this example is to be followed in everything except Ibrāhīm's prayer of forgiveness for his father: La-astaghfiranna lak — "I will seek forgiveness for you." That was a personal promise made before it became clear that his father would die upon disbelief, and when it became clear, Ibrāhīm withdrew it. Wa-mā amliku laka mina llāhi min shayʾ — "I have no power before Allah on your behalf." Rabbanā ʿalayka tawakkalnā — "Our Lord, we place our complete trust in You." Wa-ilayka anabnā — "and we turn in repentance to You." Wa-ilayka l-maṣīr — "and unto You is our final return."
Translation: "You have a beautiful model in Ibrāhīm and those with him when they said to their people: 'We are free of you and of whatever you worship besides Allah — we reject you — and between us and you enmity and hatred has arisen forever, until you believe in Allah alone' — except for Ibrāhīm's words to his father: 'I will seek forgiveness for you, though I have no power from Allah on your behalf.' — 'Our Lord, in You we trust, unto You we turn, and unto You is the final destination.'"
Continuing the commentary on the example of Ibrāhīm (upon him be peace): He said to his people: "We have declared disassociation from you and from your idols, and we will always do so — until you come to faith in Allah alone without any partner." But the one exception in following this example is Ibrāhīm's promise to seek forgiveness for his father — that was made in the first instance out of compassion, but when Ibrāhīm was shown that his father would die upon disbelief, he withdrew even that prayer. As for the supplication:
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
rabbanā lā tajʿalnā fitnatan li-lladhīna kafarū wa-ghfir lanā rabbanā innaka anta l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm.
"Our Lord, do not make us a trial for those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:5)
Rabbanā lā tajʿalnā fitnatan li-lladhīna kafarū — "Our Lord, do not make us a means of temptation or trial for the disbelievers." Wa-ghfir lanā rabbanā — "and forgive us, our Lord." Innaka anta l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm — "indeed You are the All-Mighty — possessing honour and might — and the All-Wise."
Translation: "Our Lord, do not make us an object of trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us, our Lord — indeed You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِيهِمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ
la-qad kāna lakum fīhim uswatun ḥasanatun li-man kāna yarjū llāha wa-l-yawma l-ākhira wa-man yatawalla fa-inna llāha huwa l-ghaniyyu l-ḥamīd.
"There is indeed for you in them a beautiful example — for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day. And whoever turns away — then indeed Allah is the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:6)
La-qad kāna lakum fīhim uswatun ḥasana — there is without doubt for you in them — in Ibrāhīm and those with him — a beautiful example to follow. Li-man kāna yarjū llāha wa-l-yawma l-ākhir — this is for those who hope in Allah and hope for the reward of the Day of Judgement. Wa-man yatawalla — but whoever turns away and refuses to follow. Fa-inna llāha huwa l-ghaniyyu l-ḥamīd — then Allah is self-sufficient; He is the Praiseworthy — He has no need of anyone, and is worthy of all praise regardless.
Translation: "Certainly in them there is a beautiful example for you — for whoever looks with hope toward Allah and the Last Day. And whoever turns away — then Allah is the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy."
عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَجْعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ عَادَيْتُم مِّنْهُم مَّوَدَّةً وَاللَّهُ قَدِيرٌ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
ʿasā llāhu an yajʿala baynakum wa-bayna lladhīna ʿādaytum minhum mawaddatan wa-llāhu qadīrun wa-llāhu ghafūrun raḥīm.
"Perhaps Allah will bring about love between you and those among them whom you have taken as enemies. And Allah is All-Powerful. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:7)
Translation: "Allah may bring about love between you and those of them you took as enemies. Allah is All-Powerful, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."
This verse is a remarkable prophetic statement: it foretold that through the conquest of Mecca many of those very people who were enemies of Islam would embrace it and become beloved brethren in faith — which is precisely what came to pass.
لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ
lā yanhākumu llāhu ʿani lladhīna lam yuqātilūkum fī l-dīni wa-lam yukhrijūkum min diyārikum an tabarrūhum wa-tuqsiṭū ilayhim inna llāha yuḥibbu l-muqsiṭīn.
"Allah does not forbid you from being good and just to those who did not fight you on account of your religion and did not drive you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:8)
Lā yanhākumu llāh — Allah does not forbid you, does not restrain you. ʿAni lladhīna lam yuqātilūkum fī l-dīni — from those who did not fight you on account of religion — who did not take up arms against you for the sake of opposing Islam. Wa-lam yukhrijūkum min diyārikum — and did not drive you from your homes. An tabarrūhum wa-tuqsiṭū ilayhim — from showing goodness, kindness, and beneficence toward them, and dealing with them in equity and justice. Inna llāha yuḥibbu l-muqsiṭīn — indeed Allah loves those who act with justice and fairness.
Translation: "Allah does not forbid you from showing kindness and justice to those who did not fight you over religion and did not expel you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves the just."
This is one of the most important principles of Islamic international ethics: non-hostile non-Muslims are to be treated with kindness and justice. Islam's prohibition is specifically on befriending those who are actively hostile to the faith and to the Muslim community.
إِنَّمَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ قَاتَلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَأَخْرَجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ وَظَاهَرُوا عَلَىٰ إِخْرَاجِكُمْ أَن تَوَلَّوْهُمْ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُمْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
innamā yanhākumu llāhu ʿani lladhīna qātalūkum fī l-dīni wa-akhrajūkum min diyārikum wa-ẓāharū ʿalā ikhrājikum an tawallawhum wa-man yatawallawhum fa-ulāʾika humu l-ẓālimūn.
"Allah only forbids you from befriending those who fought you on account of religion, expelled you from your homes, and assisted others in your expulsion. Whoever befriends them — it is they who are the wrongdoers." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:9)
Innamā yanhākumu llāh — Allah only forbids you — restricts you solely in one matter. ʿAni lladhīna qātalūkum fī l-dīn — from those who waged war against you on account of religion — who fought Muslims simply for being Muslim. Wa-akhrajūkum min diyārikum — and expelled you from your homes and lands. Wa-ẓāharū ʿalā ikhrājikum — and helped others in driving you out. An tawallawhum — from taking such people as allies and friends. Wa-man yatawallawhum fa-ulāʾika humu l-ẓālimūn — and whoever takes them as allies — those are the wrongdoers.
Translation: "Allah only forbids you from befriending those who fought you because of your religion, expelled you from your homes, and supported others in expelling you. Whoever befriends them — those are the wrongdoers."
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا جَاءَكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ مُهَاجِرَاتٍ فَامْتَحِنُوهُنَّ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِهِنَّ
yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū idhā jāʾakumu l-muʾminātu muhājirātin fa-mtaḥinūhunna llāhu aʿlamu bi-īmānihinna…
"O you who believe, when believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them — Allah is most knowing of their faith…" (al-Mumtaḥina 60:10)
Continuing the commentary on verse 10 of Sūrat al-Mumtaḥina:
…فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ وَآتُوهُمْ مَّا أَنفَقُوا وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ وَلَا تُمْسِكُوا بِعِصَمِ الْكَوَافِرِ وَاسْأَلُوا مَا أَنفَقْتُمْ وَلْيَسْأَلُوا مَا أَنفَقُوا ذَٰلِكُمْ حُكْمُ اللَّهِ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
…fa-in ʿalimtumūhunna muʾminātin fa-lā tarjiʿūhunna ilā l-kuffāri lā hunna ḥillun lahum wa-lā hum yaḥillūna lahunna wa-ātūhum mā anfaqū wa-lā junāḥa ʿalaykum an tankiḥūhunna idhā ātaytumūhunna ujūrahunna wa-lā tumsikū bi-ʿiṣami l-kawāfiri wa-sʾalū mā anfaqtum wa-l-yasʾalū mā anfaqū dhālikum ḥukmu llāhi yaḥkumu baynakum wa-llāhu ʿalīmun ḥakīm.
"…If you know them to be believers, do not return them to the disbelievers; they are not lawful for them nor are they lawful for their wives. Give back to them what they have spent. And there is no sin upon you to marry them when you give them their bridal gifts. And do not hold on to the bonds of disbelieving women; ask for what you have spent, and let them ask for what they have spent. This is the judgement of Allah; He judges between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:10)
Fa-in ʿalimtumūhunna muʾminātin — if you ascertain through examination that these women are indeed believers. Fa-lā tarjiʿūhunna ilā l-kuffār — do not send them back to the disbelievers. Lā hunna ḥillun lahum wa-lā hum yaḥillūna lahunna — a Muslim woman is not permissible for a disbelieving man, nor is a disbelieving man lawful for a Muslim woman. This was the ruling that terminated the marriages of women who converted to Islam if their husbands remained disbelievers. Wa-ātūhum mā anfaqū — and return to the disbelieving husbands whatever they had spent as the dowry (mahr). Wa-lā junāḥa ʿalaykum an tankiḥūhunna — and there is no sin upon you in marrying these women. Wa-lā tumsikū bi-ʿiṣami l-kawāfir — and do not maintain marital bonds with women who remain in disbelief — meaning Muslim men who have disbelieving wives must release them. Wa-sʾalū mā anfaqtum — and ask for the return of what you spent on those wives. Dhālikum ḥukmu llāh — this is the judgement and law of Allah; Allah knows all and is All-Wise.
Translation: "O believers — when believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them. Allah knows their faith best. If you find them to be believers, do not return them to the disbelievers: they are not lawful for them and those men are not lawful for them. Return what they spent. You may marry them if you give them their dowries. Do not hold on to disbelieving wives — and ask back what you spent, and let them ask back what they spent. This is Allah's judgement between you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise."
Continuing the commentary: if any of your wives from the disbelievers' side remains among them, and you gave them a dowry, then you are entitled to recover from the next fayʾ an amount equivalent to what you spent — and the disbelievers likewise may recover from what they spent. This is Allah's ruling.
وَإِن فَاتَكُمْ شَيْءٌ مِّنْ أَزْوَاجِكُمْ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ فَعَاقَبْتُمْ فَآتُوا الَّذِينَ ذَهَبَتْ أَزْوَاجُهُمْ مِّثْلَ مَا أَنفَقُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي أَنتُم بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ
wa-in fātakum shayʾun min azwājikum ilā l-kuffāri fa-ʿāqabtum fa-ātū lladhīna dhahabat azwājuhum mithla mā anfaqū wa-ttaqū llāha lladhī antum bihi muʾminūn.
"And if any of your wives should go over to the disbelievers and you thereafter receive something as war-spoils, then give those whose wives have left an amount equal to what they spent. And fear Allah, in Whom you believe." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:11)
Translation: "And if something of your wives goes over to the disbelievers and you gain spoils, give those whose wives departed an equivalent of what they spent — and fear Allah in Whom you have faith."
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ يُبَايِعْنَكَ عَلَىٰ أَن لَّا يُشْرِكْنَ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَسْرِقْنَ وَلَا يَزْنِينَ وَلَا يَقْتُلْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ وَلَا يَأْتِينَ بِبُهْتَانٍ يَفْتَرِينَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِنَّ وَأَرْجُلِهِنَّ وَلَا يَعْصِينَكَ فِي مَعْرُوفٍ
yā ayyuhā l-nabiyyu idhā jāʾaka l-muʾminātu yubāyiʿnaka ʿalā an lā yushrikna bi-llāhi shayʾan wa-lā yasriqna wa-lā yazīna wa-lā yaqtulna awlādahunna wa-lā yaʾtīna bi-buhtānin yaftarīnahu bayna aydīhinna wa-arjulihinna wa-lā yaʿṣīnaka fī maʿrūfin…
"O Prophet, when believing women come to you to pledge allegiance to you, on the condition that they will not associate anything with Allah, will not steal, will not commit fornication, will not kill their children, will not bring forth a slander they have invented between their hands and their feet, and will not disobey you in any matter of right conduct…" (al-Mumtaḥina 60:12)
…فَبَايِعْهُنَّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُنَّ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
…fa-bāyiʿhunna wa-staghfir lahunna llāha inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīm.
"…then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them from Allah. Indeed Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." (al-Mumtaḥina 60:12)
Yā ayyuhā l-nabiyyu — O Prophet ﷺ! Idhā jāʾaka l-muʾminātu yubāyiʿnak — when the believing women come to you to give their pledge of allegiance (bayʿa) — their covenant of obedience. ʿAlā an lā yushrikna bi-llāhi shayʾan — upon the condition that they will associate nothing with Allah. Wa-lā yasriqna — and will not steal. Wa-lā yazīna — and will not commit adultery or fornication. Wa-lā yaqtulna awlādahunna — and will not kill their children — this was a reference to the pre-Islamic practice of burying infant daughters alive. Wa-lā yaʾtīna bi-buhtānin yaftarīnahu bayna aydīhinna wa-arjulihinna — and will not bring forth a false accusation, a fabricated slander — this refers to attributing a child to one's husband that is not his. Wa-lā yaʿṣīnaka fī maʿrūf — and will not disobey you in any matter of good conduct. Fa-bāyiʿhunna — then accept their pledge. Wa-staghfir lahunna llāh — and seek forgiveness from Allah on their behalf. Inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīm — indeed Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Translation: "O Prophet, when believing women come to you pledging allegiance — that they will not associate anything with Allah, not steal, not fornicate, not kill their children, not bring forth a false accusation, and not disobey you in any good — then accept their pledge and ask Allah to forgive them. Indeed Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Esteemed readers, what is bayʿa? It is a pledge to perform good deeds. This means one brings a witness — one elder, one learned person — to witness one's pledge before Allah to abandon sins and reform oneself. This bayʿa has remained in practice until today and will remain until the Day of Judgement. It is not a particular madhhab's practice; it is connected to all madhhabs. The essential purpose of this bayʿa is not to serve any person's selfish interest — the desired goal is Allah. The Name of Allah pak is taken as witness — lā ilāha illā Allāhu Muḥammadun rasūlu llāh.