Verse 61 of Sura al-Tawba and Ghadir

Verse 61 of Sura al-Tawba and Ghadir

Ayah Specifications
Surah Name	Sura al-Tawba
Ayah Number	61
Juz'	10
Ayah Content
Place of Revelation	Medina
Topic	Promise of a painful punishment for those who mocked the Prophet in Ghadir
Ayah Recitation Audio Translation

Verse 61 of Sura al-Tawba is a verse interpreted in al-Ghadir Sermon that promises a painful punishment for those who mocked the Messenger of Allah (s) by calling him 'udhun' (ear).

The context for citing Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba has been described as follows: The Prophet (s), in a part of the sermon, recalled the continuous harassments of the hypocrites towards him. Among these were the mocking accusations they leveled against him, using the word 'udhun' (ear) concerning him. Their intention was to imply that the Commander of the Faithful, 'Ali (a), and the Prophet (s) were 'all ear' and mutually attentive to each other.

In condemnation of this behavior by the hypocrites, Allah revealed Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba, which the Prophet (s) recited and interpreted in Ghadir. Firstly, he narrated the story of the verse's revelation. Secondly, he clarified that if he and 'Ali (a) engage in private conversations and share secrets, these secrets concern the hypocrites. They have clearly sensed this issue, which is why they mock. Therefore, these private conversations are for the benefit of the believers, and at the end of this verse, those who torment the Prophet (s) are promised Hell and a painful punishment.

A Verse Explicitly Interpreted in Ghadir

Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba is considered among the verses interpreted in Ghadir. According to some researchers, eighteen verses of the Qur'an were explicitly interpreted in Ghadir; meaning the Prophet (s) separately stated the text of the verse in the sermon and then interpreted it either before or after. These instances are in contrast to verses that were incorporated as allusions or adaptations in the Prophet's discourse.

One of these verses is Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba:

وَمِنْهُمُ الَّذِینَ یُؤْذُونَ النَّبِیَّ وَیَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ ۚ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَیْرٍ لَکُمْ یُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَیُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِینَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلَّذِینَ آمَنُوا مِنْکُمْ ۚ وَالَّذِینَ یُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِیمٌ

Among them are those who torment the Prophet, and say, 'He is all ear!' Say, 'He is an ear of welfare for you. He believes in Allah and believes the faithful, and is a mercy for those of you who have faith.' And those who torment the Apostle of Allah—there is a painful punishment for them.

Context for Citing the Verse

The context for citing Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba has been described as follows: The Prophet (s), in a part of the second section of al-Ghadir Sermon, announced the revelation of a special divine inspiration for the proclamation of wilāya. He also recalled the continuous harassments of the hypocrites towards him. Among these were the mocking accusations they leveled against him, using the word 'udhun' (ear) concerning him. Their intention was to imply that the Commander of the Faithful, 'Ali (a), and the Prophet (s) were 'all ear' and mutually attentive to each other. Then, the Prophet recited Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba, which had been revealed concerning those hypocrites who used this word.

The Verse in the Text of the Sermon

Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba, according to some sources, is cited in al-Ghadir Sermon as follows: They even called me 'ear' and claimed that I was such due to my constant association with him, my inclination towards him, and his acceptance of me. Until Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, revealed regarding this: 'And among them are those who hurt the Prophet and say, "He is an ear." Say, "An ear of good for you; he believes in Allah and believes the believers."'

And if I wished, I could name those who said this by their names, and if I wanted to point them out specifically, I could do so, and if I wanted to indicate them, I could indicate them. But by Allah, I have been gracious regarding their affairs.

It is also because the hypocrites have tormented me many times, to the extent that they called me 'udhun' (one who listens attentively), and they imagined that I am such due to his (Commander of the Faithful's) constant companionship with me, my attention to him, his inclination towards me, and his acceptance from me, until Allah, the Exalted, revealed concerning this: And among the hypocrites are those who constantly torment the Prophet, and say: He is a credulous person and all ear to everyone's words. Say: He is an ear against those who imagine him to be 'udhun', and he is good for you. He believes in Allah and shows humility and respect towards the believers, and he is a mercy for those among you who have believed, and for those who torment the Prophet (s), there is a painful punishment. And if I wished to name those who made such an accusation, I would name them; and if I wished to point them out individually, I would point them out; and if I wished to indicate them, I would indicate them. But by Allah, I have acted nobly concerning their affairs.

Historical Context for Citing the Verse

The historical context for citing Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba has been described as follows: With the conclusion of the first part of al-Ghadir Sermon, which consisted of praise and glorification of Allah, the Prophet (s) began the second part of his speech. Referring to the Verse of Tablīgh and the Verse of Wilāya, and also to the mocking accusations leveled against him by the hypocrites, he recited Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba, which had been revealed concerning those hypocrites who used this word. The aforementioned verse was presented in the initial stages of the sermon when the revelation of the Verse of Tablīgh was announced, and everyone was prepared for the main stage of the sermon to arrive and for it to become clear what message the Prophet (s) was commanded to convey.

Although the overall atmosphere of the sermon's delivery was filled with a special joy and cheer, it seems that at one point, the Prophet's face clouded over, and he turned his deep attention to the presence of hypocrites who were in the Ghadir caravan and would continue to be present in the Islamic society. They were so malicious and ready to instigate discord that the Prophet (s) saw their presence as a major obstacle to the Ghadir program; to the extent that if Allah, by His will, did not crush them, the proclamation of the wilāya of the Commander of the Faithful, 'Ali (a), would not be possible in their presence. When the address And Allah will protect you from the people... came, it became clear to everyone that the danger of the hypocrites was serious, and for this reason, Allah had guaranteed the protection of His Messenger.

Qur'anic Context

The Qur'anic context of Verse 61 of Sūrat al-Tawba has been described as follows: In Sūrat al-Tawba, the address to the hypocrites begins from Verse thirty-seven. In these verses, various scenes of their obstructionist actions are depicted, and this trend continues until the end of the sura. This sura is one of those that specifically scrutinizes the hypocrites and was revealed concerning their deeds. A study of these verses shows how far the hypocrites went in tormenting the Prophet (s) and undermining the social foundations of Islamic objectives.

Historical Analysis of Citing the Verse

Some researchers believe that the explicit mention of the danger of the hypocrites during al-Ghadir Sermon leads to the conclusion that in the future, when researchers of al-Ghadir Sermon examine it, they will easily analyze the trampling of Ghadir at Saqifa and comprehend the truths; they will realize what ambitions the hypocrites harbored at Ghadir and how they solidified its foundations to reap its ominous fruit at Saqifa.

Theological Analysis of the Verse

Regarding the reliance on Verse sixty-one of Sūrat al-Tawba in the al-Ghadir Sermon, two theological analyses have been presented by researchers:

First Theological Analysis: A Verse About Hypocrites

This verse recounts one of the most prominent examples of harassment by hypocrites towards the Prophet (s). In the al-Ghadir Sermon, the Prophet (s) provided a comprehensive explanation regarding this. Those who perceived the private companionship of Amir al-Mu'minin (a) with the Messenger of Allah as reciprocal dared to verbally insult him and sarcastically give him the title "udhun" (ear). Their intention was that the Prophet (s) was all ears and that secrets were whispered into his ear. In reality, they were mocking the Prophet (s) with this word.

In condemnation of this behavior by the hypocrites, Allah revealed Verse sixty-one of Sūrat al-Tawba, which the Prophet (s) recited and interpreted at Ghadir. Firstly, he narrated the story of the verse's revelation; secondly, he clarified that if he and 'Ali whispered and spoke secrets to each other, these secrets concerned the hypocrites. They had well sensed this issue, which is why they mocked in this manner. Therefore, these whispers were for the benefit of the believers, and at the end of this verse, those who harmed the Prophet (s) were promised hell and a painful torment.

Since the matter of "udhun" was not a secret, the Prophet (s) avoided tension in the al-Ghadir Sermon and indicated: "I know by name those who mocked me, and I can now point them out to everyone." This indicates their presence before the minbar of Ghadir. Then he said: "But the current expediency is that I should not engage with them and should act magnanimously." Imam al-Kazim (a) said in this regard: "The Prophet (s) treated the hypocrites with magnanimity, accepted their outward appearance, and left their inner selves to Allah."

Second Theological Analysis: Other Insults by Hypocrites at Ghadir

Mentioning examples of insults by hypocrites present at Ghadir, explicitly recorded in history, can clarify that at Ghadir, the insult to the Prophet (s) reached its peak and went beyond the issue of udhun, and the perpetrators became known. These were insults for which a painful torment was promised to them.

During the Preparation of the Ghadir Minbar

When the Prophet (s) issued the order to prepare the Ghadir minbar under the trees, one of the hypocrites said: "Why does he order the removal of thorns here, where he will not stop for more than an hour! Know that today they will bring forth an important and distressing matter."

In Front of the Ghadir Minbar

Imam al-Sadiq (a) said: "When the Prophet (s) introduced and appointed Amir al-Mu'minin (a) on the day of Ghadir, there were seven hypocrites in front of him, namely: Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān b. ʿAwf, Saʿd b. Abī Waqqāṣ, Abū ʿUbayda al-Jarrāḥ, Sālim mawlā Abī Ḥudhayfa, and al-Mughīra b. Shuʿba. Among them, ʿUmar said: 'Do you not see his eyes rolling like those of madmen? Now he says: My God has said this.'" And in this way, they mocked the Prophet's (s) program.

When Uttering the Phrase "Man Kuntu Mawlāhu"

When Amir al-Mu'minin (a) was placed upon the hands of the Prophet (s) and the Prophet (s) said: "Whosoever I am his mawla, then 'Ali is his mawla," ʿUmar said: "No, by Allah, God has not commanded him thus, and he says this from himself."

After the al-Ghadir Sermon

Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan rose from intense displeasure on the day of Ghadir – after the appointment of Amir al-Mu'minin (a) – and walked away arrogantly. He left the assembly of Ghadir in anger, leaning his right hand on Abu Musa al-Ash'ari and his left hand on Mughira b. Shu'ba, and arrogantly said: "We do not affirm Muḥammad in this statement of his, nor do we acknowledge the wilaya of 'Ali." Also, at this time, a group of other hypocrites said: "Muḥammad calls us to a new matter every hour. Now he has brought up this matter to place his Ahl al-Bayt upon our backs."

After the Oath of Allegiance

After the oath of allegiance at Ghadir, ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb shrugged his shoulders and said to Abū Bakr: "How he lifts his cousin by the arm!" Furthermore, a group of hypocrites made a pact with each other after the oath of allegiance, saying: "If something happens to Muḥammad and he passes away, we will remove the matter of wilaya from Amir al-Mu'minin (a) and will not let it be for him."

Conversation in the Tent of Hypocrisy

Zayd b. Arqam, who was present at Ghadir, narrates the following incident: After the Prophet (s) took the hand of Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a) and said, So whoever I am his master, this Ali is his master, we returned to our belongings, and Ḥudhayfa b. al-Yamān was with me. Next to my tent was the tent of three men from Quraysh. We heard one of the three saying: "By God, Muḥammad is ignorant if he thinks the matter of the caliphate after him will succeed for 'Ali." Another said: "You call him ignorant! Do you not know that he is mad and was almost unconscious from madness with the wife of Ibn Abī Kabsha?" The third said: "Leave him! Whether he is a fool or mad! By God, what he says will never happen." Ḥudhayfa became angry at their words, lifted a corner of their tent, put his head inside, and said to them: "You do such a thing while the Prophet (s) is alive and God's revelation is descending? By God, tomorrow morning I will inform him of your words."

They said: "O Ḥudhayfa, were you here and did you hear our words?! Conceal what you heard from us, for the right of neighborliness is trustworthiness." Ḥudhayfa said: "Neither is this a matter of the right of neighborly trustworthiness, nor is your gathering of that kind! I would not be loyal to God and His Messenger if I concealed this incident from him." They said: "O Ḥudhayfa, do whatever you wish. By God, we will swear to him that we did not say such a thing, and that you are attributing a lie to us. Do you imagine that the Prophet will accept your word and deny ours, while there are three of us?" Ḥudhayfa said: "But it does not matter to me when I fulfill my duty of loyalty to God and His Messenger. So say whatever you wish."

Then Ḥudhayfa went to the Prophet (s), while Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a) was beside him, girt with his sword. He informed the Prophet of the hypocrites' words. The Prophet then sent for them, and they came. The Prophet asked: "What have you said?" They replied: "By God, we have said nothing. If any news about us has reached you, a lie has been attributed to us." At this, Gabriel descended with this verse (Verse 74 of Sūrat al-Tawba): "They swear by Allah that they did not say [it], while they certainly said the word of disbelief, and disbelieved after their Islam." Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a) then said: "Let them say whatever they wish. By God, my heart beats in my chest, and my sword is on my shoulder. If they intend any evil, I will confront them."

References

• Al-Iḥtijāj; Aḥmad b. 'Alī al-Ṭabarsī, research: Muḥammad Bāqir Mūsawī Khursān, Mashhad: Nashr al-Murtaḍā, 1403 AH.
• Biḥār al-Anwār al-Jāmiʿa li-Durar Akhbār al-Aʾimma al-Aṭhār; Muḥammad Bāqir b. Muḥammad Taqī al-Majlisī, Beirut: Dār Iḥyāʾ al-Turāth al-ʿArabī, 1403 AH.
• Al-Burhān fī Tafsīr al-Qurʾān; Hāshim b. Sulaymān al-Baḥrānī, Qom: Muʾassasat al-Biʿtha (Markaz al-Ṭibāʿa wa al-Nashr), 1415 AH.
• Taʾwīl al-Āyāt al-Ẓāhira fī Faḍāʾil al-ʿItra al-Ṭāhira; Sharaf al-Dīn 'Alī al-Ḥusaynī al-Astarābādī, research: Ḥusayn Ustādwālī, Qom: Muʾassasat al-Nashr al-Islāmī, 1409 AH.
• Tafsīr al-'Ayyāshī; Muḥammad b. Masʿūd al-'Ayyāshī, research: Sayyid Hāshim Rasūlī Maḥallātī, Tehran: Maktabat al-'Ilmīya al-Islāmīya, 1380 AH.
• Tafsīr Furāt al-Kūfī; Furāt b. Ibrāhīm al-Kūfī, research: Muḥammad al-Kāẓim, Tehran: Wizārat al-Thaqāfa wa al-Irshād al-Islāmī (Muʾassasat al-Ṭabʿ wa al-Nashr), 1410 AH.
• ʿAwālim al-ʿUlūm wa al-Maʿārif wa al-Aḥwāl min al-Āyāt wa al-Akhbār wa al-Aqwāl; ʿAbd Allāh b. Nūr Allāh al-Baḥrānī al-Iṣfahānī, research: Muḥammad Bāqir Muwaḥḥid Abṭaḥī al-Iṣfahānī, Qom: Muʾassasat al-Imām al-Mahdī (a), 1382 SH.
• Ghadīr dar Qurʾān, Qurʾān dar Ghadīr; Muḥammad Bāqir Anṣārī, Qom: Intishārāt Dalīl Mā, 1387 SH.