Verses 20 and 21 of Sura al-Tawba and Ghadir
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| Ayah Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Surah Name | Sura al-Tawba |
| Ayah Number | 20 - 21 |
| Juz' | 10 |
| Ayah Content | |
| Place of Revelation | Medina |
| Topic | Promise of Paradise to those who precede in the matter of walāya |
Verses 20 and 21 of Sura al-Tawba and Ghadir are verses in the al-Ghadir Sermon in which Paradise is promised to those who precede in the matter of walaya.
The historical context for the use of Verses twenty and twenty-one of Sura al-Tawba is depicted as follows: In the final sentences of the Prophet's (s) one-hour address at Ghadir, he used the Qurʾānic verse as the foundation of his speech to encourage people to pledge allegiance to Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a) and guide them towards his walāya.
Some researchers have stated the following regarding the theological analysis of Verses twenty and twenty-one of Sura al-Tawba: The interpretation derived from the Qurʾānic combination concerning the topic of walāya in the al-Ghadir Sermon involves two Qurʾānic promises for three outstanding righteous deeds in the sight of God. These three great righteous deeds, towards which precedence and swiftness are emphasized by God, are pledging allegiance to ʿAlī (a), accepting his walāya, and uttering the phrase Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful to him[notes 1]. These three signify a heartfelt, verbal, and practical affirmation of Amīr al-Muʾminīn's authority over all aspects of life for those who believe in his walāya. The two divine promises for preceding in these three great deeds are, first, salvation and happiness by the grace of the Lord; and second, gardens full of blessings, which are the ultimate happiness and the Lord's reward in Paradise.
Verses Related to the Friends of Ghadir
Verses twenty and twenty-one of Sura al-Tawba, found in the al-Ghadir Sermon, are among the verses of the Qur'an that are quoted and incorporated regarding the status of those who accept the walāya of Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a).
The ranks and statuses discussed in these sections concerning the friends of Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a) begin with their foundational beliefs, namely having a tranquil and unwavering heart, and extend to the description of their true faith, which is "faith in the unseen". Their salvation is then affirmed by God and His Messenger, and great forgiveness and reward are guaranteed for them. That great reward is Paradise, distance from the Fire, and a heavenly welcome for the lovers of ʿAlī (a).[1]
These six verses, incorporated into the words of the Prophet (s), include Verses twenty and twenty-one of Sura al-Tawba, in which Paradise is promised to those who precede in the matter of walāya:
الَّذینَ آمَنُوا وَ هاجَرُوا وَ جاهَدُوا فی سَبیلِ اللَّهِ بِاَمْوالِهِمْ وَ اَنْفُسِهِمْ اَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَ اُولئِکَ هُمُ الْفائِزونَ
یُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَ رِضْوانٍ وَ جَنّاتٍ فیها نَعیمٌ مُقیمٌ- Indeed, those who have believed and emigrated and struggled in the way of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers of success. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and Gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure.[2]
Verses in the Text of the Sermon
The Prophet (s), in a part of the eleventh and final section of the al-Ghadir Sermon, stated that accepting walāya and bay'a at Ghadir is equivalent to Paradise: O people, those who precede in pledging allegiance to him, accepting his walāya, and greeting him as "Amīr al-Muʾminīn" are the successful ones and will be in the gardens of bliss[notes 2].[3]
Historical Context of the Verses' Use
The historical context for the use of Verses twenty and twenty-one of Sura al-Tawba is depicted as follows: In the final sentences of the Prophet's (s) one-hour address at Ghadir, he used the Qurʾānic verse as the foundation of his speech to encourage people to pledge allegiance to Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a) and guide them towards his walāya, incorporating it into his discourse.
In this combination, the end of Verse twenty of Sura al-Tawba, أُولئِکَ هُمُ الْفائِزُونَ, is cited. Then, the end of Verse twenty-one is presented concisely while preserving its meaning, such that in the Qurʾān it is جَنَّاتٍ لَهُمْ فِیها نَعِیمٌ مُقِیمٌ, and the Prophet (s) conveyed its meaning with the phrase فِى جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ. However, it is possible that the quotation in the sermon was from Verse nine of Sura Yūnus or Verse eight of Sura Luqmān.[4]
Qur'anic Context of the Verses
The Qurʾānic context of Verses twenty and twenty-one of Tawba, found in the early part of Sura al-Tawba, is a comparison between believers and an explanation of their ranks. In the preceding verses, providing water (to pilgrims) and maintaining al-Masjid al-Ḥarām are not considered equal to striving in the way of God; in contrast, this verse introduces those who have emigrated and struggled with their wealth and lives as superior and gives them glad tidings of Paradise.[5]
Theological Analysis of the Verses
Some researchers have stated the following regarding the theological analysis of Verses twenty and twenty-one of Sura al-Tawba: The interpretation derived from the Qurʾānic combination concerning the topic of walāya in the al-Ghadir Sermon involves two Qurʾānic promises for three outstanding righteous deeds in the sight of God. These three great righteous deeds, towards which precedence and swiftness are emphasized by God, are pledging allegiance to ʿAlī (a), accepting his walāya, and uttering the phrase Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful to him[notes 3].
These three signify a heartfelt, verbal, and practical affirmation of Amīr al-Muʾminīn's authority over all aspects of life for those who believe in his walāya. The two divine promises for preceding in these three great deeds are, first, salvation and happiness by the grace of the Lord; and second, gardens full of blessings, which are the ultimate happiness and the Lord's reward in Paradise.[6]
Footnotes
References
- Asrār Ghadīr; Muḥammad Bāqir Anṣārī, Tehran: Nashr-e Tak, 1384 SH.
- Sokhanrānī Istithnāʾī Ghadīr; Muḥammad Bāqir Anṣārī, Qom: Intishārāt-e Dalīl-e Mā, 1386 SH.
- Ghadir dar Qurʾān, Qurʾān dar Ghadir; Muḥammad Bāqir Anṣārī, Qom: Intishārāt-e Dalīl-e Mā, 1387 SH.
- Wāqiʿa Qurʾānī Ghadīr: Guzārish-e Safar-e Yek-Māha-ye Payāmbar Barā-ye Iʿlān-e Walāya dar Sāye-ye Āyāt-e Qurʾānī; Muḥammad Bāqir Anṣārī, Qom: Intishārāt-e Dalīl-e Mā, 1386 SH.