محمد
Muhammad
Verses
38
Revelation
Madani
Period
Early Madinan
Surah No.
47 / 114
Named after the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), this is one of only two surahs named directly after him. Revealed in the early Madinan period, it addresses the newly established community's confrontation with the Quraysh and other enemies. The surah gives rulings on warfare and the treatment of captives, criticises the hypocrites who wavered in commitment, and strongly motivates the believers to remain firm and steadfast. It draws a vivid contrast between the rivers of water, milk, wine, and honey promised to the righteous and the boiling water awaiting those who reject faith.
أسباب النزول
Revealed at the time when the Muslim community in Madinah was preparing for or engaged in its early military confrontations with the Quraysh. Several verses were revealed regarding the hypocrites who questioned the wisdom of fighting and privately expressed desire to return to the old ways. The verse on striking necks (47:4) and the ruling on captives were among the first divine injunctions on the conduct of warfare.
“O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.”
A conditional promise of divine support: that those who uphold Allah's religion will receive divine assistance and be established firmly in their affairs – one of the most cited verses of motivation.
“Is the description of Paradise promised to the righteous [that of a place] in which are rivers of water unaltered...”
Opens the celebrated description of Paradise's four rivers – water, milk, wine, and honey – contrasted with the boiling water given to the people of the Fire.