al-Tawba is the 9th sura of the Qur’an, which means ‘Repentance’ and belongs to the Medinan period. It comprises 129 verses, 2,497 words, 10,787 letters, and 16 segments. It is the 113th sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura al-Ma’ida (The Feast). This sura takes its name from verses 104, 117, and 118, as they refer to God accepting repentance from His servants. It is also known as al-Bara’a (Absolution or Repudiation) because the first verse begins with this word. al-Tawba is also a unique chapter in the Holy Qur’an, as it lacks the Basmala at its beginning.

Most Medinan chapters contain essential rulings regarding the conduct of war and political relations during peacetime. This sura explains the reasons why and when the believers can fight combatant idolaters and certain treacherous groups among the People of the Book. It clarifies that permission to fight them was only granted because they breached the peace treaties and restored the state of war between the Meccans and the Medinans. The beginning of the sura refers to an announcement of the repudiation of a treaty between the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) and the idolaters of Mecca. This treaty was known as the Treaty of Hudaybiya and was a ten-year truce that the Meccans broke. The Quraysh of Mecca breached this treaty of peace by inflicting massive bloodshed upon Banu Khuza‘a, who were the allies of the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him). The violent Quraysh chieftains of Mecca brutally tortured and butchered the people of Banu Khuza‘a. This breach of the peace treaty and treacherous act committed by the combatant Meccans compelled the Medinan state to announce the repudiation of the treaty and provide protection to their allies. The verses related to the fighting in this sura were revealed in this context and did not apply to non-Muslims in general. The sura distinguishes the Muslims from the combatant and treach-erous polytheists and refers to various ancient people to whom the Messengers of God (peace be upon them) were sent. These include the people of Nuh (Noah), ‘Ad, Thamud, the people of Abraham, the residents of Madyan and the overturned cities of the people of Lut.

al-Tawba also focuses on the importance of loyalty and allegiance. It describes the treacherous nature of the hypocrites and their efforts to establish a mosque and try to undermine the Muslim community. The hypocrites attempted to compete with the Holy Prophet’s (blessings and peace be upon him) Mosque in Medina to divide the Muslims and weaken their community. This sura also mentions the attitudes of some nomadic Arabs, showing weakness in their commitment to stand with the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) during hard times and avoid marching with the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him). This sura also provides some rules governing the Alms-dues system and charity. The sura concludes by highlighting the importance of firmness and steadfastness upon the path of truth.