Surah At-Tahrim 66:9
سُورَةُ التَّحۡرِيمِ · Medinan · Verse 9 of 12
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ جَٰهِدِ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Translation
Prophet, strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Deal with them sternly. Hell will be their home, an evil destination!
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
Surah At-Tahrim (66:9) opens with a direct address from Allah to His Beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: "يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ جَٰهِدِ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ" (O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their abode is Hell, and wretched is the destination). This command instructs the Prophet to actively confront those who openly reject faith and those who pretend to believe but harbor disbelief in their hearts.
The Command to Strive (Jihad)
The word "جاهد" (jahid), meaning "strive" or "struggle," is pivotal here. It comes from the root J-H-D, signifying effort and exertion. The Quran uses this precise wording because the nature of the struggle differs for the two groups mentioned. For the "الكفار" (al-Kuffar), the disbelievers who openly declare their rejection, scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Jalalayn explain that this striving often means engagement "بالسيف" (bis-sayf), with the sword, referring to physical combat when necessary.
However, for the "المنافقين" (al-Munafiqeen), the hypocrites, the struggle takes a different form. Since they outwardly profess Islam, physical combat isn't the primary approach. Instead, their striving is "بالاحتجاج" (bil-ihtijaj), with argument and proof, or "باللسان والحجة" (bil-lisan wal-hujjah), with the tongue and clear evidence. This involves exposing their hidden agendas and refuting their falsehoods. Some scholars, like Qatadah (as cited by al-Zamakhshari) and al-Razi, also point to "إقامة الحدود عليهم" (iqamatil hudood alaihim), meaning implementing legal punishments for their transgressions, as a form of this struggle. Ibn Ashur further suggests that this command to strive against hypocrites serves as a deterrent, casting fear into their hearts so they realize the Prophet and believers are vigilant, making them cautious of treachery.
The Call for Firmness (Ghilzah)
Following the command to strive is "واغلظ عليهم" (waghluẓ alaihim), which means "and be harsh upon them" or "be firm with them." This instruction for severity and toughness applies to both the disbelievers and the hypocrites, in line with the specific form of struggle for each. Ibn Ashur explains that "الغِلْظَةُ" (al-ghilzah) signifies dealing with severity without pardon or tolerance, being resolute in establishing Allah's commands against such individuals. It’s a call for strength and unwavering commitment in the face of their opposition and deceit.
The Ultimate Destination
The verse concludes with a stark reminder: "ومأواهم جهنم وبئس المصير" (Wa ma'wahum Jahannamu wa bi'sa al-masir), meaning "And their abode is Hell, and wretched is the destination." The word "مأوى" (ma'wa), translated as "abode" or "refuge," comes from the root meaning to return, because a person ultimately returns to their dwelling place, as Ibn Ashur notes. This emphasizes the final and inescapable destiny of those who persist in disbelief and hypocrisy. The phrase "وبئس المصير" (wa bi'sa al-masir), "and wretched is the destination," is an emphatic condemnation, highlighting the absolute and enduring suffering that awaits them. Al-Razi observes that this absolute statement indicates the permanence of their fate. This closing statement anchors the divine command in its ultimate spiritual consequence, providing a profound reflection on the seriousness of rejecting truth and harboring deceit.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah At-Tahrim 66:9 is discussed in 6 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah At-Tahrim 66:9 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.