Surah 47: Muhammad (Muhammad)
A sura contrasting belief and disbelief with battle commands.
Surah 47, titled 'Muhammad,' is a Medinan sura that contrasts the fates of believers and disbelievers, with a focus on warfare, divine testing, and the consequences of rejecting revelation. The opening verses state that those who disbelieve and hinder others from Allah's way will have their deeds wasted (Surah 47:1), while believers who do righteous deeds and affirm the truth sent down upon Muhammad will have their misdeeds removed and their condition amended (Surah 47:2). The sura includes direct commands for battle, describing how to treat captives after slaughter (Surah 47:4), and emphasizes that those killed in Allah's cause will not have their deeds wasted (Surah 47:4).
- total_verses_in_sample
- 28
- mentions_of_believers
- 12
- mentions_of_disbelievers
- 10
- mentions_of_paradise
- 3
- mentions_of_fire
- 2
- mentions_of_battle
- 2
Lore & Background
The sura includes a call to reflect on the Qur'an and warns that some hearts are sealed (Surah 47:24, Surah 47:16). It references the destruction of past cities stronger than Makkah, which drove out the Prophet (Surah 47:13), and instructs Muhammad to know that there is no deity except Allah and to seek forgiveness for his sin and for believing men and women (Surah 47:19).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray the subject of Surah 47 as a decisive declaration of the consequences of belief versus disbelief, with a strong emphasis on armed struggle as a test from Allah. Believers are promised divine support, guidance, and Paradise if they support Allah and fight (Surah 47:4, Surah 47:7), while disbelievers face destruction, wasted deeds, and eternal Fire (Surah 47:1, Surah 47:8, Surah 47:12). The sura also addresses internal opposition, such as hypocrites who feign obedience and those who revert to disbelief after guidance (Surah 47:20, Surah 47:25). It presents the Qur'an as clear evidence (Surah 47:14) and urges reflection on it (Surah 47:24). The tone is urgent and confrontational, with vivid descriptions of Paradise and Hell (Surah 47:15) and a call to remember past destroyed nations (Surah 47:10, Surah 47:13). The sura does not provide a narrative of Muhammad's life but focuses on his role as the recipient of revelation and the leader of the believing community in a time of conflict.
Did You Know?
- The sura commands striking the necks of disbelievers in battle and then securing bonds, with options to confer favor or ransom captives until the war ends (Surah 47:4).
- Paradise is described with rivers of water, milk, wine, and honey, while disbelievers are given scalding water that severs intestines (Surah 47:15).
- The sura states that Allah could have taken vengeance Himself but ordered fighting to test people by means of each other (Surah 47:4).
- It mentions that some people reverted to disbelief after guidance had become clear, enticed by Satan (Surah 47:25).
More in Surahs 41–60
Elsewhere in the Quran universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record