Surah 59: Al-Hashr (The Exile)

Lore & Background

The surah centers on the historical expulsion of a group of disbelieving People of the Scripture, who were forced to leave their homes despite believing their fortresses would protect them (Surah 59:2). Their punishment is attributed to opposing Allah and His Messenger (Surah 59:4), and the cutting of their palm trees is presented as permitted by Allah to disgrace the disobedient (Surah 59:5). The property thus acquired is designated for Allah, the Messenger, relatives, orphans, and travelers, to prevent it from circulating only among the rich (Surah 59:7). The surah also contrasts the sincere believers—the poor emigrants who were expelled (Surah 59:8) and the Medinan helpers who gave them preference even in privation (Surah 59:9)—with the hypocrites. The hypocrites promise to support the disbelieving People of the Scripture if they are expelled or fought, but Allah testifies they are liars and will not fulfill their promises (Surah 59:11-12). The surah warns that the hypocrites fear the believers more than Allah (Surah 59:13) and that their hearts are divided (Surah 59:14). The final verses shift to a general exhortation to fear Allah and prepare for the Hereafter (Surah 59:18-20), followed by a series of divine names emphasizing Allah's sovereignty, mercy, and creative power (Surah 59:22-24).

Reader's Guide

The surah portrays Allah as the ultimate authority who decrees events and punishes opposition (Surah 59:2-4). The expulsion of the People of the Scripture is depicted as a direct act of divine will, with their fortresses proving useless (Surah 59:2). The surah uses this historical incident to teach that material wealth and alliances are unreliable; the hypocrites' promises are empty (Surah 59:11-12), and true success belongs to those who fear Allah and support His cause (Surah 59:8-10, 59:18-20). The distribution of spoils is regulated to prevent hoarding by the rich (Surah 59:7), and the believers are commended for their selflessness (Surah 59:9). The surah also emphasizes that the Qur'an itself is so powerful that even a mountain would humble itself before it (Surah 59:21). The closing verses present a theological summary: Allah is the only deity, the knower of all, the merciful, the sovereign, and the creator (Surah 59:22-24). Throughout, the surah contrasts the fate of the defiantly disobedient—punishment in this world and the Fire (Surah 59:3, 59:17)—with the success of the companions of Paradise (Surah 59:20).

Did You Know?

• The surah is named after the 'exile' (al-hashr) of the disbelieving People of the Scripture from their homes (Surah 59:2).
• It states that the believers did not need to ride horses or camels to obtain the property restored to the Messenger (Surah 59:6).
• The surah compares hypocrites to Satan, who first encourages disbelief then disassociates from the disbeliever (Surah 59:16).
• It declares that if the Qur'an were sent down on a mountain, the mountain would be humbled and split from fear of Allah (Surah 59:21).