Al-Qur'an Surah At-Tawbah Verse 3

Mufti Taqi Usmani

And here is an announcement, from Allah and His Messenger, to the people on the day of the greater Hajj, that Allah is free from (any commitment to) the Mushriks, and so is His Messenger. Now, if you repent, it is good for you. And if you turn away, then be aware that you can never frustrate Allah. And give those who disbelieve the ‘good’ news of a painful punishment.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

A declaration from Allah and His Messenger ˹is made˺ to all people on the day of the greater pilgrimage[[ The 10th of Ⱬul-Ḥijjah, a significant day in the greater pilgrimage (ḥajj). The lesser pilgrimage is known as ’umrah.]] that Allah and His Messenger are free of the polytheists. So if you ˹pagans˺ repent, it will be better for you. But if you turn away, then know that you will have no escape from Allah. And give good news ˹O Prophet˺ to the disbelievers of a painful punishment.

Ruwwad Translation Center

A declaration from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage, that Allah and His Messenger are free from obligation to the polytheists. If you repent, it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape Allah. And give the disbelievers tidings of a painful punishment.

A. J. Arberry

A proclamation, from God and His Messenger, unto mankind on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage: 'God is quit, and His Messenger, of the idolaters. So if you repent, that will be better for you; but if you turn your backs; know that you cannot frustrate the will of God. And give thou good tidings to the unbelievers of a painful chastisement;

Abdul Haleem

On the Day of the Great Pilgrimage [there will be] a proclamation from God and His Messenger to all people: ‘God and His Messenger are released from [treaty] obligations to the idolaters. It will be better for you [idolaters] if you repent; know that you cannot escape God if you turn away.’ [Prophet], warn those who ignore [God] that they will have a painful punishment.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And a proclamation is this from Allah and His apostle unto the mankind on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah is quit of the associators, and so is His apostle. Wherefore if ye repent, it shall be better for you, but if ye turn away, then know that ye cannot escape Allah. And announce thou unto those who disbelieve a torment afflictive.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith.

Abul Ala Maududi

This is a public proclamation by Allah and His Messenger to all people on the day of the Great Pilgrimage: "Allah is free from all obligation to those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity; and so is His Messenger. If you repent, it shall be for your own good; but if you turn away, then know well that you will not be able to frustrate Allah. So give glad tidings of a painful chastisement to those who disbelieve.

Ahmed Ali

A general proclamation is (made) this day of the Greater Pilgrimage on the part of God and His Apostle, that God is not bound (by any contract) to idolaters, nor is His Apostle. It is, therefore, better for you to repent. If you do not, remember that you cannot elude (the grip of) God. So announce to those who deny the truth the news of painful punishment,

Ahmed Raza Khan

And proclaim from Allah and His Noble Messenger to all men on the day of the Great Pilgrimage (Haj) that Allah is disgusted with the polytheists, and so is His Noble Messenger; so if you repent it is better for you; but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape from Allah; and give the disbelievers the glad tidings of a painful punishment.

Ali Quli Qarai

[This is] an announcement from Allah and His Apostle to all the people on the day of the greater Hajj: that Allah and His Apostle repudiate the polytheists: If you repent that is better for you; but if you turn your backs [on Allah], know that you cannot frustrate Allah, and inform the faithless of a painful punishment

Ali Ünal

And a proclamation from God and His Messenger to all people on this day of the Major Pilgrimage: that God disavows those who associate partners with Him (and break their treaty), and His Messenger likewise (disavows them). But if you repent and give up hostilities, this will be for your good; but if you turn away again, know that you will never be able to escape God and frustrate His will in any way. Give glad tidings (O Messenger) of a painful punishment to those who insist on unbelief.

Amatul Rahman Omar

And this is a proclamation from Allâh and His Messenger to the people on the occasion of the Greater Pilgrimage (on the day of Sacrifice) that Allâh and His Messenger owe no obligation to these polytheists. If you (O polytheists!) turn to Him in repentance it is better for you. But if you turn away then know that you cannot frustrate (the will of) Allâh. And proclaim (O Prophet!) the news of a grievous punishment to these disbelievers;

English Literal

And announcement/information from God and His messenger to the people, (on) day (of) the pilgrimage the greatest/biggest , that God (is) innocent/renouncing , from the sharers/takers of partners (with Him) , and His messenger, so if you repented, so it is best for you, and if you turned away, so know that you are not disabling/frustrating God, and announce good news (to) those who disbelieved with a painful torture.

Faridul Haque

And proclaim from Allah and His Noble Messenger to all men on the day of the Great Pilgrimage (Haj) that Allah is disgusted with the polytheists, and so is His Noble Messenger; so if you repent it is better for you; but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape from Allah; and give the disbelievers the glad tidings of a painful punishment.

Hamid S. Aziz

And a proclamation from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage, that Allah is free of obligations to the idolaters, as is His Messenger! If then you repent it is better for you; but if you turn your backs, then know that you cannot make Allah helpless (frustrate His plan). Give tidings of a grievous doom to those who disbelieve.

Hilali & Khan

And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day (the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah - the 12th month of Islamic calendar) that Allah is free from (all) obligations to the Mushrikun (see V. 2:105) and so is His Messenger. So if you (Mushrikun) repent, it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape (from the Punishment of) Allah. And give tidings (O Muhammad SAW) of a painful torment to those who disbelieve.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

So go about in the land for four months and know that you cannot escape Allah and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And an announcement from Allah and His Apostle to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah and His Apostle are free from liability to the idolaters; therefore if you repent, it will be better for you, and if you turn back, then know that you will not weaken Allah; and announce painful punishment to those who disbelieve.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And a proclamation from Allah and His messenger to all men on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage that Allah is free from obligation to the idolaters, and (so is) His messenger. So, if ye repent, it will be better for you; but if ye are averse, then know that ye cannot escape Allah. Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve,

Muhammad Sarwar

This Announcement from God and His Messenger is to be made to the people on the day of the great Pilgrimage; God and His Messenger have declared no amnesty for the pagans. If you (pagans) repent, it would be better for you, but if you turn away (from God), know that you cannot make God helpless. (Muhammad) tell the unbelievers that a painful punishment has been prepared for them.

Qaribullah & Darwish

A proclamation from Allah and His Messenger, to the people on the day of the Grand Pilgrimage; 'Allah rejects, and His Messenger (rejects) the idolaters. So if you repent, that will be better for you; but if you turn your backs, know that you cannot frustrate Allah. And give glad tidings to the unbelievers of a painful punishment,

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day of Hajj that Allah is free from obligations to the Mushrikin and so is His Messenger. So if you repent, it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape Allah. And give tidings of a painful torment for those who disbelieve.

Wahiduddin Khan

This is a proclamation from God and His Messenger to the people on the day of the Pilgrimage, that God is free of all obligation to the polytheists, and so is His Messenger. If you repent, it will be better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot frustrate the plan of God. Proclaim a grievous punishment to those who are bent on denying the truth.

Talal Itani

And a proclamation from God and His Messenger to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage, that God has disowned the polytheists, and so did His Messenger. If you repent, it will be better for you. But if you turn away, know that you cannot escape God. And announce to those who disbelieve a painful punishment.

Tafsir jalalayn

A proclamation, a notification, from God and His Messenger to mankind on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage, the Day of Sacrifice (yawm al-nahr), that God is free from obligation to the idolaters, and their pacts, and [so is] His Messenger, also free from obligation; in that same year, year 9 [of the Hijra], the Prophet (s) sent forth `Al, who proclaimed these verses on the Day of Sacrifice at Min, and also [he proclaimed] that after this year no idolater will [be allowed to] make pilgrimage or circumambulate the House naked, as reported by al-Bukhr. So, if you repent, of unbelief, it will be better for you; but if you turn away, from belief, then know that you cannot escape God. And give tidings to -- inform -- those who disbelieve of a painful chastisement, namely, [of] slaughter or capture in this world, and of [punishment in] the Fire in the Hereafter.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Allah says,

وَأَذَانٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ

And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger,

and a preface warning to the people,

إِلَى النَّاسِ

to mankind

يَوْمَ الْحَجِّ الَاكْبَرِ

on the greatest day of Hajj,

the day of Sacrifice, the best and most apparent day of the Hajj rituals, during which the largest gathering confers.

أَنَّ اللّهَ بَرِيءٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَرَسُولُهُ

that Allah is free from (all) obligations to the Mushrikin and so is His Messenger.

also free from all obligations to them.

Allah next invites the idolators to repent,

فَإِن تُبْتُمْ

So if you repent,

from the misguidance and Shirk you indulge in,

فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ

it is better for you, but if you turn away,

and persist on your ways,

فَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِي اللّهِ

then know that you cannot escape Allah,

Rather, Allah is capable over you, and you are all in His grasp, under His power and will,

وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ



And give tidings of a painful torment for those who disbelieve.

earning them disgrace and affliction in this life and the torment of chains and barbed iron bars in the Hereafter.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said,

"Abu Bakr sent me during that Hajj with those dispatched on the day of Sacrifice to declare in Mina that no Mushrik will be allowed to attend Hajj after that year, nor will a naked person be allowed to perform Tawaf."

Humayd said,

"The Prophet then sent Ali bin Abi Talib and commanded him to announce Bara'ah."

Abu Hurayrah said,

"Ali publicized Bara'ah with us to the gathering in Mina on the day of Sacrifice, declaring that no Mushrik shall perform Hajj after that year, nor shall a naked person perform Tawaf around the House."

Al-Bukhari also collected this Hadith. this narration of which, Abu Hurayrah said,

"On the day of Nahr, Abu Bakr sent me along with other announcers to Mina to make a public announcement that `No pagan is allowed to perform Hajj after this year, and no naked person is allowed to perform the Tawaf around the Ka`bah.'

Abu Bakr was leading the people in that Hajj season, and in the year of `The Farewell Hajj' when the Prophet performed Hajj, no Mushrik performed Hajj."'

This is the narration that Al-Bukhari recorded in the Book on Jihad.

Muhammad bin Ishaq reported a narration from Abu Jafar Muhammad bin Ali bin Al-Hussein who said,

"When Bara'ah was revealed to Allah's Messenger, and he had sent Abu Bakr to oversee the Hajj rites for the people, he was asked, `O Messenger of Allah! Why not send this (message) to Abu Bakr?' So he said,

لَاا يُوَدِّي عَنِّي إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي

It will not be accepted to have been from me if it is not from a man from my family.

Then he called for Ali and said to him,

اخْرُجْ بِهذِهِ الْقِصَّةِ مِنْ صَدْرِ بَرَاءَةَ وَأَذِّنْ فِي النَّاسِ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ إِذَا اجْتَمَعُوا بِمِنًى أَنَّهُ لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ كَافِرٌ وَلَا يَحُجُّ بَعْدَ الْعَامِ مُشْرِكٌ وَلَا يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ عُرْيَانٌ وَمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلّم عَهْدٌ فَهُوَ لَهُ إِلَى مُدَّتِه

Take this section from the beginning of Bara'ah and proclaim to the people on the day of the Sacrifice while they are gathered at Mina that no disbeliever will enter Paradise, no idolator will be permitted to perform Hajj after the year, there will be no Tawaf while naked, and whoever has a covenant with Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him), then it shall be valid until the time of its expiration.

Ali rode the camel of Allah's Messenger named Al-Adba until he caught up with Abu Bakr in route. When Abu Bakr saw him he said, `Are you here as a commander or a follower.'

Ali replied, `A follower.'

They continued on. Abu Bakr lead the people in Hajj while the Arabs were camping in their normal locations from Jahiliyyah. On the day of Sacrifice, Ali bin Abi Talib stood and proclaimed,

`O people! No disbeliever will be admitted into Paradise, no idolator will be permitted to perform Hajj next year, there shall be no Tawaf while naked, and whoever has a covenant with Allah's Messenger, then it shall be valid until its time of expiration.'
So no idolator performed Hajj after that year, Tawaf around the House while naked ceased.
Then they returned to Allah's Messenger. So this was the declaration of innocence, whoever among the idolators had no treaty, then he had a treaty of peace for one year, if he had a particular treaty, then it was valid until its date of expiration.