Quran Quote  :  Then if you find no one in them, do not enter until you have been given permission (to enter). And if you are told to go back, then do go back. This is a purer way for you. Allah knows all what you do. - 24:28

Quran-33:20 Surah Al-ahzab English Translation,Transliteration and Tafsir(Tafseer).

يَحۡسَبُونَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابَ لَمۡ يَذۡهَبُواْۖ وَإِن يَأۡتِ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ يَوَدُّواْ لَوۡ أَنَّهُم بَادُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ يَسۡـَٔلُونَ عَنۡ أَنۢبَآئِكُمۡۖ وَلَوۡ كَانُواْ فِيكُم مَّا قَٰتَلُوٓاْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا

Transliteration:( Yahsaboonal Ahzaaba lam yazhaboo wa iny yaatil Ahzaabu yawaddoo law annahum baadoona fil A'raabi yasaloona 'an ambaaa'ikum wa law kaanoo feekum maa qaatalooo illaa qaleela (section 2) )

20. They are thinking that the allies [48] (of infidels) have not yet gone, and if the allies come again, they would wish to be in the desert with the Arabs (Bedouins) enquiring (49) about your news. If they would have been among you, even then they would not have thought but a little. (Kanzul Imaan Translation)

(20) They think the companies have not [yet] withdrawn.[1191] And if the companies should come [again], they would wish they were in the desert among the bedouins, inquiring [from afar] about your news. And if they should be among you, they would not fight except for a little. (Saheen International Translation)

Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 20 Tafsir (Commentry)



  • Tafseer-e-Naeemi (Ahmad Yaar Khan)
  • Ibn Kathir
  • Ala-Madudi
  • Shaheen International

48. This means the condition of cowardice of these hypocrites is such that after the infidels had run away from the battlefield due to the severe winds and the help of the angels, yet. their hearts still do not accept it. They are under the impression that the enemy has not yet run away from the battlefield. but are waiting to come.

49. This means the discouraging and cowardly nature of the hypocrites is such that. though impossible, if the arms of the infidels were to attack Madina Munawwarah again, then on this occasion they would leave Madina and run into the villages and would ask the people about the outcome of the battle.

By themselves, they will never have the courage to come to Madina Shareef. It should be remembered that this statement is by way of an obligation. because our Holy Prophet had given the information after the Battle of the trench that, in future, if Allah wills, we were to attack them, they would not be able to attack us. With the bounty of Allah Almighty, the same had taken place.

50. This means had there been another Battle of the Trench, and they had gone to participate in it, it would have been only for a show. This statement is based on fate and obligation.

Ibn-Kathir

20. They think that the Confederates have not yet withdrawn; and if the Confederates should come, they would wish they were in the deserts among the bedouins, seeking news about you; and if they were to be among you, they would not fight but little.) This is another aspect of their abhorrent attribute of cowardice and fear:


﴿يَحْسَبُونَ الاٌّحْزَابَ لَمْ يَذْهَبُواْ﴾

(They think that the Confederates have not yet withdrawn;) and that they are still close by and will return.

﴿وَإِن يَأْتِ الاٌّحْزَابُ يَوَدُّواْ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ بَادُونَ فِى الاٌّعْرَابِ يَسْأَلُونَ عَنْ أَنبَآئِكُمْ﴾

(and if the Confederates should come, they would wish they were in the deserts among the bedouins, seeking news about you;) means, `if the Confederates should come back, they hope that they will not be present with you in Al-Madinah, but that they will be in the desert, asking about news of you and what happened to you with your enemy.’

﴿وَلَوْ كَانُواْ فِيكُمْ مَّا قَاتَلُواْ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً﴾

(and if they were to be among you, they would not fight but little.) means, `if they are among you, they will not fight alongside you very much,’ because they are so cowardly and weak, and have so little faith, but Allah knows best about them.

(33:20) They think that the invading confederates have not yet gone. But if the confederates were to mount another assault, they would wish to be in the desert among the bedouins and keep themselves informed about you from there. But even if they remained in your midst, hardly would they fight.

Ala-Maududi

(33:20) They think that the invading confederates have not yet gone. But if the confederates were to mount another assault, they would wish to be in the desert among the bedouins and keep themselves informed about you from there. But even if they remained in your midst, hardly would they fight.


There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.

(20) They think the companies have not [yet] withdrawn.[1191] And if the companies should come [again], they would wish they were in the desert among the bedouins, inquiring [from afar] about your news. And if they should be among you, they would not fight except for a little.

[1191]- In their excessive fear the cowardly hypocrites could not believe the enemy forces had been defeated.

Surah Al-Ahzab All Ayat (Verses)

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