33: The Coalition
This slightly longer chapter was
revealed after The House of Irnran 3 and
before Examining Her 60. It contains
73 verses arranged in nine sections. all of
which were revealed in Madina. This thus represents a break in the diminishing
sequence of chapters.
The Jews and pagan Arabs around Madina had risen 10.000 strong in
a conspiracy directed against the nascent Islamic state at this point !the
year 5 / 626-7).
and the chapter bears witness to the difficulties existent in this developing
society. The troubles which Muhammad faced in Madina in the year 5 / 626-7
were
different from the ones he had met with in Mecca. We hear graphic portrayals
of
meddlers and slackers who for instance. gave rise to recruiting and defence
problems (II). Salman the Persian had a trench dug so the Mdinese could
withstand
a siege. Following this success the Prophet began to achieve the hegemony
of
Arabia and control over the trade routes to Syria.
The Prophet's wives appear again (IV ac VI) plus rules for divorce (VI)
and
modesty (VIII). There is also a section on protocol in connection with
affairs of
state (VII). The chapter ends with a statement on the philosophy of history
(VIII)
plus a vivid picture of how God's trust was offered to the mountains. but
they
were prudent enough to reject it (IX).