Verse 15 of Surah al-Ahzab refers to the subject of covenant and pledge with God and the believers’ adherence to it. This adherence is also discussed with regard to the standard-bearers of faith and the spiritual leaders of the Islamic community. Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), one of the most prominent figures in Islam, is a perfect example of those who remained faithful to their covenant with God and stood firm in the path of carrying out divine commands and defending the religion of Islam.
Verse 15 of Surah al-Ahzab
وَ لَقَدْ كانُوا عاهَدُوا اللهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ لا يُوَلُّونَ الْأَدْبارَ وَ كانَ عَهْدُ اللهِ مَسْؤُلاً
“And indeed they had made a covenant with Allah before, that they would not turn their backs. And the covenant with Allah will be questioned.”
According to a narration from Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) in the Al-Ghadir Pilgrimage prayer, this verse recalls the exalted station of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).
In a passage of the Al-Ghadir Pilgrimage prayer, it is stated:
يَوْمُ خَيْبَرَ إِذْ أَظْهَرَ اللهُ بِكَ تَضْعِيفَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَ قَطَعَ دَابِرَ الْكَافِرِينَ، وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَ قَدْ كَانُوا عَاهَدُوا اللهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ أَنْ لَا يُوَلُّوا الْأَدْبَارَ، فَلْيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ عَهْدَ اللهِ كَانَ مَسْؤُولاً
“And the day of Khaybar, when through you God revealed the weakness of the hypocrites and cut off the roots of the disbelievers – and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds – and indeed they had made a covenant with Allah before that they would not turn their backs, so let them know that the covenant with Allah will indeed be questioned.”
Verse 15 of Surah al-Ahzab is among the ‘Alawi verses of the Noble Quran. Throughout his entire life – from the time of accepting Islam until his martyrdom – Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was always steadfast in the path of God’s religion and ready for any sacrifice. Therefore, although this verse may not directly refer to Imam Ali (peace be upon him), he can be considered a clear example of one who upheld his covenant with God in the best possible manner.
Ibn Abbas, a narrator and exegete from the early period of Islam, said regarding the interpretation of verse 15 of Surah al-Ahzab:
بَايَعَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ) تَحْتَ شَجَرَةِ السَّمُرَةِ أَنْ لَا يَفِرُّوا (1)
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) took a pledge from them under the samurah tree that they would not flee (from battle).”
1-Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), vol. 12, p. 102; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 38, p. 217
