Why did not Surat al-Tawbah begin with the Basmala like all the other surahs in the Noble Qur'an?
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The questioner : Why did not Surat al-Tawbah begin with the Basmala like all the other surahs in the Noble Qur'an, and what is the interpretation of the saying of Allah the Exalted: [At-Tawbah 9:1]?
The Shaykh : This surah did not begin with the Basmala because that was not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Had it been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), it would have been preserved and remained. It was reported from the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) that it was difficult for them to determine whether Surat al-Bara'ah was the remainder of Surat al-Anfal or an independent surah. This was because the Basmala was not established as being recited between it and al-Anfal from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, they placed a separator between them and named each one with its specific name, without placing a Basmala between them. This was a wisdom, for if the Basmala had been established, the matter would have been clear. And if the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) had been certain that they were one surah, they would not have placed a separator between them. Thus, it appears that they (may Allah be pleased with them) saw it fit to place this separator without writing Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim.
As for the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted:[At-Tawbah 9:1], the meaning is that those between whom and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) a treaty was made are exempted from fighting them and disavowed from them. For this reason, He said: [At-Tawbah 9:2]. This applies when a treaty is made between the Muslims and the polytheists out of necessity; in that case, it is obligatory for the Muslims not to attack the disbelievers during this treaty that was made between them.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah magnify your reward.
[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allah and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists.
بَرَاءَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى الَّذِينَ عَاهَدتُّمْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَThe Shaykh : This surah did not begin with the Basmala because that was not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Had it been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), it would have been preserved and remained. It was reported from the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) that it was difficult for them to determine whether Surat al-Bara'ah was the remainder of Surat al-Anfal or an independent surah. This was because the Basmala was not established as being recited between it and al-Anfal from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, they placed a separator between them and named each one with its specific name, without placing a Basmala between them. This was a wisdom, for if the Basmala had been established, the matter would have been clear. And if the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) had been certain that they were one surah, they would not have placed a separator between them. Thus, it appears that they (may Allah be pleased with them) saw it fit to place this separator without writing Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim.
As for the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allah and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists.
بَرَاءَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى الَّذِينَ عَاهَدتُّمْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَSo travel freely, [O disbelievers], throughout the land [during] four months
فَسِيحُوا فِي الأَرْضِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah magnify your reward.