ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَآقُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ ۚ وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ 13
Translations
That is because they opposed Allāh and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allāh and His Messenger - indeed, Allāh is severe in penalty.
Transliteration
Dhaalika bi-annahum shaaqqu-Allaha wa rasoolahu wa man yushaaqq-Allaha wa rasoolahu fa-inna Allaha shadeedu-al-iqaab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that the punishment of those who fought against the believers at Badr was a consequence of their opposition (shiqaq) to Allah and His Messenger. Ibn Kathir explains that 'shaqq' means to oppose and rebel against Allah's command and the guidance brought by the Prophet. The ayah emphasizes that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger will face severe punishment, establishing the principle that enmity toward divine guidance brings divine retribution.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah Al-Anfal, which discusses the Battle of Badr (2 AH). It specifically addresses the Meccan pagans who fought against the Muslims and were defeated. The surah provides guidance on the rules of warfare, treatment of captives, and distribution of spoils, while this particular ayah underscores the spiritual reality that their defeat was due to their rejection of Allah's message.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari records that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,' which relates to the opposite of shiqaq (discord). Additionally, Muslim records the hadith about those who split from the community: 'Whoever leaves the Jama'ah (community) by a hand span has removed the rope of Islam from his neck.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true opposition to divine guidance—not mere disagreement but active rebellion—carries severe consequences, reminding believers that accepting Allah's message and the Prophet's leadership is essential for spiritual success. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes the importance of unity with Islamic principles and avoiding divisions that separate one from the community and its righteous guidance.
Related Ayahs
وَأَعِدُّوا۟ لَهُم مَّا ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ ٱلْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِۦ عَدُوَّ ٱللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَءَاخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ
And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allāh and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allāh knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allāh will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
مَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥٓ أَسْرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يُثْخِنَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ تُرِيدُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
It is not for a prophet to have captives [of war] until he inflicts a massacre [upon Allāh's enemies] in the land. You [i.e., some Muslims] desire the commodities of this world, but Allāh desires [for you] the Hereafter. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.
إِنَّ شَرَّ ٱلدَّوَآبِّ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allāh are those who have disbelieved, and they will not [ever] believe-
ٱلَّذِينَ عَـٰهَدتَّ مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَهُمْ فِى كُلِّ مَرَّةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يَتَّقُونَ
The ones with whom you made a treaty but then they break their pledge every time, and they do not fear Allāh.