يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ 15
Translations
O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [in battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight].
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu idha laqitumu alladhina kafaru zahfan fala tuwalluuhum al-adbara
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers not to flee from the disbelievers when they encounter them in battle formation (zahf). According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this is a prohibition against turning one's back to the enemy in retreat, which was considered a grave sin and a sign of cowardice during defensive warfare. The command emphasizes the necessity of courage and steadfastness in righteous combat, establishing that Muslims must not abandon their positions or comrades when facing the enemy.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah Al-Anfal, which discusses the Battle of Badr (2 AH) and the principles of warfare in Islam. The specific context relates to the Islamic prohibition against fleeing from battle without legitimate cause, reinforcing the obligation of steadfastness when Muslims are defending their faith and community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Fleeing from the battlefield is one of the grave sins' (Sahih Bukhari 2816). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim 1742, it is narrated that turning one's back during battle except for tactical regrouping is prohibited.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that maintaining courage and conviction during trials—whether literal battles or metaphorical struggles against evil—is essential to maintaining honor and fulfilling one's obligations to Allah. It reminds us that faith demands not only internal belief but also external steadfastness and courage in standing for what is right.
Related Ayahs
فَإِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
So if you, [O Muḥammad], gain dominance over them in war, disperse by [means of] them those behind them that perhaps they will be reminded.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ
And those who disbelieved are allies of one another. If you do not do so [i.e., ally yourselves with other believers], there will be fitnah [i.e., disbelief and oppression] on earth and great corruption.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
O you who have believed, respond to Allāh and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allāh intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.
يُجَـٰدِلُونَكَ فِى ٱلْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَوْتِ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
Arguing with you concerning the truth after it had become clear, as if they were being driven toward death while they were looking on.