وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ 40
Translations
But if they turn away - then know that Allāh is your protector. Excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.
Transliteration
Wa-in tawallaw fa-'lamū anna Allāha mawlāakum, ni'ma al-mawlā wa-ni'ma al-nāsir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah assures the believers that if the disbelievers turn away from the message of Allah, the Muslims should remain steadfast, knowing that Allah is their protector and helper. Ibn Kathir explains that Allah's protection and assistance are far superior to any worldly ally, emphasizing that those who trust in Allah need fear no enemy. Al-Qurtubi notes that this verse provides consolation to the believers during times of adversity and rejection, reinforcing their reliance on Divine support rather than human alliances.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Anfal, which discusses the Battle of Badr and the principles of warfare and community in Islam. It was revealed in Medina during a period when the nascent Muslim community faced opposition from the Quraysh and other disbelieving groups. The verse serves to strengthen the resolve of believers who encountered rejection despite their sincere call to monotheism.
Related Hadiths
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Whoever is patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a better or greater gift than patience.' (Sahih Bukhari 5059). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' relates thematically to reliance on Allah's guardianship (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing rejection or opposition in spreading truth, believers should anchor their confidence in Allah's protection rather than human support or approval. This ayah teaches that true security and victory come through reliance on the Divine, regardless of how many turn away from the message.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن يُرِيدُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْدَعُوكَ فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِۦ وَبِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
But if they intend to deceive you - then sufficient for you is Allāh. It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers
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.
وَمَا كَانَ صَلَاتُهُمْ عِندَ ٱلْبَيْتِ إِلَّا مُكَآءً وَتَصْدِيَةً ۚ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
And their prayer at the House [i.e., the Kaʿbah] was not except whistling and handclapping. So taste the punishment for what you disbelieved [i.e., practiced of deviations].
وَإِذْ يَمْكُرُ بِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِيُثْبِتُوكَ أَوْ يَقْتُلُوكَ أَوْ يُخْرِجُوكَ ۚ وَيَمْكُرُونَ وَيَمْكُرُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلْمَـٰكِرِينَ
And [remember, O Muḥammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allāh plans. And Allāh is the best of planners.