وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِم بَطَرًا وَرِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ 47
Translations
And do not be like those who came forth from their homes insolently and to be seen by people and avert [them] from the way of Allāh. And Allāh is encompassing of what they do.
Transliteration
Wa lā takūnū ka-alladhīna kharajū min diyārihim bataran wa ri'āa an-nās wa yaṣiddūn ʿan sabīl Allāh; wa-Allāh bimā yaʿmalūn muhīṭ
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns believers not to resemble those who left their homes out of arrogance (batara), ostentation before people, and to turn others away from Allah's path. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a warning against embarking on military expeditions with improper intentions—pride, showing off, and hindering others from Islam—rather than sincere devotion to Allah's cause. Allah emphasizes that He is fully aware of all their deeds and will hold them accountable.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period during Surah Al-Anfal, which deals with the Battle of Badr and its lessons. The broader context addresses the proper conduct for Muslims engaged in jihad, warning against the spiritual corruption of arrogance and worldly motives. This contrasts with the believers who fought at Badr with sincere hearts.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever fights so that Allah's Word is exalted, fights in Allah's cause.' This emphasizes that intention (niyyah) must be purely for Allah's sake, not for worldly gain or reputation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that the purity of intention is fundamental to any righteous deed—even physical struggle is worthless if motivated by pride or showing off before others. Muslims must continually examine their hearts to ensure their actions are solely for Allah's pleasure, not for worldly recognition or personal aggrandizement.