كَمَآ أَخْرَجَكَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَيْتِكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَكَـٰرِهُونَ 5
Translations
[It is] just as when your Lord brought you out of your home [for the battle of Badr] in truth, while indeed, a party among the believers were unwilling,
Transliteration
Kamā akhrajaka rabbuka min baytika bil-haqq wa-inna farīqan minal-mu'minīna lakārihūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Prophet Muhammad's departure from Mecca to Medina (the Hijrah), commanded by Allah with truth and righteousness, even though a group of believers were reluctant or hesitant about this migration. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that despite the divine command being clear and just, some believers questioned or delayed their participation in this momentous journey, reflecting the human tendency to resist change even when divinely ordained.
Revelation Context
This ayah is situated in the context of Surah Al-Anfal, revealed in Medina regarding the Battle of Badr (2 AH). The ayah specifically alludes to the Hijrah of the Prophet and believers from Mecca to Medina, drawing a parallel between Allah's previous act of extracting the Prophet from his homeland with truth and the division among believers regarding the spoils of war discussed in the surah.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates that when the Prophet announced the Hijrah, 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab asked permission to migrate, and the Prophet granted it. Additionally, Muslim reports that some companions were initially reluctant about certain military expeditions, paralleling the hesitation mentioned in this ayah regarding the migration itself.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even divinely ordained decisions may face human resistance and doubt; believers must trust in Allah's wisdom and timing, understanding that His commands are based on truth and ultimate benefit, regardless of immediate discomfort or reluctance.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ يُرِيكُمُوهُمْ إِذِ ٱلْتَقَيْتُمْ فِىٓ أَعْيُنِكُمْ قَلِيلًا وَيُقَلِّلُكُمْ فِىٓ أَعْيُنِهِمْ لِيَقْضِىَ ٱللَّهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُولًا ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ
And [remember] when He showed them to you, when you met, as few in your eyes, and He made you [appear] as few in their eyes so that Allāh might accomplish a matter already destined. And to Allāh are [all] matters returned.
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
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-
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ
O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [in battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight].