۞ وَإِن جَنَحُوا۟ لِلسَّلْمِ فَٱجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ 61
Translations
And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allāh. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing.
Transliteration
Wa-in janaḥū li-s-salmi fa-jnaḥ lahā wa-tawakkal ʿalā-llāh. Innahu huwa s-samīʿ al-ʿalīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to respond positively if the enemy inclines towards peace, establishing that Muslims should accept peaceful resolution of conflicts when offered. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize this as a directive for Muslims to be proactive in seeking peace while maintaining trust in Allah's wisdom and protection. The ayah balances martial readiness with a strong preference for peaceful resolution, reflecting Islamic ethics of warfare.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period during the early Islamic conflicts with Quraysh. It contextualizes the rules of engagement for Muslims, coming after detailed instructions about warfare and spoils in Surah Al-Anfal. The broader context shows how Muslims should conduct themselves in war—with justice, restraint, and a genuine openness to peace when the enemy extends it.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895), reflecting the value placed on kindness. Additionally, the Prophet emphasized peacemaking, stating: 'Shall I not inform you of something better than fasting, prayer, and charity? Making peace between people, for enmity and hatred destroys good deeds' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4919).
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are commanded to actively pursue peace when offered by their adversaries, recognizing that true strength lies not only in military capability but in the wisdom to choose reconciliation. This teaches modern believers to overcome pride and enmity when opportunities for peaceful resolution arise, while maintaining complete reliance on Allah's guidance and protection.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا قَالُوا۟ قَدْ سَمِعْنَا لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَقُلْنَا مِثْلَ هَـٰذَآ ۙ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
And when Our verses are recited to them, they say, "We have heard. If we willed, we could say [something] like this. This is not but legends of the former peoples."
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-
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۙ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ وَأَدْبَـٰرَهُمْ وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
And if you could but see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved... They are striking their faces and their backs and [saying], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allāh. So they will spend it; then it will be for them a [source of] regret; then they will be overcome. And those who have disbelieved - unto Hell they will be gathered.