وَإِن يُرِيدُوا۟ خِيَانَتَكَ فَقَدْ خَانُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن قَبْلُ فَأَمْكَنَ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ 71
Translations
But if they intend to betray you - then they have already betrayed Allāh before, and He empowered [you] over them. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
Transliteration
Wa in yurīdū khiyānātaka faqad khānū allāha min qablu fa-amkana minhum wa-allāhu 'alīmun hakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the believers regarding those who may attempt treachery, assuring them that such betrayal is not new to Allah—these people have already betrayed Allah before, and He has empowered the believers over them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this verse was revealed in the context of prisoners of war from Quraysh after the Battle of Badr, particularly addressing the potential unreliability of such captives. The verse emphasizes that Allah's knowledge and wisdom encompass all deception, and His justice ensures that those who betray Him will ultimately be subdued by those who trust in Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the rulings regarding prisoners of war in Surah Al-Anfal, revealed after the Battle of Badr (2 AH). The specific context relates to the treatment and reliability of Meccan captives, with scholars noting it may directly address concerns about former polytheists who had accepted Islam but whose sincerity was questionable, or more broadly, instructions for dealing with those prone to betrayal.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this verse, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain numerous hadiths about the Battle of Badr and the treatment of prisoners. The principle of divine justice over traitors is reinforced in hadiths about those who broke covenants with the Prophet, such as the narrations regarding Banu Qurayẓah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not fear the treachery of those who oppose Allah's cause, as such betrayal does not escape Allah's knowledge and wisdom—He has already subdued such people and will continue to empower the faithful. This teaches reliance on Allah rather than anxiety over human deception, and the certainty that justice ultimately prevails.