وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ 73
Translations
And those who disbelieved are allies of one another. If you do not do so [i.e., ally yourselves with other believers], there will be fitnah [i.e., disbelief and oppression] on earth and great corruption.
Transliteration
Wa alladhīna kafarū ba'duhum awliyā'u ba'din illā taf'alūhu takun fitnatun fil-ardi wa fasādun kabīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that disbelievers support and ally with one another, and warns the believers that if they fail to maintain strong unity and mutual support among themselves, widespread corruption and trials will afflict the earth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a call for believers to establish firm bonds of brotherhood and solidarity, recognizing that the disbelievers' collective strength lies in their mutual cooperation, and believers must similarly strengthen their communal ties to protect their faith and society.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the Medinan period during the early Islamic state's formative years, this ayah comes within the context of Surah Al-Anfal which discusses the Battle of Badr and the principles of warfare and community cohesion. It emphasizes the necessity of Muslim unity as a counterbalance to the coordinated opposition from disbelieving factions who stood united against the nascent Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever' (Sahih Muslim 2586). Additionally, the Quran states 'Indeed, those who have believed and emigrated and striven with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided - they are allies of one another' (8:72), emphasizing reciprocal support.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are reminded that their strength lies in genuine brotherhood and collective cooperation, and that neglecting communal bonds leads to societal breakdown and moral corruption. In modern times, this teaches that maintaining unity through shared values, mutual support, and organized community action is essential for both spiritual preservation and social stability.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَإِنِّى جَارٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ ٱلْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّنكُمْ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
And [remember] when Satan made their deeds pleasing to them and said, "No one can overcome you today from among the people, and indeed, I am your protector." But when the two armies sighted each other, he turned on his heels and said, "Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I see what you do not see; indeed, I fear Allāh. And Allāh is severe in penalty."
وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِم بَطَرًا وَرِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ
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.
ذَٰلِكُمْ فَذُوقُوهُ وَأَنَّ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
"That [is yours], so taste it." And indeed for the disbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
O you who have believed, respond to Allāh and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allāh intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.