وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ ۚ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 10
Translations
And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh," but when one [of them] is harmed for [the cause of] Allāh, he considers the trial [i.e., harm] of the people as [if it were] the punishment of Allāh. But if victory comes from your Lord, they say, "Indeed, We were with you." Is not Allāh most knowing of what is within the breasts of the worlds [i.e., all creatures]?
Transliteration
Wa mina an-nasi man yaqolu amanna billahi fa-idha uthiya fi-illahi jaa'ala fitnata an-nasi ka-adhabi-illahi wa la-in jaa'a nasrun min rabbika layaqulunna inna kunna ma'akum. Awa laysa-illahu bi-a'lama bima fi suduri al-'alameena?
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes hypocrites who claim to believe in Allah but abandon their faith when faced with persecution and social pressure, equating the harm of people's ridicule with Allah's punishment. Ibn Kathir explains that such individuals lack true conviction and are willing to deny their faith for worldly comfort, only returning to claim association with the believers if victory comes. The concluding rhetorical question emphasizes that Allah is fully aware of what lies in the hearts of all creation, exposing the hypocrisy that cannot be hidden from Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-'Ankabut, a Meccan chapter revealed during a period of intense persecution of Muslims in Makkah. The surah addresses the weakness of those whose faith wavers under pressure and uses the metaphor of the spider's web to illustrate the fragility of false beliefs. This particular verse targets the hypocrites (munafiqun) who publicly professed Islam but lacked the courage to endure the social consequences of their faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The strongest of you in faith is the one who is most patient when angry, and the one who forgives.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) Also relevant is the hadith: 'A believer's shade on the Day of Judgment will be his charity.' (Sahih Bukhari 1423), emphasizing steadfastness over comfort.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith requires unwavering commitment even when facing social ridicule or hardship, not merely convenient profession of belief; Allah's perfect knowledge of our inner intentions means we cannot deceive Him, so sincere faith must come from the heart rather than the tongue.