وَمَا نَقَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَمِيدِ 8
Translations
And they resented them not except because they believed in Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy,
Transliteration
Wa mā naqamū minhumm illā an yu'minū billāhi al-'Azīzi al-Hamīd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that the persecutors of the believers had no legitimate grievance against them except their faith in Allah, the Mighty and the Praiseworthy. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that the disbelievers' hatred stemmed purely from religious conviction—the believers' submission to Allah—rather than from any immoral conduct or wrongdoing. This ayah underscores the fundamental cause of persecution: the monotheistic faith itself, which directly contradicts the polytheistic systems the oppressors upheld.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Buruj, which narrates the story of the People of the Ditch (Ashāb al-Akhdaq)—the followers of the young believer who were burned alive for their faith. The broader Meccan context addresses the persecution of early Muslims in Mecca, establishing that believers will face opposition for their faith alone, not for any societal harm.
Related Hadiths
The persecution of believers for their faith is referenced in Sahih Muslim (2800) where the Prophet ﷺ mentioned the trials faced by previous nations. Additionally, Surah Al-Buruj 85:10 connects directly to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari (4770) regarding the People of the Ditch and their steadfastness in faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should understand that opposition to faith is often rooted in hatred of the truth itself rather than legitimate grievances about conduct, and this recognition strengthens resolve to persist in worship of Allah. The names of Allah—Al-Aziz (The Mighty) and Al-Hamid (The Praiseworthy)—remind us that our faith rests on the power and perfection of the Divine, making persecution ultimately insignificant in light of eternal divine majesty.