۞ ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ عَاقَبَ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبَ بِهِۦ ثُمَّ بُغِىَ عَلَيْهِ لَيَنصُرَنَّهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ 60
Translations
That [is so]. And whoever responds [to injustice] with the equivalent of that with which he was harmed and then is tyrannized - Allāh will surely aid him. Indeed, Allāh is Pardoning and Forgiving.
Transliteration
Dhaalika wa man 'aqaba bimithli maa 'uqiba bihi thumma bughi 'alayhi layansurannahu Allah. Inna Allaha la'afuwwun ghafur.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the right of retaliation (qisas) in Islam: whoever is wronged and retaliates with an equal punishment, then continues to be oppressed, Allah will surely help and support them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the verse establishes that self-defense and proportionate retaliation are permissible, and those who exercise this right justly while remaining oppressed will receive divine aid. The conclusion emphasizing Allah's pardon and forgiveness suggests that even in matters of justice, believers should ultimately be merciful and leave final judgment to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hajj's discussion of permissions granted to Muslims to fight (ayat 39-40). It was revealed in Medina during the period when Muslims were being persecuted and the right to self-defense was established. The broader surah addresses themes of religious obligation, struggle against oppression, and divine permission for believers to defend themselves.
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' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), relating to the virtue of restraint. Also relevant is the hadith on retaliation: 'Whoever is wronged should seek justice, but let him not transgress bounds' (related in various collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that defending oneself against oppression is not only permitted but will bring divine support, while simultaneously reminding them that true strength lies in combining justice with mercy and forgiveness. Muslims should stand firmly against injustice while maintaining moral character and ultimately placing their trust in Allah's judgment.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن جَـٰدَلُوكَ فَقُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
And if they dispute with you, then say, "Allāh is most knowing of what you do.
يَوْمَ تَرَوْنَهَا تَذْهَلُ كُلُّ مُرْضِعَةٍ عَمَّآ أَرْضَعَتْ وَتَضَعُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمْلٍ حَمْلَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلنَّاسَ سُكَـٰرَىٰ وَمَا هُم بِسُكَـٰرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِنَّ عَذَابَ ٱللَّهِ شَدِيدٌ
On the Day you see it every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allāh is severe.
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدَٰفِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ
Indeed, Allāh defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allāh does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful.
أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَـٰتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوا۟ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allāh is competent to give them victory.