يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ قَوْمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ قَدْ يَئِسُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ كَمَا يَئِسَ ٱلْكُفَّارُ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْقُبُورِ 13
Translations
O you who have believed, do not make allies of a people with whom Allāh has become angry. They have despaired of [reward in] the Hereafter just as the disbelievers have despaired of [meeting] the companions [i.e., inhabitants] of the graves.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la tatawallau qawman ghadiba Allahu alayhim qad yaisu mina al-akhirah kama yaisa al-kuffaru min ashabi al-qubur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits believers from allying with or showing loyalty to those upon whom Allah's wrath has descended—specifically those who have lost all hope in the Hereafter, similar to how disbelievers despair of the resurrection of the dead. Ibn Kathir explains that this refers to those who deny the Hereafter and live in complete hopelessness regarding the afterlife, and therefore believers must distance themselves from such associations. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this is a categorical prohibition against forming close alliances with those who reject fundamental Islamic beliefs, as such relationships could lead believers astray.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mumtahanah was revealed in Medina during a period of complex relations between Muslims and non-Muslims. This ayah appears in the context of guidelines for Muslim conduct toward non-believers, following earlier verses about testing believing women who emigrate (60:10). The surah addresses the delicate balance of maintaining Islamic identity while navigating coexistence with those of different faiths.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith. The perfume seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might purchase some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance, whereas the blacksmith might burn your clothes or at least you might smell a bad odor from him.' (Sahih Bukhari 5534). Also related: 'A man follows the religion of his friend; so let each one of you be careful with whom he makes friends.' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4833)
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must be intentional about their relationships and social circles, avoiding close alliances with those whose fundamental rejection of the Hereafter and divine accountability could undermine Islamic faith. This teaches that spiritual companionship matters deeply—choosing righteous companions who believe in accountability to Allah is essential for maintaining one's own faith and moral trajectory.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن فَاتَكُمْ شَىْءٌ مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكُفَّارِ فَعَاقَبْتُمْ فَـَٔاتُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ذَهَبَتْ أَزْوَٰجُهُم مِّثْلَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ
And if you have lost any of your wives to the disbelievers and you subsequently obtain [something], then give those whose wives have gone the equivalent of what they had spent. And fear Allāh, in whom you are believers.
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Our Lord, make us not [objects of] torment for the disbelievers and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ
Allāh does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allāh loves those who act justly.
إِن يَثْقَفُوكُمْ يَكُونُوا۟ لَكُمْ أَعْدَآءً وَيَبْسُطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَلْسِنَتَهُم بِٱلسُّوٓءِ وَوَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ
If they gain dominance over you, they would be [i.e., behave] to you as enemies and extend against you their hands and their tongues with evil, and they wish you would disbelieve.