يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ 149
Translations
O you who have believed, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you will [then] become losers.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu in tutiu alladhina kafaru yaruddudum ala aaqabikum fataaqalibu khasirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns the believers against obeying the disbelievers, as doing so would cause them to turn back from their faith and become losers in both this world and the Hereafter. Ibn Kathir explains that this addresses the temptation believers face to compromise their principles through the influence of those who reject Allah's message, emphasizing that following the disbelievers' guidance leads to spiritual ruin and abandonment of the straight path.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within the context of Surah Ali 'Imran, which deals extensively with the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims following the Battle of Uhud. The ayah appears to address the aftermath of that battle and the internal doubts that arose among some believers, warning them against being swayed by the disbelievers' mockery or influence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The example of the one who follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah is like a tree that bears fruit, and the example of the one who does not follow them is like a tree that bears no fruit' (Sahih Bukhari). This reinforces the concept of not abandoning true guidance through following falsehood.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must guard themselves against the subtle influence of those who reject faith, as compromise with disbelief leads to spiritual regression and ultimate loss. The ayah teaches that true success lies in remaining firm upon Islamic principles rather than seeking approval from those opposed to Allah's deen.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَرُدُّوكُم بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ كَـٰفِرِينَ
O you who have believed, if you obey a party of those who were given the Scripture, they would turn you back, after your belief, [to being] unbelievers.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَىٰ كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّىٰ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ وَهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
Do you not consider, [O Muḥammad], those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They are invited to the Scripture of Allāh that it should arbitrate between them; then a party of them turns away, and they are refusing.
يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْوَدَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَكَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
On the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn black. As for those whose faces turn black, [to them it will be said], "Did you disbelieve [i.e., reject faith] after your belief? Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject."
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَٱشْتَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Allāh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear [i.e., explain it] to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.