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
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ تَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَأَنتُمْ شُهَدَآءُ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
Say, "O People of the Scripture, why do you avert from the way of Allāh those who believe, seeking to make it [seem] deviant, while you are witnesses [to the truth]? And Allāh is not unaware of what you do."
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ وَنُوحًا وَءَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَءَالَ عِمْرَٰنَ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Indeed, Allāh chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ʿImrān over the worlds -
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah [i.e., Makkah] - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَهِدَ إِلَيْنَآ أَلَّا نُؤْمِنَ لِرَسُولٍ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَنَا بِقُرْبَانٍ تَأْكُلُهُ ٱلنَّارُ ۗ قُلْ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِى بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَبِٱلَّذِى قُلْتُمْ فَلِمَ قَتَلْتُمُوهُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[They are] those who said, "Indeed, Allāh has taken our promise not to believe any messenger until he brings us an offering which fire [from heaven] will consume." Say, "There have already come to you messengers before me with clear proofs and [even] that of which you speak. So why did you kill them, if you should be truthful?"