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
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers.
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And [remember] when you, [O Muḥammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle [of Uḥud] - and Allāh is Hearing and Knowing -
وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
And whoever desires other than Islām as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ
Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die among the righteous.