لَا يَغُرَّنَّكَ تَقَلُّبُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْبِلَـٰدِ 196
Translations
Be not deceived by the [uninhibited] movement of the disbelievers throughout the land.
Transliteration
Lā yaghuurrannaka taqallubu alladhīna kafarū fī al-bilād
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns the believers not to be deceived by the apparent prosperity and movement (worldly advancement) of the disbelievers in the lands. Ibn Kathir explains that the transient worldly success of the kafirūn should not create false hope or admiration in the hearts of believers, as this prosperity is temporary and will not save them from Allah's punishment. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the ayah cautions against judging the truth of faith based on material circumstances, a common source of fitnah (trial) for believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's broader discussion of the Battle of Uhud and its aftermath, where Muslims had suffered a military defeat. The revelation serves to console the believers and redirect their focus from worldly outcomes to spiritual steadfastness, reminding them not to lose faith despite the apparent advantage of their enemies.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever' (Sahih Muslim 2956). Additionally, 'Do not be deceived by the length of their lives and the abundance of their wealth' reflects the spirit of this warning found in various prophetic traditions.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not measure the validity of their faith or the righteousness of their path by material success or the prosperity of those who reject Allah's message. True success lies in obedience to Allah and spiritual conviction, regardless of temporary worldly circumstances.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا۟ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍ ۖ وَغَرَّهُمْ فِى دِينِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ
That is because they say, "Never will the Fire touch us except for [a few] numbered days," and [because] they were deluded in their religion by what they were inventing.
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ
Those to whom people [i.e., hypocrites] said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allāh, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
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."