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
سَنُلْقِى فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلرُّعْبَ بِمَآ أَشْرَكُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا ۖ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۚ وَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve for what they have associated with Allāh of which He had not sent down [any] authority. And their refuge will be the Fire, and wretched is the residence of the wrongdoers.
وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
And obey Allāh and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.
وَلَئِن قُتِلْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ مُتُّمْ لَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَحْمَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
And if you are killed in the cause of Allāh or die - then forgiveness from Allāh and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate [in this world].
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا۟ مِنكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ إِنَّمَا ٱسْتَزَلَّهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
Indeed, those of you who turned back on the day the two armies met [at Uḥud] - it was Satan who caused them to slip because of some [blame] they had earned. But Allāh has already forgiven them. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Forbearing.