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
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ كِتَـٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِى ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allāh does not fail in His promise."
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَيَعْلَمَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allāh has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His cause and made evident those who are steadfast?
۞ 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 -