فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ 63
Translations
But if they turn away, then indeed - Allāh is Knowing of the corrupters.
Transliteration
Fa-in tawallaw fa-inna Allaha alimun bil-mufsideen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the call to the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) to accept the message of Islam and acknowledge the truth of the Quran. If they turn away from this invitation despite clear evidence, Allah is fully aware of those who cause corruption and spread discord. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this serves as both a warning and a reminder that rejection of truth does not escape Allah's knowledge, and that those who deliberately turn away from guidance are considered among the mufsidun (those who spread corruption).
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ali 'Imran's broader context addressing the People of the Book, particularly Christians. The immediate context (3:59-63) presents the story of Jesus ('Isa) and invites Christians to recognize the oneness of Allah and reject the concept of the Trinity. The ayah serves as a concluding warning to those who reject this clear call after understanding it.
Related Hadiths
The concept of turning away from truth and spreading corruption is reflected in the hadith: 'The best of you are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger' (Sahih Bukhari 3531). Additionally, the Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized in Muslim 196 that 'whoever hides knowledge, Allah will seal his heart,' relating to those who reject clear truth.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that deliberate rejection of clear truth and causing discord in society does not escape Allah's omniscience—He is fully aware of intentions and actions. For believers today, it serves as a reminder to remain steadfast in conveying the message clearly while trusting that Allah will ultimately deal justly with those who reject it, and to avoid being among those who corrupt the truth.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e., Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ وَقُودُ ٱلنَّارِ
Indeed, those who disbelieve - never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allāh at all. And it is they who are fuel for the Fire.
شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Allāh witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
قُلْ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Say, "Obey Allāh and the Messenger. But if you turn away - then indeed, Allāh does not like the disbelievers."