إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمًا 105
Translations
Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allāh has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate.
Transliteration
Inna anzalna ilayka al-kitaba bil-haqq litahkuma bayna an-nasi bima araaka Allah. Wa la takun lil-khainina khaseema.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad with truth as its foundation, empowering him to judge between people according to what Allah has shown him through divine revelation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse grants the Prophet judicial authority based on divine guidance, while simultaneously warning him not to become an advocate (helper/defender) for those who commit treachery or betrayal. Al-Qurtubi notes that the prohibition against supporting the unfaithful reflects the principle that justice must never be compromised for personal relationships or loyalties.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period when the Prophet had established himself as judge and arbiter among the Muslim community and the various tribes of Medina. The specific context relates to disputes that arose among the people, and this verse clarifies that the Prophet's judicial decisions must be grounded in the Qur'an and divine wisdom, not in human bias or favoritism toward those guilty of treachery.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When the judge strives to make a judgment and is correct, he receives two rewards, and when he strives but errs, he receives one reward.' (Sahih Bukhari 7188). Related to justice: 'The most beloved of people to Allah on the Day of Resurrection and the nearest to Him will be a just ruler' (Tirmidhi 1329).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true justice must be founded on divine guidance rather than personal interest, and that integrity demands we never compromise our principles by supporting wrongdoers, regardless of relationship or proximity. For modern contexts, it teaches that leadership and decision-making should always prioritize truth and fairness over loyalty to individuals engaged in dishonest conduct.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذًا لَّـَٔاتَيْنَـٰهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّآ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
And then We would have given them from Us a great reward.
لَّيْسَ بِأَمَانِيِّكُمْ وَلَآ أَمَانِىِّ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۗ مَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا يُجْزَ بِهِۦ وَلَا يَجِدْ لَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
It [i.e., Paradise] is not [obtained] by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture. Whoever does a wrong will be recompensed for it, and he will not find besides Allāh a protector or a helper.
مُّذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ لَآ إِلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَلَآ إِلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ سَبِيلًا
Wavering between them, [belonging] neither to these [i.e., the believers] nor to those [i.e., the disbelievers]. And whoever Allāh sends astray - never will you find for him a way.
أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَىٰ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۖ فَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَآ ءَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُم مُّلْكًا عَظِيمًا
Or do they envy people for what Allāh has given them of His bounty? But We had already given the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom.