وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلْ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا 107
Translations
And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Indeed, Allāh loves not one who is a habitually sinful deceiver.
Transliteration
Wa lā tuجādil `anil-ladhīna yakhta`ūna anfusahum; inna -llāha lā yuḥibbu man kāna khawwānan athīmā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah forbids the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from defending or arguing on behalf of those who betray themselves through embezzlement, theft, or other treacherous acts. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this specifically refers to those who misappropriate wealth or commit dishonest deeds, as Allah explicitly states He does not love the treacherous (khawwān) and sinful (athīm). The prohibition extends to all believers not to defend wrongdoers or intercede for those who knowingly commit acts of betrayal against their own souls.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah An-Nisa, which addresses social conduct, justice, and financial dealings. The broader context of Surah An-Nisa discusses trusts, orphans' wealth, and proper conduct in transactions. Some classical scholars suggest this may relate to instances where the Prophet was asked to intercede for individuals accused of dishonesty, instructing him not to do so.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (2468): The Prophet said, 'Whoever is dishonest in measuring or weighing, let him know that Allah will not bless him.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah relates that the Prophet said, 'The trustworthy merchant will be with the prophets on the Day of Judgment,' highlighting the importance of honesty in contrast to betrayal.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must not defend or advocate for those who commit acts of dishonesty or betrayal, as such actions harm one's own soul and displease Allah. This ayah teaches that integrity in financial and social matters is paramount, and that true loyalty to Islam means refusing to compromise on justice even for those close to us.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allāh and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allāh and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.
وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.
إِن يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ إِنَـٰثًا وَإِن يَدْعُونَ إِلَّا شَيْطَـٰنًا مَّرِيدًا
They call upon instead of Him none but female [deities], and they [actually] call upon none but a rebellious Satan,
وَٱلَّـٰتِى يَأْتِينَ ٱلْفَـٰحِشَةَ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ فَٱسْتَشْهِدُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن شَهِدُوا۟ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْبُيُوتِ حَتَّىٰ يَتَوَفَّىٰهُنَّ ٱلْمَوْتُ أَوْ يَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُنَّ سَبِيلًا
Those who commit immorality [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] of your women - bring against them four [witnesses] from among you. And if they testify, confine them [i.e., the guilty women] to houses until death takes them or Allāh ordains for them [another] way.