يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَـٰنًا مُّبِينًا 144
Translations
O you who have believed, do not take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do you wish to give Allāh against yourselves a clear case?
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la tattakhidhu alkafirin awliya min duni almu'minin. Aturiduna an tajalu lillahi alaikum sultanan mubinan?
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits believers from taking disbelievers as intimate allies (awliya) in preference to other believers, emphasizing loyalty within the faith community. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as warning against forming close bonds with those outside Islam that would compromise religious principles, with the rhetorical question emphasizing that such conduct would grant the disbelievers clear authority and power over the believers' affairs.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during a period when the Muslim community faced external pressures and internal tensions. The broader context of Surah An-Nisa addresses social relationships and community cohesion; this particular ayah responds to instances where some Muslims were maintaining strong ties with non-Muslim relatives and allies at the expense of communal solidarity, particularly regarding matters of faith and security.
Related Hadiths
The principle is reinforced in a hadith reported in Sunan Ibn Majah where the Prophet ﷺ stated that a person follows the religion of their close friend, advising careful selection of companions. Additionally, Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:1 contains a related verse addressing the same theme of choosing allies wisely.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are called to prioritize their bonds with fellow believers while maintaining respectful relations with others, understanding that deep loyalty and trust should be reserved for those who share core religious values. This teaches discernment in friendships and the importance of community ties rooted in shared faith.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ خُذُوا۟ حِذْرَكُمْ فَٱنفِرُوا۟ ثُبَاتٍ أَوِ ٱنفِرُوا۟ جَمِيعًا
O you who have believed, take your precaution and [either] go forth in companies or go forth all together.
إِلَّا ٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا
Except for the oppressed among men, women, and children who cannot devise a plan nor are they directed to a way -
وَإِذًا لَّـَٔاتَيْنَـٰهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّآ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
And then We would have given them from Us a great reward.
لَّـٰكِنِ ٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ وَٱلْمُقِيمِينَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ وَٱلْمُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
But those firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what was revealed before you. And the establishers of prayer [especially] and the givers of zakāh and the believers in Allāh and the Last Day - those We will give a great reward.