وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَعْدَآئِكُمْ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ نَصِيرًا 45
Translations
And Allāh is most knowing of your enemies; and sufficient is Allāh as an ally, and sufficient is Allāh as a helper.
Transliteration
Wallahu a'lamu bi-a'da'ikum, wa kafa billahi waliyyan wa kafa billahi nasira
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah reassures the believers that Allah has complete knowledge of their enemies and their plots against Islam and the Muslim community. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that this verse was revealed to comfort the Muslims during the Medinan period when they faced numerous adversaries, affirming that Allah alone is sufficient as their Protector (Wali) and Helper (Nasir), emphasizing divine protection over reliance on worldly means.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of the hypocrites and enemies of Islam during the Medinan period. It follows verses discussing those who would betray the Muslims and attempt to undermine the Islamic community, providing reassurance to believers facing opposition from both external enemies and internal hypocrites.
Related Hadiths
The concept resonates with the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever trusts in Allah, Allah is sufficient for him' (Man yatawakkal ala-llahi fa-huwa hasbuhu). Additionally, Surah Al-Anfal 8:40 contains the similar phrase 'wa kafallahu' emphasizing Allah's sufficiency.
Themes
Key Lesson
In facing opposition or adversity, believers should find comfort in the certainty that Allah's knowledge encompasses all threats and that reliance upon Him as protector and helper transcends any worldly power or enemy. This ayah teaches that true security comes not from military might or material resources, but from faith in Allah's comprehensive awareness and infinite power to defend His servants.
Related Ayahs
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِۦ مُشْفِقُونَ
He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.
وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ
And Allāh will surely make evident those who believe, and He will surely make evident the hypocrites.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
Allāh - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursī extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ
Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Aware?