يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ خُذُوا۟ حِذْرَكُمْ فَٱنفِرُوا۟ ثُبَاتٍ أَوِ ٱنفِرُوا۟ جَمِيعًا 71
Translations
O you who have believed, take your precaution and [either] go forth in companies or go forth all together.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu khudhu hidhrakum fa-infiru thubaatin awi infiru jami'an
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to take precaution and vigilance in matters of faith and military expeditions, instructing them to mobilize either in organized groups (thubaatin - in detachments) or all together as one force. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse teaches believers to be prepared and strategic in defending Islam, combining both careful planning with decisive action. The instruction reflects wisdom in military matters while maintaining the principle that defense of the faith is a collective responsibility.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during the period when the Muslim community faced military threats and was developing defensive strategies against their adversaries. This verse is part of a broader section in Surah An-Nisa addressing the conduct of believers in times of conflict and struggle, reflecting the historical context of the early Muslim state's need to organize and defend itself.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi) - relating to the protective duty. Also relevant: 'Whoever dies without having fought or intended to fight has died with a branch of hypocrisy' (Muslim) - emphasizing the importance of readiness and commitment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers the importance of being prepared and strategic in protecting their faith and community while maintaining unity—whether through coordinated group efforts or unified collective action, success comes through careful planning combined with decisive commitment to shared values.
Related Ayahs
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.
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.
وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَهُمُ ٱلطُّورَ بِمِيثَـٰقِهِمْ وَقُلْنَا لَهُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًا وَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ لَا تَعْدُوا۟ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظًا
And We raised over them the mount for [refusal of] their covenant; and We said to them, "Enter the gate bowing humbly"; and We said to them, "Do not transgress on the sabbath"; and We took from them a solemn covenant.
وَلَهَدَيْنَـٰهُمْ صِرَٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا
And We would have guided them to a straight path.