وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُوا۟ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءً ۖ فَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَخُذُوهُمْ وَٱقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا 89
Translations
They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allāh. But if they turn away [i.e., refuse], then seize them and kill them [for their betrayal] wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper,
Transliteration
Waddu law takfuroon kama kafaroo fatakoonoon sawa'aa, fa la tattakhidhu minhum awliya'a hatta yuhajiroo fee sabilillaah, fa in tawallaw fa khuduhum wa qtuloohum haythu wajadtumoohum, wa la tattakhidhu minhum waliyyan wa la nasira.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the situation of those who outwardly profess Islam while harboring disbelief, wishing the believers would abandon their faith so all would be equal. The verse prohibits Muslims from taking such hypocrites as allies (awliya') unless they migrate in the way of Allah, demonstrating sincere commitment. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the command to fight those who turn away (if they wage war against believers) is contextualized within the framework of self-defense and those actively hostile to Islam, not a blanket command but rather a conditional ruling for those who oppose Allah's deen after clear guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the Medinan period when the Muslim community faced significant threat from hypocrites (munafiqun) and those with weak faith who wished to undermine the Islamic message. The broader context of Surah An-Nisa addresses the status of women, inheritance, and social relationships, but this particular verse deals with the critical issue of loyalty and allegiance within the Muslim community during a time of internal and external conflict.
Related Hadiths
The principle of walayah (loyalty/alliance) is reinforced in numerous ahadith, such as the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: 'The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.' This reflects the importance of righteous conduct and proper allegiances. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the believer being a mirror to another believer underscores the necessity of sincere faith among those in alliance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must prioritize their faith and values over expedient alliances with those who undermine Islamic principles, and sincere commitment to Allah's path is demonstrated through concrete actions and migration away from spiritual corruption. The verse reminds believers that true unity comes from shared conviction in Allah's message, not merely nominal association with those whose hearts remain distant from the faith.