وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَابَهُمُ ٱلْبَغْىُ هُمْ يَنتَصِرُونَ 39
Translations
And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they retaliate [in a just manner].
Transliteration
Wa-alladhīna idhā asābahumu al-baghyu hum yantasirūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the believers who, when wronged or oppressed (al-baghyu), defend themselves and seek justice. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain this as permitting self-defense and standing against injustice, while the subsequent ayah (42:40) establishes the virtue of forgiveness. The passage affirms that Muslims are not commanded to be passive victims but may rightfully resist oppression while maintaining moral boundaries.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shuraa, revealed in Mecca during the period when Muslims faced persecution from the Quraysh. The surah emphasizes qualities of the believers, and this particular verse addresses the balance between patience and justified resistance—a relevant message for a persecuted community while establishing legal and ethical parameters for self-defense.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Help your brother whether he is oppressed or an oppressor' (Sahih Bukhari), which frames both defense and justice-seeking within Islamic ethics.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims are permitted and even encouraged to defend themselves against wrongdoing rather than accept oppression passively, yet this right is balanced with the higher virtue of forgiveness emphasized in the next verse—teaching that strength coupled with mercy is the mark of true believers.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُحَآجُّونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ٱسْتُجِيبَ لَهُۥ حُجَّتُهُمْ دَاحِضَةٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ
And those who argue concerning Allāh after He has been responded to - their argument is invalid with their Lord, and upon them is [His] wrath, and for them is a severe punishment.
كَذَٰلِكَ يُوحِىٓ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Thus has He revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and to those before you - Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
عٓسٓقٓ
ʿAyn, Seen, Qāf.
فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا۟ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا ۖ إِنْ عَلَيْكَ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَإِنَّآ إِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً فَرِحَ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَإِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ كَفُورٌ
But if they turn away - then We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], over them as a guardian; upon you is only [the duty of] notification. And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it; but if evil afflicts him for what his hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful.