يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ عَدُوًّا لَّكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَعْفُوا۟ وَتَصْفَحُوا۟ وَتَغْفِرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 14
Translations
O you who have believed, indeed, among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu inna min azwajikum wa awladikum aduwan lakum faihtharuhum wa in ta'fu wa tasfahu wa taghfiru fa inna allaha ghafurun rahimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns believers that some spouses and children may become obstacles to faith and obedience to Allah, either through active hostility or by diverting one's focus from religious obligations. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this refers to those family members who oppose Islam or hinder believers from practicing their faith. However, the ayah concludes with divine encouragement toward mercy and forgiveness, emphasizing that believers should exercise caution without abandoning compassion, trusting in Allah's mercy to guide both themselves and their loved ones.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Taghabun is a Medinan surah addressing the believing community during a period when some converts faced family opposition and persecution. This ayah occurs within the broader context of testing and trial, where the surah emphasizes the reality that worldly attachments—including family ties—may sometimes conflict with religious commitment. The ayah reflects historical situations where new Muslim converts faced resistance from disbelieving family members.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (5186): 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,' emphasizing the balance between caution and maintaining familial kindness. Also relevant: Tirmidhi (3895) regarding patience with family members who oppose faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to prioritize their religious commitment while maintaining wisdom and mercy toward family members, recognizing that vigilance against negative influences need not mean harshness or abandonment of familial bonds. It reminds us that Allah's guidance and mercy extend to all, and that patience combined with good character may ultimately benefit those closest to us.
Related Ayahs
وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
And obey Allāh and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon Our Messenger is only [the duty of] clear notification.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
But the ones who disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of the Fire, abiding eternally therein; and wretched is the destination.
مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
No disaster strikes except by permission of Allāh. And whoever believes in Allāh - He will guide his heart. And Allāh is Knowing of all things.
يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْجَمْعِ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ ٱلتَّغَابُنِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَـٰلِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allāh and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.