يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ 119
Translations
O you who have believed, fear Allāh and be with those who are true.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ittaqu Allaha wa kunu ma'a al-sadiqin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to fear Allah (taqwa) and to keep company with the truthful ones (al-sadiqin). Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain that 'al-sadiqin' refers to those who are truthful in their words, deeds, and commitment to Allah's religion, emphasizing that taqwa is the foundation that enables one to associate with and follow the righteous. The ayah establishes a direct link between God-consciousness and righteous companionship, suggesting that piety naturally leads one toward those of integrity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah At-Tawbah, revealed during the Medinan period, particularly addressing the community during the campaigns of Tabuk and after. The broader context of Surah At-Tawbah deals with repentance, purification of the believers, and distinguishing the sincere faithful from the hypocrites (munafiqun), making this verse a timely exhortation for the Muslim community to align itself with truthful believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'A man follows the religion of his best friend, so let each of you consider whom he befriends' (Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith—the perfume seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance; whereas the blacksmith might burn your clothes or at least you might smell a bad smell from him' (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that developing taqwa strengthens one's ability to discern and seek righteous companionship, while surrounding oneself with truthful believers reinforces one's own commitment to faith and morality. For modern Muslims, this underscores the critical importance of choosing friends and mentors wisely, as our social circles profoundly influence our spiritual journey and character development.