وَلَا تَرْكَنُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ 113
Translations
And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allāh any protectors; then you would not be helped.
Transliteration
Wa laa tarkanu ilaa alladhina dhalamuu fatamasssakum an-naaru wa maa lakum min duni Allahi min awliyaa'a thumma laa tunsarun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah forbids believers from inclining toward or allying with those who commit injustice and oppression, warning that such association leads to punishment in the Fire. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the Arabic word 'tarkanu' (تركنوا) specifically means to lean upon, rely upon, or incline toward, indicating even a subtle compromise with wrongdoers is prohibited. The ayah emphasizes that there is no protector or helper besides Allah, and those who associate with the unjust will find themselves without support on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Hud, a Meccan surah that emphasizes monotheism and warns against idolatry and injustice. The broader context addresses the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between believers and those engaged in wrongdoing, particularly relevant to the early Muslim community's social and spiritual separation from pagan Meccan society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever loves for the sake of Allah and hates for the sake of Allah, and gives for the sake of Allah and withholds for the sake of Allah, has perfected his faith' (Sunan Abu Dawud). Additionally, 'A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let each of you be careful about who your close friend is' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must maintain vigilant moral boundaries and avoid leaning toward or supporting those who commit injustice, regardless of social pressure or personal benefit, understanding that true protection comes only from Allah. This teaches that spiritual integrity sometimes requires difficult social choices and complete reliance on divine support rather than worldly alliances.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ
And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنِّى لَكُمْ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And We had certainly sent Noah to his people, [saying], "Indeed, I am to you a clear warner
بَقِيَّتُ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ۚ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ عَلَيْكُم بِحَفِيظٍ
What remains [lawful] from Allāh is best for you, if you would be believers. But I am not a guardian over you."
أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ وَمِن قَبْلِهِۦ كِتَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۚ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ فَٱلنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُۥ ۚ فَلَا تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
So is one who [stands] upon a clear evidence from his Lord [like the aforementioned]? And a witness from Him follows it, and before it was the Scripture of Moses to lead and as mercy. Those [believers in the former revelations] believe in it [i.e., the Qur’ān]. But whoever disbelieves in it from the [various] factions - the Fire is his promised destination. So be not in doubt about it. Indeed, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the people do not believe.