ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَآقُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ ۚ وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ 13
Translations
That is because they opposed Allāh and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allāh and His Messenger - indeed, Allāh is severe in penalty.
Transliteration
Dhaalika bi-annahum shaaqqu-Allaha wa rasoolahu wa man yushaaqq-Allaha wa rasoolahu fa-inna Allaha shadeedu-al-iqaab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that the punishment of those who fought against the believers at Badr was a consequence of their opposition (shiqaq) to Allah and His Messenger. Ibn Kathir explains that 'shaqq' means to oppose and rebel against Allah's command and the guidance brought by the Prophet. The ayah emphasizes that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger will face severe punishment, establishing the principle that enmity toward divine guidance brings divine retribution.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah Al-Anfal, which discusses the Battle of Badr (2 AH). It specifically addresses the Meccan pagans who fought against the Muslims and were defeated. The surah provides guidance on the rules of warfare, treatment of captives, and distribution of spoils, while this particular ayah underscores the spiritual reality that their defeat was due to their rejection of Allah's message.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari records that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,' which relates to the opposite of shiqaq (discord). Additionally, Muslim records the hadith about those who split from the community: 'Whoever leaves the Jama'ah (community) by a hand span has removed the rope of Islam from his neck.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true opposition to divine guidance—not mere disagreement but active rebellion—carries severe consequences, reminding believers that accepting Allah's message and the Prophet's leadership is essential for spiritual success. For modern Muslims, it emphasizes the importance of unity with Islamic principles and avoiding divisions that separate one from the community and its righteous guidance.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن يُرِيدُوا۟ خِيَانَتَكَ فَقَدْ خَانُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن قَبْلُ فَأَمْكَنَ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
But if they intend to betray you - then they have already betrayed Allāh before, and He empowered [you] over them. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلَّا يُعَذِّبَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَمَا كَانُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآءَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنْ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
But why should Allāh not punish them while they obstruct [people] from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām and they were not [fit to be] its guardians? Its [true] guardians are not but the righteous, but most of them do not know.
وَمَن يُوَلِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَهُۥٓ إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِّقِتَالٍ أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزًا إِلَىٰ فِئَةٍ فَقَدْ بَآءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
And whoever turns his back to them on such a day, unless swerving [as a strategy] for war or joining [another] company, has certainly returned with anger [upon him] from Allāh, and his refuge is Hell - and wretched is the destination.
ذَٰلِكُمْ فَذُوقُوهُ وَأَنَّ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
"That [is yours], so taste it." And indeed for the disbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.