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
لِيُحِقَّ ٱلْحَقَّ وَيُبْطِلَ ٱلْبَـٰطِلَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
That He should establish the truth and abolish falsehood, even if the criminals disliked it.
ذَٰلِكُمْ فَذُوقُوهُ وَأَنَّ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
"That [is yours], so taste it." And indeed for the disbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.
وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَإِنِّى جَارٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ ٱلْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّنكُمْ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
And [remember] when Satan made their deeds pleasing to them and said, "No one can overcome you today from among the people, and indeed, I am your protector." But when the two armies sighted each other, he turned on his heels and said, "Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I see what you do not see; indeed, I fear Allāh. And Allāh is severe in penalty."
يُجَـٰدِلُونَكَ فِى ٱلْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَوْتِ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
Arguing with you concerning the truth after it had become clear, as if they were being driven toward death while they were looking on.