يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ 15
Translations
O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [in battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight].
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu idha laqitumu alladhina kafaru zahfan fala tuwalluuhum al-adbara
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers not to flee from the disbelievers when they encounter them in battle formation (zahf). According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this is a prohibition against turning one's back to the enemy in retreat, which was considered a grave sin and a sign of cowardice during defensive warfare. The command emphasizes the necessity of courage and steadfastness in righteous combat, establishing that Muslims must not abandon their positions or comrades when facing the enemy.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah Al-Anfal, which discusses the Battle of Badr (2 AH) and the principles of warfare in Islam. The specific context relates to the Islamic prohibition against fleeing from battle without legitimate cause, reinforcing the obligation of steadfastness when Muslims are defending their faith and community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Fleeing from the battlefield is one of the grave sins' (Sahih Bukhari 2816). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim 1742, it is narrated that turning one's back during battle except for tactical regrouping is prohibited.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that maintaining courage and conviction during trials—whether literal battles or metaphorical struggles against evil—is essential to maintaining honor and fulfilling one's obligations to Allah. It reminds us that faith demands not only internal belief but also external steadfastness and courage in standing for what is right.
Related Ayahs
لَّوْلَا كِتَـٰبٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَآ أَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
If not for a decree from Allāh that preceded, you would have been touched for what you took by a great punishment.
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ فِتْنَةً لَّا تُصِيبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنكُمْ خَآصَّةً ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively, and know that Allāh is severe in penalty.
وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ أَنتُمْ قَلِيلٌ مُّسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ تَخَافُونَ أَن يَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ فَـَٔاوَىٰكُمْ وَأَيَّدَكُم بِنَصْرِهِۦ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And remember when you were few and oppressed in the land, fearing that people might abduct you, but He sheltered you, supported you with His victory, and provided you with good things - that you might be grateful.
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them. They disbelieved in the signs of Allāh, so Allāh seized them for their sins. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and severe in penalty.