وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ 40
Translations
But if they turn away - then know that Allāh is your protector. Excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.
Transliteration
Wa-in tawallaw fa-'lamū anna Allāha mawlāakum, ni'ma al-mawlā wa-ni'ma al-nāsir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah assures the believers that if the disbelievers turn away from the message of Allah, the Muslims should remain steadfast, knowing that Allah is their protector and helper. Ibn Kathir explains that Allah's protection and assistance are far superior to any worldly ally, emphasizing that those who trust in Allah need fear no enemy. Al-Qurtubi notes that this verse provides consolation to the believers during times of adversity and rejection, reinforcing their reliance on Divine support rather than human alliances.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Anfal, which discusses the Battle of Badr and the principles of warfare and community in Islam. It was revealed in Medina during a period when the nascent Muslim community faced opposition from the Quraysh and other disbelieving groups. The verse serves to strengthen the resolve of believers who encountered rejection despite their sincere call to monotheism.
Related Hadiths
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Whoever is patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a better or greater gift than patience.' (Sahih Bukhari 5059). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' relates thematically to reliance on Allah's guardianship (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing rejection or opposition in spreading truth, believers should anchor their confidence in Allah's protection rather than human support or approval. This ayah teaches that true security and victory come through reliance on the Divine, regardless of how many turn away from the message.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَٱثْبُتُوا۟ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allāh much that you may be successful.
كَمَآ أَخْرَجَكَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَيْتِكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَكَـٰرِهُونَ
[It is] just as when your Lord brought you out of your home [for the battle of Badr] in truth, while indeed, a party among the believers were unwilling,
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا قَالُوا۟ قَدْ سَمِعْنَا لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَقُلْنَا مِثْلَ هَـٰذَآ ۙ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
And when Our verses are recited to them, they say, "We have heard. If we willed, we could say [something] like this. This is not but legends of the former peoples."
إِذْ يَقُولُ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ غَرَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ دِينُهُمْ ۗ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
[Remember] when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts was disease [i.e., arrogance and disbelief] said, "Their religion has deluded those [Muslims]." But whoever relies upon Allāh - then indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.