إِذْ يَقُولُ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ غَرَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ دِينُهُمْ ۗ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ 49
Translations
[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.
Transliteration
Idh yaqool al-munafiqoon wa-alladheen fee quloobihim marad gharr ha'ula'i deenuhum wa-man yatawakkal 'ala-Allah fa-inn Allah 'aziz hakeem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts during the Battle of Badr, who mocked the believers by saying their religion had deceived them into thinking they could win against the Quraysh's superior numbers and resources. Ibn Kathir explains that Allah responds by affirming that whoever places their trust in Allah will find Him mighty and wise in His decisions, assuring the believers that numerical or material superiority is insignificant compared to divine support. Al-Tabari emphasizes that this verse highlights the contrast between the faithlessness of the hypocrites and the unwavering reliance of true believers on Allah's promise and power.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period, specifically in the context of the Battle of Badr (2 AH), where some of the Ansar's hypocritical members expressed doubt about the believers' chances against the well-armed Meccan caravan. The broader surah discusses the distribution of war spoils and lessons from this pivotal battle, emphasizing divine assistance and the importance of sincerity in faith.
Related Hadiths
The hadith from Sahih Bukhari (3:173) records that during Badr, when the believers saw the Quraysh's numbers, some said 'This number will surely defeat us today,' but the Prophet (ﷺ) responded with unwavering trust in Allah's promise. Additionally, the principle of tawakkul (reliance on Allah) is emphasized in numerous hadiths, such as the one in Tirmidhi where the Prophet said 'Trust in Allah as is His due.'
Themes
Key Lesson
True believers should never allow apparent worldly disadvantages or the mockery of doubters to shake their faith in Allah's plan; instead, complete trust in Allah's wisdom and power is the surest path to victory and success, whether in spiritual or material struggles.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَوا۟ وَّنَصَرُوٓا۟ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
But those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allāh and those who gave shelter and aided - it is they who are the believers, truly. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.
وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
But Allāh would not punish them while you, [O Muḥammad], are among them, and Allāh would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
The believers are only those who, when Allāh is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely -
ٱلْـَٔـٰنَ خَفَّفَ ٱللَّهُ عَنكُمْ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّ فِيكُمْ ضَعْفًا ۚ فَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّا۟ئَةٌ صَابِرَةٌ يَغْلِبُوا۟ مِا۟ئَتَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ أَلْفٌ يَغْلِبُوٓا۟ أَلْفَيْنِ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
Now, Allāh has lightened [the hardship] for you, and He knows that among you is weakness. So if there are from you one hundred [who are] steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are among you a thousand, they will overcome two thousand by permission of Allāh. And Allāh is with the steadfast.