وَإِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِن قَوْمٍ خِيَانَةً فَٱنۢبِذْ إِلَيْهِمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَآءٍ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْخَآئِنِينَ 58
Translations
If you [have reason to] fear from a people betrayal, throw [their treaty] back to them, [putting you] on equal terms. Indeed, Allāh does not like traitors.
Transliteration
Wa-immā takhāfanna min qawmin khiyānatan fanbidh ilayhim alā sawā'in. Inna Allāha lā yuḥibbu al-khā'inīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs believers that if they fear treachery or betrayal from a covenant people, they should openly and clearly renounce the treaty with them on equal terms, giving them notice rather than engaging in secret deception. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that Islam prohibits responding to treachery with hidden betrayal; instead, believers must openly declare the treaty's dissolution with clarity and justice. The ayah concludes by affirming that Allah does not love traitors, establishing that honesty and transparency are divine values even in conflict.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period (Surah Al-Anfal, Chapter 8) during the early Islamic state's formation, addressing protocols for treaties and warfare. It comes in the context of Qur'anic guidance on treaties and security agreements between the Muslim community and other groups, emphasizing fair dealing even in situations of suspected betrayal.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever betrays a covenant has removed the protection of Allah from himself' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), reflecting the broader Islamic principle of trustworthiness in all dealings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that believers must handle conflicts with honesty and openness rather than secret deception—if trust is broken, declare it clearly and fairly rather than respond in kind with hidden betrayal. It reminds us that trustworthiness and transparency are not signs of weakness but divine values that elevate our character and earn Allah's favor.
Related Ayahs
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,
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.
فَإِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
So if you, [O Muḥammad], gain dominance over them in war, disperse by [means of] them those behind them that perhaps they will be reminded.
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۙ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ وَأَدْبَـٰرَهُمْ وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
And if you could but see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved... They are striking their faces and their backs and [saying], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.