إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَوا۟ وَّنَصَرُوٓا۟ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَمْ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ مَا لَكُم مِّن وَلَـٰيَتِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ ۚ وَإِنِ ٱسْتَنصَرُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ فَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَـٰقٌ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ 72
Translations
Indeed, those who have believed and emigrated and fought with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allāh and those who gave shelter and aided - they are allies of one another. But those who believed and did not emigrate - for you there is no support of them until they emigrate. And if they seek help of you for the religion, then you must help, except against a people between yourselves and whom is a treaty. And Allāh is Seeing of what you do.
Transliteration
Inna alladhina amanu wa hajaru wa jahadu bi-amwalihim wa-anfusihim fi sabilillahi wa-alladhina awaw wa-nasaru ula'ika ba'duhum awliya'u ba'din wa-alladhina amanu wa-lam yuhajiru ma lakum min wilayatihim min shay'in hatta yuhajiru wa-ini istanasarukum fi-alddini fa'alaykumu alnnasru illa 'ala qawmin baynakum wa-baynahum mithaqun wa-allahu bi-ma ta'malun basir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the bonds of brotherhood and loyalty among believers who have demonstrated commitment through hijrah (migration), jihad with wealth and life, and those who provided shelter and support to them. Conversely, those who believe but refuse to migrate are excluded from this covenant of mutual support, except when they appeal for help in religious matters against non-allied groups. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah defines the hierarchy of allegiance in Islam: believers who sacrifice for the faith are bound by stronger ties than nominal believers who remain in places of disbelief.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period as the Muslim community was establishing itself and distinguishing between the muhajirin (emigrants from Mecca) and ansaar (helpers from Medina) versus those who remained in Mecca despite believing. The context relates to the early Islamic state's need to establish clear lines of loyalty and mutual obligation during a period of active conflict and religious persecution.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 3001 records that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said the believers are like one body—if one part suffers, the whole body feels it. Additionally, Sunan Abu Dawood 2534 relates to the obligation of supporting believers in religious matters, even with those of differing allegiances when no covenant prohibits it.
Themes
Key Lesson
True Islamic brotherhood transcends blood ties and is built on shared commitment to faith, sacrifice, and mutual support; believers must recognize that while helping those in religious need is obligatory, strategic alliances with non-Muslim groups require careful consideration of existing covenants and the preservation of Islamic principles.