إِنَّ وَلِـِّۧىَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ۖ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ 196
Translations
Indeed, my protector is Allāh, who has sent down the Book; and He is an ally to the righteous.
Transliteration
Inna waliyyiyal-lahu alladhee nazzala al-kitaab wa huwa yatawalla as-saliheen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone is the guardian and protector of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the believers, emphasizing that He who revealed the Qur'an is fully capable of safeguarding His righteous servants. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that this statement serves as a powerful reassurance against the harm and opposition faced by the early Muslim community in Mecca, establishing that divine protection supersedes human threats.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah Al-A'raf within a section addressing the Prophet's steadfastness against the mockery and rejection of the Meccan pagans. The broader context deals with the Prophet's unwavering faith and reliance upon Allah during the challenging early Meccan period when opposition to the message was intense.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflected here relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever relies upon Allah, He will suffice him' (man yatawakkal ala-llahi fa-huwa hasbuh). Additionally, the concept of divine guardianship (waliyyah) is reinforced in Surah Al-Anfal 8:72 regarding believers who migrate for Allah's sake.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true security and support come only from Allah, encouraging complete reliance on His protection rather than fear of human opposition. For modern readers, it emphasizes that commitment to righteousness and faith in Allah's sovereignty provides spiritual fortitude against worldly pressures and adversities.