مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّلَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَىٰلَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 98
Translations
Whoever is an enemy to Allāh and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael - then indeed, Allāh is an enemy to the disbelievers.
Transliteration
Man kana 'aduwwan lillahi wa mala'ikatihi wa rusulih wa Jibril wa Mikail fa inna Allaha 'aduwwun lilkafirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses those who harbor enmity toward Allah, His angels, His messengers, and specifically Gabriel and Michael, declaring that Allah is the enemy of the disbelievers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse was revealed in response to the Jews of Medina who rejected Gabriel as the angel of revelation and preferred Michael, or who slandered these noble angels. The verse establishes that hostility toward any of Allah's messengers or angels is tantamount to hostility toward Allah Himself, and such enmity will be met with divine opposition.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina in response to disputes with Jewish scholars who rejected Gabriel's role as the angel bringing revelation to Prophet Muhammad, preferring instead to acknowledge only Michael. Some accounts suggest certain Jews claimed Gabriel brought tidings of war while Michael brought tidings of sustenance, and they rejected Gabriel on this basis. The ayah corrects this misconception and condemns such rejection of Allah's appointed servants.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding Gabriel: 'He (Gabriel) is the most noble among the angels, and he is the one entrusted with revelation.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) Additionally, the Quran itself attests to Gabriel's noble status in Surah Tahrim 66:4 and other passages, reinforcing his role as a trusted messenger of Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that respect for Allah's angels and messengers is an integral part of faith, and that rejecting or showing enmity toward them is a grave sin that invites Allah's displeasure. It reminds believers to honor all of Allah's chosen servants and to recognize the unity of purpose among the prophets and angels in conveying divine guidance.