۞ ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ عَاقَبَ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبَ بِهِۦ ثُمَّ بُغِىَ عَلَيْهِ لَيَنصُرَنَّهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ 60
Translations
That [is so]. And whoever responds [to injustice] with the equivalent of that with which he was harmed and then is tyrannized - Allāh will surely aid him. Indeed, Allāh is Pardoning and Forgiving.
Transliteration
Dhaalika wa man 'aqaba bimithli maa 'uqiba bihi thumma bughi 'alayhi layansurannahu Allah. Inna Allaha la'afuwwun ghafur.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the right of retaliation (qisas) in Islam: whoever is wronged and retaliates with an equal punishment, then continues to be oppressed, Allah will surely help and support them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the verse establishes that self-defense and proportionate retaliation are permissible, and those who exercise this right justly while remaining oppressed will receive divine aid. The conclusion emphasizing Allah's pardon and forgiveness suggests that even in matters of justice, believers should ultimately be merciful and leave final judgment to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hajj's discussion of permissions granted to Muslims to fight (ayat 39-40). It was revealed in Medina during the period when Muslims were being persecuted and the right to self-defense was established. The broader surah addresses themes of religious obligation, struggle against oppression, and divine permission for believers to defend themselves.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: '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 3895), relating to the virtue of restraint. Also relevant is the hadith on retaliation: 'Whoever is wronged should seek justice, but let him not transgress bounds' (related in various collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that defending oneself against oppression is not only permitted but will bring divine support, while simultaneously reminding them that true strength lies in combining justice with mercy and forgiveness. Muslims should stand firmly against injustice while maintaining moral character and ultimately placing their trust in Allah's judgment.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
That is because Allāh causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.
لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ
To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. And indeed, Allāh is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.
ٱلَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِم بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّآ أَن يَقُولُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَٰمِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَٰتٌ وَمَسَـٰجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا ٱسْمُ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرًا ۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ
[They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, "Our Lord is Allāh." And were it not that Allāh checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allāh is much mentioned [i.e., praised]. And Allāh will surely support those who support Him [i.e., His cause]. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
۞ هَـٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ ٱخْتَصَمُوا۟ فِى رَبِّهِمْ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ
These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water