يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَن يَبْسُطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ 11
Translations
O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allāh upon you when a people determined to extend their hands [in aggression] against you, but He withheld their hands from you; and fear Allāh. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ithkuru ni'mata Allahi alaikum idh hamma qawmun an yabsutoo ilaikum aydiyahum fakaffa aydiyahum ankum wa ittaqoo Allaha wa ala Allahi falyatawakkali al-mu'minoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to remember Allah's favor upon them when a group of people intended to stretch forth their hands in violence against them, but Allah prevented them from doing so. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to the intent of enemies during the early Islamic period to harm the Muslim community, with Allah's divine protection being the decisive factor in their prevention. The ayah emphasizes gratitude for Allah's protection and concludes with an exhortation to piety and trust in Allah as the ultimate guarantor of safety.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'idah, a Medinan chapter revealed during the period of the Islamic community's establishment in Medina. The specific historical incident likely refers to one of several occasions when hostile groups intended harm against the Muslims but were prevented by Allah's will—possibly referencing attempts by the Jews of Medina, Christians of Najran, or pagan tribes. The broader context emphasizes the themes of divine protection, covenant, and the believers' obligations to Allah.
Related Hadiths
The concept of Allah's protection is emphasized in numerous hadiths, such as in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that trust in Allah (tawakkul) combined with taking reasonable precautions is the proper balance. Related thematically is the hadith in Jami' At-Tirmidhi about Allah protecting those who remember Him and remain conscious of His presence.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate mindfulness of Allah's countless protections and blessings in their lives, responding with gratitude and increased piety rather than complacency. True security comes not from material means alone but from consciousness of Allah and complete reliance upon Him, which requires both remembrance of His favors and steadfast obedience to His commands.