إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُمْ رَٰكِعُونَ 55
Translations
Your ally is none but Allāh and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed - those who establish prayer and give zakāh, and they bow [in worship].
Transliteration
Innama waliyyukumu-Allah wa Rasuluh wa-alladhina amanu alladhina yuqimuna as-salata wa yu'tuna az-zakata wa hum raki'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that Allah, His Messenger, and the believing servants of Allah who establish prayer and give zakah while in a state of humility (ruku') are the true guardians and protectors of the believers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this ayah emphasizes that legitimate authority and guardianship in Islam derives from obedience to Allah and His Messenger, combined with visible righteousness demonstrated through regular worship and charitable giving. The phrase 'while they are bowing' (wa hum raki'un) is understood by many scholars to indicate those who combine physical acts of worship with sincere devotion and humble submission.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'idah, a Medinan surah addressing the Muslim community's regulations and social order. The specific context relates to establishing the proper hierarchy of loyalty and allegiance—believers should place their trust in Allah and His Messenger first, then in righteous believers who exemplify piety through consistent observance of Islamic duties.
Related Hadiths
The Tirmidhi hadith reports that when this ayah was revealed, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave his ring to a poor man while in ruku' (bowing position), which some scholars cite as illustrating the principle of this verse. Additionally, hadith collections consistently emphasize the connection between sincere prayer (salah) and moral integrity as indicators of true faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
True leadership and influence in the Muslim community belong to those who combine unwavering devotion to Allah with tangible acts of righteousness—particularly through regular prayer and supporting others through charity. For modern believers, this ayah teaches that genuine spiritual authority comes not from worldly status or power, but from sincere obedience to Allah's commandments demonstrated through consistent piety and generosity.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَـٰلِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allāh had bestowed favor, "Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allāh rely, if you should be believers."
لَيْسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا طَعِمُوٓا۟ إِذَا مَا ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ ثُمَّ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّءَامَنُوا۟ ثُمَّ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّأَحْسَنُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
There is not upon those who believe and do righteousness [any] blame concerning what they have eaten [in the past] if they [now] fear Allāh and believe and do righteous deeds, and then fear Allāh and believe, and then fear Allāh and do good; and Allāh loves the doers of good.
وَكَيْفَ يُحَكِّمُونَكَ وَعِندَهُمُ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ فِيهَا حُكْمُ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
But how is it that they come to you for judgement while they have the Torah, in which is the judgement of Allāh? Then they turn away, [even] after that; but those are not [in fact] believers.
أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ يُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Do you not know that to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? He punishes whom He wills and forgives whom He wills, and Allāh is over all things competent.