يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ دِينَكُمْ هُزُوًا وَلَعِبًا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ 57
Translations
O you who have believed, take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allāh, if you should [truly] be believers.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la tattakhidhu alladhina ittakhadhu dinakum huzuwan wa la'iban mina alladhina ootuu al-kitaba min qablikum wa al-kuffara awliya. Wa ittaquu Allaha in kuntum mu'mineen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits believers from taking as allies (awliya) those who mock and ridicule Islam, whether from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) or disbelievers in general. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this is a clear command against forming close friendships or trusting relationships with those who treat the religion with contempt. The ayah reinforces Islamic identity and social boundaries by warning believers that such alliances contradict true faith (iman) and God-consciousness (taqwa).
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period when the Muslim community was establishing itself in Madinah. The context reflects the tensions between the early Muslim community and certain segments of the Jewish and Christian populations, as well as the hypocrites (munafiqun) who sometimes allied with enemies of Islam. Thematically, it falls within a section of Surah Al-Ma'idah addressing loyalty, purity of belief, and maintaining religious integrity.
Related Hadiths
The principle of this ayah is supported by the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'A man follows the religion of his friend, so let each of you be careful about whom he befriends.' Additionally, Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:1 contains a related injunction about not taking enemies of Allah as friends.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must be mindful of their associations and ensure that close relationships do not compromise their Islamic values or expose them to those who ridicule their faith. This ayah teaches that true belief requires not just internal conviction but also external choices that reflect commitment to Islam's dignity and teachings.