۞ لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ ٱلنَّاسِ عَدَٰوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ ۖ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا نَصَـٰرَىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ 82
Translations
You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allāh; and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, "We are Christians." That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.
Transliteration
Latajidanna ashadda al-nasi adawatan lilladhina amanu al-yahuda wa-alladhina ashraqu wa-latajidanna aqrabahum mawaddatan lilladhina amanu alladhina qalu inna nasara dhalika bi-anna minhum qissisin wa-ruhbanan wa-annahum la yastakbiruna
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that the harshest enemies of believers are the Jews and polytheists, while the closest in affection are those Christians who acknowledge their faith humbly. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this reflects the historical reality of opposition faced by early Muslims, though Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the verse addresses those groups who actively rejected the message, not necessarily all individuals within these communities. The mention of Christian priests and monks who show humility indicates that sincere faith and absence of arrogance can transcend religious boundaries in terms of civil coexistence.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during a period when the Muslim community faced increasing hostility from Jewish tribes of Arabia and pagan Arabs, while some Christian communities displayed more tolerant attitudes. This ayah contextualizes interfaith relations within the broader Medinan period and reflects documented historical tensions between the early Muslim community and these groups.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt his neighbor' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the hadith regarding the Prophet's treatment of the Christian delegation from Najran reflects the principle of civil conduct with People of the Book mentioned in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
While this ayah acknowledges real historical hostilities, it teaches Muslims to recognize and appreciate sincere faith and humility wherever found, and to distinguish between those who actively oppose Islam and those who coexist respectfully—encouraging principled engagement rather than blanket enmity toward all members of other faiths.