إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحَآدُّونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ فِى ٱلْأَذَلِّينَ 20
Translations
Indeed, the ones who oppose Allāh and His Messenger - those will be among the most humbled.
Transliteration
Inna alladhina yuhaddduna Allaha wa rasulahu ula'ika fi al-adhallina
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that those who oppose and wage war against Allah and His Messenger are among the most humiliated and disgraced, both in this world and the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that 'muhadda' (opposition) encompasses both open hostility and subtle rebellion against Allah's commands and the guidance of His Messenger. The promise of humiliation (adhill) is an inevitable consequence of such opposition, as Allah's honor and the honor of His Messenger are supreme, and none can truly overcome them.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Medina during the period of increasing hostility from the hypocrites and the Jews of Medina who openly opposed the Prophet Muhammad and his mission. The broader context of Surah Al-Mujadila addresses various disputes and contentious behaviors in the Muslim community, establishing principles of proper conduct and consequences for those who reject divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever opposes me is opposed by Allah, and whoever opposes Allah will be destroyed' (Musnad Ahmad). Additionally, the Quran in Surah Al-Fath (48:13) states a similar theme: 'And whoever believes not in Allah and His Messenger, then surely We have prepared for the disbelievers a blazing fire' (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim in their tafsir references).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that opposing Allah and His Messenger is ultimately futile and brings inevitable disgrace and humiliation, encouraging believers to align themselves with divine guidance rather than resist it. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that defiance of truth and righteousness carries inherent consequences, while submission to Allah's will leads to honor and dignity.
Related Ayahs
۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا۟ قَوْمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمْ وَلَا مِنْهُمْ وَيَحْلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلْكَذِبِ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
Have you not considered those who make allies of a people with whom Allāh has become angry? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to untruth while they know [they are lying].
لَّن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
Never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allāh at all. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا۟ فِى ٱلْمَجَـٰلِسِ فَٱفْسَحُوا۟ يَفْسَحِ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ ٱنشُزُوا۟ فَٱنشُزُوا۟ يَرْفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ دَرَجَـٰتٍ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
O you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in assemblies, then make space; Allāh will make space for you. And when you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allāh will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allāh is Aware of what you do.
قَدْ سَمِعَ ٱللَّهُ قَوْلَ ٱلَّتِى تُجَـٰدِلُكَ فِى زَوْجِهَا وَتَشْتَكِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ يَسْمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَآ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
Certainly has Allāh heard the speech of the one who argues [i.e., pleads] with you, [O Muḥammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allāh. And Allāh hears your dialogue; indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.