ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلذِّلَّةُ أَيْنَ مَا ثُقِفُوٓا۟ إِلَّا بِحَبْلٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَحَبْلٍ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَبَآءُو بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَسْكَنَةُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ يَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ ٱلْأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا۟ وَّكَانُوا۟ يَعْتَدُونَ 112
Translations
They have been put under humiliation [by Allāh] wherever they are overtaken, except for a rope [i.e., covenant] from Allāh and a rope [i.e., treaty] from the people [i.e., the Muslims]. And they have drawn upon themselves anger from Allāh and have been put under destitution. That is because they disbelieved in [i.e., rejected] the verses of Allāh and killed the prophets without right. That is because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.
Transliteration
Durribat 'alayhimu adh-dhillatu ayna ma thuqifū illā bi-hablim mina Allāhi wa-hablim mina an-nāsi wa-bā'ū bi-ghadabin min Allāhi wa-durribat 'alayhimu al-maskanah. Dhālik bi-annahum kānū yakfurūn bi-āyāti Allāhi wa-yaqtulūn al-anbiyā'a bi-ghayri haqq. Dhālik bi-mā 'asaw wa-kānū ya'tadūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Jewish people who rejected Allah's signs and killed the prophets unjustly, upon whom disgrace and humiliation were decreed wherever they were found, except when protected by covenant with Allah or agreement with people. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this was a consequence of their disbelief and transgression, manifesting in their historical subjugation and poverty. The 'rope from Allah' (divine covenant) and 'rope from people' (treaties and alliances) served as their only protection from complete degradation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the events of the Battle of Uhud (3 AH) and the theological reflections on belief and disbelief. It appears in the context of explaining why certain groups faced divine punishment, relating to the historical conduct of those who rejected the prophets and Allah's signs.
Related Hadiths
The principle is reinforced in various hadiths about the consequences of rejecting revelation. For example, the hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the punishment of those who disbelieve and commit transgressions. Additionally, hadiths about the status of the Jews who rejected Prophet Muhammad (SAW) relate to the broader theme of this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that rejection of Allah's signs and transgression against His messengers carry inevitable consequences in this life and the hereafter. It reminds believers that true honor and protection come only through submission to Allah and His covenant, while disconnection from Divine guidance leads to spiritual and material degradation.
Related Ayahs
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ
[Who say], "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ أَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
Those - their recompense will be that upon them is the curse of Allāh and the angels and the people, all together,
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ وَقُودُ ٱلنَّارِ
Indeed, those who disbelieve - never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allāh at all. And it is they who are fuel for the Fire.
فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَضَعْتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۖ وَإِنِّى سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّىٓ أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
But when she delivered her, she said, "My Lord, I have delivered a female." And Allāh was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. "And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allāh]."