هَـٰٓأَنتُمْ أُو۟لَآءِ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِبُّونَكُمْ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْكِتَـٰبِ كُلِّهِۦ وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ عَضُّوا۟ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْأَنَامِلَ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ ۚ قُلْ مُوتُوا۟ بِغَيْظِكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ 119
Translations
Here you are loving them but they are not loving you, while you believe in the Scripture - all of it. And when they meet you, they say, "We believe." But when they are alone, they bite their fingertips at you in rage. Say, "Die in your rage. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts."
Transliteration
Ha antum ula'i tuhibboonahum wa la yuhibboonakum wa tu'minoona bil-kitabi kullihi wa iza laqookum qaloo amanna wa iza khalaw addu alaikum al-anamila mina al-ghayz. Qul mootoo bi-ghayzikum. Inna Allaha alimum bi-dhat al-sudoor.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rebukes the believers for showing affection toward people (specifically referring to Jews and Christians of Medina) who do not reciprocate that love and secretly harbor resentment toward them. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that these people would pretend friendship when meeting Muslims but in private would bite their fingers in rage and frustration. The ayah culminates with a command to tell them to 'die in your rage,' affirming that Allah knows the hidden secrets of hearts, emphasizing that true allegiance should be to believers, not to those who reject faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the relationship between Muslims and the People of the Book. The specific context relates to the Jews of Medina who publicly claimed belief while privately opposing the Muslim community. This forms part of a broader section (3:100-120) addressing the dangers of misplaced loyalty and the duplicity of some non-believers.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Hadith Qudsi where Allah states the importance of sincere hearts. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari (#3209) where the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against befriending those who harbor enmity to Islam, emphasizing that 'a man follows the religion of his friend.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should be discerning in their relationships and loyalties, not naively trusting those who show outward friendship while harboring hidden enmity; ultimate trust and affection should be reserved for the believing community, knowing that Allah sees all hidden intentions and will ultimately establish justice.