وَلَا تَرْكَنُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ 113
Translations
And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allāh any protectors; then you would not be helped.
Transliteration
Wa laa tarkanu ilaa alladhina dhalamuu fatamasssakum an-naaru wa maa lakum min duni Allahi min awliyaa'a thumma laa tunsarun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah forbids believers from inclining toward or allying with those who commit injustice and oppression, warning that such association leads to punishment in the Fire. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the Arabic word 'tarkanu' (تركنوا) specifically means to lean upon, rely upon, or incline toward, indicating even a subtle compromise with wrongdoers is prohibited. The ayah emphasizes that there is no protector or helper besides Allah, and those who associate with the unjust will find themselves without support on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Hud, a Meccan surah that emphasizes monotheism and warns against idolatry and injustice. The broader context addresses the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between believers and those engaged in wrongdoing, particularly relevant to the early Muslim community's social and spiritual separation from pagan Meccan society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever loves for the sake of Allah and hates for the sake of Allah, and gives for the sake of Allah and withholds for the sake of Allah, has perfected his faith' (Sunan Abu Dawud). Additionally, 'A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let each of you be careful about who your close friend is' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must maintain vigilant moral boundaries and avoid leaning toward or supporting those who commit injustice, regardless of social pressure or personal benefit, understanding that true protection comes only from Allah. This teaches that spiritual integrity sometimes requires difficult social choices and complete reliance on divine support rather than worldly alliances.
Related Ayahs
إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم ۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذٌۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Indeed, I have relied upon Allāh, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock [i.e., controls it]. Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight.
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ ۖ قُلْ إِنِ ٱفْتَرَيْتُهُۥ فَعَلَىَّ إِجْرَامِى وَأَنَا۠ بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُجْرِمُونَ
Or do they say [about Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)], "He invented it"? Say, "If I have invented it, then upon me is [the consequence of] my crime; but I am innocent of what [crimes] you commit."
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ أَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْمِكْيَالَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشْيَآءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ
And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.
۞ وَقَالَ ٱرْكَبُوا۟ فِيهَا بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجْر۪ىٰهَا وَمُرْسَىٰهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And [Noah] said, "Embark therein; in the name of Allāh [are] its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."