Al-Wala wa'l-Bara from the Tafsir Ibn Abbas

At-Tawbah Publications


“Verily We have sent thee in truth as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner: But of thee no question shall be asked of the Companions of the Blazing Fire. Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of Allah,-that is the (only) Guidance." Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against Allah.” (al-Baqara 2/119-120)

“(Lo! We have sent thee) O Muhammad (with the Truth) with the Qur'an and the declaration of the Oneness of Allah, (a bringer of glad tidings) that Paradise shall be for the believers (and a warner) against hell for those who disbelieve in Allah. (And thou wilt not be asked about the owners of hellfire) it is not befitting that you should ask about the dwellers of hell; and it is said that this means: do not ask for the forgiveness of the dwellers of hell. (And Jews) The Jews of Medina (will not be pleased with thee, nor will Christians) the Christians of Najran, (till thou follow their creed) their religion and direction of prayer. (Say) O Muhammad! (Lo! The guidance of Allah is Guidance) the Religion of Allah is Islam and Allah's direction of prayer is the Ka'bah. (And if thou shouldst follow their desires) their religion and direction of prayer (after the knowledge which hath come unto thee) that the Religion of Allah is Islam and His direction of prayer is the Ka'bah, (then wouldst thou have from Allah) from His chastisement (no protecting friend) no one to benefit you (nor helper) to save you from this chastisement.”

“Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise.” (al-Baqara 2/221)

“(Wed not idolatresses). This was revealed about Marthad Ibn Abi Marthad Al-Ghanawi who wanted to marry an idolatress woman by the name of 'Inaq. Allah prohibited such marriage, saying: do not marry idolatresses women (till they believe) in Allah; (for lo! A believing bondwoman) marrying a believing slave woman (is better than an idolatress) who is a free woman (though she pleases you) though you may like her comeliness and beauty; (and give not your daughters in marriage to idolaters till they believe) in Allah, (for lo! A believing slave) Allah says: giving your daughters in marriage to a believing slave (is better than an idolater) is better than your daughter marrying an idolater who is free (though he pleases you) though his body and strength may please you. (These invite unto the Fire) they invite to disbelief and to works that lead to hell, (and Allah inviteth unto the Garden) by means of His divine Oneness, (and unto forgiveness) through repentance (by His grace) by His leave, (and He expoundeth thus His revelations) His commands and prohibitions regarding marriage (to mankind that they may remember) so that they may take admonition and refrain from unlawful marriage.”

“Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.” (al-i Imran 3/28)

“(Let not the believers take) the believers ought not to take [the hypocrites:] 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his companions [and] (disbelievers) the Jews (for their friends) so as to become mighty and honourable (in preference to believers) who are sincere. (Whoso doeth that) seeking might and honour [by taking the hypocrites and disbelievers as friends] (hath no connection with Allah) has no honour, mercy or protection from Allah (unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them) save yourselves from them, (taking (as it were) security) saving yourselves from them by speaking in a friendly way towards them with, while your hearts dislikes this. (Allah bideth you beware (only) of Himself) regarding the shunning of unlawful killing, unlawful sex, unlawful property, consuming intoxicants, false testimony and associating partners with Allah. (Unto Allah is the journeying) the return after death.”

“O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: They will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: Rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths: What their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain to you the Signs, if ye have wisdom. Ah! ye are those who love them, but they love you not,- though ye believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, "We believe": But when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage. Say: "Perish in you rage; Allah knoweth well all the secrets of the heart.” (al-i Imran 3/118-119)

“Allah then forbade the believers from among the Helpers to speak with the Jews or divulge secrets to them, saying: (O ye who believe! Take not) the Jews (for intimates) confidants (others than your own folk) the sincere believers, (who would spare no pains to ruin you; they love to hamper you) they love for you to sin and become idolaters as they themselves have become. (Hatred is revealed by (the utterance of) their mouths) through vilification and defamation, (but that which their breasts hide is greater) but what they hide in their hearts of hatred and enmity is even greater. (Lo! Ye are) O group of believers (those who love them) who love the Jews because of the ties of marriage and suckling (though they love you not) because of the Religion, (and ye believe in all the Scripture) you acknowledge all the revealed Books and messengers while they do not.”


“O ye who believe! If ye obey the Unbelievers, they will drive you back on your heels, and ye will turn back (from Faith) to your own loss.” (al-i Imran 3/149)

“(O ye who believe) meaning: Hudhayfa [Ibn al-Yaman] and 'Ammar [Ibn Yasir]! (If ye obey those who disbelieve) i.e. Ka'b [Ibn al-Ashraf] and his followers, (they will make you turn back on your heels) they will make you return to your old religion: disbelief, (and ye turn back as losers) duped for loosing both this worldly life and the Hereafter and also for receiving Allah's punishment.”

“O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.” (an-Nisa 4/1)

“(Be careful of your duty towards Allah) obey Allah (in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one another) your stuff and rights by Allah's right, (and towards the wombs (that bare you)) and also by the right of kinship and filiation; or it could also mean: keep the ties of kinship and do not sever them.”

“Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;-” (an-Nisa 4/36)

“(Show) kindness unto parents) be dutiful to parents, (and unto near kindred) Allah commands you to keep ties with your kin, (and orphans) He commands that you show kindness to orphans, and to protect their wealth, etc, (and the needy) and He enjoins giving alms to the needy, (and unto the neighbour who is of kin (unto you)) the neighbour who also happen to be your relative has three rights over you: the right of kinship, the right of Islam, and the right of being a neighbour (and the neighbour who is not of kin) the neighbour who is not a relative has two rights: the right of Islam and the right of being a neighbour (and the fellow traveller) a fellow traveller has two rights: the right of Islam and the right of companionship; it is also said that this refers to one's wife at home. Allah commands kindness towards her (and the wayfarer) Allah commands the honouring of guests. Honouring a guest for three days is the guest's right. The honour bestowed on the guest after the third day is considered a charity on the part of the host; (and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess) Allah commands kindness towards slaves, males and females.”

“They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks;-” (an-Nisa 4/89)

“(They long that you should disbelieve) in Muhammad and the Qur'an (even as they disbelieve, that ye may be upon a level (with them)) in following idolatry. (So choose not friends from them) in religion or for seeking assistance and backing (till they forsake their homes) until they believe again and migrate (in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah; (if they turn back) from faith and migration (then take them) as prisoners (and kill them wherever you find them) in the Sacred Precinct or anywhere else, (and choose no friend) in religion or for seeking assistance and backing (nor helper) a protector (from among them)”

“Yea, to those who take for friends unbelievers rather than believers: is it honour they seek among them? Nay,- all honour is with Allah.” (an-Nisa 4/139)

“Allah then showed their traits, saying: (Those who choose disbelievers) the Jews (for their friends) when it comes to assistance and help (instead of believers!) instead of sincere believers. (Do they look for power) might and invincibility (at their hands) the hands of the Jews? (Lo! all power appertaineth to Allah).”

“Already has He sent you Word in the Book, that when ye hear the signs of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme: if ye did, ye would be like them. For Allah will collect the hypocrites and those who defy faith - all in Hell:-” (an-Nisa 4/140)

“(He hath already revealed unto you in the Scripture) He has already commanded you in the Qur'an when you were in Mecca (that, when ye hear the revelations of Allah) when you hear the mention of Muhammad and the Qur'an (rejected and derided) when Muhammad and the Qur'an are rejected and derided, ((ye) sit not with them (who disbelieve and mock)) and engage in the same conversation (until they engage in some other conversation) other than about Muhammad and the Qur'an. (Lo! in that case (if ye stayed)) i.e. if you sit with them without being coerced to do so (ye would be like unto them) in engaging in the same conversation and in showing derision. (Lo! Allah will gather hypocrites) the hypocrites of Medina: 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers (and disbelievers) the disbelievers of Mecca: Abu Jahl and his followers, and the disbelievers of Medina: Ka'b and his followers, (all together, into hell)”

“O ye who believe! Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?” (an-Nisa 4/144)

“(O ye who believe!) only outwardly: 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers (Choose not disbelievers) the Jews (for (your) friends) in order to gain power (in place of believers) instead of sincere believers. (Would you) O group of hypocrites (give Allah) give Allah's Messenger (a clear warrant against you?) a clear proof and reason to kill you.”

“O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.” (al-Maida 5/51)

“(O ye who believe!) in Muhammad and the Qur'an. (Take not the Jews and Christians for friends) seeking their assistance and help. (They are friends one to another) He says: some are followers of the religion of others in secret and in the open, just as they are friends of each other. (He among you) O group of believers (who taketh them for friends) seeking their assistance and help (is (one) of them) in alliance and is not included in Allah's protection and safety.”

“O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport,- whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith (indeed).” (al-Maida 5/57)

“(O ye who believe! Choose not for friends) seeking their assistance and help (such of those who received the Scripture before you) the Jews and Christians, (and of the disbelievers) the rest of the disbelievers, (as make a jest) a pleasantry (and sport) a joke and falsehood (of your religion. But keep your duty to Allah) fear Allah if you were to take them for friends (if ye are true believers).”

“Thou seest many of them turning in friendship to the Unbelievers. Evil indeed are (the works) which their souls have sent forward before them (with the result), that Allah's wrath is on them, and in torment will they abide. If only they had believed in Allah, in the Prophet, and in what hath been revealed to him, never would they have taken them for friends and protectors, but most of them are rebellious wrong-doers.” (al-Maida 5/80-81)

“(Thou seest many of them) many of the hypocrites (making friends with) by seeking their assistance and help (those who disbelieve) Ka'b and his followers; it is also said that this means: you see many Jews, such as Ka'b and his followers, making friends with the disbelievers, the disbelievers of Mecca, Abu Sufyan and his followers. (If they) i.e. the hypocrites (believed in Allah) genuinely believed in Allah (and the Prophet) Muhammad (and that which is revealed unto him) i.e. the Qur'an, (they would not choose them) i.e. the Jews (for their friends) seeking their assistance and help. (But many of them) from among the people of the Book (are of evil conduct) they are hypocrites. It is also said that this means: if the Jews genuinely believed in Allah, and in Allah's divine Oneness, and believed in the Prophet (pbuh) and that which was revealed to him, i.e. the Qur'an, they would not have taken Abu Sufyan and his followers for friends, seeking their assistance and help. Nonetheless, many among the people of the Book are disbelievers.”

“Those who believed, and adopted exile, and fought for the Faith, with their property and their persons, in the cause of Allah, as well as those who gave (them) asylum and aid,- these are (all) friends and protectors, one of another. As to those who believed but came not into exile, ye owe no duty of protection to them until they come into exile; but if they seek your aid in religion, it is your duty to help them, except against a people with whom ye have a treaty of mutual alliance. And (remember) Allah seeth all that ye do. The Unbelievers are protectors, one of another: Unless ye do this, (protect each other), there would be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief. Those who believe, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith, in the cause of Allah as well as those who give (them) asylum and aid,- these are (all) in very truth the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous. And those who accept Faith subsequently, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith in your company,- they are of you. But kindred by blood have prior rights against each other in the Book of Allah. Verily Allah is well-acquainted with all things.” (al-Anfal 8/72-75)

“(Lo! those who believed) in Muhammad and in the Qur'an (and left their homes) in Mecca and headed towards Medina (and strove with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah) in obedience of Allah, (and those who took them in) those who hosted Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions in Medina (in and helped them) on the Day of Badr; (these are protecting friends one of another) in inheritance. (And those who believed) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (but did not leave their homes) in Mecca to migrate to Medina, (ye have no duty to protect them) you do not inherit them, nor do they inherit you (till they leave their homes) and migrate to Medina; (but if they seek help from you in the matter of religion) if they seek your help against their enemies in religion (then it is your duty to help (them)) against their enemies (except against a folk between whom and you there is a treaty) in which case you should not help them, but rather try to make peace between them. (Allah is Seer of what ye do) regarding peace and other things. (And those who disbelieve are protectors one of another-) in the matter of inheritance (If ye do not so) divide estate between relatives as has been explained to you, (there will be confusion in the land) through idolatry and apostasy, (and great corruption) by means of killings and transgression. (And those who afterwards) after the first Emigrants (believed) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and left their homes) and migrated from Mecca to Medina (and strove along with you) against the enemy, (they are of you) they are with you in secret and openly; (and those who are akin) those who are related by their lineage, the closer then the one who comes next, etc., (are nearer one to another) in relation to the division of estates (in the ordinance of Allah) in the Guarded Tablet. With this verse, the first verse was abrogated.”

“In a Believer they respect not the ties either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who have transgressed all bounds.” (at-Tawba 9/10)

“(And they observe towards a believer neither pact) ties of kinship; it is also said that the reference here is to Allah (nor honour) because of the treaties they signed. (These are they who are transgressors) who shifted from that which is lawful to that which is prohibited, by breaking their treaties and committing other things.”

“O ye who believe! take not for protectors your fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity above Faith: if any of you do so, they do wrong. Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious.” (at-Tawba 9/23-24)

“(O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren) who are in Mecca from among the disbelievers (for friends) in religion (if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith) if they choose disbelief instead of faith. (Whoso of you taketh them for friends) in religion, (such are wrong-doers) disbelievers like them; it is also said that this means: O ye who believe! take not your believing fathers and brothers who are in Mecca, who had prevented you from migrating to Medina, for allies, seeking their help and assistance, if they choose to remain in the abode of disbelief, i.e. Mecca, rather than migrate to the abode of Islam, i.e. Medina. Whosoever takes them for allies harms only himself. (Say) O Muhammad: (If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your tribe) your folk who are in Mecca, (and the wealth ye have acquired) you have earned, (and merchandise for which ye fear that there will be no sale) that will not be spent in Medina, (and dwellings) houses (ye desire) to live in (are dearer to you than Allah) than Allah's obedience (and His messenger) and dearer to you than migrating to His Messenger (and striving in His way) for the sake of His obedience: (then wait till Allah bringeth His command to pass) His punishment, i.e. killing upon the Conquest of Mecca. Those who migrated after this (Allah guideth not) He does not lead to His religion (wrong-doing folk) the disbelievers: those who not deserve it.”

“It is not fitting, for the Prophet and those who believe, that they should pray for forgiveness for Pagans, even though they be of kin, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire. And Abraham prayed for his father's forgiveness only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he dissociated himself from him: for Abraham was most tender-hearted, forbearing.” (at-Tawba 9/113-114)

“(It is not for the Prophet) it is not permissible for Muhammad (pbuh) (and those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (to pray for the forgiveness of idolaters even though they may be near of kin (to them) after it hath become clear that they are people of hellfire) i.e. that they have died in a state of disbelief. (The prayer of Abraham for the forgiveness of his father was only because of a promise he had promised him) that he would surrender, (but when it had become clear unto him that he (his father) was an enemy to Allah) that he had died an unbeliever (he (Abraham) disowned him) and his religion. (Lo! Abraham was soft of heart) in the face of ignorance, (long-suffering) compassionate; it is also said that Abraham used to complain about fire even before being thrown in it.”

“O ye who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors),- offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because ye believe in Allah your Lord! If ye have come out to strive in My Way and to seek My Good Pleasure, (take them not as friends), holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with them: for I know full well all that ye conceal and all that ye reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the Straight Path.” (al-Mumtahina 60/1)

“And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said concerning the interpretation of Allah's saying (O ye who believe!): (O ye who believe!) referring to Hatib, (Choose not My enemy) in religion (and your enemy) who fight you, i.e. the people of Mecca (for friends) seeking their assistance and help. (Do ye give them friendship) you send them a letter to assist and help them (when they disbelieve in that truth which hath come unto you) i.e. to Hatib, (driving out the messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) from Mecca (and you) i.e. Hatib (because ye believe) because of your faith (in Allah, your Lord? If ye have come forth) if you have, O Hatib, come forth from Mecca to Medina (to strive in My way) for the sake of My obedience (and seeking My good pleasure, (show them not friendship). Do ye show friendship unto them in secret) do not send letters to them in secret to assist and help them, (when I am best Aware of what ye hide) i.e. of what you hide, O Hatib, regarding the letter; and it is also said that this means: regarding your faith (and what ye proclaim) O Hatib, of excuse; and it is also said: of profession of Allah's divine Oneness? (And whosoever doeth it among you) whoever of you, O believers, does as Hatib did, (he verily hath strayed from the right way) he has indeed strayed from the path of guidance.”

“There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: "We are clear of you and of whatever ye worship besides Allah: we have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred for ever,- unless ye believe in Allah and Him alone": But not when Abraham said to his father: "I will pray for forgiveness for thee, though I have no power (to get) aught on thy behalf from Allah." (They prayed): "Our Lord! in Thee do we trust, and to Thee do we turn in repentance: to Thee is (our) Final Goal.” (al-Mumtahina 60/4)

“(There is a goodly pattern) a good example (for you) O Hatib (Abraham) in Abraham's words (and those with him) and also in the words of the believers who were with him, (when they told their folk) when they told their disbelieving kinsfolk; (Lo! we are guiltless of you) of your kinship and religion (and all that ye worship beside Allah) of idols. (We have done with you) we absolve ourselves from you and from your religion. (And there hath arisen between us and you hostility) through killing and beating (and hate) in the hearts (for ever until ye believe in Allah only) until you declare Allah's divine Oneness (save that which Abraham promised) save the words of Abraham to (his father (when he said): I will ask forgiveness for thee) because he promised him to do so, but when his father died in a state of disbelief, Abraham disavowed him, saying: (though I own nothing for thee from Allah) from Allah's chastisement. Allah then taught them what to say: (Our Lord!) O our Lord! (In Thee we put our trust) we rely on you, (and unto Thee we turn repentant) we turn to your obedience, (and unto Thee is the journeying) and unto You is the return in the Hereafter.”

“Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just. Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong.” (al-Mumtahina 60/8-9)

“(Allah forbideth you not) to help and have relations with (those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes) i.e. from Mecca, nor help those who drove you out of it, (that ye should show them kindness) that you should have relations with them and help them (and deal justly with them) by honouring your pledges to them. (Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers) the just ones who honour their pledges. The latter are Khuza'ah, the people of Hilal Ibn 'Uwaymir, and Khuzaymah and the Banu Mudlij who signed a treaty with the Prophet (pbuh) before the year of the al-Hudaybiyyah and which stipulated that they will not fight against him, drive him out of Mecca or help anyone to drive him out of Mecca. It is for this reason that Allah did not forbid him from having relations with them. (Allah forbideth you only those) He forbids you from having relations with those (who warred against you on account of religion) the people of Mecca (and have driven you out from your homes) Mecca (and helped to drive you out) from Mecca, (that you make friends of them) seeking their assistance and help. (Whosoever maketh friends of them) seeking their help and assistance ((All) such are wrong-doers) who harm themselves.”

“O ye who believe! Turn not (for friendship) to people on whom is the Wrath of Allah, of the Hereafter they are already in despair, just as the Unbelievers are in despair about those (buried) in graves.” (al-Mumtahina 60/13)

“(O ye who believe!) referring here to 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his fellow believers (Be not friendly) i.e. seeking their help and assistance and divulging to them the secrets of the Prophet (pbuh) (with a folk with whom Allah is wroth) twice; this refers to the Jews when they said: “Allah's Hand is uptight” and again when they disbelieved in Muhammad (pbuh) ((a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter) who have despaired of the bliss of Paradise (as the disbelievers) the disbelievers of Mecca (despair of those who are in the graves) i.e. of the return of the people of the graves; and it is also said that this means: of the questioning of Munkar and Nakir; and it is also said this means: do not be friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, but rather be of those who glorify Allah and pray to Him'.”