سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ

Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 149

The Family of Imraan · Medinan · Juz 4 · Page 69

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ ﴿149﴾
O you who believe! If you obey those who disbelieve, they will send you back on your heels, and you will turn back (from Faith) as losers.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا yāayyuhā O you
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna who
ءَامَنُوٓا۟ āmanū believe
إِن in If
تُطِيعُوا۟ tuṭīʿū you obey
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
كَفَرُوا۟ kafarū disbelieve
يَرُدُّوكُمْ yaruddūkum they will turn you back
عَلَىٰٓ ʿalā on
أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ aʿqābikum your heels
فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ fatanqalibū then you will turn back
خَـٰسِرِينَ khāsirīna (as) losers

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 149) {يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِنْ تُطِيْعُوا الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا:} After the temporary setback at Uhud, the disbelievers—which included the hypocrites, Jews, Christians, and polytheists—all tried to create various doubts and suspicions in the hearts of the Muslims to turn them away from Islam. In response, Allah Almighty warned the Muslims not to fall for the deception of the disbelievers, otherwise they would suffer loss. This verse also completes the subject of the previous verse. Remember that the greatest loss in this world is for a person to lay down arms before his enemy, and the loss in the Hereafter is being deprived of reward and being seized by punishment. Thus, loss is general.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

149. O you who believe! If you obey the disbelievers, they will turn you back on your heels (away from Islam), and you will become losers. [136]

[136] Since the Muslims suffered significant loss of life in the Battle of Uhud and many Companions were also wounded, the polytheists, Jews, and hypocrites were all very pleased with this loss of the Muslims and tried to convince the Muslims that if Muhammad ﷺ were a true Prophet, the Muslims would never have been defeated, nor would he himself have been wounded. Furthermore, they said that if there is another battle in the future, the same fate will befall you, so is it not better that you now consider your own benefit and loss? They also taunted some Muslims. Allah Almighty said to the Muslims that if you listen to their words, then these people will return you to the same era of ignorance from which Allah, by His grace, has brought you out through Islam. Also, that these people will never help you in any situation. Place your trust in Allah and remain steadfast; He is your best Helper.