سُوْرَةُ النِّسَآءِ

Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 144

The Women · Medinan · Juz 5 · Page 101

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَـٰنًا مُّبِينًا ﴿144﴾
O you who believe! Take not for Auliyâ’ (protectors or helpers or friends) disbelievers instead of believers. Do you wish to offer Allâh a manifest proof against yourselves?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا yāayyuhā O you
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna who
ءَامَنُوا۟ āmanū believe[d]
لَا (Do) not
تَتَّخِذُوا۟ tattakhidhū take
ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ l-kāfirīna the disbelievers
أَوْلِيَآءَ awliyāa (as) allies
مِن min from
دُونِ dūni instead of
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ l-mu'minīna the believers
أَتُرِيدُونَ aturīdūna Do you wish
أَن an that
تَجْعَلُوا۟ tajʿalū you make
لِلَّهِ lillahi for Allah
عَلَيْكُمْ ʿalaykum against you
سُلْطَـٰنًۭا sul'ṭānan an evidence
مُّبِينًا mubīnan clear

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 144) ➊ {لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْكٰفِرِيْنَ اَوْلِيَآءَ … :} Allah Almighty has, in various places in the Noble Qur’an, prohibited making disbelievers friends; see Surah Al-Imran (28), Surah Al-Ma’idah (51), Surah Al-Mujadila (22), and Surah Al-Mumtahina (1).
{ اَتُرِيْدُوْنَ اَنْ تَجْعَلُوْا … :} That is, by violating His command, do you want to establish such a clear and manifest proof against yourselves for Allah’s punishment, that after it there remains no doubt or uncertainty in your deserving of punishment?

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.

144. 1. That is, Allah has forbidden you from befriending the disbelievers. Now if you do befriend them, it means that you are providing Allah with the justification to punish you as well (i.e., due to disobedience to Allah and violation of His command).

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.

144. O you who believe! Do not take the disbelievers as friends instead of the believers. Do you wish to offer Allah a clear proof [192] against yourselves?

[192]
Prohibition of Friendship with Hypocrites:

That is, Allah Almighty has forbidden you from forming friendships with non-Muslims and hypocrites. If, despite Allah's command, you continue to do so, it means that you are making yourself deserving of punishment before Allah. This command is extremely comprehensive, relating both to individuals and to governments, to this world and to the Hereafter. Just as there is a risk of harm for an individual in befriending a non-Muslim or a hypocrite, similarly, if any Islamic or Muslim government establishes friendly relations with non-Muslims, it will also suffer harm. This has been experienced many times, and often it has been the hypocrites and traitors, who held responsible positions in government, that have caused the downfall of Muslim governments.