Tafseer: {Allaah is the Walee of those who believe}

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ﴾

{Allaah is the Walee (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliyaa’ (supporters and helpers) are Taaghoot (false deities), they bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 257]

What follows is the Tafseer of the above Aayah from the following books of Tafaaseer:

Tafseer al-Baghawee.

Tafseer Ibn al-Katheer.

Tafseer al-Sa`dee.

Tafseer al-`Uthaymeen along with 10 points of benefit from this Aayah.

Tafseer al-Baghawee

Imaam al-Baghawee رحمه الله said in his Tafseer:

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا﴾

{Allaah is the Walee of those who believe.}

Meaning: “He تعالى will support them and help them”. It is also said: “He تعالى will love them.” It is further said: “He تعالى will take care of their affairs and will not leave it for someone else.”

Hasan al-Basree said: “He تعالى will guide them.”

﴿ يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ﴾

{He brings them out from darkness into light.}

Meaning: (guide them) from Kufr to Imaan.

Al-Waaqidee said: “In the Qur’aan, whenever the words الظلمات (darkness) and النور (light) are mentioned together, the intended meaning is: (the darkness of) Kufr and (the light of) Imaan except for the Aayah in Surah al-An`aam:

﴿ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ ﴾

{(and He تعالى) originated the darkness and the light}, here it means the night and the day.

Kufr is referred as Darkness due to its path being obscure; and Islaam is referred as Light due to the clarity of its path.”

﴿ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ ﴾

{But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliyaa’ (supporters and helpers) are Taaghoot (false deities)}

Maqaatil said: “meaning: Ka`b bin al-Ashraf and Hayyi bin Akhtab and all the other heads of misguidance.”

The word “al-Taaghoot” can refer to either a male, female, singular or plural.

The mention of the word “al-Taaghoot” in a single masculine form in the Qur’aan:

﴿يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَنْ يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ﴾

{and they (the hypocrites) wish to go for judgment (in their disputes) to the Taaghoot (false judge) while they were commanded to reject it} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4):60]

The mention of the word “al-Taaghoot” in a feminine form:

﴿وَالَّذِينَ اجْتَنَبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ أَنْ يَعْبُدُوهَا﴾

{But those who have avoided Taaghoot, lest they worship it*} [Surah al-Zumar (39):17]

*[Translators Note: The word worship in `Arabic has been mentioned in the Aayah in feminine form]

The mention of the word “al-Taaghoot” in plural form:

﴿ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ﴾

{they bring them out from light into darkness}

If it is said: “How can they be taken out of light, whereas they are Kuffaar and were never in the light in the first place?” The reply: “They are the Jews, who used to believe in the coming of (Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, which was mentioned in their Books. But when he صلى الله عليه وسلم came, they rejected him. And in general, this applies to every Kaafir.” 

It is said: “They prevented themselves from entering it (the light), as how Allaah تعالى informed us about Yusuf عليه السلام:

﴿إِنِّي تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ﴾

{Verily, I have abandoned the religion of a people (i.e. the people of Egypt) that believe not in Allaah and are disbelievers in the Hereafter} [Surah Yusuf (12): 37]; even though he عليه السلام never believed in their religion in the first place to abandon it.”

--end of quote from Tafseer al-Baghawee.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer

Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله said in his Tafseer:

Allaah تعالى stated that whoever follows what pleases Him, He تعالى will guide him to the paths of peace, that is Islaam, or Paradise. Verily, Allaah delivers His believing servants from the darkness of disbelief, doubt and hesitation, to the light of the plain, clear, explained, easy and unequivocal truth. He also stated that Shaitaan is the supporter of the disbelievers who beautifies the paths of ignorance and misguidance that they follow, thus causing them to deviate from the true path into disbelief and wickedness.

﴿أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ﴾

{Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever.}

This is why Allaah تعالى mentioned the light in the singular while mentioned the darkness in the plural, because truth is one, while disbelief comes as several types, all of which are false. Similarly, Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَأَنَّ هَـذَا صِرَطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّـكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴾

{And verily, this is my straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may have Taqwa} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 153]

He تعالى also said:

﴿وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَـتِ وَالنُّورَ﴾

{And originated the darknesses and the light} [Surah al-An`aam (6):1]

He تعالى also said:

﴿ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ ﴾

{to the right and to the lefts} [Surah al-Nahl (16): 48]

There are many other Aayat on the subject that mention the truth in the singular and falsehood in the plural, because of falsehood's many divisions and branches.

--end of quote from Tafseer Ibn Katheer.

Tafseer al-Sa`dee

Shaikh al-Sa`dee رحمه الله commented:

“(Allaah تعالى after mentioning about the people who have grasped the most trustworthy handhold), He تعالى then mentions the reason that led them to that (position), He تعالى said:

﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا﴾

{Allaah is the Walee of those who believe.}

This includes their true Wilaayah (friendship) towards their Lord, for they turn towards Him (in worship) and seek none but Him nor do they associate anyone with Him (in worship). They love Him and have taken Him as their Walee (Protector and Guardian). They befriend His Auliyaa’ and have enmity towards His enemies. (He تعالى in return) befriended them and favored them with His Kindness and Blessings.

He تعالى took them out of the darkness of Kufr, disobedience and ignorance towards the light of Imaan, obedience and knowledge (and awareness). He تعالى will (further) reward them by protecting them from the darkness of the grave, (the trials of) Hashr (the place where the people will be gathered) and of the Day of Judgment, and will lead them to eternal bliss, comfort and happiness.

And His تعالى saying:

﴿ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ ﴾

{But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliyaa’ (supporters and helpers) are Taaghoot (false deities)}

Meaning: they have befriended the Shaytaan and his allies, and have taken other than Allaah as their Walee, and have turned away from Him تعالى, leaving the protection of their Lord and their Master. As a punishment (Allaah تعالى made the Shayaateen) to overpower them, constantly inciting them towards the disobedience (of their Lord), bothering them and annoying them. They (the Shayaateen) take them away from the light of Imaan, knowledge and obedience towards the darkness of Kufr, ignorance and disobedience. And their punishment will be that they will be prevented from doing any good and they will miss out on Paradise and the everlasting happiness, and they will be with the Shaytaan and his allies in the House of sorrow (i.e. the Hellfire), as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿ أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ﴾

{Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever.}

--end of Quote from Tafseer al-Sa`dee.

Tafseer Al-`Uthaymeen

Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله commented:

The saying Allaah تعالى:

﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا﴾

{Allaah is the Walee of those who believe} i.e. their Guardian and Protector; meaning: (enjoying the benefits) of the special friendship.

And from its benefits is the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ﴾

{He brings them out from darkness into light.}.

“Al-Noor” (light) has been mentioned in singular form because (the path towards the truth) is only one path. Whereas “al-Dhulumaat” (darkness) has been mentioned in plural form because of its many types, it could be darkness of ignorance or darkness of Kufr or darkness of disobedience.

As for darkness of ignorance: the similitude of an ignorant person is that of a blind man, bewildered, don’t know where to go as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿أَوَمن كان ميتاً فأحييناه وجعلنا له نوراً يمشي به في الناس﴾

{Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 122]

This was the similitude of the person who has `Ilm.

﴿ كمن مثله في الظلمات ليس بخارج منها ﴾

{like him who is in the darkness from which he can never come out?} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 122]

This was the similitude of an ignorant person.

As for the darkness of Kufr, (then know) that Imaan is light, with which the people are guided, illuminating their hearts and faces and its opposite is Kufr.

As for the darkness of disobedience, then this is partial darkness; increasing and decreasing depending upon the number of sins the person has committed. The evidence for it is that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had informed us that when a person commits a sin, a black dot is marked on his heart,* and this black (spot) is darkness (dhulm). The spot is removed through repentance, and it increases due to persistently committing sins.

So Darkness is of three types: darkness of ignorance, Kufr and disobedience; and opposite of it is the Light of `Ilm, Imaan and steadfastness (upon the deen).

*[The complete Hadeeth: Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “When someone commits a sin, a black dot is marked on his heart. When he abandons it and seeks forgiveness and repents, his heart is cleaned (and spotless), but if he persists and returns (to the sin), then the dots are added till blackness covers his heart as Allaah has said: {By no means! But on their hearts is the stain of the (ill) which they do!}” [Surah al-Mutaffifeen (83): 14]]

Allaah تعالى further said:

﴿ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ ﴾

{But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliyaa’ are Taaghoot}

If one were to ponder over this sentence and the one before it, he will find that these two sentences differ on the way these sentences were constructed.

The sentence:

﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ﴾

{Allaah is the Walee of those who believe}

comprises of three things:

First: The heart rejoices when the Name of Allaah تعالى is mentioned first.

Second: The blessings when the Name of Allaah is mentioned first.

Third: The showing of gratitude by Allaah upon these people, that it was Allaah تعالى who favored them in the first place – He تعالى took them out from darkness into light.

As for the second sentence:

﴿ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ ﴾

{But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliyaa’ are Taaghoot}

The reason why this sentence is not in the same order as the previous one, so that one could to read it as: “the Taaghoot are the Auliyaa’ of those who disbelieve”, the wisdom behind it is:

First: The Taaghoot can never and should not be equaled with the Name of Allaah تعالى.

Second: The Taaghoot is lesser and unworthy that the sentence should begin with his name.

Third: And beginning the sentence with: {But as for those who disbelieve}, this way it is for condemning them faster than mentioning their name in the end.

And in the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا﴾

{But as for those who disbelieve}

i.e. disbelieving in everything that one is obliged to have believed, either disbelieving in Allaah تعالى or His Messengers or His angels or the Day of Judgment or the Qadr or other than that in which a person has to have faith (e.g. the existence of Paradise and Hell, punishment of the grave, existence of the Jinn etc.).

And His تعالى saying:

﴿ أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ ﴾

{their Auliyaa’}

The word Auliyaa’ is the plural of Walee. This is so mentioned because of many different types (and paths) of Shirk and Kufr, unlike the path of Truth, for it is only one. This is like the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿ وأن هذا صراطي مستقيماً فاتبعوه ولا تتبعوا السبل فتفرق بكم عن سبيله ﴾

{And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way.} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 153]

And the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ ﴾

{they bring them out}

The pronoun “they” is used in plural to refer to Taghoot so that all the types (of Taaghoot) are included.

And the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ﴾

{they bring them out from light into darkness.}

An issue (in regards to being taken out of light), because what is apparent is that: they are those who first believed, so they entered the light; then they disbelieved, so they were taken out of it; as well as it includes those who were originally Kaafir.

The answer: It could either mean those who were first upon faith and then taken out as what is apparent from the text. Or it is said that it could mean in reference to the Fitrah (instinct). For every newborn is born on the Fitrah – the safe and sound Fitrah, Imaan – and then were taken out of it. As what the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had said:

“Every child is born upon Fitrah (i.e. with a true faith of Islaam - to worship none but Allaah Alone) and then his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1358, 1385) and Saheeh Muslim (6423, 6426, 6428)]

Benefits:

i. From the benefits of this Aayah is: the excellence of Imaan and the attainment of the Wilaayah of Allaah عز وجل because of it as He تعالى says:

﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ﴾

{Allaah is the Walee of those who believe.}

ii. And from its benefit is: the affirmation of the Wilaayah of Allaah عز وجل, i.e. He تعالى is the Walee (Protector and Guardian) of His servants. The Wilaayah is of two types:

First: The general Wilaayah, meaning that Allaah takes care of all of His creation, and it is not limited to the Believers only. As Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وردوا إلى الله مولاهم الحق وضل عنهم ما كانوا يفترون﴾

{and they will be brought back to Allaah, their rightful Lord (Maula) , and their invented false deities will vanish from them.} [Surah Yunus (10): 30] Meaning the Kaafir.

Second: the Wilaayah which is specific only for the Believers. As Allaah تعالى says:

﴿ ذلك بأن الله مولى الذين آمنوا وأن الكافرين لا مولى لهم ﴾

{That is because Allaah is the Maula (Lord, Master, Helper, Protector, etc.) of those who believe, and the disbelievers have no Maula} [Surah Muhammad (47):11]

And as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ﴾

{Allaah is the Walee of those who believe.}

The first point is for confirming that Allaah تعالى has complete and perfect authority and control over all His creation. The second point is for confirming His تعالى Compassion, Mercy and the Success granted by Him.

iii. And from the benefits  of this Aayah is: One of the fruits of Imaan is Allaah’s guidance for the Believer. As he تعالى said:

﴿ يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ﴾

{He brings them out from darkness into light.}

iv. Another benefit we learn from this Aayah is: The Auliyaa’ of the Kuffaar are the Taaghoot, irrespective of their following them, worshiping them or obeying them.

v. And from its benefit is: Allaah عز وجل freeing Himself from the disbelievers. This taken from what is said and what is understood. From the Aayah:

﴿اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ﴾

{Allaah is the Walee of those who believe.}

it is understood from it that Allaah is not the Walee of the disbelievers.

And from the speech is His تعالى saying:

﴿ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ ﴾

{But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliyaa’ are Taaghoot}

This is opposite of the saying of Allaah تعالى: {Allaah is the Walee of those who believe.}

vi. And from its benefit we learn: from the fruits of al-Kufr is that it leads one towards misguidance – and Allaah’s refuge is sought; as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ﴾

{they bring them out from light into darkness.}

One meaning of being taken out includes: being taken out of the light and into darkness due to their turning away from the light (truth). And the other meaning of being taken out is: they will continue into darkness.

vii. And from it benefits is: al-Kufr in opposition to al-Imaan due to the saying of Allaah تعالى: {those who believe} and {those who disbelieve}, but does this mean that they cannot be found in a person together?

The answer: As per the correct opinion, they can be found together in a person, and this is the Madhhab of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah as per the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

“Abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (an evil doing) and killing him is Kufr (disbelief)” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (48, 6044, 7076) and Saheeh Muslim (116)]

But this type of Kufr does not remove a person from the folds of Islaam, as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَإِن طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا  فَإِن بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَىٰ فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّىٰ تَفِيءَ إِلَىٰ أَمْرِ اللَّـهِ  فَإِن فَاءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا  إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ * إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ  وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ﴾

{And if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both, but if one of them rebels against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that which rebels till it complies with the Command of Allaah; then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allaah loves those who are equitable. * The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islaamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allaah, that you may receive mercy.} [Surah al-Hujuraat (49): 9-10]

The Isaamic brotherhood is still affirmed for the killer even though he has killed (a Muslim) and even though the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “it (killing a Muslim) is Kufr.” Look at a person, he might lie – and this is the trait of the hypocrites; he may have jealousy and hatred – and this is the trait of the Jews; he may be truthful – and this is the trait of the Believers; and he maybe altruism – this is again a characteristic of the Believers.

But as for absolute Kufr – then this is what removes a person out of Islaam – and it is impossible for it (absolute kufr) to combine together in a person.

viii. And another benefit from this Aayah: Affirmation of the existence of the Hellfire, due to the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿ أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ﴾

{Those are the dwellers of the Fire}

The Hellfire already exists; for Allaah تعالى also said:

﴿واتقوا النار التي أعدت للكافرين﴾

{And fear the Fire, which is prepared for the disbelievers.} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 131]

Allaah تعالى said: {prepared}, in the past tense. It is also affirmed from the Sunnah that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had seen the Hellfire many times, like during the incident of the Solar eclipse, and he صلى الله عليه وسلم had seen `Amr bin Luhai dragging his intestines in the Hellfire; or about the narration where he mentioned that the woman is being punished for not taking proper care of the cat.

Anyways, the main point is that Hellfire already been created. Like every other creation, it has a beginning, for it was created by Allaah تعالى and it will be eternal and it will not extinguish, as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿والذين كفروا لهم نار جهنم لا يقضى عليهم فيموتوا ولا يخفف عنهم من عذابها كذلك نجزي كل كفور﴾

{But those who disbelieve, (in the Oneness of Allaah - Islamic Monotheism) for them will be the Fire of Hell. Neither it will have a complete killing effect on them so that they die, nor shall its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever!} [Surah Faatir (35): 36]

The eternal existence of Hell and its inhabitants has been mentioned in the Qur’aan three times*. And with this we know that anyone who says that: “it will be extinguished”, is wrong. Saying that it will extinguish is a rejected statement, going against the Shar`ee evidence.

*[References: Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 169; Surah al-Ahzaab (33): 65; Surah al-Jinn (72): 23]

ix. Another benefit: The Kuffaar will dwell eternally in the Hellfire due to the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿ أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ﴾

{Those are the companions of the Fire}

Companionship with a thing is only established when it is accompanied all the time.

x. Further benefit: The eternal existence in Hell is specific only for the Kuffaar. But as for the Believers who will enter the Hell (as a punishment for their sins), will not abide therein forever due to the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ﴾

{they (the Kuffaar) will abide therein forever}

which means those other than them (i.e. the Believers) will be taken out.

--end of quote from Tafseer al-`Uthaymeen.