Ali 'Imran · Madani · ayah 63 of 200

Ali 'Imran 3:63

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ

“But if they turn away, then indeed - Allāh is Knowing of the corrupters.”

Saheeh International

Essence

If they turn away after the truth is plain, the outcome rests with Allah, who fully knows those who spoil what is sound.

A reflection

You do not have to win

A daughter has explained, carefully and twice, why her father's online 'investment opportunity' is a fraud. He thanks her coldly and changes the subject. That night she sits up drafting a fifth message, with links and screenshots, unable to let it go.

The ayah speaks into exactly that sleeplessness. 'If they turn away, then Allah knows well the corrupters.' A classical commentator draws out what it meant for the Prophet ﷺ. Stop talking to them about it, and hand their affair to Allah. He sees what is in their hearts, and He is able to repay it.

That is a relief, and also a quiet correction. Much of our need to win an argument is not about truth at all. It is the ego wanting to be seen to be right. We want the other person to concede, ideally in front of witnesses. When they will not, we feel robbed.

The ayah removes that burden by placing the outcome where it belongs. You are not the one who reads hearts. You are not the one who settles accounts. You cannot see whether a refusal is stubbornness, fear, confusion, or the slow start of a change. Allah can. He is ʿAlīm, knowing every hidden motive, and He loses nothing when someone turns away.

So say the truth well, and then let go. Pride hates that instruction. Faith finds it restful. The One who knows is far better placed to judge than the one who merely wants the last word.

The full entry has 6 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.