Al-Ahzab · Madani · ayah 48 of 73

Al-Ahzab 33:48

وَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَدَعْ أَذَىٰهُمْ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا

“And do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites and disregard their annoyance, and rely upon Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.”

Saheeh International

Essence

The surah's opening command returns with one new phrase, leave their harm, closing the Prophet's five descriptions on the One who is enough.

A reflection

Five titles, and then: Allah is enough

Most of this ayah has been heard before. Do not obey the deniers and the hypocrites opened the surah (33:1). Rely on Allah, and Allah is enough as a guardian, closed its third ayah (33:3). The entry on 33:3 explores that reliance in full. What is new here is where the words now stand.

They follow five descriptions: witness, bearer of good news, warner, caller to Allah, shining lamp. Two classical commentators pair each description with a command in 33:47-48. The lamp, one says, is answered by wa-kafā bi-llāhi wakīlā. Whoever Allah has made a light for all creation is fit to be content with Allah alone, instead of all creation.

That shrinks every ego in the room. The most honoured man in the surah is not told he is enough. He is told Allah is. If the lamp itself needs no one but its Lord, no lesser light should think it carries itself.

Does a God who keeps telling people to rely on Him want to feel needed? One classical commentator answers by asking why anyone appoints a guardian. One guardian is not enough if he is weak, ignorant or in need. Allah is none of these. Relying on Him adds nothing to Him. It rescues the one who relies.

The full entry has 2 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.