Surah Al Imran ayat 120 Tafsir Quran 3:120

﴿إِن تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِن تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَفْرَحُوا بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئًا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ﴾
[ آل عمران: 120]

3:120 If good touches you, it distresses them; but if harm strikes you, they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allah is encompassing of what they do.

If good fortune a favour such as victory or booty befalls you it is evil for them it grieves them; but if evil such as defeat or drought befalls you they rejoice thereat the conditional statement here is semantically connected to the previous conditional and what comes in between is a parenthetical statement the meaning being that their enmity towards you is endless so why do you befriend them? Avoid them! Yet if you endure their harm and fear God by not befriending them and so on their guile will not hurt you read either lā yadirkum or lā yadurrukum at all; God encompasses what they do ya‘malūn or may be read ta‘malūn ‘what you do’ He has knowledge of it and will requite them for it.

If good fortune falls to you, be it through victory or through martyrdom, they come to be actuated by envy and grieved at heart. If you are befallen with a disaster or wedded to a calamity, they rejoice beyond a common joy. If you be patient and entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Allah, you shall not be hurt by their wicked plots and intrigues. Allah besets them on all sides and He is Alimun of all that they do

Prohibition of Taking Allies From Disbelievers Who Ridicule Islam Allah forbids His believing servants from taking the hypocrites as allies, so that the hypocrites do not have the opportunity to expose the secrets of the believers and their plans against their enemies.
The hypocrites try their very best to confuse, oppose and harm the believers any way they can, and by using any wicked, evil means at their disposal.
They wish the very worst and difficult conditions for the believers.
Allah said, لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ بِطَانَةً مِّن دُونِكُمْ ( Take not as (your ) Bitanah those other than your own) 3:118, in reference to taking followers of other religions as consultants and allies, for advisors of a certain person have access to his most secret affairs.
Al-Bukhari and An-Nasa'i recorded that, Abu Sa`id said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«مَا بَعَثَ اللهُ مِنْ نَبِيَ وَلَا اسْتَخْلَفَ مِنْ خَلِيفَةٍ إِلَّا كَانَتْ لَهُ بِطَانَتَانِ: بِطَانَةٌ تَأْمُرُهُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَتَحُضُّهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَبِطَانَةٌ تَأْمُرُهُ بِالسُّوءِ وَتَحُضُّهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَالْمَعْصُومُ مَنْ عَصَمَ الله»
( Allah has not sent any Prophet nor was there any Khalifah but they have two types of allies, one that commands him with righteousness and advises it, and another that commands him with evil and advises him with it.
Only those whom Allah gives immunity are immune. ) Ibn Abi Hatim reported that Ibn Abi Ad-Dahqanah said, "`Umar bin Al-Khattab was told, `There is young man here from the people of Hirah ( in Iraq, who were Christians ) who is a proficient scribe.
Why do you not appoint him as a scribe' `Umar said, `I would then be taking advisors from among the disbelievers."' This Ayah and the story about `Umar testify to the fact that Muslims are not allowed to use Ahl Adh-Dhimmah to be scribes in matters that affect the affairs of Muslims and expose their secrets, for they might convey these secrets to combatant disbelievers.
This is why Allah said, لاَ يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالاً وَدُّواْ مَا عَنِتُّمْ ( since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you.
They desire to harm you severely. ) Allah then said, قَدْ بَدَتِ الْبَغْضَآءُ مِنْ أَفْوَهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِى صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ ( Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. ) meaning, enmity appears on their faces and in what they sometimes utter, as well as, the enmity they have against Islam and its people in their hearts.
Since this fact is apparent to every person who has sound comprehension, therefore, قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الاٌّيَـتِ إِنْ كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ( Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayat if you understand. ) Allah said next, هَآأَنتُمْ أُوْلاءِ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِبُّونَكُمْ ( O! You are the ones who love them but they love you not ), meaning, O believers! You like the hypocrites because you think they are believers, for they pretend to be so, but they do not like you publicly or secretly. وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْكِتَـبِ كُلِّهِ ( And you believe in all the Scriptures ) meaning, you have no doubt in any part of Allah's Book, while the hypocrites have deep doubts, confusion and reservations about it. Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn `Abbas said that, وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْكِتَـبِ كُلِّهِ ( and you believe in all the Scriptures, ) means, you believe in your Book, their Book, and the previous Books, while the hypocrites disbelieve in your Book, and this is why they deserve that you dislike them instead of them disliking you.
Ibn Jarir collected this statement. وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُواْ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ عَضُّواْ عَلَيْكُمُ الاٌّنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ( And when they meet you, they say, "We believe." But when they are alone, they bite their Anamil at you in rage. ) The word Anamil, means the tips of the fingers, as Qatadah stated.
This is the behavior of the hypocrites who pretend to be believers and kind when they are with the believers, all the while concealing the opposite in their hearts in every respect.
This is the exact situation that Allah describes, وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ عَضُّواْ عَلَيْكُمُ الاٌّنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ( But when they are alone, they bite their Anamil at you in rage ) and rage is extreme anger and fury.
Allah said to them, قُلْ مُوتُواْ بِغَيْظِكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ ( Say: "Perish in your rage.
Certainly, Allah knows what is in the breasts (all the secrets ).") for no matter how much you envy the believers and feel rage towards them, know that Allah shall perfect His favor on His believing servants, complete His religion, raise high His Word and give dominance to His religion.
Therefore, O hypocrites, die in rage, إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ ( Allah knows what is in the breasts. ) Allah has perfect knowledge of what you conceal in your hearts and chests and in the rage, envy and hatred you have against the believers.
Allah will punish you for all this in this life, and they will have the good that you dislike for them.
In the Hereafter, you will suffer severe torment in the Fire where you will remain for eternity. Thereafter, Allah said, إِن تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِن تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَفْرَحُواْ بِهَا ( If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it ) 3:120.
This only emphasizes the severity of the enmity that the hypocrites feel against the believers.
If the believers enjoy fertile years, victories, support and their numbers and following increase, the hypocrites become displeased.
When the Muslims suffer a drought or their enemies gain the upper hand against them, by Allah's decree, just as occurred during the battle of Uhud, the hypocrites become pleased.
Allah said to His believing servants, وَإِن تَصْبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ لاَ يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئاً ( But if you remain patient and have Taqwa, not the least harm will their cunning do to you. ) Allah directs the believers to safety from the wickedness of evil people and the plots of the sinners, by recommending them to revert to patience and by having fear of Allah and trusting Him.
Allah encompasses the enemies of the believers, all the while the believers have no power or strength except from Him.
Whatever Allah wills, occurs, and whatever He does not will, does not occur.
Nothing happens in His Kingdom except with His decision and according to His decrees.
Verily, whoever relies on Allah, Allah shall suffice for him. Allah then mentions the story of Uhud, the defeat that He tested the believers with, His distinguishing the believers from the hypocrites and their patience.

Prohibition of Taking Allies From Disbelievers Who Ridicule Islam Allah forbids His believing servants from taking the hypocrites as allies, so that the hypocrites do not have the opportunity to expose the secrets of the believers and their plans against their enemies.
The hypocrites try their very best to confuse, oppose and harm the believers any way they can, and by using any wicked, evil means at their disposal.
They wish the very worst and difficult conditions for the believers.
Allah said, لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ بِطَانَةً مِّن دُونِكُمْ ( Take not as (your ) Bitanah those other than your own) 3:118, in reference to taking followers of other religions as consultants and allies, for advisors of a certain person have access to his most secret affairs.
Al-Bukhari and An-Nasa'i recorded that, Abu Sa`id said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «مَا بَعَثَ اللهُ مِنْ نَبِيَ وَلَا اسْتَخْلَفَ مِنْ خَلِيفَةٍ إِلَّا كَانَتْ لَهُ بِطَانَتَانِ: بِطَانَةٌ تَأْمُرُهُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَتَحُضُّهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَبِطَانَةٌ تَأْمُرُهُ بِالسُّوءِ وَتَحُضُّهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَالْمَعْصُومُ مَنْ عَصَمَ الله» ( Allah has not sent any Prophet nor was there any Khalifah but they have two types of allies, one that commands him with righteousness and advises it, and another that commands him with evil and advises him with it.
Only those whom Allah gives immunity are immune. ) Ibn Abi Hatim reported that Ibn Abi Ad-Dahqanah said, "`Umar bin Al-Khattab was told, `There is young man here from the people of Hirah ( in Iraq, who were Christians ) who is a proficient scribe.
Why do you not appoint him as a scribe' `Umar said, `I would then be taking advisors from among the disbelievers."' This Ayah and the story about `Umar testify to the fact that Muslims are not allowed to use Ahl Adh-Dhimmah to be scribes in matters that affect the affairs of Muslims and expose their secrets, for they might convey these secrets to combatant disbelievers.
This is why Allah said, لاَ يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالاً وَدُّواْ مَا عَنِتُّمْ ( since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you.
They desire to harm you severely. ) Allah then said, قَدْ بَدَتِ الْبَغْضَآءُ مِنْ أَفْوَهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِى صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ ( Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. ) meaning, enmity appears on their faces and in what they sometimes utter, as well as, the enmity they have against Islam and its people in their hearts.
Since this fact is apparent to every person who has sound comprehension, therefore, قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الاٌّيَـتِ إِنْ كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ( Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayat if you understand. ) Allah said next, هَآأَنتُمْ أُوْلاءِ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِبُّونَكُمْ ( O! You are the ones who love them but they love you not ), meaning, O believers! You like the hypocrites because you think they are believers, for they pretend to be so, but they do not like you publicly or secretly. وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْكِتَـبِ كُلِّهِ ( And you believe in all the Scriptures ) meaning, you have no doubt in any part of Allah's Book, while the hypocrites have deep doubts, confusion and reservations about it. Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn `Abbas said that, وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْكِتَـبِ كُلِّهِ ( and you believe in all the Scriptures, ) means, you believe in your Book, their Book, and the previous Books, while the hypocrites disbelieve in your Book, and this is why they deserve that you dislike them instead of them disliking you.
Ibn Jarir collected this statement. وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُواْ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ عَضُّواْ عَلَيْكُمُ الاٌّنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ( And when they meet you, they say, "We believe." But when they are alone, they bite their Anamil at you in rage. ) The word Anamil, means the tips of the fingers, as Qatadah stated.
This is the behavior of the hypocrites who pretend to be believers and kind when they are with the believers, all the while concealing the opposite in their hearts in every respect.
This is the exact situation that Allah describes, وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ عَضُّواْ عَلَيْكُمُ الاٌّنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ( But when they are alone, they bite their Anamil at you in rage ) and rage is extreme anger and fury.
Allah said to them, قُلْ مُوتُواْ بِغَيْظِكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ ( Say: "Perish in your rage.
Certainly, Allah knows what is in the breasts (all the secrets ).") for no matter how much you envy the believers and feel rage towards them, know that Allah shall perfect His favor on His believing servants, complete His religion, raise high His Word and give dominance to His religion.
Therefore, O hypocrites, die in rage, إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ ( Allah knows what is in the breasts. ) Allah has perfect knowledge of what you conceal in your hearts and chests and in the rage, envy and hatred you have against the believers.
Allah will punish you for all this in this life, and they will have the good that you dislike for them.
In the Hereafter, you will suffer severe torment in the Fire where you will remain for eternity. Thereafter, Allah said, إِن تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِن تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَفْرَحُواْ بِهَا ( If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it ) 3:120.
This only emphasizes the severity of the enmity that the hypocrites feel against the believers.
If the believers enjoy fertile years, victories, support and their numbers and following increase, the hypocrites become displeased.
When the Muslims suffer a drought or their enemies gain the upper hand against them, by Allah's decree, just as occurred during the battle of Uhud, the hypocrites become pleased.
Allah said to His believing servants, وَإِن تَصْبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ لاَ يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئاً ( But if you remain patient and have Taqwa, not the least harm will their cunning do to you. ) Allah directs the believers to safety from the wickedness of evil people and the plots of the sinners, by recommending them to revert to patience and by having fear of Allah and trusting Him.
Allah encompasses the enemies of the believers, all the while the believers have no power or strength except from Him.
Whatever Allah wills, occurs, and whatever He does not will, does not occur.
Nothing happens in His Kingdom except with His decision and according to His decrees.
Verily, whoever relies on Allah, Allah shall suffice for him. Allah then mentions the story of Uhud, the defeat that He tested the believers with, His distinguishing the believers from the hypocrites and their patience.

( If a lucky chance ) conquest and booty ( befall you, it is evil unto them ) the Jews and hypocrites do not like it, ( and if disaster ) drought, killing and defeat ( strike you they rejoice thereat ) they like it. ( But if you persevere ) in the face of their harm ( and keep from evil ) transgressing against Allah ( their guile ) their enmity and deeds ( will never harm you. Lo! Allah is Surrounding ) Allah knows ( what they do ) of contravention and enmity.

If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V. 2:2), not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do.

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