The Holy Quran 9:23 — Surah At-Tawbah

Arabic text

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَكُمْ وَإِخْوَٰنَكُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ إِنِ ٱسْتَحَبُّوا۟ ٱلْكُفْرَ عَلَى ٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ

Translation

O you who have Imaan! Do not take your fathers and your brothers as (close) friends if they prefer kufr to Imaan. Whoever of you will befriend them, then these are the oppressors (because they will be harming themselves and their Deen and will be reluctant to strive in Jihaad).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

In the preceding verses it was explained that jihad (fighting in the path of Allah) and hijrah (emigration) are the greatest and most excellent of deeds. Very often ties with relatives and kinsfolk, family and clan interfere with these two deeds. Therefore it was said: how can a believer hold dear those to whom disbelief is dearer than faith?

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