Surah Al-Baqarah 2:279
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 279 of 286
فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا۟ فَأْذَنُوا۟ بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ
Translation
If you do not, then be warned of war from God and His Messenger. You shall have your capital if you repent, and without suffering loss or causing others to suffer loss.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse delivers a stark warning and a clear path forward for those entangled in riba (interest or usury). It builds directly on the previous command to abandon any outstanding riba, making it clear that inaction has severe consequences, while repentance brings mercy and justice.
The Grave Warning: "War"
The phrase "فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا۟" (Fa in lam taf'aloo), meaning "But if you do not do that" – referring to giving up the remaining riba – sets up an immediate and dire outcome. The response is a powerful command: "فَأْذَنُوا۟ بِحَرْبٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ" (Fa'thanu biharbin min Allahi wa Rasoolihi), which translates to "then be informed of a war from Allah and His Messenger."
Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur point out the different readings and their profound implications. The prevalent reading "Fa'thanu" (فَأْذَنُوا), from the root meaning to know or be certain, tells the people to *be absolutely certain* that war from Allah and His Messenger awaits them. Another reading, "Fa'aathinu" (فَآذِنُوا), from a root meaning to announce, suggests they should *proclaim* this war, whether to themselves or others, further solidifying its inevitability and gravity.
The word "حَرْبٍۢ" (harb), meaning "war," is presented indefinitely in Arabic, without the definite article. Ibn Ashur explains that this indeterminacy serves to magnify its seriousness, indicating "a war of tremendous matter." It's not just any war, but one sanctioned and initiated by Allah Himself, carried out by His Messenger. This phrasing "مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ" (min Allahi wa Rasoolihi), "from Allah and His Messenger," rather than simply "Allah's war," emphasizes that this is a divine declaration, making the threat incredibly severe and leaving no room for doubt about the consequences of persistent disobedience regarding riba.
The Path to Repentance: "Principal Sums"
Yet, immediately after this intense warning, the verse opens a door to mercy: "وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ" (Wa in tubtum falakum ru'oosu amwalikum), meaning "But if you repent, then you will have your principal sums." The word "تبتم" (tubtum), "you repent," indicates a sincere turning away from the forbidden practice. It signifies both a change of heart and action.
The phrase "رُءُوسُ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ" (ru'oosu amwalikum), literally "heads of your wealth," is a precise linguistic choice. Ibn Ashur clarifies that "ru'oos" (heads) here metaphorically refers to the "origins" or "foundations" of one's capital. This specific wording draws a very clear boundary: only the original amount lent, the principal, is permissible. Any addition or increase beyond this is riba and must be foregone.
The Balance of Justice: "Neither Wronging Nor Wronged"
The verse concludes with a foundational principle of Islamic finance and interaction: "لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ" (La tazlimoona wala tuzlamoon), "You do not wrong, nor are you wronged." The order of the verbs is significant. The active voice "تَظْلِمُونَ" (you wrong) comes first, emphasizing the believer's responsibility not to transgress by taking more than their due. This is immediately followed by the passive voice "تُظْلَمُونَ" (you are wronged), assuring them that by adhering to justice, they will also be protected from being unjustly deprived of their rightful principal. Al-Jalalayn clarifies that this means you do not wrong others by demanding an increase, and no one will wrong you by reducing your capital. This double negation reinforces a comprehensive state of justice, ensuring fairness and equity for all parties involved in financial dealings.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:279 is discussed in 12 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:279 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.