Surah Ali 'Imran 3:100
سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ · Medinan · Verse 100 of 200
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ فَرِيقًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يَرُدُّوكُم بَعْدَ إِيمَٰنِكُمْ كَٰفِرِينَ
Translation
You who believe, some of those who were given the Scripture would turn you into disbelievers if you were to yield to them.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Qur'anic Worlds
The Quran opens a vital conversation in Surah Aal-Imran, verse 100, addressing believers with a profound warning: "O you who have believed, if you obey a party of those who were given the Scripture, they will turn you back, after your belief, as disbelievers." This ayah, though timeless in its wisdom, shines brightest when we reflect on the world in which it was first revealed.
The World of Revelation
This verse descends upon a specific, tense moment in the early Muslim community in Madinah. The early Muslims, particularly the two great Ansar tribes, the Aws and the Khazraj, had transcended generations of bitter warfare through the unifying light of Islam. Their unity, born of faith, was a powerful sight, yet it deeply troubled those who harbored ill-will. As scholars like Mufti Shafi, al-Baghawi, and al-Razi recount, a Jewish man named Shammas ibn Qays, consumed by envy and malice, saw the Aws and Khazraj sitting together in peace. He couldn't bear their harmony.
He orchestrated a subtle, insidious plot: he instructed a young man to sit among them and subtly rekindle memories of their pre-Islamic conflicts, specifically the day of Bu'ath, a significant battle between them. The young man began reciting old poems that glorified tribal pride and past victories. Slowly, emotions flared. Old rivalries, thought buried under the peace of Islam, began to resurface. Accusations flew, and tempers escalated to the point where two men challenged each other, declaring, "The weapons! The weapons!" The tribes were on the verge of relapsing into open warfare, returning to the days of *Jahiliyyah* (pre-Islamic ignorance) and division.
When news reached Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, he rushed to them, saddened by their near-descent. He asked, "O community of Muslims, are you returning to the ways of *Jahiliyyah* while I am among you, after Allah has honored you with Islam and united your hearts?" The Companions, confronted by the Prophet’s words, realized it was a trick, a whisper from Shaytan (Satan) instigated by their enemies. They dropped their weapons, wept, embraced each other, and repented. It was, as Jabir described, a day that began in the ugliest fashion and ended in the most beautiful. This verse was then revealed, a direct counsel and caution for that specific, crucial moment.
A Timeless Warning
While born of a particular historical event, the wisdom of this ayah extends far beyond it. As Sayyid Qutb emphasizes, the Muslim *ummah* (community) was raised to establish a unique way of life based entirely on Allah's guidance. To obey "a party of those who were given the Scripture" (referring to Jews and Christians of that time who rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message and sought to undermine Islam) meant to be swayed by their doubts, their ways, or their advice, leading to an erosion of true belief. Ibn Kathir further highlights that their underlying motive was indeed envy, a desire to turn believers away from their faith.
The verse warns that adopting their counsel, even in seemingly minor matters, could gradually lead Muslims away from the clear path of Islam, back to a state of *kufr* (disbelief or rejection of truth). It’s a profound reminder for every generation: the unique identity and strength of the Muslim community depend on drawing guidance solely from Allah and His Messenger, and resisting influences that subtly or overtly seek to divert them from that path.
Sources: Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), Ibn Kathir
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ali 'Imran 3:100 is discussed in 10 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ali 'Imran 3:100 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.