Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:52
سُورَةُ المَائـِدَةِ · Medinan · Verse 52 of 120
فَتَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌۭ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِيهِمْ يَقُولُونَ نَخْشَىٰٓ أَن تُصِيبَنَا دَآئِرَةٌۭ ۚ فَعَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِٱلْفَتْحِ أَوْ أَمْرٍۢ مِّنْ عِندِهِۦ فَيُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَسَرُّوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ نَٰدِمِينَ
Translation
yet you [Prophet] will see the perverse at heart rushing to them for protection, saying, ‘We are afraid fortune may turn against us.’ But God may well bring about a triumph or some other event of His own making: then they will rue the secrets they harboured in their hearts,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This beautiful verse from Surah Al-Ma'idah gently pulls back the curtain on the inner state and outward actions of those with wavering faith, offering both a description of hypocrisy and a promise of divine truth. It reveals how the very words chosen by Allah highlight deep spiritual truths.
The Sickness of the Heart
The verse begins by describing "those in whose hearts is a disease" (الذين في قلوبهم مرض). This isn't a physical ailment, but a profound spiritual sickness, a weakness of belief, as scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain. It points to the core of hypocrisy: a doubt that corrupts faith. These individuals are seen "hastening to them" (يسارعون فيهم). The word *yusāriʿūn* implies an eager, swift, and deep commitment, not just a casual interaction. As Ibn Ashur notes, the preposition "في" (fī) here means they are hastening *in the affair* of allying with the non-believers, or in their support, showing their intense inclination and dedication to these alliances.
The Fear of "A Turn of Fortune"
Their reasoning for this hurried alliance is laid bare: "They say: 'We fear that a turn of fortune will befall us'" (يقولون نخشى أن تصيبنا دائرة). The word *dāʾirah* signifies a change in circumstances, typically from good to bad, like a defeat or misfortune. Al-Razi and Ibn Ashur explain it as a fear that things might not go well for the Muslims, and that they might need the support of these non-believers if power shifts. This fear reveals a profound lack of trust in Allah's plan and His unwavering support for the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Their alliances are a hedge against perceived risks, rather than a firm reliance on Allah.
Allah's Certain Promise
In stark contrast to their anxious speculation, Allah then declares: "Then perhaps Allah will bring victory or a command from Him" (فعسى الله أن يأتي بالفتح أو أمر من عنده). When "عسى" (ʿasā), meaning "perhaps" or "it is hoped," comes from Allah, it carries the weight of certainty, as al-Razi emphasizes. It is a promise, for the Generous One fulfills the hopes He instills. The phrase offers two powerful possibilities: "al-Fath" (victory), which could be a military triumph like the Conquest of Makkah, and "or a command from Him" (أو أمر من عنده). This second phrase is crucial; al-Razi clarifies that it refers to a divine intervention where people have no direct role, such as Allah instilling terror in the hearts of enemies without battle. This highlights Allah's boundless power and diverse ways of bringing about His will, beyond mere human effort.
The Inevitable Regret
The consequence for the hypocrites is then stated: "and they will become regretful for what they concealed within themselves" (فيصبحوا على ما أسروا في أنفسهم نادمين). The word *fayusbiḥū* (they will become in the morning) implies a sudden, clear realization, as if waking up to a harsh truth. Their regret will be specifically for "what they concealed within themselves", their hidden doubts, their lack of loyalty, and their treacherous alliances. The clarity of Allah's words exposes these hidden intentions and assures believers that true commitment to Allah is the only lasting path.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:52 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 Al-Ma'idah 5:52 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.