Surah Al-Ankabut

The Spider

Introduction

Name of Chapter and Reason for its Name

This chapter is called Surah Al-Ankaboot, and it has been named after its 41st verse in which those who rely on other than Allah are considered analogous to an ankaboot - meaning spider, since a spider who lives in its web has only frail strings for its support.

Chapter Number

Surah Al-Ankaboot is the 29th chapter of the Quran.

Number of Verses

This chapter has 69 verses.

Place of Revelation

There is disagreement among the scholars about whether this chapter is Makki or Madani. Some consider it to be entirely Makki. However, some exegetes believe that verses 1-9 were revealed in Medina.

Content

Important Concepts in this Chapter

Verses 14-40

A brief mention of seven previous Prophets and their people.

These verses relate the story of seven of Allah’s Prophets and their communities, and they include: Nuh Ibrahim Lut Shuayb Hud Saleh Musa

Allah tested every nation that these Prophets were sent to. Some successfully passed the test, while others failed it.

Verses 47-51

Greatness of the Quran, and evidence for the Prophethood of Muhammad. These verses relate some of the characteristics of the Quran, such as its greatness. Also, since Prophet Muhammad had never read or written anything before, this is presented as evidence for him being a true Prophet.

Verses 60-67

Mentions some of Allah’s signs in creation. These verses mention the signs of Allah in creation as evidence for tawheed (unity of Allah), and they also aim to discredit shirk (attributing partners to Allah) by asking man’s fitrah (Allah-given nature) to judge between the truth and falsehood.

Verses 8, 45-46

Some points on akhlaaq (Islamic ethics) and tarbiyah (spiritual training). These verses mention a few points regarding tarbiyah, such as salah (ritual prayer), righteous actions, goodness towards one’s parents, and the rational manner of encountering those who do not accept Islam.

Discussions on this Chapter

According to the Sunni Traditions

Benefits of Reciting this Surah

عن رسول‌الله صلی‌الله علیه و سلم «من قرأ سورة العنکبوت کان له من الأجر عشر حسنات بعدد کل المؤمنین و المنافقین»

The Prophet of Allah said: “Whoever recites Surah al-Ankaboot will be given rewards ten times the number of believers and hypocrites.”

Verse 3: “Certainly We tested those who were before them. So Allah shall surely ascertain those who are truthful, and He shall surely ascertain the liars.”

وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۖ فَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ وَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ ٣ عن النبی صلی‌الله علیه و سلم: «قد کان من قبلکم یؤخذ فیوضع المنشار علی رأسه فیفرق فرقتین، ما یصرفه ذلک عن دینه و یمشط بأمشاط الحدید ما دون عظمه من لحم و عصب، ما یصرفه ذلک عن دینه»

The Messenger said: “Before you, there came people who would be captured and a saw was placed on their heads, and it would be cut into two parts. However, that did not distract them from their religion and they combed everything with an iron comb - except bones from meat and nerves. That did not divert them from their religion.”

Verse 13: “But they will carry their own burdens and other burdens along with their own burdens, and they will surely be questioned on the Day of Resurrection concerning that which they used to fabricate.”

وَلَيَحۡمِلُنَّ أَثۡقَالَهُمۡ وَأَثۡقَالٗا مَّعَ أَثۡقَالِهِمۡۖ وَلَيُسۡ َٔلُنَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ ١٣ قال ابن أبی حاتم: حدثنا أحمد بن أبی الحواری، حدثنا أبو بشر الحذاء عن أبی حمزة الثمالی عن معاذ بن جبل رضی الله عنه قال: قال لی رسول‌الله صلی‌الله علیه و سلم: «یا معاذ إن المؤمن یسأل یوم القیامة عن جمیع سعیه حتی عن کحل عینیه و عن فتات الطینة بإصبعین، فلا ألفینک تأتی یوم القیامة و أحد أسعد بما آتاک الله منک»

Ibn Abu Haatim said that Ahmad ibn Abu al-Hawari narrated from Abu Bashar al-Hadha, from Abu Hamzah al-Thumali, from Maadh ibn Jabal, that the Prophet of Allah told me: “Oh Maadh, surely a believer will be questioned on the Day of Judgement about everything that they did, even about the kohl they put on their eyes, and about the tiny pieces of clay [that remain] on two fingers. So you will not find anyone on the Day of Judgement who will be happy about what was brought forward for them.”

Verse 25: “He said, ‘You have taken idols [for worship] besides Allah for the sake of [mutual] affection amongst yourselves in the life of the world. Then on the Day of Resurrection you will disown one another and curse one another, and the Fire will be your abode, and you will not have any helpers.’

وَقَالَ إِنَّمَا ٱتَّخَذۡتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡثَٰنٗا مَّوَدَّةَ بَيۡنِكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ يَكۡفُرُ بَعۡضُكُم بِبَعۡضٖ وَيَلۡعَنُ بَعۡضُكُم بَعۡضٗا وَمَأۡوَىٰكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ ٢٥ قال ابن أبی حاتم: حدثنا محمد بن إسماعیل الأحمسی، حدثنا أبو عاصم الثقفی، حدثنا الربیع بن إسماعیل بن عمرو بن سعید بن جعدة بن هبیرة المخزومی عن أبیه عن جده، عن أم هانئ أخت علی بن أبی طالب قالت: قال لی النبی صلی‌الله علیه و سلم: «أخبرک أن الله تعالی یجمع الأولین و الآخرین یوم القیامة فی صعید واحد، فمن یدری أین الطرفان؟ قالت: الله و رسوله أعلم- ثم ینادی مناد من تحت العرش: یا أهل التوحید، فیشرئبون- قال أبو عاصم یرفعون رؤوسهم- ثم ینادی: یا أهل التوحید، ثم ینادی الثالثة: یا أهل التوحید، إن الله قد عفا عنکم- قال- فیقوم الناس قد تعلق بعضهم ببعض فی ظلمات الدنیا- یعنی المظالم- ثم ینادی: یا أهل التوحید لیعف بعضکم عن بعض و علی الله الثواب»

Ibn Abu Haatim narrates that Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Ahmasi heard from Abu Asim al-Thaqfa, from al-Rabi ibn Ismail ibn Amr ibn Saeed ibn Judah ibn Hubayrah al-Makhzumah, from his father, from his grandfather, from Umm Hani - the sister of Ali ibn Abi Talib. She said that the Prophet told her: “I am going to tell you that surely Allah, the Exalted will gather the first and last of mankind on the Day of Judgement on a single plane. So who knows where the two groups will be?” She said, “Allah and His Prophet know better.” Then, a loud call will be heard from beneath the ground: “O people who believe in tawheed.” Abu Asim said, “They are raising their heads.” Then a second call came: “O people who believe in tawheed.” Then a third call came: “O people who believe in tawheed. Surely Allah has forgiven you.” Then he said, “Then the people who had connected some of the people with others in the darkness of the world - meaning injustice - will stand up.” Then another call will be made: “O people who believe in tawheed, some of you should forgive others; and then Allah will give out the rewards.”

Verse 45: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and maintain the prayer. Indeed the prayer restrains from indecent and wrongful conduct, and the remembrance of Allah is surely greater. And Allah knows whatever [deeds] you do.”

ٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِۗ وَلَذِكۡرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكۡبَرُۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَصۡنَعُونَ ٤٥ قال ابن جریر: حدثنا علی، حدثنا إسماعیل بن مسلم عن الحسن قال: قال رسول‌الله صلی‌الله علیه و سلم: «من صلی صلاة لم تنهه عن الفحشاء و المنکر، لم یزدد بها من الله إلا بعداً»

Ibn Jarir said that Ali heard from Ismail ibn Muslim, from al-Hasan that the Prophet of Allah said: “Whoever offers prayers which does not restrain one from indecent and wrongful conduct, will only increase in being kept further away from Allah.”

Verse 46: “Do not argue with the People of the Book except in a manner which is best, except such of them as are wrongdoers, and say, ‘We believe in what has been sent down to us and in what has been sent down to you; our Allah and your Allah is one [and the same], and to Him do we submit.’”

وَلَا تُجَٰدِلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡهُمۡۖ وَقُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡنَا وَأُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكُمۡ وَإِلَٰهُنَا وَإِلَٰهُكُمۡ وَٰحِدٞ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُۥ مُسۡلِمُونَ ٤٦ عن النبی صلی‌الله علیه و سلم: ما حدّثکم أهل الکتاب فلا تصدّقوهم و لا تکذبوهم و قولوا آمنا باللّه و کتبه و رسله، فإن کان باطلا لم تصدّقوهم و إن کان حقا لم تکذبوهم

The Prophet of Allah said: “No matter what the People of the Book say to you, do not believe them and do not deny them [either]. Say: ‘We believe in Allah, His scriptures, and His Messengers.’ So, if it was false, then do not believe them; and if it was true, then do not deny them.”

Verse 51: “Does it not suffice them that We have sent down to you the Book which is recited to them? There is indeed in that a mercy and admonition for a people who have faith.”

أَوَ لَمۡ يَكۡفِهِمۡ أَنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحۡمَةٗ وَذِكۡرَىٰ لِقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٥١ قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا حجاج، حدثنا لیث، حدثنی سعید بن أبی سعید عن أبیه عن أبی هریرة رضی الله عنه قال: قال رسول‌الله صلی‌الله علیه و سلم: «ما من الأنبیاء من نبی إلا قد أعطی من الآیات ما مثله آمن علیه البشر و إنما کان الذی أوتیته وحیا أوحاه الله إلی، فأرجو أن أکون أکثرهم تابعا یوم القیامة»

Imam Ahmad says that Hajjaj heard from Layth, from Saeed ibn Abu Saeed, from his father, from Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet of Allah said: “All of the Prophets were given some signs that would make the people believe in them. Surely what I have been given is revelation that Allah reveals to me. I hope that I will have the greatest number of followers on the Day of Judgement.”

Verse 56: “O My servants who have faith! My earth is indeed vast. So worship [only] Me.”

يَٰعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّ أَرۡضِي وَٰسِعَةٞ فَإِيَّٰيَ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ٥٦ عن النبی صلی‌الله علیه و سلم «من فرّ بدینه من أرض إلی أرض و إن کان شبرا من الأرض، استوجب الجنة و کان رفیق إبراهیم و محمد»

The Holy Prophet said: “Whoever escapes from one land to another (because of his religion) even if that person only travels a distance of one hand span, is guaranteed heaven. They will be considered close friends of Ibrahim and Muhammad.”

Verse 60: “How many an animal there is that does not carry its own provision. Allah provides them and you, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن دَآبَّةٖ لَّا تَحۡمِلُ رِزۡقَهَا ٱللَّهُ يَرۡزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمۡۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٦٠ فقال رسول‌الله صلی‌الله علیه و سلم: «إن الله عز و جل لم یأمرنی بکنز الدنیا و لا باتباع الشهوات، فمن کنز دنیاه یرید بها حیاة باقیة، فإن الحیاة بید الله، ألا و إنی لا أکنز دینارا و لا درهما و لا أخبأ رزقا لغد»

The Prophet of Allah said: “Surely Allah, the Powerful and Majestic, did not command me to keep this world buried, nor to follow desires. So whoever buries their [physical] world will get the life of the next world. Definitely, life is in Allah’s hands. Verily, I do not bury the dinar, nor the dirham, and I do not hide anyone’s future sustenance.”

According to the Shia Traditions

Benefits of Reciting this Surah

عَنْ أَبِی بَصِیرٍ عَنْ أَبِی عَبْدِ الله قَالَ: مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْعَنْکبُوتِ وَ الرُّومِ فِی شَهْرِ رَمَضَان لَیلَةَ ثَلَاثَةٍ وَ عِشْرِینَ فَهُوَ وَ الله یا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ لَا أَسْتَثْنِی فِیهِ أَبَداً وَ لَا أَخَافُ أَنْ یکتُبَ الله عَلَی فِی یمِینِی إِثْماً وَ إِنَّ لِهَاتَینِ السُّورَتَینِ مِنَ الله مَکاناً

Abu Baseer narrates from Abu Abdillah that: “Whoever recites Surahs al-Ankaboot and al-Room on the 23rd night in the month of Ramadhan, I swear to Allah, O Abu Muhammad, that they will be among the people of heaven without exception forever. I have no fear that Allah may record me as sinning [for lying]. Surely, these two chapters are a residence?? from Allah.”

Verse 2: “Do the people suppose that they will be let off because they say, ‘We have faith,’ and they will not be tested?”

أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتۡرَكُوٓاْ أَن يَقُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَنُونَ ٢ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَمَّرِ بْنِ خَلَّادٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ یقُولُ الم أَ حَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ یتْرَکوا أَنْ یقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَ هُمْ لا یفْتَنُون ثُمَّ قَالَ لِی مَا الْفِتْنَةُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاک الَّذِی عِنْدَنَا الْفِتْنَةُ فِی الدِّینِ فَقَالَ یفْتَنُونَ کمَا یفْتَنُ الذَّهَبُ ثُمَّ قَالَ یخْلَصُونَ کمَا یخْلَصُ الذَّهَب

Some companions narrate from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Muammar ibn Khallad that he said I heard Abu al-Hasan reciting [the 1st two verses of Surah al-Anakboot], and then he said to me: “What is al-fitna (being tried and tested)?” I replied, “May I be sacrificed for you. [What is it?]” Then Abu al-Hasan said: “People are tried and tested just like gold is tried and tested; and they will become purified just like gold becomes purified.”

Verse 8: “We have enjoined man to be good to his parents. But if they urge you to ascribe to Me as partner that of which you have no knowledge, then do not obey them. To Me will be your return, whereat I will inform you concerning what you used to do.”

وَوَصَّيۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيۡهِ حُسۡنٗاۖ وَإِن جَٰهَدَاكَ لِتُشۡرِكَ بِي مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞ فَلَا تُطِعۡهُمَآۚ إِلَيَّ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ ٨ عَنْ مهر بْنِ حَکیمٍ عَنْ أَبِیهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لِلنَّبِی ص یا رسول‌الله مَنْ أَبْرَرُ قَالَ أُمَّک قُلْتُ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ ثُمَ أُمَّک قُلْتُ ثُمَ مَنْ قَالَ ثُمَّ أُمَّک قُلْتُ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ ثُمَّ أَبَاک ثُمَّ الْأَقْرَبَ فَالْأَقْرَبَ.

Mahr ibn Hakeem narrates from his father, from his grandfather who said I said to the Prophet, “O Prophet of Allah - who should I be kind to?” He replied: “Your mother.” I said, “Then who?” He replied: “Then, your mother.” I said, “Then who?” He replied: “Then, your mother.” I said, “Then who?” He replied: “Then, your father. Then, your grandparents, then great grandparents, etc…”

Verse 43: “We draw these parables for mankind; but no one grasps them except those who have knowledge.”

وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡأَمۡثَٰلُ نَضۡرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِۖ وَمَا يَعۡقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡعَٰلِمُونَ ٤٣ رُوِی الْوَاحِدِی بِالْإِسْنَادِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ تَلَا النَّبِی ص هَذِهِ الْآیةَ وَ قَالَ الْعَالِمُ الَّذِی عَقَلَ عَنِ الله فَعَمِلَ بِطَاعَتِهِ وَ اجْتَنَبَ سَخَطِهِ

Al-Wahidi narrates from Jabir that the Prophet recited these verses and said: “A knowledgeable person is one who thinks about Allah and then performs actions in order to obey Him, and stays away from that which upsets Him.”

Verse 45: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and maintain the prayer. Indeed the prayer restrains from indecent and wrongful conduct, and the remembrance of Allah is surely greater. And Allah knows whatever [deeds] you do.”

ٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِۗ وَلَذِكۡرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكۡبَرُۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَصۡنَعُونَ ٤٥ رَوَی أَصْحَابُنَا عَنْ أَبِی عَبْدِ الله قَالَ: مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ یعْلَمَ أَ قُبِلَتْ صَلَاتُهُ أَمْ لَمْ تُقْبَلْ فَلْینْظُر هَلْ مَنَعَتْهُ صَلَاتُهُ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَ الْمُنْکرِ فَبِقَدْرِ مَا مَنَعَتْهُ قُبِلَتْ مِنْهُ

Some companions narrate from Abu Abdillah: “Whoever wants to know whether or not their prayers have been accepted should see: Have their prayers prevented them from indecent and wrongful conduct? So, their prayers will be accepted based on the amount that they have prevented this (evil or bad) conduct.”

قَالَ سَأَلْتُ رسول‌الله ص أَی الْأَعْمَالِ أَحَبُّ إِلَی الله قَالَ أَنْ تَمُوتَ وَ لِسَانک رَطْبٌ مِنْ ذِکرِ الله عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ قَالَ ص یا مُعَاذُ إِنْ السَّابِقِینَ الَّذِینَ یسْهَرُونَ بِذِکرِ الله عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ یرْتَعَ فِی رِیاضِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْیکثِرْ ذِکرَ الله عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ

Someone asked the Prophet of Allah “Which actions does Allah love the most?” He replied: “That you die while your tongue is moist from remembering Allah, Glorified and Majestic. O Maadh, the leading people are the ones who stay awake all night remembering Allah, Glorified and Majestic. Whoever wants to be raised [after death] in the gardens of heaven should spend more time remembering Allah, Glorified and Majestic.”

Verse 51: “Does it not suffice them that We have sent down to you the Book which is recited to them? There is indeed in that a mercy and admonition for a people who have faith.”

أَوَ لَمۡ يَكۡفِهِمۡ أَنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحۡمَةٗ وَذِكۡرَىٰ لِقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٥١ فِی الدُّرِّ الْمَنْثُورِ أَخْرَجَ الْإِسْمَاعِیلِی فِی مُعْجَمِهِ وَ ابْنُ مَرْدَوَیهِ مِنْ طَرِیقِ یحْیی بْنِ جَعْدَةَ عَنْ أَبِی هُرَیرَةَ قَالَ کانَ نَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رسول‌الله ص یکتُبُونَ مِنْ التَّوْرَاةِ فَذَکرُوا ذَلِک لِرسول‌الله ص فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَحْمَقَ الْحُمْقِ وَ أَضَلُّ الضَّلَالَةِ قَوْمٌ رَغِبُوا عَمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِیهُمْ إِلَی نَبِی غَیرُ نَبِیهِمْ وَ إِلَی أُمَّةٍ غَیرِ أُمَّتِهِمْ ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ الله أَ وَ لَمْ یکفِهِمْ أَنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَیک الْکتَابَ یتْلَی عَلَیهِمْ الْآیةَ

In Al-Durr al-Manthur, it is been mentioned from al-Ismaili in his Mujam, as well as Ibn Mardawayh from Yahya ibn Jadah, that Abu Hurayrah said, “There were some companions of the Prophet of Allah who were writing down something from the Torah. They mentioned this to the Prophet.” He said: “Surely, the most senseless of senseless things, and most misguiding of misguiding things was a group of people who preferred that whatever came to their [specific] Prophet would have come to another Prophet, and to another community.” Then, Allah revealed this verse.

Verse 56: “O My servants who have faith! My earth is indeed vast. So worship [only] Me.”

يَٰعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّ أَرۡضِي وَٰسِعَةٞ فَإِيَّٰيَ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ ٥٦ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله مَعْنَاهُ إِذَا عُصِی الله فِی أرْضِ أَنْتَ فی‌ها فَأخْرَج مِنْهَا إِلَی غَیرِهَا

Abu Abdillah said: “This verse means that if Allah is being disobeyed in a land that you are living in, then leave that place and go somewhere else.”

فِی رِوَایةِ أَبِی الْجَارُودِ عَنْ أَبِی جَعْفَرٍ فِی قَوْلِهِ: یا عِبادِی الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ أَرْضِی واسِعَةٌ یقُولُ لَا تُطِیعُوا أَهْلَ الْفِسْقِ مِنَ الْمُلُوک- فَإِنْ خِفْتُمُوهُمْ أَنْ یفْتِنُوکمْ عَنْ دِینِکمْ- فَإِنَّ أَرْضِی وَاسِعَةٌ وَ هُوَ یقُولُ فی‌ام کنْتُمْ- قالُوا کنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِینَ فِی الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ أَ لَمْ تَکنْ أَرْضُ الله واسِعَةً فَتُهاجِرُوا فی‌ها

Abu al-Jarood narrates from Abu Jafar regarding these verses: “[Allah is] saying that: ‘Do not obey those who openly sin in this world. So, if you are afraid that they will cause you trouble regarding your religion, then My earth is indeed vast. He is telling you that if you claim that: ‘They said we are being oppressed in this land’ then is Allah’s earth not vast enough for you to go somewhere else to live?”