Prohibition on Inclination towards the Wrongdoers

Text and Translation

In Surah Hud, Almighty Allah says:

وَ لَا تَرْكَنُوْا اِلَى الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوْا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مِنْ اَوْلِيَاۤءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُوْنَ.

WA LAA TARKANOO ILAL LAZEENA ZALAMOO FATAMASSAKUMUN NAARU WA MAA LAKUM MIN DOONIL LAAHI MIN AWLIYAA-A SUMMA LAA TUNSAROON.

And do not incline towards those who do wrong, lest the fire touch you; and you have no protectors besides Allah, then you shall not be helped.

The expression ‘inclination’ mentioned in this holy verse has been interpreted by exegetes of the Holy Qur’an into little tendency. If the result of little tendency to the wrongdoers is Hellfire and loss of any supporter against Almighty Allah, then what should the case be with those who commit excessive tendency towards them?

Other exegetes of the Holy Qur’an maintain that inclination towards the wrongdoers stand for having a role in their acts of injustice and in their wrongdoings, showing approval of their deeds, and showing loyalty to them.

The Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) are reported to have said, “Inclination towards the wrongdoers stands for bearing love for them, acting towards them sincerely, and obeying them.”