Basic
Monotheism
Surah: Al-Anfal (46)
Obey Allah and His Messenger and Do Not Dispute — The Law of Unity
وَلَا تَنَٰزَعُواْ فَتَفۡشَلُواْ وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيحُكُمۡ
— الأنفال الآية 46
Verse: "Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute — lest you fail and your power departs. And be patient." (8:46) — "Your power" (reehakum) means your strength, momentum, and prestige — an Arab metaphor. Dispute dismantles power until it disperses like wind. History testifies: every nation that failed after victory began with internal dispute. Patience follows the prohibition of dispute — not by coincidence — because impatience is usually dispute's source. Lesson: unity of leadership and obedience — not complete agreement — is the secret of collective strength.
Source: Ibn Kathir (4/53); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
What does "your power departs" mean and what is its relation to dispute?
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