Surah Al-Imran >> Currently viewing Surah Imran Ayat 167 (3:167)

Surah Al-Imran Ayat 167 in Arabic Text

وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُواْۚ وَقِيلَ لَهُمۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ قَٰتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدۡفَعُواْۖ قَالُواْ لَوۡ نَعۡلَمُ قِتَالٗا لَّٱتَّبَعۡنَٰكُمۡۗ هُمۡ لِلۡكُفۡرِ يَوۡمَئِذٍ أَقۡرَبُ مِنۡهُمۡ لِلۡإِيمَٰنِۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَفۡوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيۡسَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَكۡتُمُونَ
Wa liya’lamal lazeena naafaqoo; wa qeela lahum ta’aalaw qaatiloo fee sabeelil laahi awid fa’oo qaaloo law na’lamu qitaalallat taba’naakum; hum lilkufri yawma’izin aqrabu minhum lil eemaan; yaqooloona bi afwaahihim maa laisa fee quloobihim; wallaahu a’lamu bimaa yaktumoon

English Translation

Here you can read various translations of verse 167

Sahih International
And that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. For it was said to them, “Come, fight in the way of Allah or [at least] defend.” They said, “If we had known [there would be] fighting, we would have followed you.” They were nearer to disbelief that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah is most Knowing of what they conceal –

Yusuf Ali
And the Hypocrites also. These were told: “Come, fight in the way of Allah, or (at least) drive (The foe from your city).” They said: “Had we known how to fight, we should certainly have followed you.” They were that day nearer to Unbelief than to Faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts but Allah hath full knowledge of all they conceal.

Abul Ala Maududi
and those who are hypocrites. And when these hypocrites were asked: ‘Come and fight in the wayof Allah’, or (at least) ‘defend yourselves’, they answered: ‘If we but knew that there would be fighting, we would certainly have followed. They were nearer then to infidelity than to faith. They utter from their mouths what is not in their hearts. Allah knows well what they conceal.

Muhsin Khan
And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: “Come, fight in the Way of Allah or (at least) defend yourselves.” They said: “Had we known that fighting will take place, we would certainly have followed you.” They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to Faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah has full knowledge of what they conceal.

Pickthall
And that He might know the hypocrites, unto whom it was said: Come, fight in the way of Allah, or defend yourselves. They answered: If we knew aught of fighting we would follow you. On that day they were nearer disbelief than faith. They utter with their mouths a thing which is not in their hearts. Allah is Best Aware of what they hide.

Dr. Ghali
And that He might know the ones who acted the hypocrite (Literally: hypocrised) and to whom it was said, “Come, fight in the way of Allah or repel (the enemy).” They said, “If we knew (about) fighting, we would indeed closely follow you.” They, upon that day were nearer to disbelief than to belief; they say with their mouths that which is not in their hearts; and Allah best knows whatever (secrets) they keep back.

Abdel Haleem
when it was said to them, ‘Come, fight for God’s cause, or at least defend yourselves,’ answered, ‘We would follow you if we knew there was going to be fighting.’ On that day they were closer to disbelief than belief. They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts: God knows exactly what they conceal.

Muhammad Junagarhi
اور منافقوں کو بھی معلوم کر لے جن سے کہا گیا کہ آؤ اللہ کی راه میں جہاد کرو، یا کافروں کو ہٹاو، ٴ تو وه کہنے لگے کہ اگر ہم لڑائی جانتے ہوتے تو ضرور ساتھ دیتے، وه اس دن بہ نسبت ایمان کے کفر سے بہت قریب تھے، اپنے منھ سے وه باتیں بناتے ہیں جو ان کے دلوں میں نہیں، اور اللہ تعالیٰ خوب جانتا ہے جسے وه چھپاتے ہیں

Quran 3 Verse 167 Explanation

For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Imran ayat 167, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.

Ala-Maududi

(3:167) and those who are hypocrites. And when these hypocrites were asked: Come and fight in the wayof Allah’, or (at least) ‘defend yourselves’, they answered: ‘If we but knew that there would be fighting, we would certainly have followed.[119] They were nearer then to infidelity than to faith. They utter from their mouths what is not in their hearts. Allah knows well what they conceal.


119. When ‘Abd Allah b. Ubayy decided to withdraw from the battlefield with his men several Muslims attempted to persuade him not to do so. Ibn Ubayy replied that he was sure that there would be no fighting that day, and he assured them that had he expected fighting to take place, he would have gone along with them.

Ibn-Kathir

The tafsir of Surah Imran verse 167 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Imran ayat 165 which provides the complete commentary from verse 165 through 168.

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surah al-imran ayat 167
surah al-imran ayat 168
surah al-imran ayat 169
surah al-imran ayat 170
surah al-imran ayat 171

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