Al-I'tisam Verse
Al-Iʿtiṣām verse or Verse of Unity refers to part of verse 103 of Qur'an 3, which exhorts Muslims to hold fast to the rope of God and to avoid division. Exegetical works offer various interpretations of the "rope of God," generally encompassing the Qur'an, Islam, the Prophet (s), and the Ahl al‑Bayt (a); all of these sources agree in understanding unity as a means of connection with God.
According to exegetes, this verse was revealed concerning the long-standing enmity between the Aws and Khazraj tribes and how it was transformed into brotherhood and harmony.
Text and Translation
| “ | وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
Hold fast, all together, to Allah’s cord, and do not be divided [into sects]. Remember Allah’s blessing upon you when you were enemies, then He brought your hearts together, so you became brothers with His blessing. And you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, whereat He saved you from it. Thus does Allah clarify His signs for you so that you may be guided. |
” |
| — Quran 3:103 | ||
Content of the Verse
Exegetes consider the content of the Verse al-I'tisam to be a call for unity and avoidance of division among Muslims. In this verse, God — by referring to the long-standing hostility between the Aws and Khazraj tribes, which was transformed into brotherhood through Islam — presents fraternity and affection as the path to salvation from the fire of conflict and strife.
Allama Tabataba'i, citing the words "all of you" (jamīʿan) and "do not be divided" (lā tatafarraqū), argues that this verse, unlike verse 102 of Qur'an 3, which emphasized individual adherence to the Book and the Sunna, calls the Islamic community collectively to hold fast to the divine cord and to unity.
Different Interpretations of Habl Allah
In the commentary Habl Allah on this verse, various interpretations are presented. Some Sunni and Shia exegetes have understood it to refer to the Qur'an or to Islam. At the same time, some Sunni scholars identify it with the "community of Muslims", and some Shia commentators take it to mean the "Ahl al‑Bayt of the Prophet (s)". Allama Tabataba'i understands the verse as referring to the Qur'an and the Prophet (s), and al-Tabrisi, citing the hadith of al‑Thaqalayn, prefers a synthesis of the different views (Islam, the Qur'an, and the Ahl al‑Bayt). Other exegetes hold that these readings all point to the general notion of a "means of connection with God," likening it to a rope that rescues a person from the darkness of ignorance and heedlessness.
La Tafarraqu (Do not separate)
According to Fakhr al‑Razi, the phrase la tafarraqu in the verse of i'tisam can have three meanings: a prohibition against discord in religious matters; a prohibition against disputation and enmity among Muslims; and a prohibition against any cause that leads to division and the erosion of affection and unity within the Muslim community. Al‑Tabari likewise understands the phrase to mean: do not disperse away from the Prophet's side; do not distance yourselves from the Qur'an by failing to act on its rulings; and do not withdraw from the religion of God.
Use of the Verse to Establish the Necessity of Unity
Allama Tabataba'i, citing this verse, provides two reasons for the necessity of unity and the avoidance of division. First, an empirical and historical reason: the former enmity between the Aws and Khazraj tribes ("when you were enemies"). Second, a rational reason, warning that discord and division place people on the brink of the fire of ignorance and destruction ("you were on the brink of a pit of the Fire").
Occasion of Revelation
Many exegetes hold that verse 103 of Qur'an 3 was revealed in Medina concerning two members of the Aws and Khazraj tribes. According to a report cited in Majma' al-bayan, the occasion of this verse was a dispute that began between two individuals from these tribes and quickly escalated into a major tribal conflict. When news reached the Prophet (s) that the two tribes were preparing for battle, he went to the site to prevent the confrontation, and it was at that time that this verse was revealed.