Divine truth is absolute and must prevail, regardless of the displeasure, opposition, or personal desires of people: verses of Quran

Here are the key verses from the Quran containing the phrase “وَلَوْ كَرِهَ” (walaw kariha)—which means “even if they dislike it” or “even though they detest it”—along with their translations and concise tafseer.

---

Introduction

The phrase “وَلَوْ كَرِهَ” (even if they dislike it) is a powerful Quranic expression emphasizing that the decree, law, or truth from Allah is absolute and must prevail, regardless of the displeasure, opposition, or personal desires of people—be they disbelievers, hypocrites, or even some among the believers.

It establishes the supremacy of divine will over human sentiment.

---

The Verses

1. The Universal Law of Allah’s Sovereignty

Arabic:

يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِـُٔوا۟ نُورَ ٱللَّهِ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَٱللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
Translation (Sahih International):
“They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, even if the disbelievers dislike it.”
Surah & Verse: As-Saff (61:8)

Tafseer (Concise):
The disbelievers and opponents of truth actively plot to defeat Islam. This verse assures the believers that Allah’s religion (His light) will triumph and reach perfection, irrespective of the hatred and schemes of its enemies. This is an unchanging divine law.

---

2. The Decree of Fighting Against Aggression

Arabic:

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Translation (Sahih International):
“Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.”
Surah & Verse: Al-Baqarah (2:216)

Note: This verse contains the concept (كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ – “hateful to you”) and teaches the same principle: a divine decree may be difficult, but it is for a greater good known to Allah.

---

3. The Obligation of Judgment by Allah’s Law

Arabic:

فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
Translation (Sahih International):
“But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.”
Surah & Verse: An-Nisa’ (4:65)

Note: This verse, mentioned earlier, directly relates to the principle of “walaw kariha”—true faith requires submitting to the Prophet’s judgment even if it goes against one’s own desire or interest.

---

4. The Rejection by the People of the Book

Arabic:

وَدَّ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّن بَعْدِ إِيمَانِكُمْ كُفَّارًا حَسَدًا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الْحَقُّ ۖ فَاعْفُوا وَاصْفَحُوا حَتَّىٰ يَأْتَيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Translation (Sahih International):
“Many of the People of the Scripture wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of envy from themselves [even] after the truth has become clear to them. So pardon and overlook until Allah delivers His command. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
Surah & Verse: Al-Baqarah (2:109)

Related Context: The subsequent verses (e.g., about changing the Qiblah) often carry the implication that Allah’s command will stand “walaw kariha al-mushrikoon” (even if the polytheists dislike it), as in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144.

---

5. The Principle in a General Form

The phrase appears regarding different groups:

· “وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ” – Even if the disbelievers dislike it. (At-Tawbah 9:32, As-Saff 61:8)
· “وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ” – Even if the polytheists dislike it. (At-Tawbah 9:33, Al-Fath 48:28, As-Saff 61:9)
· “وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ” – Even if the hypocrites dislike it. (At-Tawbah 9:48)
· “وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْأَشْرِبَةُ” – Even if the drinkers dislike it. (Al-Ma’idah 5:91) – Regarding the prohibition of intoxicants.

---

Key Verse (Exemplifying the Phrase)

Arabic:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ
Translation (Sahih International):
“It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, even though the polytheists dislike it.”
Surah & Verse: At-Tawbah (9:33) & As-Saff (61:9)

Tafseer (Concise):
This is a fundamental mission statement of Islam. Allah has decreed that the truth of Islam will be made supreme over all other ways of life, ideologies, and religions. This is a divine promise that will be fulfilled, regardless of the intense hatred, resistance, and plots of those who associate partners with Allah.

Conclusion

The phrase “وَلَوْ كَرِهَ” is a cornerstone of Islamic creed regarding:

1. The Finality of Truth: Allah’s truth and religion are absolute and will prevail.
2. The Test for Believers: They must accept and uphold Allah’s commands (like fighting, judgment by Shariah, prohibition of evils) even when it is difficult or against their personal desires.
3. A Warning to Opponents: Their dislike and opposition are futile against the divine decree.

It is a call for unwavering conviction and submission to the will of Allah, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.