Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:63

(Those), meaning the hypocrites mentioned, (whom Allah knows what is in their hearts) of various types of evil that contradict what they have displayed to you—they have come with it like the ears of a female goat—(so turn away from them), since such is their state. This means: turn away from accepting their excuses, which necessitates turning away from their request for the blood of the slain, for it is wasted. It is also said: turn away from punishing them for the sake of an interest in keeping them. Do not reveal to them your knowledge of their malicious inner states, so that they may remain in the heat of apprehension. (And admonish them) with your tongue, and restrain them from hypocrisy. (And speak to them about themselves), meaning: speak to them privately, when no one else is with them, for this is more conducive to accepting advice. For this reason, it is said: "Advice given in public is a reprimand." Or, it means: speak to them regarding their own affairs, and its meaning is (a far-reaching word), one that is influential, reaches the core of the intended meaning, and corresponds precisely to the purpose for which it was directed. The prepositional phrase, on both interpretations, relates to the command. It is also said that it relates to "far-reaching" (bālighan), which is apparent according to the Kufan school of grammar; however, the Basrans do not permit this, because the dependent of an adjective cannot, in their view, precede the noun it describes, as the dependent only precedes where its governing word can precede. Some have said that it is only permissible if it is a prepositional phrase, and some have strengthened this view. It is also suggested that it relates to an omitted verb explained by what is mentioned, though this is far-fetched. The meaning, upon the assumption of the relation, is: "Say to them a far-reaching word regarding their own selves," one that is influential upon them, causing them to grieve intensely and feel fear profoundly—that is, the threat of killing and extermination, and the warning that what their malicious hearts conceal of evil and hypocrisy is visible and audible to Allah Almighty, hidden from Him not at all, and that this necessitates what would make the forelocks turn gray. This forbearance and delay are only because they manifest faith while concealing disbelief. Yet, if they were to manifest open discord and emerge with their persons from the tunnel of hypocrisy, they would surely be encountered by spears and swords, and the vast expanse of the desert would narrow upon them with immense tribulation. The first verse is cited as evidence that a calamity may befall a servant due to the sins he earns. Then, scholars differed on this: Al-Jubba'i said: "This only occurs as a punishment for the repentant." Abu Hashim said: "It is a matter of divine grace (lutf)." Qadi Abd al-Jabbar said: "It may be a matter of divine grace, and it may be a retribution; this is dependent upon the evidence."