Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:112

An-Nisa (4:112)

{And whoever commits a sin or an error...}

They mentioned several interpretations regarding the difference between Khati'ah (sin/error) and Ithm (sin/offense):

1. First: Khati'ah is the minor sin, while Ithm is the major sin.
2. Second: Khati'ah is the sin that affects only the doer, whereas Ithm is the sin that extends to others, such as oppression (Dhulm) or killing.
3. Third: Khati'ah is what should not be done, whether done intentionally or by mistake. Ithm is what results from intention. The evidence for this is the preceding verse: {And whoever commits a sin, he commits it only against himself} (4:111), which indicates that Ithm is what incurs the right to punishment.

{...then casts it upon an innocent person...}

Regarding the phrase {then casts it upon an innocent person}, what does the pronoun in {it} (bihi) refer to? There are several views:

1. First: Then he casts one of these two mentioned things (the sin or the error) upon an innocent person.
2. Second: It refers only to Ithm (sin) because it is the closest noun, similar to how the pronoun referred to trade in the verse: {And when they see trade or amusement, they rush toward it} (62:11).
3. Third: It refers to the act of earning/committing (Kasb). The meaning is: He casts his earning/commission of the sin upon an innocent person. Thus, Kasb (earning/committing) is implied by the verb Yakassib.
4. Fourth: The pronoun refers back to the meaning of Khati'ah (sin/error), as if it were said: "Whoever commits a sin, then casts that sin upon an innocent person."

{...has certainly borne slander and manifest sin.}

Regarding {has certainly borne slander (Buhtan)}: Buhtan is when you accuse your brother of something reprehensible while he is innocent of it.

Know that the perpetrator of slander is severely condemned in this world and severely punished in the Hereafter.

Therefore, the statement {has certainly borne slander} points to the immense condemnation he incurs in this world, and the statement {and manifest sin (Ithman Mubinan)} points to the great punishment he incurs in the Hereafter.

[4:113] {And were it not for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy, a group of them would have intended to mislead you. But they mislead only themselves, and they will not harm you in anything. And Allah has sent down to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you what you did not know. And great was the grace of Allah upon you.}