Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:149

An-Nisā’ (The Women): Verse 149

{If you make manifest good...}

I know that the foundations of good deeds, despite their abundance, are confined to two matters: sincerity towards the Truth (God), and good conduct towards creation. That which relates to creation is confined to two categories: conveying benefit to them and warding off harm from them. Thus, all types of good and righteous deeds are encompassed within these two phrases.

{...then indeed, Allah is ever, for you, Pardoning and Powerful.}

And in this statement, there are several interpretations:

1. The First: That the Exalted God pardons both parties (those who do good and those who err) despite His power to exact vengeance. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to emulate the way of God Almighty. This is the view of Al-Hasan [Al-Basri].
2. The Second: That God is Pardoning towards those who pardon, and Powerful in delivering reward to them.
3. The Third: Al-Kalbī said: Indeed, Allah Almighty is more capable of pardoning your sins than you are capable of pardoning your companion.

{Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to differentiate between Allah and His messengers and say, "We believe in some and disbelieve in others," and wish to take a way between that [i.e., a middle path]*}

{Those are the disbelievers, truly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.}