Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:167-169

Surah An-Nisa (4): Verses 167–169

[4:167] Indeed, those who disbelieved and obstructed the way of Allah...

I know that this describes the characteristics of the Jews previously mentioned. The meaning is that they disbelieved in Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Qur'an, and they obstructed others from the path of Allah.

They did this by casting doubts into people's hearts, such as saying: If he were truly a Messenger, he would have brought his Book all at once from the sky, just as the Torah was revealed to Moses. They also argued that Allah Almighty mentioned in the Torah that the law of Moses would not be changed or abrogated until the Day of Resurrection. Furthermore, they claimed that Prophets could only come from the lineage of Aaron and David.

...have gone far, far astray.

This is because the people most severely astray are those who are misguided yet believe themselves to be righteous. Moreover, they use this misguidance as a means to acquire wealth and status. Then, they exert their utmost effort to lead others into the same misguidance. Such a person has undoubtedly reached the utmost limits and the greatest extremes of deviation. This is why Allah Almighty said concerning them: {have gone far, far astray}.

After describing the nature of their deviation, Allah follows it with their warning:

[4:168] Indeed, those who disbelieved and wronged [people]...

They wronged Muhammad by concealing the news of his prophethood and misled the common folk by casting doubts into their hearts.

...Allah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to any way...

If we interpret {Indeed, those who disbelieved} as referring to those previously mentioned, then this threat requires no implicit condition, as we assume the threat applies to those whom Allah knew would die upon disbelief. If we interpret it generally (to include all disbelievers), then we must implicitly assume the condition of not repenting.

[4:169] ...except the way of Hell, wherein they will abide forever.

Then Allah Almighty says: {except the way of Hell, wherein they will abide forever}. The meaning is that on the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not guide them toward Paradise, but rather guide them to the path of Hell.

And that is easy for Allah.

The word {abiding} (khaalideena) is in the accusative case (as a haal or circumstantial adverb), and its operative cause is the meaning implied in {nor will He guide them}, as it is equivalent to saying, "We will punish them while they are abiding." The word {forever} (abada) is an adverb of time.

And that is easy for Allah. This means that nothing is impossible for Him. Conveying pain to them, piece by piece, eternally, is easy for Him, even if it were considered impossible for others.

[4:170] O mankind, the Messenger has indeed come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve, then indeed, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.

O mankind, the Messenger has indeed come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you.

But if you disbelieve, then indeed, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. This serves as a powerful deterrent, implying that their disbelief harms no one but themselves, as sovereignty over all things belongs to Allah.

And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (His knowledge encompasses who will believe and who will disbelieve, and His wisdom dictates the appropriate consequences for each.)