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Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:170

Surah An-Nisa' 4:170

ﲶ ﲷ ﲸ ﲹ ﲺ ﲻ ﲼ ﲽ ﲾ ﲿ ﳀ ﳁ ﳂ ﳃ ﳄ ﳅ ﳆ ﳇ ﳈ ﳉ ﳊ ﳋ ﳌ ﳍ ﳎ

O Mankind, the Messenger has 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 earth. And ever is Allah Knowing and Wise.

Tafsir

Mafatih al-Ghayb

Verse range: 4:170

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An-Nisa (4:170)

Translation and Exegesis (Tafsir) based on Mafatih al-Ghayb (Al-Razi)

Contextual Introduction:

After addressing and refuting the various objections raised by the Jews, and demonstrating the corruption of their path, the Almighty addresses a general call encompassing them and others, inviting them to the religion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Verse (4:170):

{ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الرَّسُولُ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ } *O mankind, the Messenger has certainly come to you with the truth from your Lord.*

Explanation of "The Truth" (Al-Haqq):

This "Truth" has two aspects:

  1. The Quran: The Messenger brought the Quran, which is miraculous (mu'jiz). Therefore, it necessarily implies he came with the truth from his Lord.
  2. The Call to Monotheism: He brought the call to worship God alone and turn away from all others. Reason dictates that this is the ultimate truth, thus confirming he came with the truth from his Lord.

Continuation of the Verse:

{ فَآمِنُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَإِنْ تَكْفُرُوا فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ } *So believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve, then indeed, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth.*

Explanation:

  • "So believe; it is better for you": This means that this belief is better for you than your current state (disbelief). It is the best outcome.
  • "But if you disbelieve, then indeed, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth":
    • Interpretation 1 (Sufficiency): If you disbelieve, Allah is self-sufficient (Ghani) and needs nothing from your faith, as He is the Owner and Creator of the heavens and the earth. One who possesses this is not in need of anything.
    • Interpretation 2 (Power to Punish): If you disbelieve, Allah possesses the heavens and the earth, and He is capable of sending down severe punishment upon you.
    • Interpretation 3 (Universal Dominion): If you disbelieve, know that to Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and He has servants who worship Him and submit to His command and judgment.

Conclusion of the Verse:

{ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا } *And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.*

Explanation:

  • "Knowing" (Alim): Nothing about the deeds of His servants—whether believers or disbelievers—is hidden from Him.
  • "Wise" (Hakim): He will not let the deeds of any doer go to waste, nor will He treat the believer the same as the disbeliever, or the righteous the same as the evildoer. This is similar to His statement: { Or shall We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption in the land? Or shall We treat the righteous like the wicked? } (Qur'an 38:28).

The Following Section (Beginning of 4:171):

{ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ انتَهُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ سُبْحَانَهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا } *O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a spirit proceeding from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist—it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. And sufficient is Allah as an Advocate.*

Summary of Key Points in 4:171:

  1. Prohibition of Extremism: O People of the Book, do not exaggerate (ghuluw) in your religion, nor speak about Allah except the truth.
  2. Defining Jesus' Status: The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only the Messenger of Allah and His Word (Kalimah) which He cast to Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him.
  3. Command to Believe: Therefore, believe in Allah and His Messengers.
  4. Rejection of Trinity: Do not say, "Three." Desist; it is better for you.
  5. Absolute Monotheism: Allah is only One God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. Allah is sufficient as an Advocate (Wakil).

Continuation of the Verse (4:172-173):

{ لَنْ يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لِلَّهِ وَلَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ وَمَنْ يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًا فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْتَنكَفُوا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا } *Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels near [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant, He will gather them to Himself all at once. Then as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards and give them increase out of His bounty. But as for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment, and they will not find for themselves besides Allah any protector or helper.*

Summary of Key Points:

  1. Humility of the Righteous: Neither the Messiah (Jesus) nor the nearest angels would ever disdain to be servants of Allah.
  2. Consequence of Arrogance: Whoever disdains His worship and acts arrogantly, He will gather them all to Himself on the Day of Judgment.
  3. Reward for Believers: As for those who believed and performed righteous deeds, He will give them their rewards in full and increase them from His bounty.
  4. Punishment for the Arrogant: As for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment, and they will find no protector or helper besides Allah.