Al-Hujurat (The Chambers): (8) A Bounty from Allah...

There are several issues discussed here:

Issue 1: The grammatical parsing of faḍlan (بفضلا)

The word faḍlan (bounty/grace) is in the accusative case for several reasons:

1. As an object of purpose (maf'ūl lah):
   • View 1: The operative verb is implied from the phrase al-rāshidūn (the rightly guided ones) in the preceding verse. If one asks: How can Allah's grace (faḍl), which is an action of Allah, be the object of purpose for the guidance (rushd), which is the action of the servant? The answer is: Since the guidance is a divine enabling (tawfīq) from Allah, it is as if it were an action of Allah. Thus, it is as if the Almighty guided them faḍlan (out of grace), meaning He was bestowing favor upon them.
   • View 2: The operative verb is the statement: {He made faith beloved to you and made disbelief hateful to you} (Al-Hujurat: 7). The phrase {Those are the rightly guided ones} (Al-Hujurat: 7) is an inserted clause between the two statements.
   • View 3: The operative verb is an implied verb, as if the Almighty said: This occurred faḍlan min Allāh (as a bounty from Allah).

2. As a verbal noun (maṣdar):
   • View 1: It is a maṣdar derived from a word not explicitly mentioned, because guidance (rushd) itself is grace (faḍl). It is as if He said: Those are the rightly guided ones, rushdan (with guidance/grace).
   • View 2: It is a maṣdar for an implied verb, as if He said: He made faith beloved to you and made disbelief hateful to you, so He bestowed faḍlan (a bounty) and granted ni'mah (a favor).
   • Al-Zamakhshari holds that it is accusative either as an absolute object (maf'ūl muṭlaq), which is the maṣdar, or as an object of purpose (maf'ūl lah).

3. As a direct object (maf'ūl bih): The verb is implied from the Almighty's statement: {Those are the rightly guided ones}, meaning: They seek a bounty from Allah and a favor.

Issue 2: The difference between Faḍl (Bounty/Grace) and Ni'mah (Favor) in the verse

The bounty of Allah (faḍl Allāh) refers to the good that is with Him, which He is independent of needing. The favor (ni'mah) refers to what reaches the servant, who is in need of it.

• Faḍl originally implies excess or surplus. Allah possesses treasures of mercy that He does not need, and from them, He sends down upon His servants what prevents them from being in a state of neediness in any way.
• Ni'mah implies compassion and mercy, which relates to the servant's side. It also carries a subtle meaning: it emphasizes the giving. This is because the needy person says to the wealthy one: "Give me what you have in excess and what you possess," without regard for the wealthy person's own needs for sustenance and survival.

Therefore, the statement {A bounty from Allah} points to what is from the side of the rich Allah, while ni'mah points to what is from the side of the servant—the removal of need. This supports the view that faḍlan is accusative due to an implied verb, which is seeking/desiring (i.e., they seek a bounty from Allah).

Issue 3: The appropriateness of concluding the verse with {And Allah is All-Knowing, Wise}

There are several points of relevance:

1. When the Almighty mentioned the news of the transgressor (the gossip/slanderer), He said: If the believer becomes confused by the transgressor's falsehood, do not rely on his deception. Allah is All-Knowing (so He knows the truth). Also, do not say, as the hypocrites used to say, "Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?" Allah is Wise; He does nothing except according to His wisdom.
2. When Allah said: {And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in many matters...} (Al-Hujurat: 7), meaning he does not obey you but follows revelation, then: Allah is All-Knowing—He knows this reality. And Allah is Wise—He commands him with what wisdom necessitates, so follow him.
3. The relevance between {All-Knowing, Wise} and {He made faith beloved to you}: He made faith beloved to the people of faith through His Knowledge, and He chose whomever He wills for it through His Wisdom.
4. The closest relevance: The Almighty said: {A bounty from Allah and a favor}. Since faḍl (bounty) is the good that Allah possesses, independent of need, He said: He is All-Knowing of the good in the treasures of His mercy. Since ni'mah (favor) is what repels the servant's need, He said: He is Wise, sending down good in the measure He wills, according to wisdom.

| Al-Hujurat: (9)

< { And if two factions of the believers should fight, then make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, then fight the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah. Then if it complies, make peace between them with justice and act with equity. Indeed, Allah loves those who act with equity. } >