Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:115-121

"And whoever follows other than the way of the believers..." This is the path they are upon regarding the upright, valuable religion (al-Hanifiyya). It is evidence that Ijma (consensus) is a proof that may not be opposed, just as the Book and the Sunnah may not be opposed. This is because Allah, the Almighty and Exalted, combined following a path other than that of the believers with opposing the Messenger in the condition, and made its penalty a severe threat. Thus, following them is as obligatory as following the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him.

"We will turn him to what he has turned to..." We will make him a guardian of the misguidance he has chosen by abandoning him and leaving him to what he has selected, and We will roast him in Hell. It is also recited as wa-nuslihi (with a fatha on the nun), derived from sala. It is said this refers to Tu'ma, his apostasy, and his flight to Mecca.

"Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him..." This is repeated for emphasis. It is said it was repeated due to the story of Tu'ma, and it is narrated that he died a polytheist. It is also said that an old man from the Arabs came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: "I am an old man steeped in sins, but I have not associated anything with Allah since I knew Him and believed in Him. I have not taken any guardian besides Him, nor have I committed sins out of audacity toward Allah or defiance of Him. I have never imagined for a moment that I could escape Allah, and I am regretful, repentant, and seeking forgiveness. What is my status with Allah?" Then this verse was revealed.

"Whoever He wills..." This supports the view of those who interpret this as the one who repents from his sin.

"Except female [deities]..." These are Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat. Al-Hasan said: There was no tribe among the Arabs that did not have an idol they worshipped, which they called "the daughter of so-and-so." It is said they used to say of their idols: "They are the daughters of Allah." It is also said that the intended meaning is the angels, because of their claim that the angels are the daughters of Allah. It is recited as unthan (plural of anith or anath), wathanan, and athanan (with light and heavy pronunciation), as plurals of wathan (idol), like saying asad and usud. The conversion of the waw into an alif is like ajwuh for wujuh. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) recited it as awthanan.

"And they call upon..." Meaning, they worship through the worship of idols.

"Except a rebellious Satan..." Because he is the one who incited them to worship them, and they obeyed him, so their obedience to him was made into worship.

"Cursed by Allah. And he said, 'I will surely take...'" These are two descriptions meaning a "rebellious Satan," combining the curse of Allah and this heinous statement.

"A determined portion..." A cut-off, obligatory share that I have imposed upon myself. It comes from their saying, "He assigned (farada) for him a gift," or "The army was assigned its provision." Al-Hasan said: "From every thousand, nine hundred and ninety go to the Fire."

"And I will delude them..." With false hopes, such as long lives, the attainment of desires, the mercy of Allah for criminals without repentance, and exiting the Fire after entering it through intercession, and the like.

"And they will slit the ears of cattle..." This refers to their practice regarding the bahira (a she-camel). They would slit the ear of a she-camel if she gave birth to five litters and the fifth was a male, and they forbade themselves from benefiting from her.

"And they will change the creation of Allah..." This refers to gouging out the eye of the hami (a stallion camel) and exempting it from being ridden. It is also said to mean castration. According to the majority of scholars, this is permissible in animals, but for humans, it is forbidden. According to Abu Hanifa, it is disliked to buy, keep, or employ eunuchs because the desire for them invites their castration. It is also said that "the nature of Allah" refers to the religion of Islam. When it was said to Al-Hasan that Ikrimah says it means castration, he replied: "Ikrimah lies; it is the religion of Allah." From Ibn Mas'ud, it is said to be tattooing. From him also: "Allah has cursed the women who tattoo, those who have themselves tattooed, those who pluck their eyebrows, and those who change the creation of Allah." It is also said to mean effeminacy.