Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:29-30

"By falsehood" By that which the Sharia has not permitted, such as theft, betrayal, usurpation, gambling, and usury contracts.

"Except that it be trade" Except that trade occurs. It is also recited as tijāratun (nominative), meaning: "Except that the trade be a trade."

"By mutual consent from you" The exception is munqaṭiʿ (disjunctive). Its meaning is: "But intend that there be trade by mutual consent from you," or "But the existence of trade by mutual consent is not forbidden." The phrase "by mutual consent" is an adjective for "trade," meaning trade that proceeds from mutual consent.

Trade is specifically mentioned because most means of livelihood are related to it. "Mutual consent" is the satisfaction of both parties with what they have contracted upon at the time of the sale, during the offer and acceptance; this is the school of Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him). According to al-Shafiʿi (may Allah have mercy on him), it is their parting from the session of the contract while still in agreement.

"And do not kill yourselves" Those who are of your own kind among the believers. According to al-Hasan: "Do not kill your brothers," or "A man should not kill himself," as some ignorant people do.

It is narrated that ʿAmr ibn al-ʿAs interpreted this regarding tayammum (dry ablution) out of fear of the cold, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace) did not rebuke him. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it as wa-lā taqattalū (with a shadda).

"Indeed, Allah is ever to you Merciful" He did not forbid you from what harms you except out of His mercy toward you. It is also said that the meaning is: He commanded the Children of Israel to kill themselves as a repentance and purification for their sins, but He was merciful to you, O nation of Muhammad, in that He did not burden you with such difficult obligations.

"That" A reference to the killing; meaning, whoever proceeds to kill souls...

"In aggression and injustice" Neither by mistake nor as a legal retribution.

It is recited as ʿidwānan (with a kasra). Regarding "We will cast him" (wa-nuṣlīhi): it is read with the lam lightened or doubled. It is also read naṣlīhi (with a fatḥa on the nun) from ṣalā (to roast), as in "roasted sheep" (shāh muṣliyya). It is also read yuṣlīhi (with a ya), where the pronoun refers to Allah the Exalted, or to "that" (the act of killing) as the cause of the roasting.

"Into a Fire" Meaning a specific fire of intense torment.

"And that is easy for Allah" Because wisdom calls for it, and there is no deterrent against it, such as injustice or the like.