Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:57

"A shaded [shade]" It is an adjective derived from the word al-ẓill (shade) to emphasize its meaning, just as one says: layl alīl (a dark night), yawm aywam (a long/difficult day), and the like. It refers to shade that is dense, with no gaps in it; perpetual, such that the sun does not displace it; and temperate (sajsaj), having neither heat nor cold. This is none other than the shade of Paradise. May Allah, by His grace, grant us the success to recline under that shade. In the recitation of ‘Abdullah [ibn Mas‘ud], it is read as sayudkhiluhum (He will cause them to enter) with a ya’.

"Indeed, Allah commands you..." The address is general, applying to everyone regarding every trust (amānah).

It is said that it was revealed concerning ‘Uthman ibn Talha ibn ‘Abd al-Dar, who was the custodian (sādin) of the Ka‘bah. This is because when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered Makkah on the day of the Conquest, ‘Uthman locked the door of the Ka‘bah, climbed to the roof, and refused to hand over the key to him, saying: "Had I known he was the Messenger of Allah, I would not have prevented him."

‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) twisted his hand, took the key from him, and opened the door. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered and prayed two rak‘ahs. When he came out, al-‘Abbas asked him to give him the key, combining the duties of the siqayah (providing water) and the sidanah (custodianship) for him.

Then this verse was revealed. The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered ‘Ali to return the key to ‘Uthman and apologize to him. ‘Uthman said to ‘Ali: "You coerced and harmed me, then you come to be gentle?" ‘Ali replied: "Allah has revealed a Quran concerning your affair," and he recited the verse to him. ‘Uthman then said: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." Then Gabriel descended and informed the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that the custodianship would remain with the descendants of ‘Uthman forever.

It is also said that this is an address to those in authority to fulfill trusts and judge with justice. It has been recited as al-amānah (the trust) in the singular.

"Excellent is that which He instructs you..." Ma (that which) can be either:

1. In the accusative case, described by ya‘iẓukum bihi (He instructs you with it).
2. In the nominative case, as a relative pronoun connected to it, as if it were said: "Excellent is a thing which He instructs you with."

Or, it means: "Excellent is the thing with which He instructs you." The specific subject of the praise (al-makhsus bi-l-madh) is omitted; that is: "Excellent is that which He instructs you with—that [which is mentioned], namely the fulfillment of trusts and justice in judgment." It has also been recited as ni‘ma with a fatha on the nun.