Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:60

[The Occasion of Revelation] It is narrated that a hypocrite named Bishr had a dispute with a Jew. The Jew invited him to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), while the hypocrite invited him to Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf. They eventually submitted their dispute to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), who ruled in favor of the Jew. The hypocrite was dissatisfied and said, "Let us go to Umar ibn al-Khattab."

The Jew told Umar, "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ruled in our favor, but he [the hypocrite] was not satisfied with his judgment." Umar asked the hypocrite, "Is this so?" He replied, "Yes." Umar said, "Stay here until I return to you." Umar entered, took his sword, came out, and struck the hypocrite’s neck until he died. He then said, "This is how I judge those who are not satisfied with the judgment of Allah and His Messenger." Thereupon, this verse was revealed.

Gabriel said, "Umar has distinguished between truth and falsehood," and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him, "You are al-Faruq (the Distinguisher)."

[The Meaning of Taghut] Taghut refers to Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf. Allah named him Taghut due to his excessive tyranny and enmity toward the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Alternatively, it is a comparison to Satan, or it is because choosing to submit to someone other than the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is equivalent to submitting to Satan, as evidenced by His saying: "And they were ordered to disbelieve in it, and Satan wants to lead them far astray" (4:60).

[Linguistic Notes]

• "Bima unzila" (What was revealed): Some read it as ma anzala (what He revealed), making the subject the active agent (Allah).
• "An yakfuru bihi" (To disbelieve in it): Abbas ibn al-Fadl read it as biha (in them), treating Taghut as a plural, similar to the verse: "Their allies are the Taghut; they take them out..." (2:257).
• "Ta’alu" (Come): Al-Hasan read it with a damma on the lam, treating it as an elision of the lam from ta’alayta for the sake of lightness. When the lam was dropped, the plural waw fell after the lam of ta’al, so it was given a damma, becoming ta’alu (like taqaddamu).

[Exegesis of the Verses]

• "How then..." (Fakayfa): This refers to their state and what they will do. It means they will be helpless and unable to offer any justification or defense.
• "When disaster strikes them because of what their hands have sent forth": This refers to their seeking judgment from others and accusing you of injustice in your ruling.
• "Then they come to you swearing": When they are afflicted, they come to you with excuses.
• "We intended nothing but good and reconciliation": They claim they did not intend to oppose you or show dissatisfaction with your judgment, but rather sought to reconcile between the two parties. This is a threat to them; they will regret this when regret is of no avail, and their excuses will not protect them when Allah’s punishment descends.
• It is also said: The hypocrite’s allies came seeking blood-money after he was killed, claiming they only sought for Umar to be fair to their companion and reconcile the dispute, never imagining he would rule as he did.

[The Command to the Prophet]

• "So turn away from them": Do not punish them, for there is a benefit in keeping them among the community. Do not exceed the bounds of admonition and advice regarding their state.
• "And speak to them in their souls a profound word": Exaggerate in your admonition and warning to them.
  • If you ask: To what does "in their souls" (fi anfusihim) attach?
  • I say: It attaches to "profound" (balighan). That is, speak to them a word that is profound within their souls, affecting their hearts so they feel deep grief and fear. This refers to the threat of execution and eradication if their hypocrisy manifests. Inform them that the corruption and hypocrisy within their souls are known to Allah, and that there is no difference between them and the polytheists; this forbearance is only because they manifest faith while concealing disbelief. If they reveal what they hide, nothing remains but the sword.
  • Alternatively: It attaches to "speak to them." Meaning, speak to them regarding their wicked souls and hearts folded upon hypocrisy. Tell them that Allah knows what is in their hearts—nothing is hidden from Him—so concealing it will not avail them. Purify your souls and treat the disease of hypocrisy, otherwise, Allah will visit upon you the same vengeance He visited upon those who openly practiced polytheism, or something even worse and harsher.
  • Or: Speak to them in private, with no one else present, offering them sincere advice, for private counsel is more effective and more conducive to sincerity.
• "A profound word": A word that reaches them and leaves an impact.