ﱁ ﱂ ﱃ ﱄ ﱅ ﱆ ﱇ ﱈ ﱉ ﱊ ﱋ ﱌ ﱍ ﱎ ﱏ ﱐ ﱑ ﱒ ﱓ ﱔ ﱕ ﱖ ﱗ ﱘ ﱙ ﱚ ﱛ ﱜ
And if We had decreed upon them, "Kill yourselves" or "Leave your homes," they would not have done it, except for a few of them. But if they had done what they were instructed, it would have been better for them and a firmer position [for them in faith].
Tafsir
Verse range: 4:66
"And if We had decreed upon them, 'Kill yourselves or leave your homes,' they would not have done it, except for a few of them."
"And if We had decreed upon them..." Meaning: If We had made obligatory upon them that which We made obligatory upon the Children of Israel—namely, killing themselves or leaving their homes—at the time they were asked to repent for worshipping the Calf.
"...they would not have done it, except for a few of them." This is a severe rebuke. The nominative case (qilun) is used as a substitute (badal) for the pronoun (waw) in "they would not have done it" (faʿalūhu). It is also recited as qīlan (accusative) based on the fundamental rule of exception, or as meaning "except for a small act."
"...what they are exhorted to do..." Meaning: Following the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), obeying him, and submitting to what he sees and judges, for he is the truthful one, confirmed in truth, who does not speak out of desire.
"...it would have been better for them..." In their immediate life and their hereafter.
"...and more effective in strengthening [their faith]..." Making their faith more firm and further removed from instability.
"And then..." This is the response to an implied question. It is as if it were asked: "What else would they have besides this strengthening?" It is said: "And then," meaning, if they had remained firm.
"...We would have given them from Us a great reward." Because "then" (idhā) acts as a response and a recompense. The phrase "from Us" (min ladunnā) is like His saying: "And gives from Himself a great reward" (4:40). It refers to a gift bestowed by His grace. It is called a "reward" (ajr) because it follows the act of obedience; it is not established except through their steadfastness.
"...and We would have guided them to a straight path." Meaning: We would have been gentle with them and granted them success in increasing their good deeds.
"And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions. That is the bounty from Allah, and sufficient is Allah as Knower." (70)
