An-Nisa: 94
"So verify"
It is also recited as fatathabbatū (be firm/cautious). Both are forms of tafa''ul carrying the meaning of istif'āl (seeking), meaning: seek clarity regarding the matter and establish its certainty, and do not plunge into it without deliberation.
It is also recited as as-salama and as-salāma; both mean submission (istislām). It is also said to mean Islam, and it is said to mean the greeting (taslīm) which is the salutation of the people of Islam.
"You are not a believer"
It is also recited as mu'amman (with a fatha on the mīm) from āmanahu, meaning: "We do not grant you security."
The Context:
Mirdās ibn Nahīk was a man from the people of Fadak who had accepted Islam, though none of his people had. A military detachment of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), led by Ghālib ibn Fadālah al-Laythī, raided them. The people fled, but Mirdās remained, confident in his Islam. When he saw the cavalry, he drove his sheep into a mountain pass and climbed up. When they caught up and shouted "Allāhu Akbar," he also shouted it, descended, and said: "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon you (as-salāmu 'alaykum)." Usāmah ibn Zayd killed him and drove off his sheep.
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was informed, he was deeply distressed and said: "You killed him out of desire for what he possessed!" He then recited this verse to Usāmah. Usāmah said: "O Messenger of Allah, ask forgiveness for me." He replied: "What will you do with 'There is no god but Allah'?" Usāmah said: "He kept repeating it until I wished I had not accepted Islam until that very day. Then he asked forgiveness for me and said: 'Free a slave.'"
"Seeking the fleeting goods of the worldly life"
You seek the spoils of war, which are debris that quickly perish. This is what drives you to abandon verification and lack investigation into the state of the one you kill.
"For with Allah are abundant spoils"
He will grant you spoils that will make you have no need to kill a man who manifests Islam and seeks refuge in it to avoid being harmed, just so you may take his wealth.
"Thus you were before"
When you first entered Islam, the word of testimony was heard from your mouths, and it protected your blood and wealth without waiting to see if your hearts agreed with your tongues.
"So Allah conferred favor upon you"
By granting you steadfastness, fame in faith, and precedence. Since you have become leaders, you must treat those entering Islam as you were treated. You must consider the outward manifestation of Islam in your judgment and not say: "This person’s declaration of Tahlīl (saying Lā ilāha illā Allāh) is only to avoid being killed, not out of sincere intention," thereby making it a pretext to deem his blood and wealth lawful, when Allah has forbidden them.
"So verify"
This is a repetition of the command to verify, to emphasize it to them.
"Indeed, Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted"
So do not rush into killing, and be cautious and circumspect in that regard.
