4. An-Nisaa

Surely! Allah wrongs not even of the weight of a speck of dust, but if there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward (40)How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad) as a witness against these people (41)On that day those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish that they were buried in the earth, but they will never be able to hide a single fact from Allah (42)

Allah Wrongs Not Even the Weight of a Speck of Dust

Allah states that He does not treat any of His servants with injustice on the Day of Resurrection, be it the weight of a mustard seed or a speck of dust. Rather, Allah shall reward them for this action and multiply it, if it were a good deed. For instance, Allah said,

وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ

(And We shall set up balances of justice)[21:47] Allah said that Luqman said,

يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهَا إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ

(O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth). [31:16] Allah said,

يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ النَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِّيُرَوْا أَعْمَالَهُمْ - فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ - وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ

(That Day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds. So whosoever does good equal to the weight of a speck of dust shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of a speck of dust shall see it.)[99:6-8]

The Two Sahihs recorded the long Hadith about the intercession that Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri narrated, and in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

فَيَقُولُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: ارْجِعُوا، فَمَنْ وَجَدْتُمْ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةِ خَرْدَلٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ، فَأَخْرِجُوهُ مِنَ النَّارِ

(Allah then says, "Go back, and take out of the Fire everyone in whose heart you find the weight of a mustard seed of faith") In another narration, Allah says,

وفي لفظ: أَدْنَى أَدْنَى أَدْنَى مِثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ، فَأَخْرِجُوهُ مِنَ النَّارِ، فَيُخْرِجُونَ خَلْقًا كَثِيرًا

("Whosoever had the least, least, least speck of faith, take him out of the Fire," and they will take out many people.) Abu Sa'id then said, "Read, if you will,

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ

(Surely! Allah wrongs not even of the weight of a speck of dust)."

Will Punishment be Diminished for the Disbelievers?

Sa'id bin Jubayr commented about Allah's statement,

وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا

(but if there is any good (done), He doubles it,)

As for the disbeliever, his punishment will be lessened for him on the Day of Resurrection, but he will never depart the Fire. He used as evidence the authentic Hadith in which Al-'Abbas said, "O Messenger of Allah! Your uncle Abu Talib used to protect and support you, did you benefit him at all?" The Messenger ﷺ said,

نَعَمْ هُوَ فِي ضَحْضَاحٍ مِنْ نَارٍ، وَلَوْلَا أَنَا، لَكَانَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ

(Yes. He is in a shallow area in Hell-fire, and were it not for me, he would have been in the …

O you who believe! Do not approach Salah while you are in a druken state until you know what you are saying, nor while Junub (sexually impure), except while passing through, until you bathe (your entire body), and if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes from the Gha'it (toilet), or from 'Lāmastum' (touching) women, but you do not find water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth, rubbing your faces and hands. Truly, Allah is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving (43)

The Prohibition of Approaching Prayer When Drunk or Junub

Allah forbade His believing servants from praying while drunk, for one does not know the meaning of what he is saying in that state, and He forbade them from attending the Masjids while sexually impure, except when one is just passing through the Masjid from one door to another. This Ayah was revealed before alcohol consumption was completely prohibited, as evident by the Hadith that we mentioned in Surat Al-Baqarah when we explained Allah's statement,

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ

(They ask you about alcoholic drink and gambling). [2:219] In that Hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited this Ayah to 'Umar, who said, "O Allah! Explain the ruling about Khamr (intoxicants) for us in a plain manner." When this Ayah [4:43] was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ recited it to 'Umar, who still said, "O Allah! Explain the ruling about Khamr (intoxicants) for us in a plain manner." After that, they would not drink alcohol close to the time of prayer. When Allah's statement,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

(O you who believe! alcoholic drinks, gambling, Al-Ansab, and Al-Azlam are an abomination of Shayatan's handiwork. So avoid that in order that you may be successful.)[5:90], until,

فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ

(So, will you not then abstain)[5:91] was revealed, 'Umar said, "We abstain, we abstain."

In another narration, when the Ayah in Surat An-Nisa' was revealed,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا مَا تَقُولُونَ

(O you who believe! Do not approach Salah while you are in a druken state until you know what you are saying,) at the time of prayer, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would have someone proclaim; "Let not any drunk approach the prayer." This is the wording collected by Abu Dawud.

Causes of Its Revelation

Ibn Abi Hatim has recorded some reports about the incident of its revelation: Sa'd said, "Four Ayat were revealed concerning me. A man from the Ansar once made some food and invited some Muhajirin and Ansar men to it, and we ate and drank until we became intoxicated. We then boasted about our status." Then a man held a camel's bone and injured Sa'd's nose, which was scarred ever since. This occurred before Al-Khamr was prohibited, and Allah later revealed,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَىٰ

(O you who believe! Approach not AsSalat (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state). Muslim recorded this Hadith, and the collectors of the Sunan recorded it, with the exception of …

Have you not seen those (the Jews) who were given a portion of the Book, purchasing the wrong path, and wishing that you should go astray from the right path (44)Allah has full knowledge of your enemies, and Allah is sufficient as a Wali (Protector), and Allah is sufficient as a Helper (45)Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: "We hear your word and disobey," and "Hear and let you hear nothing." And Ra'ina with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion. And if only they had said: "We hear and obey", and "Do make us understand," it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few (46)

Chastising the Jews for Choosing Misguidance, Altering Allah's Words, and Mocking Islam

Allah states that the Jews, may Allah's continued curse fall on them until the Day of Resurrection, have purchased the wrong path instead of guidance, and ignored what Allah sent down to His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ. They also ignored the knowledge that they inherited from previous Prophets, about the description of Muhammad ﷺ, so that they may have a small amount of the delights of this life.

وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن تَضِلُّوا السَّبِيلَ

(and wishing that you should go astray from the right path.) for they would like that you disbelieve in what was sent down to you, O believers, and that you abandon the guidance and beneficial knowledge that you have.

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَعْدَائِكُمْ

(Allah has full knowledge of your enemies) meaning, Allah has better knowledge of your enemies, and He warns you against them.

وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ نَصِيرًا

(and Allah is sufficient as a Wali (Protector), and Allah is Sufficient as a Helper) He is a Sufficient Protector for those who seek refuge with Him and a Sufficient Supporter for those who seek His help. Allah then said,

يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ

(there are some who displace words from (their) right places) meaning, they intentionally and falsely alter the meanings of the Words of Allah and explain them in a different manner than what Allah meant,

وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا

(And say: "We hear your word and disobey) saying, "We hear what you say, O Muhammad, but we do not obey you in it," as Mujahid and Ibn Zayd explained.

This is the implied meaning of the Ayah, and it demonstrates the Jews' disbelief, stubbornness and disregard for Allah's Book after they understood it, all the while aware of the sin and punishment that this behavior will earn for them. Allah's statement,

وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ

(And "Hear and let you hear nothing.") means, hear our words, may you never hear anything, as Ad-Dahhak reported from Ibn 'Abbas. This is the Jews' way of mocking and jesting, may Allah's curse descend on them.

وَرَاعِنَا لَيًّا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِي الدِّينِ

(And Ra'ina, with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion.) meaning, they pretend to say, 'Hear us,' when they say, Ra'ina (an insult in Hebrew, but in Arabic it means 'Listen to us.').' Yet, their true aim is to curse the Prophet ﷺ. We mentioned this subject …

Have you not seen those (the Jews) who were given a portion of the Book, purchasing the wrong path, and wishing that you should go astray from the right path (44)Allah has full knowledge of your enemies, and Allah is sufficient as a Wali (Protector), and Allah is sufficient as a Helper (45)Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: "We hear your word and disobey," and "Hear and let you hear nothing." And Ra'ina with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion. And if only they had said: "We hear and obey", and "Do make us understand," it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few (46)

Chastising the Jews for Choosing Misguidance, Altering Allah's Words, and Mocking Islam

Allah states that the Jews, may Allah's continued curse fall on them until the Day of Resurrection, have purchased the wrong path instead of guidance, and ignored what Allah sent down to His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ. They also ignored the knowledge that they inherited from previous Prophets, about the description of Muhammad ﷺ, so that they may have a small amount of the delights of this life.

وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن تَضِلُّوا السَّبِيلَ

(and wishing that you should go astray from the right path.) for they would like that you disbelieve in what was sent down to you, O believers, and that you abandon the guidance and beneficial knowledge that you have.

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَعْدَائِكُمْ

(Allah has full knowledge of your enemies) meaning, Allah has better knowledge of your enemies, and He warns you against them.

وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ نَصِيرًا

(and Allah is sufficient as a Wali (Protector), and Allah is Sufficient as a Helper) He is a Sufficient Protector for those who seek refuge with Him and a Sufficient Supporter for those who seek His help. Allah then said,

يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ

(there are some who displace words from (their) right places) meaning, they intentionally and falsely alter the meanings of the Words of Allah and explain them in a different manner than what Allah meant,

وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا

(And say: "We hear your word and disobey) saying, "We hear what you say, O Muhammad, but we do not obey you in it," as Mujahid and Ibn Zayd explained.

This is the implied meaning of the Ayah, and it demonstrates the Jews' disbelief, stubbornness and disregard for Allah's Book after they understood it, all the while aware of the sin and punishment that this behavior will earn for them. Allah's statement,

وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ

(And "Hear and let you hear nothing.") means, hear our words, may you never hear anything, as Ad-Dahhak reported from Ibn 'Abbas. This is the Jews' way of mocking and jesting, may Allah's curse descend on them.

وَرَاعِنَا لَيًّا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِي الدِّينِ

(And Ra'ina, with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion.) meaning, they pretend to say, 'Hear us,' when they say, Ra'ina (an insult in Hebrew, but in Arabic it means 'Listen to us.').' Yet, their true aim is to curse the Prophet ﷺ. We mentioned this subject …

Have you not seen those (the Jews) who were given a portion of the Book, purchasing the wrong path, and wishing that you should go astray from the right path (44)Allah has full knowledge of your enemies, and Allah is sufficient as a Wali (Protector), and Allah is sufficient as a Helper (45)Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: "We hear your word and disobey," and "Hear and let you hear nothing." And Ra'ina with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion. And if only they had said: "We hear and obey", and "Do make us understand," it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few (46)

Chastising the Jews for Choosing Misguidance, Altering Allah's Words, and Mocking Islam

Allah states that the Jews, may Allah's continued curse fall on them until the Day of Resurrection, have purchased the wrong path instead of guidance, and ignored what Allah sent down to His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ. They also ignored the knowledge that they inherited from previous Prophets, about the description of Muhammad ﷺ, so that they may have a small amount of the delights of this life.

وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن تَضِلُّوا السَّبِيلَ

(and wishing that you should go astray from the right path.) for they would like that you disbelieve in what was sent down to you, O believers, and that you abandon the guidance and beneficial knowledge that you have.

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَعْدَائِكُمْ

(Allah has full knowledge of your enemies) meaning, Allah has better knowledge of your enemies, and He warns you against them.

وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ نَصِيرًا

(and Allah is sufficient as a Wali (Protector), and Allah is Sufficient as a Helper) He is a Sufficient Protector for those who seek refuge with Him and a Sufficient Supporter for those who seek His help. Allah then said,

يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ

(there are some who displace words from (their) right places) meaning, they intentionally and falsely alter the meanings of the Words of Allah and explain them in a different manner than what Allah meant,

وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا

(And say: "We hear your word and disobey) saying, "We hear what you say, O Muhammad, but we do not obey you in it," as Mujahid and Ibn Zayd explained.

This is the implied meaning of the Ayah, and it demonstrates the Jews' disbelief, stubbornness and disregard for Allah's Book after they understood it, all the while aware of the sin and punishment that this behavior will earn for them. Allah's statement,

وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ

(And "Hear and let you hear nothing.") means, hear our words, may you never hear anything, as Ad-Dahhak reported from Ibn 'Abbas. This is the Jews' way of mocking and jesting, may Allah's curse descend on them.

وَرَاعِنَا لَيًّا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِي الدِّينِ

(And Ra'ina, with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion.) meaning, they pretend to say, 'Hear us,' when they say, Ra'ina (an insult in Hebrew, but in Arabic it means 'Listen to us.').' Yet, their true aim is to curse the Prophet ﷺ. We mentioned this subject …

O you who have been given the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Believe in what We have revealed confirming what is with you, before We efface faces and turn them backwards or curse them as We cursed the people of the Sabbath. And the commandment of Allah is always executed (47)Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin (48)

Calling the People of the Book to Embrace the Faith, Warning them Against Doing Otherwise

Allah commands the People of the Scriptures to believe in what He has sent down to His servant and Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ, the Glorious Book that conforms to the good news that they already have about Muhammad ﷺ. He also warns them,

مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهَا

(before We efface faces and turn them backwards) Al-'Awfi said that Ibn 'Abbas said that 'effacing' here refers to blindness,

فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهَا

(and turn them backwards) meaning, We put their faces on their backs, and make them walk backwards, since their eyes will be in their backs. Similar was said by Qatadah and 'Atiyah Al-'Awfi.

This makes the punishment even more severe, and it is a parable that Allah set for ignoring the truth, preferring the wrong way and turning away from the plain path for the paths of misguidance. Therefore, such people walk backwards. Similarly, some said that Allah's statement,

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ أَغْلَالًا فَهِيَ إِلَى الْأَذْقَانِ فَهُم مُّقْمَحُونَ - وَجَعَلْنَا مِن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّا

(Verily, We have put on their necks iron collars reaching to the chins, so that their heads are raised up. And We have put a barrier before them)[36:8-9] that is a parable that Allah gave for their deviation and hindrance from guidance.

Ka'b Al-Ahbar Embraces Islam Upon Hearing this Ayah [4:47]

It was reported that Ka'b Al-Ahbar became Muslim when he heard this Ayah [4:47]. Ibn Jarir recorded that 'Isa bin Al-Mughirah said: We were with Ibrahim when we talked about the time when Ka'b became Muslim. He said, 'Ka'b became Muslim during the reign of 'Umar, for he passed by Al-Madinah intending to visit Jerusalem, and 'Umar said to him, "Embrace Islam, O Ka'b.' Ka'b said, 'Do you not read in your Book,

مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ

(The likeness of those who were entrusted with the Tawrah...)[62:5] until,

أَسْفَارًا

(Books) I am among those who were entrusted with the Tawrah.' 'Umar left him alone and Ka'b went on to Hims (in Syria) and heard one of its inhabitants recite this Ayah while feeling sad,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ آمِنُوا بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهَا

(O you who have been given the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Believe in what We have revealed confirming what is with you, before We efface faces and turn them backwards).

Ka'b said, 'I believe, O Lord! I embraced Islam, O Lord!' for He feared that this might be struck by this threat. He then went back to his family in Yemen and returned …

O you who have been given the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Believe in what We have revealed confirming what is with you, before We efface faces and turn them backwards or curse them as We cursed the people of the Sabbath. And the commandment of Allah is always executed (47)Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin (48)

Calling the People of the Book to Embrace the Faith, Warning them Against Doing Otherwise

Allah commands the People of the Scriptures to believe in what He has sent down to His servant and Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ, the Glorious Book that conforms to the good news that they already have about Muhammad ﷺ. He also warns them,

مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهَا

(before We efface faces and turn them backwards) Al-'Awfi said that Ibn 'Abbas said that 'effacing' here refers to blindness,

فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهَا

(and turn them backwards) meaning, We put their faces on their backs, and make them walk backwards, since their eyes will be in their backs. Similar was said by Qatadah and 'Atiyah Al-'Awfi.

This makes the punishment even more severe, and it is a parable that Allah set for ignoring the truth, preferring the wrong way and turning away from the plain path for the paths of misguidance. Therefore, such people walk backwards. Similarly, some said that Allah's statement,

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ أَغْلَالًا فَهِيَ إِلَى الْأَذْقَانِ فَهُم مُّقْمَحُونَ - وَجَعَلْنَا مِن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّا

(Verily, We have put on their necks iron collars reaching to the chins, so that their heads are raised up. And We have put a barrier before them)[36:8-9] that is a parable that Allah gave for their deviation and hindrance from guidance.

Ka'b Al-Ahbar Embraces Islam Upon Hearing this Ayah [4:47]

It was reported that Ka'b Al-Ahbar became Muslim when he heard this Ayah [4:47]. Ibn Jarir recorded that 'Isa bin Al-Mughirah said: We were with Ibrahim when we talked about the time when Ka'b became Muslim. He said, 'Ka'b became Muslim during the reign of 'Umar, for he passed by Al-Madinah intending to visit Jerusalem, and 'Umar said to him, "Embrace Islam, O Ka'b.' Ka'b said, 'Do you not read in your Book,

مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ

(The likeness of those who were entrusted with the Tawrah...)[62:5] until,

أَسْفَارًا

(Books) I am among those who were entrusted with the Tawrah.' 'Umar left him alone and Ka'b went on to Hims (in Syria) and heard one of its inhabitants recite this Ayah while feeling sad,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ آمِنُوا بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهَا

(O you who have been given the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Believe in what We have revealed confirming what is with you, before We efface faces and turn them backwards).

Ka'b said, 'I believe, O Lord! I embraced Islam, O Lord!' for He feared that this might be struck by this threat. He then went back to his family in Yemen and returned …

Have you not seen those who claim sanctity for themselves? Nay, but Allah sanctifies whom He wills, and they will not be dealt with injustice even equal to the extent of a 'Fatīl' (49)Look, how they invent a lie against Allah, and enough is that as a manifest sin (50)Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They believe in Jibt and Taghut and say to those who disbelieve, "These people are better guided on the way, " than the believers (51)They are those whom Allah has cursed, and he whom Allah curses, you will not find for him (any) helper (52)

Chastising and Cursing the Jews for Claiming Purity for Themselves and Believing in Jibt and Taghut

Al-Hasan and Qatadah said, "This Ayah,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُزَكُّونَ أَنفُسَهُم

(Have you not seen those who claim sanctity for themselves?) was revealed about the Jews and Christians when they said, 'We are Allah's children and His loved ones.'" Ibn Zayd also said, "This Ayah was revealed concerning their statement,

نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ

(We are the children of Allah and His loved ones)[5:18] and their statement,

لَن يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ

(None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian)." [2:111] This is why Allah said,

بَلِ اللَّهُ يُزَكِّي مَن يَشَاءُ

(Nay, but Allah sanctifies whom He wills,) meaning, the decision in this matter is with Allah Alone, because He has perfect knowledge of the true reality and secrets of all things. Allah then said,

وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا

(And they will not be dealt with injustice even equal to the extent of a 'Fatīl',) meaning, He does no injustice with anyone's compensation in any part of his reward, even if it was the weight of a 'Fatīl'. Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, 'Ikrimah, 'Ata', Al-Hasan, Qatadah and others among the Salaf said that 'Fatīl' means, "The scalish thread in the long slit of the date-stone." Allah said,

انظُرْ كَيْفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ

(Look, how they invent a lie against Allah,) claiming purity for themselves, their claim that they are Allah's children and His loved ones, their statement;

لَن يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ

(None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian)[2:111] their statement;

لَن تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ إِلَّا أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ

(The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days)[3:24] and their reliance on the righteous deeds of their forefathers. Allah has decreed that the good actions of the fathers do not help the children, when He said,

تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ

(That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn). Allah then said,

وَكَفَىٰ بِهِ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

(and enough is that as a manifest sin.) meaning, these lies and fabrications of theirs are sufficent. Allah's statement,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ

(Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They believe in Jibt and Taghut).

Muhammad bin Ishaq said from Hassan bin Fa'id that 'Umar bin …

Have you not seen those who claim sanctity for themselves? Nay, but Allah sanctifies whom He wills, and they will not be dealt with injustice even equal to the extent of a 'Fatīl' (49)Look, how they invent a lie against Allah, and enough is that as a manifest sin (50)Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They believe in Jibt and Taghut and say to those who disbelieve, "These people are better guided on the way, " than the believers (51)They are those whom Allah has cursed, and he whom Allah curses, you will not find for him (any) helper (52)

Chastising and Cursing the Jews for Claiming Purity for Themselves and Believing in Jibt and Taghut

Al-Hasan and Qatadah said, "This Ayah,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُزَكُّونَ أَنفُسَهُم

(Have you not seen those who claim sanctity for themselves?) was revealed about the Jews and Christians when they said, 'We are Allah's children and His loved ones.'" Ibn Zayd also said, "This Ayah was revealed concerning their statement,

نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ

(We are the children of Allah and His loved ones)[5:18] and their statement,

لَن يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ

(None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian)." [2:111] This is why Allah said,

بَلِ اللَّهُ يُزَكِّي مَن يَشَاءُ

(Nay, but Allah sanctifies whom He wills,) meaning, the decision in this matter is with Allah Alone, because He has perfect knowledge of the true reality and secrets of all things. Allah then said,

وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا

(And they will not be dealt with injustice even equal to the extent of a 'Fatīl',) meaning, He does no injustice with anyone's compensation in any part of his reward, even if it was the weight of a 'Fatīl'. Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, 'Ikrimah, 'Ata', Al-Hasan, Qatadah and others among the Salaf said that 'Fatīl' means, "The scalish thread in the long slit of the date-stone." Allah said,

انظُرْ كَيْفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ

(Look, how they invent a lie against Allah,) claiming purity for themselves, their claim that they are Allah's children and His loved ones, their statement;

لَن يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ

(None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian)[2:111] their statement;

لَن تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ إِلَّا أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ

(The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days)[3:24] and their reliance on the righteous deeds of their forefathers. Allah has decreed that the good actions of the fathers do not help the children, when He said,

تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ

(That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn). Allah then said,

وَكَفَىٰ بِهِ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

(and enough is that as a manifest sin.) meaning, these lies and fabrications of theirs are sufficent. Allah's statement,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ

(Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They believe in Jibt and Taghut).

Muhammad bin Ishaq said from Hassan bin Fa'id that 'Umar bin …