4. An-Nisaa

(But how (will it be with them)) how shall the unbelievers react (when we bring of every people a witness) a prophet who will testify that he has delivered the message to them, (and We bring thee) O Muhammad (a witness against these?) it is also said that this means: We bring you, O Muhammad, a witness in favour of your Community, testifying that it is reliable and upright. This is because his Community will be a witness for the other prophets against their nations when the latter will deny having received any message from them.

(On that day) on the Day of Resurrection (those who disbelieved) in Allah (and disobeyed the messenger) by denying his message (will wish that they were level with the ground) they will wish that they become dust with the beasts, (and they can hide no fact from Allah) they will not say: O Allah, our Lord! We did not associate any partner with you.

Allah revealed the following about the Companions of Muhammad prior to the prohibition of intoxicants: (O ye who believe!) in Muhammad and the Qur'an (Draw not near unto prayer) in the Mosque of the Prophet (pbuh) with the Prophet (pbuh) (when ye are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter) so that you know what the prayer leader recites during the prayer, (nor when ye are polluted) nor when you are in a state of major ritual impurity, (save when journeying upon the road) except when passing through when you have to, (till ye have bathed) to purify yourselves from major ritual impurity. (And if ye be ill) wounded, (or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have touched women) made love to them, (and ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and rub your faces) with the first clap (and your hands (therewith)) with the second clap. (Lo! Allah is Benign) Allah is Generous for the abundance He has given you, (Forgiving) of any shortcoming that may ensue from you.

(Seest thou not) have you not been informed in the Scripture about (those unto whom a portion of the Scripture hath been given) those who were given knowledge of the Torah, (how they purchase error?) they choose Judaism, (and seek to make you (Muslims) err from the right way) i.e. abandon Islam. This was revealed about al-Yasa' and Rafi' the sons of Harmalah, two Jewish Rabbis, who invited 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his friends to embrace their religion.

(Some of those who are Jews) Malik Ibn al-Sayf and his friends (change words from their context) they change the traits and description of Muhammad after these were exposited upon in the Torah, and then come to Muhammad (and say: �We hear) your words, O Muhammad (and disobey) your command, when he is not around them; and we (hear thou) O Muhammad (as one who heareth not� and �Listen to us!� distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: �We hear) your saying, O Muhammad (and we obey) your command; (hear you) hear from us, (and look at us� it had been better for them) than their insults and defamation, (and more upright) and more correct. (But Allah hath cursed them) punishes them by making them pay the capitation tax (for their disbelief) as a punishment for their disbelief, (so they believe not, save a few) among them who have accepted Islam such as 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his friends.

(O ye unto whom the Scripture hath been given!) O you to whom knowledge of the traits and description of Muhammad in the Torah has been given. (Believe in what We have revealed) the Qur'an (concerning that which) confirms what (ye possess) in terms of Allah's divine Oneness and the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) (before We destroy countenances) before We change your hearts (so as to confound them) so as to turn them away from the lights of guidance and transform their faces to the back of their heads, (or curse them) turn them into animals (as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers (of old time)) by turning them into apes. (And the commandment of Allah is always executed) after the revelation of this verse 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his companions embraced Islam.

(Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him) if one dies in such a state. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will) to whomever repents. (Whoso ascribeth partners to Allah, he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin) a tremendous lie. This verse was revealed about Wahshiyy, the murderer of Hamzah, the uncle of the Prophet (pbuh).

(Hast thou not seen) have you not been informed in the Scripture about (those who praise themselves for purity?) those who absolve themselves from transgression. The reference here is to Buhayr Ibn 'Amr and Marhab Ibn Zayd. (Nay, Allah purifieth) absolves from sins (whom He will) whoever is fit for it, (and they will not be wronged even the hair upon a date stone) their sins will not be diminished even by the hair upon a date stone.

(See) O Muhammad, (how they invent lies about Allah!) by saying: the sins that we commit during the day will be forgiven at night, and the sins we commit during the night will be forgiven in the day. (That of itself is flagrant sin) a clear lie about Allah.