4. An-Nisaa

Have you not seen those (hyprocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgment (in their disputes) to the Taghut while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaytan wishes to lead them far astray (60)And when it is said to them: "Come to what Allah has sent down and to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites turn away from you with aversion (61)How then, when a catastrophe befalls them because of what their hands have sent forth, they come to you swearing by Allah, "We meant no more than goodwill and conciliation! (62)They (hypocrites) are those of whom Allah knows what is in their hearts; so turn aside from them (do not punish them) but admonish them, and speak to them an effective word to reach their inner selves (63)

Referring to Other than the Qur'an and Sunnah for Judgment is Characteristic of Non-Muslims

Allah chastises those who claim to believe in what Allah has sent down to His Messenger ﷺ and to the earlier Prophets, yet they refer to other than the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ for judgment in various disputes. It was reported that the reason behind revealing this Ayah was that a man from the Ansar and a Jew had a dispute, and the Jew said, "Let us refer to Muhammad to judge between us." However, the Muslim man said, "Let us refer to Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf (a Jew) to judge between us." It was also reported that the Ayah was revealed about some hypocrites who pretended to be Muslims, yet they sought to refer to the judgment of Jahiliyyah. Other reasons were also reported behind the revelation of the Ayah. However, the Ayah has a general meaning, as it chastises all those who refrain from referring to the Qur'an and Sunnah for judgment and prefer the judgment of whatever they chose of falsehood, which befits the description of Taghut here. This is why Allah said,

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ

(and they wish to go for judgment to the Taghut) until the end of the Ayah. Allah's statement,

يَصُدُّونَ عَنكَ صُدُودًا

(turn away from you with aversion) means, they turn away from you in arrogance, just as Allah described the polytheists,

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا

(When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah has sent down." They say: "Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers following.")[31:21] This is different from the conduct of the faithful believers, whom Allah describes as,

إِنَّمَا كَانَ قَوْلَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذَا دُعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَن يَقُولُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا

(The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger, to judge between them, is that they say: "We hear and we obey.")[24:51]

Chastising the Hypocrites

Chastising the hypocrites, Allah said,

فَكَيْفَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ

(How then, when a catastrophe befalls them because of what their hands have sent forth,) meaning, how about it if they feel compelled to join you because of disasters that they suffer due to their sins, then …

Have you not seen those (hyprocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgment (in their disputes) to the Taghut while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaytan wishes to lead them far astray (60)And when it is said to them: "Come to what Allah has sent down and to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites turn away from you with aversion (61)How then, when a catastrophe befalls them because of what their hands have sent forth, they come to you swearing by Allah, "We meant no more than goodwill and conciliation! (62)They (hypocrites) are those of whom Allah knows what is in their hearts; so turn aside from them (do not punish them) but admonish them, and speak to them an effective word to reach their inner selves (63)

Referring to Other than the Qur'an and Sunnah for Judgment is Characteristic of Non-Muslims

Allah chastises those who claim to believe in what Allah has sent down to His Messenger ﷺ and to the earlier Prophets, yet they refer to other than the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ for judgment in various disputes. It was reported that the reason behind revealing this Ayah was that a man from the Ansar and a Jew had a dispute, and the Jew said, "Let us refer to Muhammad to judge between us." However, the Muslim man said, "Let us refer to Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf (a Jew) to judge between us." It was also reported that the Ayah was revealed about some hypocrites who pretended to be Muslims, yet they sought to refer to the judgment of Jahiliyyah. Other reasons were also reported behind the revelation of the Ayah. However, the Ayah has a general meaning, as it chastises all those who refrain from referring to the Qur'an and Sunnah for judgment and prefer the judgment of whatever they chose of falsehood, which befits the description of Taghut here. This is why Allah said,

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ

(and they wish to go for judgment to the Taghut) until the end of the Ayah. Allah's statement,

يَصُدُّونَ عَنكَ صُدُودًا

(turn away from you with aversion) means, they turn away from you in arrogance, just as Allah described the polytheists,

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا

(When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah has sent down." They say: "Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers following.")[31:21] This is different from the conduct of the faithful believers, whom Allah describes as,

إِنَّمَا كَانَ قَوْلَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذَا دُعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَن يَقُولُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا

(The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger, to judge between them, is that they say: "We hear and we obey.")[24:51]

Chastising the Hypocrites

Chastising the hypocrites, Allah said,

فَكَيْفَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ

(How then, when a catastrophe befalls them because of what their hands have sent forth,) meaning, how about it if they feel compelled to join you because of disasters that they suffer due to their sins, then …

We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah's leave. If they, when they were unjust to themselves, had come to you and begged Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had begged forgiveness for them, indeed, they would have found Allah All-Forgiving, Most Merciful (64)But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission (65)

The Necessity of Obeying the Messenger (ﷺ)

Allah said,

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ

(We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed) meaning, obeying the Prophet was ordained for those to whom Allah sends the Prophet. Allah's statement,

بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(by Allah's leave) means, "None shall obey, except by My leave," according to Mujahid. This Ayah indicates that the Prophets are only obeyed by whomever Allah directs to obedience. In another Ayah, Allah said,

وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ وَعْدَهُ إِذْ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذْنِهِ

(And Allah did indeed fulfill His promise to you when you were killing them (your enemy) with His permission)[3:152] meaning, by His command, decree, will and because He granted you superiority over them. Allah's statement,

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ

(If they (hypocrites), when they had been unjust to themselves,) directs the sinners and evildoers, when they commit errors and mistakes, to come to the Messenger ﷺ, so that they ask Allah for forgiveness in his presence and ask him to supplicate to Allah to forgive them. If they do this, Allah will forgive them and award them His mercy and pardon. This is why Allah said,

لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا

(they would have found Allah All-Forgiving (One Who forgives and accepts repentance), Most Merciful).

One Does not Become a Believer Unless He Refers to the Messenger for Judgment and Submits to his Decision

Allah said,

فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ

(But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them,)

Allah swears by His Glorious, Most Honorable Self, that no one shall attain faith until he refers to the Messenger ﷺ for judgment in all matters. Thereafter, whatever the Messenger ﷺ commands, is the plain truth that must be submitted to inwardly and outwardly. Allah said,

ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

(and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.) meaning: they adhere to your judgment, and thus do not feel any hesitation over your decision, and they submit to it inwardly and outwardly. They submit to the Prophet's decision with total submission without any rejection, denial or dispute.

Al-Bukhari recorded that 'Urwah said, "Az-Zubayr quarreled with a man about a stream which both of them used for irrigation. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said to Az-Zubayr,

اسْقِ يَا زُبَيْرُ! ثُمَّ أَرْسِلِ الْمَاءَ إِلى جَارِكَ

(O Zubayr! Irrigate (your garden) first, and then let the water flow to your neighbor.)

The Ansari became angry and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Is …

We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah's leave. If they, when they were unjust to themselves, had come to you and begged Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had begged forgiveness for them, indeed, they would have found Allah All-Forgiving, Most Merciful (64)But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission (65)

The Necessity of Obeying the Messenger (ﷺ)

Allah said,

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ

(We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed) meaning, obeying the Prophet was ordained for those to whom Allah sends the Prophet. Allah's statement,

بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(by Allah's leave) means, "None shall obey, except by My leave," according to Mujahid. This Ayah indicates that the Prophets are only obeyed by whomever Allah directs to obedience. In another Ayah, Allah said,

وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ وَعْدَهُ إِذْ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذْنِهِ

(And Allah did indeed fulfill His promise to you when you were killing them (your enemy) with His permission)[3:152] meaning, by His command, decree, will and because He granted you superiority over them. Allah's statement,

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ

(If they (hypocrites), when they had been unjust to themselves,) directs the sinners and evildoers, when they commit errors and mistakes, to come to the Messenger ﷺ, so that they ask Allah for forgiveness in his presence and ask him to supplicate to Allah to forgive them. If they do this, Allah will forgive them and award them His mercy and pardon. This is why Allah said,

لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا

(they would have found Allah All-Forgiving (One Who forgives and accepts repentance), Most Merciful).

One Does not Become a Believer Unless He Refers to the Messenger for Judgment and Submits to his Decision

Allah said,

فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ

(But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them,)

Allah swears by His Glorious, Most Honorable Self, that no one shall attain faith until he refers to the Messenger ﷺ for judgment in all matters. Thereafter, whatever the Messenger ﷺ commands, is the plain truth that must be submitted to inwardly and outwardly. Allah said,

ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

(and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.) meaning: they adhere to your judgment, and thus do not feel any hesitation over your decision, and they submit to it inwardly and outwardly. They submit to the Prophet's decision with total submission without any rejection, denial or dispute.

Al-Bukhari recorded that 'Urwah said, "Az-Zubayr quarreled with a man about a stream which both of them used for irrigation. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said to Az-Zubayr,

اسْقِ يَا زُبَيْرُ! ثُمَّ أَرْسِلِ الْمَاءَ إِلى جَارِكَ

(O Zubayr! Irrigate (your garden) first, and then let the water flow to your neighbor.)

The Ansari became angry and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Is …

And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones) or leave your homes," very few of them would have done it; but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their conviction (66)And indeed We would then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves (67)And indeed We would have guided them to the straight way (68)And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are (69)Such is the bounty from Allah, and Allah is sufficient as All-Knower (70)

Most People Disobey What They Are Ordered

Allah states that even if the people were commanded to commit what they were prohibited from doing, most of them would not submit to this command, for their wicked nature is such that they dispute orders. Allah has complete knowledge of what has not occured, and how it would be if and when it did occur. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ

(And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones)) until the end of the Ayah. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ

(but if they had done what they were told,) meaning, if they do what they were commanded and refrain from what they were prohibited,

لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ

(it would have been better for them,) than disobeying the command and committing the prohibition,

وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا

(and would have strengthened their conviction), stronger Tasdiq (conviction of faith), according to As-Suddi.

وَإِذًا لَّآتَيْنَاهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّا

(And indeed We should then have bestowed upon them from Ladunna) from Us,

أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

(A great reward), Paradise,

وَلَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا

(And indeed We should have guided them to the straight way.) in this life and the Hereafter.

Whoever Obeys Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) Will Be Honored by Allah

Allah then said,

وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!)

Consequently, whosoever implements what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have commanded him and avoids what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have prohibited, then Allah will grant him a dwelling in the Residence of Honor. There, Allah will place him in the company of the Prophets, and those who are lesser in grade, the true believers, then the martyrs and then the righteous, who are righteous inwardly and outwardly. Allah then praised this company,

وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And how excellent these companions are!) Al-Bukhari recorded that 'A'ishah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying,

مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ يَمْرَضُ إِلَّا خُيِّرَ …

And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones) or leave your homes," very few of them would have done it; but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their conviction (66)And indeed We would then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves (67)And indeed We would have guided them to the straight way (68)And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are (69)Such is the bounty from Allah, and Allah is sufficient as All-Knower (70)

Most People Disobey What They Are Ordered

Allah states that even if the people were commanded to commit what they were prohibited from doing, most of them would not submit to this command, for their wicked nature is such that they dispute orders. Allah has complete knowledge of what has not occured, and how it would be if and when it did occur. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ

(And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones)) until the end of the Ayah. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ

(but if they had done what they were told,) meaning, if they do what they were commanded and refrain from what they were prohibited,

لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ

(it would have been better for them,) than disobeying the command and committing the prohibition,

وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا

(and would have strengthened their conviction), stronger Tasdiq (conviction of faith), according to As-Suddi.

وَإِذًا لَّآتَيْنَاهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّا

(And indeed We should then have bestowed upon them from Ladunna) from Us,

أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

(A great reward), Paradise,

وَلَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا

(And indeed We should have guided them to the straight way.) in this life and the Hereafter.

Whoever Obeys Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) Will Be Honored by Allah

Allah then said,

وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!)

Consequently, whosoever implements what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have commanded him and avoids what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have prohibited, then Allah will grant him a dwelling in the Residence of Honor. There, Allah will place him in the company of the Prophets, and those who are lesser in grade, the true believers, then the martyrs and then the righteous, who are righteous inwardly and outwardly. Allah then praised this company,

وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And how excellent these companions are!) Al-Bukhari recorded that 'A'ishah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying,

مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ يَمْرَضُ إِلَّا خُيِّرَ …

And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones) or leave your homes," very few of them would have done it; but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their conviction (66)And indeed We would then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves (67)And indeed We would have guided them to the straight way (68)And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are (69)Such is the bounty from Allah, and Allah is sufficient as All-Knower (70)

Most People Disobey What They Are Ordered

Allah states that even if the people were commanded to commit what they were prohibited from doing, most of them would not submit to this command, for their wicked nature is such that they dispute orders. Allah has complete knowledge of what has not occured, and how it would be if and when it did occur. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ

(And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones)) until the end of the Ayah. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ

(but if they had done what they were told,) meaning, if they do what they were commanded and refrain from what they were prohibited,

لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ

(it would have been better for them,) than disobeying the command and committing the prohibition,

وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا

(and would have strengthened their conviction), stronger Tasdiq (conviction of faith), according to As-Suddi.

وَإِذًا لَّآتَيْنَاهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّا

(And indeed We should then have bestowed upon them from Ladunna) from Us,

أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

(A great reward), Paradise,

وَلَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا

(And indeed We should have guided them to the straight way.) in this life and the Hereafter.

Whoever Obeys Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) Will Be Honored by Allah

Allah then said,

وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!)

Consequently, whosoever implements what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have commanded him and avoids what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have prohibited, then Allah will grant him a dwelling in the Residence of Honor. There, Allah will place him in the company of the Prophets, and those who are lesser in grade, the true believers, then the martyrs and then the righteous, who are righteous inwardly and outwardly. Allah then praised this company,

وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And how excellent these companions are!) Al-Bukhari recorded that 'A'ishah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying,

مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ يَمْرَضُ إِلَّا خُيِّرَ …

And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones) or leave your homes," very few of them would have done it; but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their conviction (66)And indeed We would then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves (67)And indeed We would have guided them to the straight way (68)And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are (69)Such is the bounty from Allah, and Allah is sufficient as All-Knower (70)

Most People Disobey What They Are Ordered

Allah states that even if the people were commanded to commit what they were prohibited from doing, most of them would not submit to this command, for their wicked nature is such that they dispute orders. Allah has complete knowledge of what has not occured, and how it would be if and when it did occur. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ

(And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones)) until the end of the Ayah. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ

(but if they had done what they were told,) meaning, if they do what they were commanded and refrain from what they were prohibited,

لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ

(it would have been better for them,) than disobeying the command and committing the prohibition,

وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا

(and would have strengthened their conviction), stronger Tasdiq (conviction of faith), according to As-Suddi.

وَإِذًا لَّآتَيْنَاهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّا

(And indeed We should then have bestowed upon them from Ladunna) from Us,

أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

(A great reward), Paradise,

وَلَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا

(And indeed We should have guided them to the straight way.) in this life and the Hereafter.

Whoever Obeys Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) Will Be Honored by Allah

Allah then said,

وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!)

Consequently, whosoever implements what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have commanded him and avoids what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have prohibited, then Allah will grant him a dwelling in the Residence of Honor. There, Allah will place him in the company of the Prophets, and those who are lesser in grade, the true believers, then the martyrs and then the righteous, who are righteous inwardly and outwardly. Allah then praised this company,

وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And how excellent these companions are!) Al-Bukhari recorded that 'A'ishah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying,

مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ يَمْرَضُ إِلَّا خُيِّرَ …

And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones) or leave your homes," very few of them would have done it; but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their conviction (66)And indeed We would then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves (67)And indeed We would have guided them to the straight way (68)And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are (69)Such is the bounty from Allah, and Allah is sufficient as All-Knower (70)

Most People Disobey What They Are Ordered

Allah states that even if the people were commanded to commit what they were prohibited from doing, most of them would not submit to this command, for their wicked nature is such that they dispute orders. Allah has complete knowledge of what has not occured, and how it would be if and when it did occur. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ

(And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones kill the guilty ones)) until the end of the Ayah. This is why Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ

(but if they had done what they were told,) meaning, if they do what they were commanded and refrain from what they were prohibited,

لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ

(it would have been better for them,) than disobeying the command and committing the prohibition,

وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا

(and would have strengthened their conviction), stronger Tasdiq (conviction of faith), according to As-Suddi.

وَإِذًا لَّآتَيْنَاهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّا

(And indeed We should then have bestowed upon them from Ladunna) from Us,

أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

(A great reward), Paradise,

وَلَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا

(And indeed We should have guided them to the straight way.) in this life and the Hereafter.

Whoever Obeys Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) Will Be Honored by Allah

Allah then said,

وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!)

Consequently, whosoever implements what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have commanded him and avoids what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have prohibited, then Allah will grant him a dwelling in the Residence of Honor. There, Allah will place him in the company of the Prophets, and those who are lesser in grade, the true believers, then the martyrs and then the righteous, who are righteous inwardly and outwardly. Allah then praised this company,

وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

(And how excellent these companions are!) Al-Bukhari recorded that 'A'ishah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying,

مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ يَمْرَضُ إِلَّا خُيِّرَ …