4. An-Nisaa

(And then it is said unto them) to Hatib Ibn Abi Balta'ah, the hypocrite, who had a dispute with al-Zubayr Ibn al-'Awwam, the cousin of the Prophet (pbuh): (Come unto that which Allah hath revealed) come to the ruling which Allah has revealed in the Qur'an (and unto the messenger) and to the judgement of the messenger, (thou seest the hypocrites) Hatib Ibn Abi Balta'ah (turn from you with aversion) turn away from your judgement in complete rejection.

(How would it be) what shall they do (if a misfortune) a punishment (smote them because of that which their own hands have sent before (them)) because of turning away (they come unto you) after that, (swearing by Allah) i.e. Hatib swearing by Allah (that they were seeking naught) when they turned away (but harmony) in speech (and kindness) correctness.

(Those are they) i.e. him who did turn away from the Prophet (pbuh) (the secrets of whose hearts Allah knoweth) He knows the hypocrisy in the heart of Hatib Ibn Abi Balta'ah. Another interpretation of the above verse is: How shall they do-those who established a counter mosque-when a punishment strikes them, because of the counter mosque they built, and then afterward came to you-Tha'labah and Hatib-swearing by Allah that they did not intend by the building of the mosque except kindness to the believers and religious harmony, so that you send us a man of knowledge to teach us? Allah knows the hypocrisy and antagonism in the hearts of those who built this counter mosque. (So oppose them) leave them and do not punish them this time (and admonish them) with your words so that they do not do it again, (and address them in plain terms about their souls) threaten them in an unequivocal way that you will punish them if they do it again.

(We sent no messenger save that he) that the messenger (should be obeyed by Allah's leave) by Allah's command; We do not send him so that he is opposed or has his judgement rejected by turning away from him. (And if, when they) those who built the counter mosque and Hatib (had wronged themselves) by so building it and turning away from you, (they had but come unto thee) to repent (and asked forgiveness of Allah) repented to Allah for their actions (and asked forgiveness of the messenger) and the Messenger prayed for them, (they would have found Allah Forgiving) He overlooks their transgressions, (Merciful) He is after repentance.

(And if We had decreed for them) as We decreed for the Children of Israel: (Lay down your lives or go forth from your dwellings) empty handed, (but few of them) among the sincere ones, i.e. their leader Thabit Ibn Qays Ibn Shammas al-Ansari (would have done it) with a good disposition of the soul; (though if they) the hypocrites (did what they are exhorted) commanded (to do) of repentance and sincerity (it would be better for them) in the Hereafter than the condition they are in secret, (and more strengthening) and more real in this world;

(And then) if they did what they were commanded to do (We should bestow upon them from Our presence) from Us (an immense reward) an abundant reward in Paradise,

(And should guide them unto a straight path) and We would have made them in this world firm upon an established Religion that We are pleased with, i.e. Islam.

(Whoso obeyeth Allah and the messenger) this verse was revealed about Thawban, the client of Allah's Messenger (pbuh) who said: �I am afraid not to meet you in the Hereafter, O Messenger of Allah!� This is because he loved him intensely and could not bear being away from him. Allah's Messenger saw the change in him and so Allah mentioned the honour bestowed on him, saying: whoever obeys Allah regarding the obligations and obeys the Prophet regarding the prophetic practices (they are) in Paradise (with those unto whom Allah hath shown favour, of the Prophets) Muhammad (pbuh) and the other prophets, (and the saints) the best among the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) (and the martyrs) those who were martyred in the way of Allah (and the righteous) the righteous among the Community of Muhammad (pbuh). (The best of company are they) in Paradise!

(Such) keeping the company of the prophets, saints, martyrs and righteous (is the bounty of Allah) a favour from Allah, (and Allah sufficeth as knower) of the love of Thawban and the honour and reward bestowed upon him in Paradise.