وَدُّواْ لَوۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءٗۖ فَلَا تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَخُذُوهُمۡ وَٱقۡتُلُوهُمۡ حَيۡثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمۡۖ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ وَلِيّٗا وَلَا نَصِيرًا ٨٩
Waddoo law takfuroona kama kafaroo fatakoonoona sawaan fala tattakhithoo minhum awliyaa hatta yuhajiroo fee sabeeli Allahi fain tawallaw fakhuthoohum waoqtuloohum haythu wajadtumoohum wala tattakhithoo minhum waliyyan wala naseeran
They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِۭ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَبَيۡنَهُم مِّيثَٰقٌ أَوۡ جَآءُوكُمۡ حَصِرَتۡ صُدُورُهُمۡ أَن يُقَٰتِلُوكُمۡ أَوۡ يُقَٰتِلُواْ قَوۡمَهُمۡۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَلَقَٰتَلُوكُمۡۚ فَإِنِ ٱعۡتَزَلُوكُمۡ فَلَمۡ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمۡ وَأَلۡقَوۡاْ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ سَبِيلٗا ٩٠
Illa allatheena yasiloona ila qawmin baynakum wabaynahum meethaqun aw jaookum hasirat sudooruhum an yuqatilookum aw yuqatiloo qawmahum walaw shaa Allahu lasallatahum AAalaykum falaqatalookum faini iAAtazalookum falam yuqatilookum waalqaw ilaykumu alssalama fama jaAAala Allahu lakum AAalayhim sabeelan
Except for those who take refuge with a people between yourselves and whom is a treaty or those who come to you, their hearts strained at [the prospect of] fighting you or fighting their own people. And if Allah had willed, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they remove themselves from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not made for you a cause [for fighting] against them
سَتَجِدُونَ ءَاخَرِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَأۡمَنُوكُمۡ وَيَأۡمَنُواْ قَوۡمَهُمۡ كُلَّ مَا رُدُّوٓاْ إِلَى ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ أُرۡكِسُواْ فِيهَاۚ فَإِن لَّمۡ يَعۡتَزِلُوكُمۡ وَيُلۡقُوٓاْ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَمَ وَيَكُفُّوٓاْ أَيۡدِيَهُمۡ فَخُذُوهُمۡ وَٱقۡتُلُوهُمۡ حَيۡثُ ثَقِفۡتُمُوهُمۡۚ وَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكُمۡ جَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَٰنٗا مُّبِينٗا ٩١
Satajidoona akhareena yureedoona an yamanookum wayamanoo qawmahum kulla ma ruddoo ila alfitnati orkisoo feeha fain lam yaAAtazilookum wayulqoo ilaykumu alssalama wayakuffoo aydiyahum fakhuthoohum waoqtuloohum haythu thaqiftumoohum waolaikum jaAAalna lakum AAalayhim sultanan mubeenan
You will find others who wish to obtain security from you and [to] obtain security from their people. Every time they are returned to [the influence of] disbelief, they fall back into it. So if they do not withdraw from you or offer you peace or restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you overtake them. And those - We have made for you against them a clear authorization
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤۡمِنٍ أَن يَقۡتُلَ مُؤۡمِنًا إِلَّا خَطَـٔٗاۚ وَمَن قَتَلَ مُؤۡمِنًا خَطَـٔٗا فَتَحۡرِيرُ رَقَبَةٖ مُّؤۡمِنَةٖ وَدِيَةٞ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن يَصَّدَّقُواْۚ فَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوۡمٍ عَدُوّٖ لَّكُمۡ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٞ فَتَحۡرِيرُ رَقَبَةٖ مُّؤۡمِنَةٖۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوۡمِۭ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَبَيۡنَهُم مِّيثَٰقٞ فَدِيَةٞ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهِۦ وَتَحۡرِيرُ رَقَبَةٖ مُّؤۡمِنَةٖۖ فَمَن لَّمۡ يَجِدۡ فَصِيَامُ شَهۡرَيۡنِ مُتَتَابِعَيۡنِ تَوۡبَةٗ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمٗا ٩٢
Wama kana limuminin an yaqtula muminan illa khataan waman qatala muminan khataan fatahreeru raqabatin muminatin wadiyatun musallamatun ila ahlihi illa an yassaddaqoo fain kana min qawmin AAaduwwin lakum wahuwa muminun fatahreeru raqabatin muminatin wain kana min qawmin baynakum wabaynahum meethaqun fadiyatun musallamatun ila ahlihi watahreeru raqabatin muminatin faman lam yajid fasiyamu shahrayni mutatabiAAayni tawbatan mina Allahi wakana Allahu AAaleeman hakeeman
And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment presented to the deceased's family [is required] unless they give [up their right as] charity. But if the deceased was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then [only] the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] - then [instead], a fast for two months consecutively, [seeking] acceptance of repentance from Allah. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise
وَمَن يَقۡتُلۡ مُؤۡمِنٗا مُّتَعَمِّدٗا فَجَزَآؤُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُ خَٰلِدٗا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِ وَلَعَنَهُۥ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُۥ عَذَابًا عَظِيمٗا ٩٣
Waman yaqtul muminan mutaAAammidan fajazaohu jahannamu khalidan feeha waghadiba Allahu AAalayhi walaAAanahu waaAAadda lahu AAathaban AAatheeman
But whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا ضَرَبۡتُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَنۡ أَلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَٰمَ لَسۡتَ مُؤۡمِنٗا تَبۡتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٞۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبۡلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٗا ٩٤
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo itha darabtum fee sabeeli Allahi fatabayyanoo wala taqooloo liman alqa ilaykumu alssalama lasta muminan tabtaghoona AAarada alhayati alddunya faAAinda Allahi maghanimu katheeratun kathalika kuntum min qablu famanna Allahu AAalaykum fatabayyanoo inna Allaha kana bima taAAmaloona khabeeran
O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allah, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace "You are not a believer," aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allah are many acquisitions. You [yourselves] were like that before; then Allah conferred His favor upon you, so investigate. Indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted
لَّا يَسۡتَوِي ٱلۡقَٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ غَيۡرُ أُوْلِي ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلۡمُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡۚ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُجَٰهِدِينَ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡقَٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةٗۚ وَكُلّٗا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُجَٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلۡقَٰعِدِينَ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا ٩٥
La yastawee alqaAAidoona mina almumineena ghayru olee alddarari waalmujahidoona fee sabeeli Allahi biamwalihim waanfusihim faddala Allahu almujahideena biamwalihim waanfusihim AAala alqaAAideena darajatan wakullan waAAada Allahu alhusna wafaddala Allahu almujahideena AAala alqaAAideena ajran AAatheeman
Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward
دَرَجَٰتٖ مِّنۡهُ وَمَغۡفِرَةٗ وَرَحۡمَةٗۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورٗا رَّحِيمًا ٩٦
Darajatin minhu wamaghfiratan warahmatan wakana Allahu ghafooran raheeman
Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ظَالِمِيٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ قَالُواْ فِيمَ كُنتُمۡۖ قَالُواْ كُنَّا مُسۡتَضۡعَفِينَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ قَالُوٓاْ أَلَمۡ تَكُنۡ أَرۡضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٗ فَتُهَاجِرُواْ فِيهَاۚ فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ مَأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَسَآءَتۡ مَصِيرًا ٩٧
Inna allatheena tawaffahumu almalaikatu thalimee anfusihim qaloo feema kuntum qaloo kunna mustadAAafeena fee alardi qaloo alam takun ardu Allahi wasiAAatan fatuhajiroo feeha faolaika mawahum jahannamu wasaat maseeran
Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves - [the angels] will say, "In what [condition] were you?" They will say, "We were oppressed in the land." The angels will say, "Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?" For those, their refuge is Hell - and evil it is as a destination
إِلَّا ٱلۡمُسۡتَضۡعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡوِلۡدَٰنِ لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةٗ وَلَا يَهۡتَدُونَ سَبِيلٗا ٩٨
Illa almustadAAafeena mina alrrijali waalnnisai waalwildani la yastateeAAoona heelatan wala yahtadoona sabeelan
Except for the oppressed among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan nor are they directed to a way
فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَعۡفُوَ عَنۡهُمۡۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورٗا ٩٩
Faolaika AAasa Allahu an yaAAfuwa AAanhum wakana Allahu AAafuwwan ghafooran
For those it is expected that Allah will pardon them, and Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving
۞وَمَن يُهَاجِرۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ يَجِدۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُرَٰغَمٗا كَثِيرٗا وَسَعَةٗۚ وَمَن يَخۡرُجۡ مِنۢ بَيۡتِهِۦ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ يُدۡرِكۡهُ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ فَقَدۡ وَقَعَ أَجۡرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورٗا رَّحِيمٗا ١٠٠
Waman yuhajir fee sabeeli Allahi yajid fee alardi muraghaman katheeran wasaAAatan waman yakhruj min baytihi muhajiran ila Allahi warasoolihi thumma yudrikhu almawtu faqad waqaAAa ajruhu AAala Allahi wakana Allahu ghafooran raheeman
And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful
وَإِذَا ضَرَبۡتُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَلَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقۡصُرُواْ مِنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ إِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ أَن يَفۡتِنَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ كَانُواْ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٗا مُّبِينٗا ١٠١
Waitha darabtum fee alardi falaysa AAalaykum junahun an taqsuroo mina alssalati in khiftum an yaftinakumu allatheena kafaroo inna alkafireena kanoo lakum AAaduwwan mubeenan
And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy
وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمۡ فَأَقَمۡتَ لَهُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَلۡتَقُمۡ طَآئِفَةٞ مِّنۡهُم مَّعَكَ وَلۡيَأۡخُذُوٓاْ أَسۡلِحَتَهُمۡۖ فَإِذَا سَجَدُواْ فَلۡيَكُونُواْ مِن وَرَآئِكُمۡ وَلۡتَأۡتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخۡرَىٰ لَمۡ يُصَلُّواْ فَلۡيُصَلُّواْ مَعَكَ وَلۡيَأۡخُذُواْ حِذۡرَهُمۡ وَأَسۡلِحَتَهُمۡۗ وَدَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوۡ تَغۡفُلُونَ عَنۡ أَسۡلِحَتِكُمۡ وَأَمۡتِعَتِكُمۡ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيۡكُم مَّيۡلَةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِن كَانَ بِكُمۡ أَذٗى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوۡ كُنتُم مَّرۡضَىٰٓ أَن تَضَعُوٓاْ أَسۡلِحَتَكُمۡۖ وَخُذُواْ حِذۡرَكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٗا مُّهِينٗا ١٠٢
Waitha kunta feehim faaqamta lahumu alssalata faltaqum taifatun minhum maAAaka walyakhuthoo aslihatahum faitha sajadoo falyakoonoo min waraikum waltati taifatun okhra lam yusalloo falyusalloo maAAaka walyakhuthoo hithrahum waaslihatahum wadda allatheena kafaroo law taghfuloona AAan aslihatikum waamtiAAatikum fayameeloona AAalaykum maylatan wahidatan wala junaha AAalaykum in kana bikum athan min matarin aw kuntum marda an tadaAAoo aslihatakum wakhuthoo hithrakum inna Allaha aAAadda lilkafireena AAathaban muheenan
And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment
فَإِذَا قَضَيۡتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمٗا وَقُعُودٗا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمۡۚ فَإِذَا ٱطۡمَأۡنَنتُمۡ فَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتۡ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ كِتَٰبٗا مَّوۡقُوتٗا ١٠٣
Faitha qadaytumu alssalata faothkuroo Allaha qiyaman waquAAoodan waAAala junoobikum faitha itmanantum faaqeemoo alssalata inna alssalata kanat AAala almumineena kitaban mawqootan
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times
وَلَا تَهِنُواْ فِي ٱبۡتِغَآءِ ٱلۡقَوۡمِۖ إِن تَكُونُواْ تَأۡلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمۡ يَأۡلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأۡلَمُونَۖ وَتَرۡجُونَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَرۡجُونَۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا ١٠٤
Wala tahinoo fee ibtighai alqawmi in takoonoo talamoona fainnahum yalamoona kama talamoona watarjoona mina Allahi ma la yarjoona wakana Allahu AAaleeman hakeeman
And do not weaken in pursuit of the enemy. If you should be suffering - so are they suffering as you are suffering, but you expect from Allah that which they expect not. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise
إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِتَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلۡخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمٗا ١٠٥
Inna anzalna ilayka alkitaba bialhaqqi litahkuma bayna alnnasi bima araka Allahu wala takun lilkhaineena khaseeman
Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate
وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرِ ٱللَّهَۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورٗا رَّحِيمٗا ١٠٦
Waistaghfiri Allaha inna Allaha kana ghafooran raheeman
And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful
Why it was revealed
Al-Tabari reports that verses 89-91 were revealed concerning a group of hypocrites who had outwardly claimed faith but secretly maintained ties with the polytheists of Mecca. When commanded to emigrate to Medina, they refused. The verses establish the conditions under which such individuals could be considered allies or enemies. Verse 92-93 were revealed when a companion killed a believer by mistake, establishing the expiation for unintentional killing. Verse 94 was revealed when a Muslim warrior killed a Bedouin who had greeted him with peace, seeking worldly spoils, and the Prophet (ﷺ) rebuked the action.
The rulings on shortening and combining prayers in travel (v. 101-103) and the prayer of fear (salat al-khawf) were established during military campaigns, particularly during the expedition of Dhat al-Riqa'.
Historical context
The revelations in this section address the complex realities of the Medinan community: the presence of a hypocrite faction (munafiqun) that weakened internal solidarity, the need for clear rules of engagement with various non-Muslim groups (those in treaty relationships, those neutral, those hostile), and the practical challenges of maintaining religious observances under conditions of insecurity. The 'people with whom you have a treaty' (ahl al-mithaq) refers to tribes and communities that had formal agreements with the Prophet (ﷺ).
The phenomenon of individuals who 'wish to gain your trust and their people's trust' reflects the fluid allegiances in the Arabian Peninsula, where tribe and clan loyalty often trumped religious affiliation. The detailed rulings on qisas (retaliation) and diyah (blood money) were necessary for maintaining order and preventing cycles of blood feud. The prayer of fear (salat al-khawf) was a practical innovation that allowed the believers to fulfill their ritual obligations even while facing imminent enemy attack.
Themes of the passage
This section of Surah An-Nisa is a legal and ethical manual for community survival and integrity. It opens with a categorical command regarding hypocrites: do not take them as allies until they prove their commitment by emigration; if they turn against you, treat them as enemies. Three categories are established: (1) those who join a people with whom you have a treaty, (2) those who are reluctant to fight you or their own people, and (3) those who oscillate between groups, plunging into fitnah whenever given the chance.
The passage then addresses the sanctity of life: the prohibition against killing a believer, with detailed rulings on compensation and expiation for unintentional killing, and the severe punishment for intentional killing. The ethical principle of investigation (tabayyun) is introduced: do not assume someone is a disbeliever merely because they seek worldly spoils; the mistake of killing a person who has offered peace is condemned. The passage then contrasts the status of those who fight in Allah's cause with those who remain behind, promising great reward to the mujahideen while assuring paradise to all believers.
A stern warning is given to those who fail to emigrate despite being able, with exception for the truly oppressed. The reward for emigration is immense, even if death occurs en route. Detailed rulings on shortening prayer during travel and the prayer of fear follow, demonstrating how ritual adapts to security conditions. The passage ends with a reminder of the purpose of revelation: to judge between people with truth, and a command to seek forgiveness.
Reading the passage closely
The passage uses a legal-didactic structure, presenting rules through conditional clauses (in... fa...), exceptions (illa), and comprehensive scenarios. The repetition of 'do not take' (la tattakhidhu) in verse 89 and the detailed exceptions in verses 90-91 create a precise legal framework. The rules on unintentional killing are presented in a graduated manner, moving from general principle to specific cases, with the expiation of freeing a slave or fasting for two months if unable.
The contrast between the mujahideen and those who remain behind is rhetorically powerful: 'Not equal are those who remain behind... and the mujahideen' (v. 95). The use of 'those whom the angels take while wronging themselves' (v. 97) creates a dramatic scene of divine interrogation, emphasizing personal responsibility for emigration. The prayer of fear (v. 102) is a masterful example of ritual adaptation, providing a practical solution for maintaining congregational prayer even in dangerous conditions, with the enemy's hope of catching the believers off-guard underscoring the need for vigilance.
What the scholars said (tafsir)
Ibn Kathir in his 'Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim' provides extensive commentary on the categories of people in verses 89-91, explaining that the 'clear authorization' (sultan mubin) in verse 91 refers to a decisive legal justification for fighting those who are neither neutral nor seeking peace. He emphasizes that the Prophet (ﷺ) strictly enforced these rules, distinguishing between those who were actively hostile and those who were neutral or treaty-bound. Al-Tabari in 'Jami' al-Bayan' offers detailed linguistic analysis of 'harajat suduruhum' (their chests were constricted), explaining it as a psychological state of aversion to fighting—neither friend nor enemy.
Al-Qurtubi in 'Al-Jami' li Ahkam al-Quran' devotes significant attention to the ethics of killing in verses 92-93. He reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The first matter to be judged among the people on the Day of Resurrection will be bloodshed' (Sahih al-Bukhari). Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that while unintentional killing is forgivable with expiation, intentional killing of a believer is a major sin punishable by eternal hellfire, though he notes that some scholars (including some Mu'tazilites) debated the duration of punishment for intentional killers.
Ibn Hazm in 'Al-Muhalla' discusses the legal distinction between intentional and unintentional killing, arguing that even in intentional killing, the heirs of the victim have the right to qisas (retaliation) or diyah (compensation), but that the sin remains between the killer and Allah. The scholars also discuss the prayer of fear (v. 102), with Ibn Kathir and al-Tabari detailing how the Prophet (ﷺ) implemented it during the campaign of Dhat al-Riqa', describing the formation of two groups and the rotation of prayer.
Living it: spiritual practices
The verse encouraging dhikr after prayer (v. 103) is the basis for the practice of adhkar al-salat (remembrance after prayer). The Prophet (ﷺ) would say after every prayer: 'Astaghfirullah' three times, then 'Allahumma anta al-salam wa minka al-salam tabarakta ya dha al-jalali wa al-ikram' (O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace, blessed are You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor). He also taught the dhikr: 'Subhan Allah' thirty-three times, 'Al-hamdulillah' thirty-three times, and 'Allahu akbar' thirty-four times (Sahih al-Bukhari).
These post-prayer supplications are a direct application of the Quranic command to remember Allah after completing the prayer. The instruction to seek forgiveness (v. 106) is fulfilled through regular istighfar, particularly after any sin or shortcoming. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best of those who seek forgiveness are those who say: Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika ma istata'tu...' (O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity except You, You created me and I am Your servant...) (Sahih al-Bukhari).
Why it matters today
The ethical principles of warfare in these verses remain deeply relevant. The requirement of investigation (tabayyun) before taking action (v. 94) is a principle against hasty judgment and profiling. In modern contexts, this applies to military engagements, law enforcement, and interpersonal relations: do not assume hostility; verify before acting. The detailed rules on killing and compensation highlight the sanctity of life in Islam and the gravity of taking any life.
In a world of drone strikes and collateral damage, these principles demand careful consideration of civilian casualties and appropriate restitution. The rules for travel prayer (v. 101-103) demonstrate the flexibility of Islamic ritual in accommodating challenging conditions, a principle applicable to modern travel, work, and security concerns. The command to 'not weaken in pursuit of the enemy' (v. 104) is not a call to aggression but to persistence in defending the truth, which in modern terms applies to advocacy for justice, combating misinformation, and standing firm in faith despite adversity.
The verse 'you expect from Allah that which they do not expect' reminds believers to maintain hope and optimism in Allah's help, even when facing powerful adversaries.
Practical application
Implement verse 94 by practicing 'investigative patience': before making judgments about people—especially those who seem different, suspicious, or who greet you with peace—slow down and evaluate the situation fairly. Do not let greed or bias cloud your judgment. In conflicts, apply verse 104: do not weaken in your pursuit of justice, even if you are suffering, because you have hope in Allah's help while your opponents do not. When traveling, apply verse 101 by shortening your prayers (qasr) when on a journey of appropriate distance, and consider combining prayers (jam') when necessary, as per the sunnah.
If you are in a position of leadership or responsibility (v. 102), practice situational awareness: ensure the safety of those under your care, even while maintaining your religious duties, and adapt procedures to security needs.
Reflect
Reflection: Think of a situation where you made a hasty judgment about someone—perhaps assuming they were hostile, dishonest, or not a 'real' Muslim—based on limited information. How might applying the principle of 'tabayyun' (investigation) have changed your response? Challenge: This week, when traveling, apply the principle of qasr (shortening prayers) if you are on a journey of significant distance. Additionally, if you are in a group, family, or community, practice the prayer of fear or security awareness by being conscious of your surroundings and ensuring the protection of vulnerable members (children, elderly) during activities, even in non-combat situations.
More broadly, when you hear news about a person or group, consciously wait to form a judgment until you have more information, seeking verification from reliable sources.
Coming next
Tomorrow, we will explore the next section of Surah An-Nisa, verses 107-123, which addresses the issue of defending those who betray themselves, the consequences of sin, the prohibition of arguing on behalf of the treacherous, and the concept of Allah's forgiveness and justice, culminating in a powerful critique of shirk and the empty promises of Satan.