Surah An-Nisa Part Four: Verses 127 to 176 | Quran Study Guide

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The Surah · Verses 127 to 176

﴾١٢٧﴿ وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ فِى يَتَٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّٰتِى لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلْيَتَٰمَىٰ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمًۭا

Wa yastaftunaka fin nisa'i qulil lahu yuftikum fihinna wa ma yutla 'alaykum fil Kitabi fi yataman nisa'il lati la tu'tunahunna ma kutiba lahunna wa targhabuna an tankihuhunna wal mustad'afina minal wildani wa an taqumu lilyatama bilqist, wa ma taf'alu min khayrin fa innal laha kana bihi 'Alima

And they ask you for a ruling about women. Say, Allah gives you the ruling about them, and so does what is recited to you in the Book concerning orphan women whom you do not give what is written for them, and whom you want to marry, and concerning the oppressed among the children, and that you stand for the orphans in justice. And whatever good you do, Allah knows it.

﴾١٢٨﴿ وَإِنِ ٱمْرَأَةٌ خَافَتْ مِنۢ بَعْلِهَا نُشُوزًا أَوْ إِعْرَاضًۭا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يُصْلِحَا بَيْنَهُمَا صُلْحًۭا ۚ وَٱلصُّلْحُ خَيْرٌۭ ۗ وَأُحْضِرَتِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ ٱلشُّحَّ ۚ وَإِن تُحْسِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۭا

Wa inimra'atun khafat mim ba'liha nushuzan aw i'radan fala junaha 'alayhi ma ay yusliha baynahuma sulha, wassulhu khayr, wa uhdiratil anfusush shuhh, wa in tuhsinu wa tattaqu fa innal laha kana bima ta'maluna Khabira

And if a woman fears from her husband defiance or turning away, there is no blame on the two of them if they settle things between themselves with a settlement. And settlement is better. And souls have been made prone to holding back. And if you do good and are conscious of Allah, then Allah is aware of what you do.

﴾١٢٩﴿ وَلَن تَسْتَطِيعُوٓا۟ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ بَيْنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْ ۖ فَلَا تَمِيلُوا۟ كُلَّ ٱلْمَيْلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَٱلْمُعَلَّقَةِ ۚ وَإِن تُصْلِحُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا

Wa lan tastati'u an ta'dilu baynan nisa'i wa law harastum fala tamilu kullal mayli fatazaruha kalmu'allaqah, wa in tuslihu wa tattaqu fa innal laha kana Ghafurar Rahima

And you will never be able to be fair between women, even if you were eager to. So do not incline completely, leaving her as though suspended. And if you set things right and are conscious of Allah, then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

﴾١٣٠﴿ وَإِن يَتَفَرَّقَا يُغْنِ ٱللَّهُ كُلًّۭا مِّن سَعَتِهِۦ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعًا حَكِيمًۭا

Wa iny yatafarraqa yughnil lahu kullam min sa'atih, wa kanal lahu Wasi'an Hakima

And if the two separate, Allah will enrich each of them from His abundance. And Allah is Vast, Wise.

﴾١٣١﴿ وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَنِيًّا حَمِيدًۭا

Wa lillahi mafis samawati wa ma fil ard, wa laqad wassaynal ladhina utul Kitaba min qablikum wa iyyakum anit taqul lah, wa in takfuru fa inna lillahi ma fis samawati wa ma fil ard, wa kanal lahu Ghaniyyan Hamida

And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And We instructed those given the Book before you, and you, to be conscious of Allah. And if you disbelieve, then to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And Allah is Free of need, Praiseworthy.

﴾١٣٢﴿ وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا

Wa lillahi ma fis samawati wa ma fil ard, wa kafa billahi Wakila

And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And Allah is enough as a trustee.

﴾١٣٣﴿ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ أَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَيَأْتِ بِـَٔاخَرِينَ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ قَدِيرًۭا

Iny yasha yuzhibkum ayyuhan nasu wa yati bi akharin, wa kanal lahu 'ala dhalika Qadira

If He wills He can remove you, people, and bring others. And Allah is able to do that.

﴾١٣٤﴿ مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ ثَوَابُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًۭا

Man kana yuridu sawabad dunya fa'indallahi sawabud dunya wal Akhirah, wa kanal lahu Sami'am Basira

Whoever wants the reward of this world, with Allah is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And Allah is Hearing, Seeing.

﴾١٣٥﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًۭا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۭا

Ya ayyuhal ladhina amanu kunu qawwamina bilqisti shuhada'a lillahi wa law 'ala anfusikum awil walidayni wal aqrabin iny yakun ghaniyyan aw faqiran fallahu awla bihima fala tattabi'ul hawa an ta'dilu, wa in talwu aw tu'ridu fa innal laha kana bima ta'maluna Khabira

You who believe, be upholders of justice, witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves or your parents and near relatives. Whether he is rich or poor, Allah is nearer to both. So do not follow desire, so that you swerve. And if you twist or turn away, Allah is aware of what you do.

﴾١٣٦﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَٰلًۢا بَعِيدًا

Ya ayyuhal ladhina amanu aminu billahi wa Rasulihi wal Kitabil ladhi nazzala 'ala Rasulihi wal Kitabil ladhi anzala min qabl, wa may yakfur billahi wa Mala'ikatihi wa Kutubihi wa Rusulihi wal Yawmil Akhiri faqad dalla dalalam ba'ida

You who believe, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book He sent down on His Messenger and the Book He sent down before. And whoever rejects Allah and His angels and His Books and His messengers and the Last Day has gone far astray.

﴾١٣٧﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا۟ ثُمَّ ءَامَنُوا۟ ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا۟ ثُمَّ ٱزْدَادُوا۟ كُفْرًۭا لَّمْ يَكُنِ ٱللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ سَبِيلًۢا

Innal ladhina amanu summa kafaru summa amanu summa kafaru summaz dadu kufral lam yakunil lahu liyaghfira lahum wa la liyahdiyahum sabila

Those who believed, then disbelieved, then believed, then disbelieved, then increased in disbelief, Allah will not forgive them and will not guide them to a way.

﴾١٣٨﴿ بَشِّرِ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

Bashshiril munafiqina bi anna lahum 'azaban alima

Give the hypocrites the news that for them is a painful punishment.

﴾١٣٩﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ أَيَبْتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ ٱلْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا

Alladhina yattakhidhunal kafirina awliya'a min dunil mu'minin, a yabtaghuna 'indahumul 'izzata fa innal 'izzata lillahi jami'a

Those who take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek honor with them. All honor belongs to Allah.

﴾١٤٠﴿ وَقَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أَنْ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يُكْفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسْتَهْزَأُ بِهَا فَلَا تَقْعُدُوا۟ مَعَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا۟ فِى حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّكُمْ إِذًۭا مِّثْلُهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ جَامِعُ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعًا

Wa qad nazzala 'alaykum fil Kitabi an iza sami'tum Ayatil lahi yukfaru biha wa yustahza u biha fala taq'udu ma'ahum hatta yakhudu fi hadisin ghayrih, innakum izam misluhum, innal laha jami'ul munafiqina wal kafirina fi Jahannama jami'a

And He has already sent down to you in the Book that when you hear the signs of Allah being rejected and mocked, do not sit with them until they go into a different conversation. You would then be like them. Allah will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers into Hell, all of them.

﴾١٤١﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَرَبَّصُونَ بِكُمْ فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ فَتْحٌۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ قَالُوٓا۟ أَلَمْ نَكُن مَّعَكُمْ وَإِن كَانَ لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ نَصِيبٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ أَلَمْ نَسْتَحْوِذْ عَلَيْكُمْ وَنَمْنَعْكُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ فَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۗ وَلَن يَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلًا

Alladhina yatarabbasuna bikum fa in kana lakum fathum minal lahi qalu alam nakum ma'akum wa in kana lilkafirina nasibun qalu alam nastahwidh 'alaykum wa namna'kum minal mu'minin, fallahu yahkumu baynakum Yawmal Qiyamah, wa lay yaj'alal lahu lilkafirina 'alal mu'minina sabila

Those who wait to see what happens to you. So if a victory comes to you from Allah they say, were we not with you. And if the disbelievers have a share they say, did we not have the upper hand over you and protect you from the believers. Allah will judge between you on the Day of Standing. And Allah will not give the disbelievers a way over the believers.

﴾١٤٢﴿ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ يُخَٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَٰدِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ قَامُوا۟ كُسَالَىٰ يُرَآءُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا

Innal munafiqina yukhadi'unal laha wa huwa khadi'uhum wa iza qamu ilas Salati qamu kusala yura'unan nasa wa la yadhkurunal laha illa qalila

The hypocrites try to deceive Allah, and He is the one deceiving them. And when they stand for the prayer they stand lazily, showing off to people, and they do not remember Allah except a little.

﴾١٤٣﴿ مُّذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ لَآ إِلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَلَآ إِلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ سَبِيلًۭا

Mudhabdhabina bayna dhalika la ila ha'ula'i wa la ila ha'ula', wa may yudlilil lahu falan tajida lahu sabila

Wavering between that, neither to these nor to those. And whoever Allah lets go astray, you will find no way for him.

﴾١٤٤﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَٰنًۭا مُّبِينًا

Ya ayyuhal ladhina amanu la tattakhidhul kafirina awliya'a min dunil mu'minin, aturiduna an taj'alu lillahi 'alaykum sultanam mubina

You who believe, do not take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do you want to give Allah a clear case against you.

﴾١٤٥﴿ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا

Innal munafiqina fiddarkil asfali minan Nari wa lan tajida lahum nasira

The hypocrites are in the lowest level of the Fire, and you will find no helper for them.

﴾١٤٦﴿ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ وَٱعْتَصَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَأَخْلَصُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ لِلَّهِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

Illal ladhina tabu wa aslahu wa'tasamu billahi wa akhlasu dinahum lillahi fa ula'ika ma'al mu'minina wa sawfa yu'til lahul mu'minina ajran 'azima

Except those who repented and set things right and held fast to Allah and made their religion sincere for Allah. Those are with the believers. And Allah will give the believers a great reward.

﴾١٤٧﴿ مَّا يَفْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَءَامَنتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًۭا

Ma yaf'alul lahu bi 'azabikum in shakartum wa amantum, wa kanal lahu Shakiran 'Alima

What would Allah do with punishing you if you were grateful and believed. And Allah is Appreciative, Knowing.

﴾١٤٨﴿ لَّا يُحِبُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْجَهْرَ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا

La yuhibbullahul jahra bis su'i minal qawli illa man zulim, wa kanallahu Sami'an 'Aliman

Allah does not love the open speaking of evil words, except by one who has been wronged. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing.

﴾١٤٩﴿ إِن تُبْدُوا۟ خَيْرًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ أَوْ تَعْفُوا۟ عَن سُوٓءٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّۭا قَدِيرًا

In tubdu khayran aw tukhfuhu aw ta'fu 'an su'in fa innal laha kana 'Afuwwan Qadira

If you show good or hide it, or pardon an evil, then Allah is Pardoning, Powerful.

﴾١٥٠﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُوا۟ بَيْنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍۢ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍۢ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا۟ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا

Innal ladhina yakfuruna billahi wa Rusulihi wa yuriduna ay yufarriqu baynal lahi wa Rusulihi wa yaquluna nu'minu biba'din wa nakfuru biba'din wa yuriduna ay yattakhidhu bayna dhalika sabila

Those who reject Allah and His messengers, and want to separate between Allah and His messengers, and say, we believe in some and reject some, and want to take a way in between.

﴾١٥١﴿ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ حَقًّۭا ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًۭا مُّهِينًۭا

Ula'ika humul kafiruna haqqa, wa a'tadna lilkafirina 'azabam muhina

Those are the disbelievers in truth. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.

﴾١٥٢﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَلَمْ يُفَرِّقُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ سَوْفَ يُؤْتِيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا

Walladhina amanu billahi wa Rusulihi wa lam yufarriqu bayna ahadim minhum ula'ika sawfa yu'tihim ujurahum, wa kanal lahu Ghafurar Rahima

And those who believed in Allah and His messengers and did not separate between any of them, those He will give their rewards. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

﴾١٥٣﴿ يَسْـَٔلُكَ أَهْلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أَن تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ كِتَٰبًۭا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۚ فَقَدْ سَأَلُوا۟ مُوسَىٰٓ أَكْبَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَرِنَا ٱللَّهَ جَهْرَةًۭ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّٰعِقَةُ بِظُلْمِهِمْ ۚ ثُمَّ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ ٱلْعِجْلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتُ فَعَفَوْنَا عَن ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ سُلْطَٰنًۭا مُّبِينًۭا

Yas'aluka Ahlul Kitabi an tunazzila 'alayhim Kitabam minas sama'i faqad sa'alu Musa akbara min dhalika faqalu arinal laha jahratan fa akhadhat humus sa'iqatu bizulmihim, summat takhadhul 'ijla mim ba'di ma ja'at humul bayyinatu fa 'afawna 'an dhalik, wa atayna Musa sultanam mubina

The People of the Book ask you to bring down a Book on them from the sky. They asked Musa for something greater than that. They said, show us Allah openly, and the thunderbolt seized them for their wrongdoing. Then they took the calf after the clear proofs had come to them, and We pardoned that. And We gave Musa clear authority.

﴾١٥٤﴿ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَهُمُ ٱلطُّورَ بِمِيثَٰقِهِمْ وَقُلْنَا لَهُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًۭا وَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ لَا تَعْدُوا۟ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَٰقًا غَلِيظًۭا

Wa rafa'na fawqahumut Tura bimisaqihim wa qulna lahumud khulul baba sujjadan wa qulna lahum la ta'du fis Sabti wa akhadhna minhum misaqan ghaliza

And We raised the mountain over them for their covenant, and We said to them, enter the gate bowing. And We said to them, do not cross the limit on the Sabbath. And We took from them a solemn covenant.

﴾١٥٥﴿ فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَٰقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِم بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ ٱلْأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّۢ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌۢ ۚ بَلْ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا

Fabima naqdihim misaqahum wa kufrihim bi Ayatil lahi wa qatlihimul Ambiya'a bighayri haqqin wa qawlihim qulubuna ghulf, bal taba'al lahu 'alayha bikufrihim fala yu'minuna illa qalila

So for their breaking of their covenant, and their rejection of the signs of Allah, and their killing of the prophets without right, and their saying, our hearts are covered. Rather Allah sealed them for their disbelief, so they do not believe except a little.

﴾١٥٦﴿ وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَٰنًا عَظِيمًۭا

Wa bikufrihim wa qawlihim 'ala Maryama buh tanan 'azima

And for their disbelief and their speaking against Maryam a great slander.

﴾١٥٧﴿ وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا ٱلْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّۢ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا ٱتِّبَاعَ ٱلظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًۢا

Wa qawlihim inna qatal nal masiha 'Isabna Maryama Rasulal lahi wa ma qataluhu wa ma salabuhu wa lakin shubbiha lahum, wa innal ladhinakh talafu fihi lafi shakkim minh, ma lahum bihi min 'ilmin illat tiba'az zann, wa ma qataluhu yaqina

And their saying, we killed the Messiah, Isa son of Maryam, the messenger of Allah. And they did not kill him and they did not crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them. And those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, only the following of conjecture. And they did not kill him with certainty.

﴾١٥٨﴿ بَل رَّفَعَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًۭا

Bal rafa'ahul lahu ilayh, wa kanal lahu 'Azizan Hakima

Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And Allah is Mighty, Wise.

﴾١٥٩﴿ وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِۦ ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًۭا

Wa im min Ahlil Kitabi illa layu'minanna bihi qabla mawtihi wa Yawmal Qiyamati yakunu 'alayhim shahida

And there is none of the People of the Book but will certainly believe in him before his death. And on the Day of Standing he will be a witness over them.

﴾١٦٠﴿ فَبِظُلْمٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَٰتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرًۭا

Fabizulmin minal ladhina hadu harramna 'alayhim tayyibatin uhillat lahum wa bisaddihim 'an sabilil lahi kasira

So for the wrongdoing of those who were Jews, We forbade them good things that had been lawful for them, and for their turning many away from the way of Allah.

﴾١٦١﴿ وَأَخْذِهِمُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ وَقَدْ نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَكْلِهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۭا

Wa akhdhihimur riba wa qad nuhu 'anhu wa aklihim amwalan nasi bilbatil, wa a'tadna lilkafirina minhum 'azaban alima

And their taking of usury when they had been forbidden it, and their consuming of people's wealth falsely. And We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.

﴾١٦٢﴿ لَّٰكِنِ ٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ وَٱلْمُقِيمِينَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ وَٱلْمُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

Lakinir rasikhuna fil'ilmi minhum walmu'minuna yu'minuna bima unzila ilayka wa ma unzila min qablika walmuqiminas Salata walmu'tunaz Zakata walmu'minuna billahi wal yawmil Akhir, ula'ika sanu'tihim ajran 'azima

But those firmly rooted in knowledge among them, and the believers, believe in what was sent down to you and what was sent down before you. And those who establish the prayer, and those who give the zakah, and those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, those We will give a great reward.

﴾١٦٣﴿ إِنَّآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ كَمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍۢ وَٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَٰرُونَ وَسُلَيْمَٰنَ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ زَبُورًۭا

Inna awhayna ilayka kama awhayna ila Nuhin wan nabiyyina mim ba'dih, wa awhayna ila Ibrahima wa Isma'ila wa Ishaqa wa Ya'quba wal Asbati wa 'Isa wa Ayyuba wa Yunusa wa Haruna wa Sulayman, wa atayna Dawuda Zabura

We have revealed to you as We revealed to Nuh and the prophets after him. And We revealed to Ibrahim and Isma'il and Ishaq and Ya'qub and the descendants, and Isa and Ayyub and Yunus and Harun and Sulayman. And We gave Dawud the Psalms.

﴾١٦٤﴿ وَرُسُلًۭا قَدْ قَصَصْنَٰهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَرُسُلًۭا لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ ۚ وَكَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ مُوسَىٰ تَكْلِيمًۭا

Wa Rusulan qad qasas nahum 'alayka min qablu wa Rusulal lam naqsushum 'alayk, wa kallamallahu Musa taklima

And messengers We have already recounted to you before, and messengers We have not recounted to you. And Allah spoke to Musa directly.

﴾١٦٥﴿ رُّسُلًۭا مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ حُجَّةٌۢ بَعْدَ ٱلرُّسُلِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًۭا

Rusulam mubashshirina wa munzirina li'alla yakuna linnasi 'alal lahi hujjatum ba'dar Rusul, wa kanallahu 'Azizan Hakima

Messengers as bringers of good news and warners, so that people would have no argument against Allah after the messengers. And Allah is Mighty, Wise.

﴾١٦٦﴿ لَّٰكِنِ ٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ أَنزَلَهُۥ بِعِلْمِهِۦ ۖ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَشْهَدُونَ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا

Lakinil lahu yashhadu bima anzala ilayka anzalahu bi'ilmihi wal mala'ikatu yashhadun, wa kafa billahi Shahida

But Allah bears witness to what He has sent down to you. He sent it down with His knowledge. And the angels bear witness. And Allah is enough as a witness.

﴾١٦٧﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ قَدْ ضَلُّوا۟ ضَلَٰلًۢا بَعِيدًا

Innal ladhina kafaru wa saddu 'an sabilil lahi qad dallu dalalam ba'ida

Those who disbelieved and turned others from the way of Allah have gone far astray.

﴾١٦٨﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَظَلَمُوا۟ لَمْ يَكُنِ ٱللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ طَرِيقًا

Innal ladhina kafaru wa zalamu lam yakunillahu liyaghfira lahum wa la liyahdiyahum tariqa

Those who disbelieved and did wrong, Allah will not forgive them and will not guide them to a road.

﴾١٦٩﴿ إِلَّا طَرِيقَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًۭا

Illa tariqa Jahannama khalidina fiha abada, wa kana dhalika 'alal lahi yasira

Except the road of Hell, remaining in it forever. And that is easy for Allah.

﴾١٧٠﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِٱلْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا

Ya ayyuhan nasu qad ja'akumur Rasulu bilhaqqi mir Rabbikum fa aminu khayral lakum, wa in takfuru fa inna lillahi ma fis samawati wal ard, wa kanal lahu 'Aliman Hakima

People, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe, it is better for you. And if you disbelieve, then to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Knowing, Wise.

﴾١٧١﴿ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌۭ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَٰثَةٌ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ ۘ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًۭا

Ya Ahlal Kitabi la taghlu fi dinikum wa la taqulu 'alal lahi illal haqq, innamal Masihu 'Isabnu Maryama Rasulul lahi wa Kalimatuhu alqaha ila Maryama wa ruhum minh fa aminu billahi wa Rusulihi wa la taqulu salasah, intahu khayrallakum, innamal lahu Ilahun Wahid, Subhanahu an yakuna lahu walad, lahu ma fissamawati wa ma fil ard, wa kafa billahi Wakila

People of the Book, do not go beyond the limits in your religion, and do not say about Allah anything but the truth. The Messiah, Isa son of Maryam, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He cast to Maryam, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say three. Stop, it is better for you. Allah is only one God. Glory be to Him above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And Allah is enough as a trustee.

﴾١٧٢﴿ لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًۭا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًۭا

Lay yastankifal Masihu ay yakuna 'abdal lillahi wa lal mala'ikatul muqarrabun, wa may yastankif 'an ibadatihi wa yastakbir fasa yahshuruhum ilayhi jami'a

The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels brought near. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant, He will gather them all to Himself.

﴾١٧٣﴿ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَنكَفُوا۟ وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۭا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّۭا وَلَا نَصِيرًۭا

Fa ammal ladhina amanu wa 'amilus salihati fa yuwaffihim ujurahum wa yaziduhum min fadlihi wa ammal ladhinas tankafu wastakbaru fa yu'azzibuhum 'azaban aliman wa la yajiduna lahum min dunil lahi waliyyan wa la nasira

So as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them their rewards in full and increase them from His bounty. And as for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment, and they will find for themselves no protector besides Allah and no helper.

﴾١٧٤﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُم بُرْهَٰنٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكُمْ نُورًۭا مُّبِينًۭا

Ya ayyuhan nasu qad ja'akum burhanum mir Rabbikum wa anzalna ilaykum Nuram Mubina

People, a clear proof has come to you from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.

﴾١٧٥﴿ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱعْتَصَمُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَسَيُدْخِلُهُمْ فِى رَحْمَةٍۢ مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلٍۢ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَيْهِ صِرَٰطًۭا مُّسْتَقِيمًۭا

Fa ammal ladhina amanu billahi wa'tasamu bihi fasa yudkhiluhum fi rahmatim minhu wa fadlin wa yahdihim ilayhi Siratam Mustaqima

So as for those who believed in Allah and held fast to Him, He will admit them into mercy from Him and bounty, and guide them to Himself on a straight path.

﴾١٧٦﴿ يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِى ٱلْكَلَٰلَةِ ۚ إِنِ ٱمْرُؤٌا۟ هَلَكَ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ وَلَهُۥٓ أُخْتٌۭ فَلَهَا نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ ۚ وَهُوَ يَرِثُهَآ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهَا وَلَدٌۭ ۚ فَإِن كَانَتَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُمَا ٱلثُّلُثَانِ مِمَّا تَرَكَ ۚ وَإِن كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَةًۭ رِّجَالًۭا وَنِسَآءًۭ فَلِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۗ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ أَن تَضِلُّوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ

Yastaftunaka qulillahu yuftikum fil kalalah, inimru'un halaka laysa lahu waladun wa lahu ukhtun falaha nisfu ma tarak, wa huwa yarisuha in lam yakul laha walad, fa in kanatas natayni falahumas sulusani mimma tarak, wa in kanu ikhwatar rijalan wa nisa'an faliz zakari mislu hazzil unsayayn, yubayyinullahu lakum an tadillu, wallahu bikulli shay'in Alim

They ask you for a ruling. Say, Allah gives you the ruling about one who leaves no direct heir. If a man dies leaving no child, and he has a sister, then for her is half of what he left. And he inherits from her if she has no child. And if there are two sisters, then for them is two thirds of what he left. And if they are brothers and sisters, men and women, then for the male the like of the share of two females. Allah makes it clear to you, so that you do not go astray. And Allah knows everything.

Tafsir · The Reading

Overview

Stand Up for Justice.

Part Four opens on a question that was actually asked and closes on a question that was actually asked, and the chapter is bracketed by them.

Verse 128 is the verse most people never hear quoted alongside verse 34 of Part One, and it should be. Part One addressed a man who fears defiance from his wife. This verse addresses a woman who fears defiance or aversion from her husband. The same word, nushuz, is used for both. Only here the remedy is not a sequence of steps. It is a settlement negotiated between the two of them, and the verse states plainly that settlement is better, and then names the obstacle: souls have been made prone to holding back.

Verse 129 concedes something a legal text is not obliged to concede. And you will never be able to be fair between women, even if you were eager to. The impossible standard is dropped and a possible one is put in its place: do not incline completely, and do not leave her suspended.

Then verse 135, which is the high-water mark of the chapter and one of the most demanding sentences in any scripture. Be upholders of justice, witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves or your parents and near relatives.

And the chapter closes on verse 176, an answer to a man’s question about who inherits from him when he has no children. According to al-Bara ibn Azib, it was the last verse revealed, and the report is in both al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Verses 127 to 141

Even Against Yourselves.

Verse 128 is the counterpart of verse 34, and reading them together is the only honest way to read either. Both use nushuz. In verse 34 the man is given a sequence intended to defuse. Here the woman is given something different: a negotiated settlement, sulh, arrived at between the two of them, with the verse itself putting its thumb on the scale. And settlement is better.

Then the clause that explains why settlements fail. Wa uhdirat al-anfusu ash-shuhh. Souls have been made present with holding back, or brought face to face with it. Shuhh is not simple stinginess. It is the reflex to keep what you have and want what the other has, and the verse names it as something already installed in every party to every negotiation, including the reader.

Verse 129 does something legally unusual. It admits the standard is unreachable. You will never be able to be fair between women, even if you were eager to. The Arabic refers to the inclination of the heart, which no man can distribute evenly by decision. So the requirement is restated at the level of conduct: do not incline completely, leaving her ka’l-mu’allaqah, like a woman suspended. Neither married in any real sense nor free to go. The image is of someone left hanging, and the verse forbids exactly that.

Verse 130 then removes shame from the outcome nobody wants. And if the two separate, Allah will enrich each of them from His abundance. Not one of them. Each. A verse that has consoled a great many people who were told their life was over.

Verse 135 reverses the word order of the parallel command in Al-Ma’idah. There: be upright for Allah, witnesses in justice. Here: be upholders of justice, witnesses for Allah. The two orders together close every gap. Justice done for the wrong reason and piety that does not produce justice are both excluded.

And then the list of people it must be done against: yourselves, your parents, your near relatives. In that order, hardest first.

Then the clause that removes both directions of bias in a single line. Whether he is rich or poor, Allah is nearer to both. Deference to the powerful and sympathy for the weak are named as the same failure, because both substitute a feeling about the man for a judgment about the case.

And the two ways of failing, at the end: if you twist or turn away. Talwu is to bend the testimony. Tu’ridu is to withhold it. Distortion and silence, and the verse treats them as one category.

Verse 141 gives the portrait of the man who positions rather than commits. If a victory comes, were we not with you. If the other side gains, did we not have the upper hand over you and protect you from the believers. The same man, two scripts, kept ready.

Verses 142 to 158

Neither to These Nor to Those.

Verse 142 describes what hypocrisy looks like at the moment of prayer, and the description is behavioural rather than theological. They stand lazily, showing off to people, and they do not remember Allah except a little. The prayer happens. Everything about how it happens is wrong.

Verse 143 gives the single best word in the Quran for the condition. Mudhabdhabin. The root describes something swinging back and forth, a thing suspended and moving between two points without settling at either. Neither to these nor to those. It is not a description of doubt, which is an intellectual state. It is a description of motion, of a man who is always in transit between two positions and never resident in either. And it costs more than either position would.

Verse 145 places them at the lowest level of the Fire, lower than open disbelief, because the deception was aimed at the community that trusted them.

And then verse 146, immediately after, which nobody expects. Except those who repented and set things right and held fast to Allah and made their religion sincere for Allah. Four conditions, and the door out is placed one verse after the lowest depth is described. There is no position in this chapter from which the way back is closed.

Verse 147 asks a question that reframes the entire subject of punishment. What would Allah do with punishing you if you were grateful and believed. Not what would you deserve. What would He do with it. And then Allah is described with a word that is startling in this context: Shakir, Appreciative. The One who is thanked is described as the One who is grateful.

Verse 148 is a narrow and precise permission. Allah does not love the open speaking of evil words, except by one who has been wronged. A person who has been wronged is permitted to speak about it publicly. The permission exists, and it is fenced.

And verse 149 immediately offers the better option without cancelling the permission. If you show good or hide it, or pardon an evil, then Allah is Pardoning, Powerful. Note which two names close the verse. Pardon is paired with power, because pardon from someone with no power to retaliate is not pardon.

Verses 150 to 152 describe a specific position and refuse it. Those who want to separate between Allah and His messengers, and say, we believe in some and reject some, and want to take a way in between. The verse names the motive precisely: they want a road that runs between the two, so that nothing has to be given up. And the verdict is stated flatly. Those are the disbelievers in truth.

And verses 157 and 158 give the Quran’s statement on the crucifixion. They did not kill him and they did not crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them. Then the observation that has been true for two thousand years: those who differ about him are in doubt about it, they have no knowledge of it, only the following of conjecture. And then, four words that close it: wa ma qataluhu yaqina. And they did not kill him with certainty. Followed by verse 158, which states what did happen. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself.

Verses 159 to 176

A Spirit From Him.

Verse 162 refuses, one more time, to let a chapter of criticism become a verdict on a whole people. But those firmly rooted in knowledge among them, and the believers. Ar-rasikhun fi al-ilm, those whose knowledge has roots. Placed immediately after the longest list of failures in the chapter.

Verses 163 to 165 give the chain and one clause inside it deserves its own attention. And messengers We have already recounted to you before, and messengers We have not recounted to you. There are prophets whose names nobody knows, whose communities are not in any record, and the Quran states their existence without naming them. Every unrecorded life that was spent calling people to Allah is covered by that clause.

And then verse 165 gives the purpose of the entire apparatus in one line. So that people would have no argument against Allah after the messengers. The sending of prophets is described as the closing of a defence.

Verse 171 is addressed to the People of the Book and its first instruction applies to everyone. Do not go beyond the limits in your religion. Ghuluww, excess, is named before any specific error is named, because the specific error is presented as its product.

And then the description, which is precise and generous at once. The Messiah, Isa son of Maryam, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He cast to Maryam, and a spirit from Him. Every honorific is granted. Messenger. His word. A spirit from Him. And the sentence begins with innama, only, which places all of it inside the category of created things.

Then verse 172, and the argument is made from dignity rather than from doctrine. The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels brought near. Servanthood is not the low position that has to be argued away. It is what the highest beings in creation hold and would not trade.

And verse 176 closes the chapter the way it opened, on inheritance, and on a specific human situation. A man with no children and no parents living, wondering who receives what he leaves. The word is kalalah. The chapter that began by ordering the property of orphans returned ends by settling the estate of a man with nobody obvious to leave it to. And the reason given for the ruling is the reason given for the whole chapter: Allah makes it clear to you, so that you do not go astray.

Structural Summary

Verses One Hundred and Twenty-Seven to One Hundred and Seventy-Six. Stand Up for Justice.

The same word used for both parties, with a negotiated settlement on the second side. Holding back named as installed in everyone at the table. An impossible standard conceded and a possible one put in its place. A woman forbidden to be left hanging. Provision promised to both after a separation. A word order reversed to close the remaining gap. Yourselves first, then parents, then relatives. Rich and poor named as the same bias. Twisting and withholding treated as one failure. Two scripts kept ready by one man. A word for something swinging and never resident. The lowest depth described, and the way out placed one verse later. The One who is thanked described as grateful. A permission to speak, fenced, with the better option offered next. Pardon paired with power. A road in between, refused. Conjecture named, and certainty denied. Prophets whose names nobody knows. Excess named before the error it produces. Servanthood held by the highest beings in creation. And a chapter that began with orphans closing on a man with nobody to leave anything to.

The Practice · Daily Integration

Verses One Hundred and Twenty-Seven to One Hundred and Seventy-Six. Do It Specifically.

One. Verse 128 names shuhh, the reflex to hold what you have, as already present in every negotiation. In the next disagreement over something material, name your own version of it out loud before you state your position.

Two. Verse 135 lists yourselves first. Think of a dispute where the honest account does not favour you. Give the honest account to one person this week.

Three. Verse 149 offers pardon as the better of the permitted options. Take the wrong you are entitled to speak about publicly. Do not speak about it. Tell nobody that you decided not to.

آمِين

Prepared with discipline · Ameen

Verse-By-Verse · Test Yourself

The Quiz

Two questions per verse. Translation and a key Arabic word. Walk through it slow. The goal is comprehension, not speed.

Verses 127 to 1351 / 20

Verse 128

How does verse 128 relate to verse 34, and what remedy does it give?