An-Nisa': 56

Ayah

Word by Word

إِنَّ

Indeed

ٱلَّذِينَ

those who

كَفَرُواْ

disbelieved

بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا

in Our Signs

سَوۡفَ

soon

نُصۡلِيهِمۡ

We will burn them

نَارٗا

(in) a Fire

كُلَّمَا

Every time

نَضِجَتۡ

are roasted

جُلُودُهُم

their skins

بَدَّلۡنَٰهُمۡ

We will change their

جُلُودًا

skins

غَيۡرَهَا

for other (than) that

لِيَذُوقُواْ

so that they may taste

ٱلۡعَذَابَۗ

the punishment

إِنَّ

Indeed

ٱللَّهَ

Allah

كَانَ

عَزِيزًا

All-Mighty

حَكِيمٗا

All-Wise

Translation

Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

Tafsir

"Chastising and Cursing the Jews for Claiming Purity for Themselves and Believing in Jibt and Taghut

Allah

أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُزَكُّونَ أَنفُسَهُمۡ

Have you not seen those who claim sanctity for themselves!

Al-Hasan and Qatadah said,

""This Ayah, was revealed about the Jews and Christians when they said, `We are Allah's children and His loved ones.""'

Ibn Zayd also said,

""This Ayah was revealed concerning their statement,

نَحۡنُ أَبۡنَاء اللّهِ وَأَحِبَّاوُهُ

(We are the children of Allah and His loved ones) (5:18) and their statement,

لَن يَدۡخُلَ الۡجَنَّةَ إِلاَّ مَن كَانَ هُوداً أَوۡ نَصَارَى

(None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian)."" (2:111)

This is why Allah said,

بَلِ اللّهُ يُزَكِّي مَن يَشَاء

Nay, but Allah sanctifies whom He wills,

meaning, the decision in this matter is with Allah Alone, because He has perfect knowledge of the true reality and secrets of all things.

Allah then said,

وَلَا يُظۡلَمُونَ فَتِيلً

And they will not be dealt with injustice even equal to the extent of a Fatil,

meaning, He does no injustice with anyone's compensation in any part of his reward, even if it was the weight of a Fatil.

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Ikrimah, Ata, Al-Hasan, Qatadah and others among the Salaf said that;

Fatil means, ""The scalish thread in the long slit of the date-stone.""

Allah said

انظُرۡ كَيفَ يَفۡتَرُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ الكَذِبَ

Look, how they invent a lie against Allah,

claiming purity for themselves, their claim that they are Allah's children and His loved ones,

their statement;

لَن يَدۡخُلَ الۡجَنَّةَ إِلاَّ مَن كَانَ هُوداً أَوۡ نَصَارَى

(None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian) (2:111),

their statement;

لَن تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ إِلاَّ أَيَّامًا مَّعۡدُودَاتٍ

(The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days) (3:24) and their reliance on the righteous deeds of their forefathers.

Allah has decreed that the good actions of the fathers do not help the children, when He said,

تِلۡكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتۡ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبۡتُمۡ

(That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn). (2:134)

Allah then said,

وَكَفَى بِهِ إِثۡمًا مُّبِينًا

and enough is that as a manifest sin.

meaning, these lies and fabrications of theirs are sufficient.

Allah's statement

أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواۡ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الۡكِتَابِ يُوۡمِنُونَ بِالۡجِبۡتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ

Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture! They believe in Jibt and Taghut.

Muhammad bin Ishaq said from Hassan bin Fa'id that Umar bin Al-Khattab said,

""Jibt is sorcery and Taghut is the Shaytan.""

Abu Nasr Ismail bin Hammad Al-Jawhari, the renowned scholar, said in his book As-Sihah,

""Al-Jibt means idol, soothsayer and sorcerer.""

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that;

Jabir bin Abdullah was asked about Taghut, and he said, ""They are soothsayers upon whom the devils descend.""

Mujahid said

""Taghut is a devil in the shape of man, and they refer to him for judgment.""

Imam Malik said,

""Taghut is every object that is worshipped instead of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored.""

Disbelievers Are not Better Guided Than Believers

Allah said,

وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواۡ هَوُلاء أَهۡدَى مِنَ الَّذِينَ امَنُواۡ سَبِيلً

and say to those who disbelieve, ""These people are better guided on the way,"" than the believers.

preferring the disbelievers over Muslims, because of their ignorance, un-religious nature and disbelief in Allah's Book which is before them.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ikrimah said,

""Huyay bin Akhtab and Ka`b bin Al-Ashraf (two Jewish leaders) came to the people of Makkah, who said to them, `You (Jews) are people of the Book and knowledge, so judge us and Muhammad.'

They said, `Describe yourselves and describe Muhammad.'

They said, `We keep relation with kith and kin, slaughter camels (for the poor), release the indebted and provide water for the pilgrims.

As for Muhammad he is without male children, he severed our relations, and the thieves who rob pilgrims (the tribe of) Ghifar follow him. So who is better, we or him?'

They said, `You are more righteous and better guided.'

Thereafter, Allah sent down,

لَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواۡ نَصِيبًا

(Have you not seen those who were given a portion).""

This story was also reported from Ibn Abbas and several others among the Salaf.

Allah's Curse on the Jews

Allah said,

أُوۡلَـيِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ وَمَن يَلۡعَنِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ نَصِيرًا

They are those whom Allah has cursed, and he whom Allah curses, you will not find for him (any) helper.

This Ayah (4:52) contains a curse for the Jews and informs them that they have no supporter in this life or the Hereafter, because they sought the help of the idolators.

They uttered this statement (in Ayah 4:51) to lure the disbelievers into supporting them, and they ultimately gathered their forces for the battle of Al-Ahzab, forcing the Prophet and his Companions to dig a defensive tunnel around Al-Madinah. But, Allah saved the Muslims from their evil,

وَرَدَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواۡ بِغَيۡظِهِمۡ لَمۡ يَنَالُواۡ خَيۡراً وَكَفَى اللَّهُ الۡمُوۡمِنِينَ الۡقِتَالَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ قَوِيّاً عَزِيزاً

And Allah drove back those who disbelieved in their rage, they gained no advantage (booty). Allah sufficed for the believers in the fighting. And Allah is Ever All-Strong, All-Mighty. (33:25)

The Envy and Miserly Conduct of the Jews

Allah says;

أَمۡ لَهُمۡ نَصِيبٌ مِّنَ الۡمُلۡكِ

Or have they a share in the dominion!

Allah asked the Jews if they have a share in the dominion. That is merely a statement of rebuke, since they do not have any share in the dominion.

Allah then described them as misers,

فَإِذًا لاَّ يُوۡتُونَ النَّاسَ نَقِيرًا

Then in that case they would not give mankind even a Naqir.

Meaning, if they had a share in the sovereignty and dominion, they would not give anyone anything, especially Muhammad, even if it was the speck on the back of a date-stone, which is the meaning of Naqir according to Ibn Abbas and the majority of the scholars.

This Ayah is similar to another of Allah's statements,

قُل لَّوۡ أَنتُمۡ تَمۡلِكُونَ خَزَايِنَ رَحۡمَةِ رَبِّى إِذًا لامۡسَكۡتُمۡ خَشۡيَةَ الاِنفَاقِ

Say:""If you possessed the treasure of the mercy of my Lord, then you would surely withhold it out of fear of spending it. (17:100)

meaning, for fear that what you have might end, although there is no such possibility here. This only demonstrates their greedy and stingy nature. This is why Allah said,

وَكَانَ الانۡسَـنُ قَتُورًا

And man is ever Qatur. (17:100)

meaning Bakhil (stingy).

Allah then said

أَمۡ يَحۡسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلَى مَا اتَاهُمُ اللّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِ

Or do they envy men for what Allah has given them of His Bounty!

referring to their envy of the Prophet for the great Prophethood that Allah entrusted him with. Their envy made them reject him, because he was an Arab and not from the Children of Israel.

At-Tabarani recorded that Ibn Abbas said that,

أَمۡ يَحۡسُدُونَ النَّاسَ

(Or do they envy men) means,

""We are the worthy people, rather than the rest of the people.""

Allah said,

فَقَدۡ اتَيۡنَأ الَ إِبۡرَاهِيمَ الۡكِتَابَ وَالۡحِكۡمَةَ وَاتَيۡنَاهُم مُّلۡكًا عَظِيمًا

Then, We have already given the family of Ibrahim the Book and Al-Hikmah, and conferred upon them a great kingdom.

meaning, We gave the Prophethood to the tribes of the Children of Israel, who are among the offspring of Ibrahim and sent down the Books to them. These Prophets ruled the Jews with the prophetic tradition, and We made kings among them.

Yet

فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ امَنَ بِهِ

Of them were (some) who believed in it;

referring to Allah's favor and bounty (Prophets, Books, kingship).

وَمِنۡهُم مَّن صَدَّ عَنۡهُ

and of them were (some) who rejected it,

by disbelieving in it, ignoring it, and hindering the people from its path, although this bounty was from and for them, the Children of Israel. They disputed with their own Prophets; so what about you, O Muhammad, especially since you are not from the Children of Israel.

Mujahid said,

فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ امَنَ بِهِ

(Of them were (some) who believed in (him), ""Muhammad,

وَمِنۡهُم مَّن صَدَّ عَنۡهُ

(and of them were (some) who rejected (him)).""

Therefore, O Muhammad, the rejection of you because of their disbelief is even more severe and they are even further from the truth that you brought them.

This is why Allah threatened them,

وَكَفَى بِجَهَنَّمَ سَعِيرًا

and enough is Hell for burning (them).

meaning, the Fire is a just punishment for them because of their disbelief, rebellion and defiance of Allah's Books and Messengers.

The Punishment of Those Who Disbelieve in Allah's Books and Messengers

Allah describes the torment in the Fire of Jahannam for those who disbelieve in His Ayat and hinder from the path of His Messengers.

Allah said,

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواۡ بِأيَاتِنَا

سَوۡفَ نُصۡلِيهِمۡ نَارًا

Surely, those who disbelieved in Our Ayat, We shall burn them in Fire,

meaning, We will place them in the Fire which will encompass every part of their bodies.

Allah then states that their punishment and torment are everlasting,

كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتۡ جُلُودُهُمۡ بَدَّلۡنَاهُمۡ جُلُودًا غَيۡرَهَا لِيَذُوقُواۡ الۡعَذَابَ

As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment.

Al-Amash said that Ibn Umar said,

""When their skin are burned, they will be given another skin in replacement, and this skin will be as white as paper.""

This was collected by Ibn Abi Hatim, who also recorded that Al-Hasan said,

كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتۡ جُلُودُهُمۡ

(As often as their skins are roasted through),

""Their skin will be roasted through, seventy thousand times every day.""

Husayn said; Fudayl added that Hisham said that Al-Hasan also said that,

كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتۡ جُلُودُهُمۡ

(As often as their skins are roasted through), means,

""Whenever the Fire has roasted them through and consumed their flesh, they will be told, `Go back as you were before,' and they will.""

إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا

Truly, Allah is Ever Most Powerful, All-Wise.

The Wealth of the Righteous; Paradise and its Joy

Allah said

وَالَّذِينَ امَنُواۡ وَعَمِلُواۡ الصَّالِحَاتِ سَنُدۡخِلُهُمۡ جَنَّاتٍ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا الَانۡهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا

But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever.

describing the destination of the happy ones in the gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow in all of its areas, spaces and corners, wherever they desire and wish. They will reside in it for eternity, and they will not be transferred or removed from it, nor would they want to move from it.

Allah said,

لَّهُمۡ فِيهَا أَزۡوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ

Therein they shall have Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates),

free of menstruation, postnatal bleeding, filth, bad manners and shortcomings.

Ibn Abbas said that the Ayah means,

""They are purified of filth and foul things.""

Similar was said by Ata, Al-Hasan, Ad-Dahhak, An-Nakhai, Abu Salih, Atiyah, and As-Suddi.

Mujahid said that;

""they are, free of urine, menstruation, spit, mucous and pregnancies.""

Allah's statement,

وَنُدۡخِلُهُمۡ ظِـلًّ ظَلِيلً

And We shall admit them to shades, wide and ever deepening (Paradise).

means, wide, extensive, pure and elegant shade.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet said,

إِنَّ فِي الۡجَنَّةِ لَشَجَرَةً يَسِيرُ الرَّاكِبُ فِي ظِلِّهَا مِايَةَ عَامٍ لَا يَقۡطَعُهَا شَجَرَةَ الۡخُلۡد

There is a tree in Paradise, that if a rider travels under its shade for a hundred years, he will not cross it. It is the Tree of Everlasting Life."