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Ayah
Word by Word
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا
O you
ٱلَّذِينَ
who
ءَامَنُواْ
believe[d]!
كُونُواْ
Be
قَوَّـٰمِينَ
custodians
بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ
of justice
شُهَدَآءَ
(as) witnesses
لِلَّهِ
to Allah
وَلَوۡ
even if
عَلَىٰٓ
(it is) against
أَنفُسِكُمۡ
yourselves
أَوِ
or
ٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ
the parents
وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَۚ
and the relatives
إِن
if
يَكُنۡ
he be
غَنِيًّا
rich
أَوۡ
or
فَقِيرٗا
poor
فَٱللَّهُ
for Allah
أَوۡلَىٰ
(is) nearer
بِهِمَاۖ
to both of them
فَلَا
So (do) not
تَتَّبِعُواْ
follow
ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ
the desire
أَن
lest
تَعۡدِلُواْۚ
you deviate
وَإِن
And if
تَلۡوُۥٓاْ
you distort
أَوۡ
or
تُعۡرِضُواْ
refrain
فَإِنَّ
then indeed
ٱللَّهَ
Allah
كَانَ
is
بِمَا
of what
تَعۡمَلُونَ
you do
خَبِيرٗا
All-Aware
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا
O you
ٱلَّذِينَ
who
ءَامَنُواْ
believe[d]!
كُونُواْ
Be
قَوَّـٰمِينَ
custodians
بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ
of justice
شُهَدَآءَ
(as) witnesses
لِلَّهِ
to Allah
وَلَوۡ
even if
عَلَىٰٓ
(it is) against
أَنفُسِكُمۡ
yourselves
أَوِ
or
ٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ
the parents
وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَۚ
and the relatives
إِن
if
يَكُنۡ
he be
غَنِيًّا
rich
أَوۡ
or
فَقِيرٗا
poor
فَٱللَّهُ
for Allah
أَوۡلَىٰ
(is) nearer
بِهِمَاۖ
to both of them
فَلَا
So (do) not
تَتَّبِعُواْ
follow
ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ
the desire
أَن
lest
تَعۡدِلُواْۚ
you deviate
وَإِن
And if
تَلۡوُۥٓاْ
you distort
أَوۡ
or
تُعۡرِضُواْ
refrain
فَإِنَّ
then indeed
ٱللَّهَ
Allah
كَانَ
is
بِمَا
of what
تَعۡمَلُونَ
you do
خَبِيرٗا
All-Aware
Translation
O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
Tafsir
O you who believe, be upright in justice; witnesses, of the truth, for God, even though it, the witnessing, be against yourselves, so be witness against them [your selves] by affirming the truth and not concealing it; or, against, parents and kinsmen, whether the person, witnessed against, be rich or poor; God is closer to the two, than you and He has better knowledge of what is good for them. So do not follow any whim, in your testimonies by being partial to the rich one, seeking his pleasure, or [by being partial] to the poor one out of compassion for him, lest you swerve, so that you do not incline away from the truth, for if you twist (a variant reading [for talwoow] has taloo) [if] you distort your testimony, or refrain, from giving it, surely God is ever aware of what you do, and will requite you accordingly.
"Commanding Justice and Conveying the Witness for Allah
Allah commands;
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواۡ كُونُواۡ قَوَّامِينَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ شُهَدَاء لِلّهِ
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah,
Allah commands His believing servants to stand up for justice and fairness and not to deviate from it, right or left. They should not fear the blame of anyone or allow anyone to prevent them from doing something for the sake of Allah. They are also required to help, support and aid each other for Allah's sake.
Allah's statement,
شُهَدَاء لِلّهِ
(as witnesses to Allah) is similar to His statement,
وَأَقِيمُواۡ الشَّهَـدَةَ لِلَّهِ
And establish the testimony for Allah. (65:2)
Testimony should be delivered precisely, for the sake of Allah, thus making the testimony correct, truly just, and free of alterations, changes or deletions.
This is why Allah said,
وَلَوۡ عَلَى أَنفُسِكُمۡ
even though it be against yourselves,
meaning, give correct testimony, and say the truth when you are asked about it, even if harm will effect you as a consequence. Indeed, Allah shall make a way out and give relief for those who obey Him in every matter.
Allah's statement,
أَوِ الۡوَالِدَيۡنِ وَالَاقۡرَبِينَ
or your parents, or your kin,
means, even if you have to testify against your parents and kin, do not compromise for their sake. Rather, give the correct and just witness even if they are harmed in the process, for the truth presides above everyone and is preferred to everyone.
Allah's statement,
إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقَيرًا فَاللّهُ أَوۡلَى بِهِمَا
be he rich or poor, Allah is a better Protector to both.
means, do not favor someone (in your testimony) because he is rich, or feel pity for him because he is poor, for Allah is their caretaker, a better Protector of them than you, and has better knowledge of what is good for them.
Allah's statement,
فَلَ تَتَّبِعُواۡ الۡهَوَى أَن تَعۡدِلُواۡ
So follow not the lusts, lest you may avoid justice;
means, let not desire, lust or the hatred you have against others, lure you into injustice in your affairs. Rather, stand for justice in all situations.
Allah said;
وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَأنُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَى أَلاَّ تَعۡدِلُواۡ اعۡدِلُواۡ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَى
And let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just:that is nearer to piety. (5:8)
when the Prophet sent Abdullah bin Rawahah to collect the tax on the fruits and produce of the Jews of Khyber, they offered him a bribe so that he would go easy on them. He said; ""By Allah! I have come to you from the dearest of the creation to me (Muhammad), and you are more hated by me than an equivalent number of apes and swine. However, my love for him (the Prophet) and hatred for you shall not prevent me from being just with you."" On that, they said, ""This (justice) is the basis which the heavens and earth were created.""
We will mention this Hadith later in Surah Al-Ma'idah (Surah 5) Allah willing.
Allah's statement afterwards,
وَإِن تَلۡوُواۡ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواۡ
and if you Talwu or Tu`ridu.
According to Mujahid and several others among the Salaf,
means, ""Distort your testimony and change it.""
Talwu, includes distortion and intentional lying.
For instance, Allah said,
وَإِنَّ مِنۡهُمۡ لَفَرِيقًا يَلۡوُونَ أَلۡسِنَتَهُم بِالۡكِتَـبِ
And verily, among them is a party who Yalwuna (distort) the Book with their tongues (as they read). (3:78)
Tu`ridu, includes hiding and withholding the testimony.
Allah said,
وَمَن يَكۡتُمۡهَا فَإِنَّهُ ءَاثِمٌ قَلۡبُهُ
Who hides it, surely, his heart is sinful. (2:283)
The Prophet said,
خَيۡرُ الشُّهَدَاءِ الَّذِي يَأۡتِي بِشَهَادَتِهِ قَبۡلَ أَنۡ يُسۡأَلَهَا
The best witness is he who discloses his testimony before being asked to do so.
Allah then warned,
فَإِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
Verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.
and will reward or punish you accordingly.
The Order to Have Faith after Believing
Allah says;
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواۡ امِنُواۡ بِاللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ
O you who believe! Believe in Allah, and His Messenger,
Allah commands His faithful servants to adhere to all the elements of faith, its branches, pillars and cornerstones. This is not stated as mere redundancy, but from the view of completing faith and the continual maintenance of it.
For instance, the believer proclaims in every prayer,
اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيم
(Guide us to the straight way) which means, make us aware of the straight path and increase us in guidance and strengthen us on it.
In this Ayah Allah commands the believers to believe in Him and in His Messenger, just as He said elsewhere,
يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواۡ اتَّقُواۡ اللَّهَ وَءَامِنُواۡ بِرَسُولِهِ
O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah, and believe in His Messenger. (57:28)
Allah's statement,
وَالۡكِتَابِ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ
and the Book which He has sent down to His Messenger,
refers to the Qur'an,
while,
وَالۡكِتَابِ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ مِن قَبۡلُ
and the Scripture which He sent down to those before (him);
refers to the previously revealed divine Books.
Allah then said,
وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِاللّهِ وَمَلَيِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالۡيَوۡمِ الاخِرِ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلَلاً بَعِيدًا
and whosoever disbelieves in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, then indeed he has strayed far away.
meaning, he will have deviated from the correct guidance and strayed far away from its path.
Characteristics of the Hypocrites and Their Destination
Allah says;
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ امَنُواۡ ثُمَّ كَفَرُواۡ ثُمَّ امَنُواۡ ثُمَّ كَفَرُواۡ ثُمَّ ازۡدَادُواۡ كُفۡرًا
Verily, those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe (again), and (again) disbelieve, and go on increasing in disbelief;
Allah states that whoever embraces the faith, reverts from it, embraces it again, reverts from it and remains on disbelief and increases in it until death, then he will never have a chance to gain accepted repentance after death. Nor will Allah forgive him, or deliver him from his plight to the path of correct guidance.
This is why Allah said,
لَّمۡ يَكُنِ اللّهُ لِيَغۡفِرَ لَهُمۡ وَلَا لِيَهۡدِيَهُمۡ سَبِيلً
Allah will not forgive them, nor guide them on the (right) way.
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that his father said that Ahmad bin Abdah related that Hafs bin Jami said that Samak said that Ikrimah reported that Ibn Abbas commented;
ثُمَّ ازۡدَادُواۡ كُفۡرًا
(and go on increasing in disbelief),
""They remain on disbelief until they die.""
Mujahid said similarly.
Allah then said,
بَشِّرِ الۡمُنَافِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
Give to the hypocrites the tidings that there is for them a painful torment.
Hence, the hypocrites have this characteristic, for they believe, then disbelieve, and this is why their hearts become sealed.
الَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ الۡكَافِرِينَ أَوۡلِيَاء مِن دُونِ الۡمُوۡمِنِينَ
Those who take disbelievers for friends instead of believers,
Allah describes the hypocrites as taking the disbelievers as friends instead of the believers, meaning they are the disbelievers' supporters in reality, for they give them their loyalty and friendship in secret.
They also say to disbelievers when they are alone with them, ""We are with you, we only mock the believers by pretending to follow their religion.""
Allah said, while chastising them for being friends with the disbelievers,
أَيَبۡتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ الۡعِزَّةَ
do they seek honor, with them,
فَإِنَّ العِزَّةَ لِلّهِ جَمِيعًا
Verily, then to Allah belongs all honor.
Allah states that honor, power and glory is for Him Alone without partners, and for those whom Allah grants such qualities to.
Allah said,
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الۡعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ الۡعِزَّةُ جَمِيعاً
Whosoever desires honor, then to Allah belong all honor, (35:10)
and,
وَلِلَّهِ الۡعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلۡمُوۡمِنِينَ وَلَـكِنَّ الۡمُنَـفِقِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ
But honor belongs to Allah, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not. (63:8)
The statement that honor is Allah's Alone, is meant to encourage the servants to adhere to their servitude to Allah and to be among His faithful servants who will gain victory in this life and when the Witnesses stand up to testify on the Day of Resurrection.
Allah's statement
وَقَدۡ نَزَّلَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِي الۡكِتَابِ أَنۡ إِذَا سَمِعۡتُمۡ ايَاتِ اللّهِ يُكَفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسۡتَهۡزَأُ بِهَا فَلَ تَقۡعُدُواۡ مَعَهُمۡ حَتَّى يَخُوضُواۡ فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيۡرِهِ إِنَّكُمۡ إِذًا مِّثۡلُهُمۡ
And it has already been revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in talk other than that; certainly in that case you would be like them.
The Ayah means, if you still commit this prohibition after being aware of its prohibition, sitting with them where Allah's Ayat are rejected, mocked at and denied, and you sanction such conduct, then you have participated with them in what they are doing.
So Allah said, (But if you stayed with them)
إِنَّكُمۡ إِذًا مِّثۡلُهُمۡ
(certainly in that case you would be like them), concerning the burden they will earn. What has already been revealed in the Book -- as the Ayah says -- is the Ayah in Surah Al-An`am, which was revealed in Makkah,
وَإِذَا رَأَيۡتَ الَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِى ءَايَـتِنَا فَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنۡهُمۡ
And when you see those who engage in false conversation about Our verses (of the Qur'an) by mocking at them, stay away from them. (6:68)
Muqatil bin Hayyan said that;
this Ayah (4:140) abrogated the Ayah in Surah Al-An`am, referring to the part that says here,
إِنَّكُمۡ إِذًا مِّثۡلُهُمۡ
((But if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them), and Allah's statement in Al-An`am,
وَمَا عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ مِنۡ حِسَابِهِم مِّن شَىۡءٍ وَلَـكِن ذِكۡرَى لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ
Those who fear Allah, keep their duty to Him and avoid evil, are not responsible for them (the disbelievers) in any case, but (their duty) is to remind them, that they may have Taqwa. (6:69)
Allah's statement,
إِنَّ اللّهَ جَامِعُ الۡمُنَافِقِينَ وَالۡكَافِرِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعًا
Surely, Allah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.
means, just as the hypocrites participate in the Kufr of disbelievers, Allah will join them all together to reside in the Fire for eternity, dwelling in torment, punishment, enchained, restrained and in drinking boiling water."
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