Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salaamalaikum  Brother in Islam

Please explain me thhis ayat #66 from Surah Al Nisa.I tried to understand but i could not,please help me in understanding this ayat. Allahh will bless you. thanx and regards

If We had ordered them to sacrifice their lives or to leave their homes very few of them would have done it: but if they had done what they were (actually) told it would have been best for them and would have gone farthest to strengthen their (faith).

 
The highest in faith willingly sacrifice their lives, their homes, and all that they hold dearest, in the cause of Allah. Those whose faith is not so strong are expected at least to do what a loyal member of any society does, submit his doubts and disputes to the head of the society and cheerfully accept his decision and submit to it. The contrast is between the Hypocrites who will not even do this, and the really devoted men and women who would voluntarily sacrifice their lives. (4.66)

Afroz Khan

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Answer:

Meaning of verse 66 surah Nisaa

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

If one reads the above quoted Verse 66 of Surah Nisaa in context with the preceding and proceeding Verses, it would become evident that the addressees of the quoted guidance are the hypocrites who were ever ready to accept all the benefits that came with living amongst the believers in a believing society, but whenever they feared a loss or a trial for themselves, because of the disease of hypocrisy in their hearts, they were foremost in turning their backs on Islam and the believers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 61-65:

61 When it is said to them: "Come to what Allah hath Revealed and to the Messenger": thou seest the hypocrites avert their faces from thee in disgust.

62 How then when they are seized by misfortune because of the deeds which their hands have sent forth? Then they come to thee swearing by Allah: "We meant no more than good-will and conciliation!"

63 Those men Allah knows what is in their hearts; so keep clear of them but admonish them and speak to them a word to reach their very souls.

64 We sent not a Messenger but to be obeyed in accordance with the Will of Allah. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto thee and asked Allah's forgiveness; and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them they would have found Allah indeed Oft-Returning Most Merciful.

65 But no! By thy Lord, they can have no (real) Faith until they make thee (O Mohamed (saws)) the judge in all disputes between them and find in their souls no resistance against thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.

In Verse 65 the hypocrites are admonished to submit gracefully and sincerely to the ‘way of life’ brought by the Prophet (saws), and to subordinate their desires and their interests to the Decisions of the Prophet (saws), if indeed they have real faith in their hearts.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 66:

If We had ordered them to sacrifice their lives or to leave their homes very few of them would have done it: but if they had done what they were (actually) told it would have been best for them and would have gone farthest to strengthen their (faith).

In the above quoted Verse 66, the hypocrites are warned that if they cannot sacrifice even their small interests in following the Islamic Law brought by the Prophet (saws), and cannot bear to make the Messenger of Allah the judge in all their disputes, and cannot bring themselves to gracefully and sincerely submit to the judgments and the decisions of the Prophet (saws) in all their matters….then it is only obvious that such people who have the disease of hypocrisy in their hearts can never ever be expected to make bigger sacrifices for Allah, His Messenger (saws), or the deen of Islam!

If ever they were perchance asked or commanded to sacrifice their lives, or leave their homes in the Cause of Allah, they would then have no hesitation in discarding the way of faith and obedience, and turn back to their path of disbelief and disobedience instead.

If only had the hypocrites submitted sincerely and gracefully to the guidance, commands and decisions of the Noble Prophet (saws), it would have been best for them in this world and especially their Hereafter, and gone a long way in strengthening their faith in Allah and the Last Day….then the Lord would have given them a huge reward from His Majestic and Bounteous Presence, shown them the Straight Path to success, and admitted them into the company of the righteous…..but because of the disease of hypocrisy which they have inculcated in their hearts, never ever will they be able to attain true success and salvation.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 67=70:

67 And We should then have given them from Our Presence a great reward.

68 And We should have shown them the Straight Way.

69 All who obey Allah and the Messenger are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah, of the Prophets (who teach), the sincere (lovers of truth), the witnesses (who testify), and the righteous (who do good): Ah! what a beautiful fellowship!

70 Such is the Bounty from Allah: and sufficient is it that Allah Knoweth all.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan