Chapters on Tafsir

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The major sins are associating others with Allah, disobeying the parents" or he said, "the false oath". Shu'bah (a narrator in the chain) was in doubt.

Narrated Mujahid: from Umm Salamah that she said: "The men fight and the women do not fight, and we only get half the inheritance.' So Allah, Blessed and Most High, revealed: 'And wish not for things in which Allah has made some of you excell over others... (4:32)' Mujahid said: "And the following was revealed about that: 'Verily the Muslim men and the Muslim women... (33:35). And Umm Salamah was the first camel-borne woman to arrive in Al-Madinah as an emigrant.

Narrated 'Amr bin Dinar: from a man among the children of Umm Salamah, from Umm Salamah that she said: "O Messenger of Allah! I have not heard Allah mentioning anything about women and emigration." So Allah, Blessed and Most High, revealed: "Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female. You are members one of another (3:195)."

Narrated 'Alqamah: "'Abdullah said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded me to recite for him while he was on the Minbar. So I recited from Surat An-Nisa for him, until I reached: How then (will it be) when We bring from each nation a witness, and We bring you (Muhammad) as a witness against these people? (4:41) The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was beckoning me (to stop) with his hand, and I looked at him and his eyes were flowing with tears."

Narrated Ibrahim: from 'Abidah that 'Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: 'Recite for me.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Shall I recite for you while it is to you whom it was revealed?' He said: 'I love to hear it from other than me.'" So I recited Surat An-Nisa until I reached: "...And We bring you (Muhammad) as a witness against these people? (4:41)" He said: "So I saw the eyes of the Prophet (ﷺ) overflowing with tears."

Narrated Abu 'Abdur-Rahman As-Sulami: that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said: "'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Awf prepared some food for which he invited us, and he gave us some wine to drink. The wine began to affect us when it was time for Salat. So they encouraged me (to lead) and I recited: 'Say: O you disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship, and we worship what you worship' - so Allah, Most High, revealed: O you who believe! Do not approach Salat when you are in a drunken state until you know what you are saying (4:43)."

Narrated 'Urwah bin Az-Zubair: that 'Abdullah bin Az-Zubair narrated to him: "A man from the Ansar was arguing with Az-Zubair about a stream at Al-Harrah with which they irrigated their date-palms. So the Ansari man said: 'Let the water pass through.' But he refused, so they brought their dispute to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to Az-Zubair: 'O Zubair! Water and let the water flow to your neighbor.' The Ansari got angry and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Is it because he is your nephew?' The face of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) changed. Then he said: 'O Zubair! Water and withhold the water until until it flows over your walls.' So Az-Zubair said: 'By Allah, I think this Ayah was revealed about that incident: But no, by your Lord! They can have no faith until they make you judge in all disputes between them... (4:65)"

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Yazid: from Zaid bin Thabit that he heard about this Ayah: Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites? (4:88) He said: "People among the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) returned on the Day of Uhud and there were two parties among them, a group who said: 'Kill them,' and a group that say not to. So Allah revealed this Ayah: Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites? (4:88) So he said: "Indeed it is Taibah (Al-Madinah). And he said: 'It expels filth from it just like the fire expels filth from iron.'"

Narrated 'Amr bin Dinar: from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "On the Day of Judgement, the murdered will come with the murderer's scalp and his head in his hand, and his jugular vein flowing blood saying: 'O Lord! This one killed me!' Until he comes close to the Throne." So they mentioned repentance to Ibn 'Abbas, and he recited this Ayah: And whoever kills a believer intentionally then his recompense is Hell (4:93). He said: "This Ayah was not abrogated nor (its ruling) replaced so from where is his repentance?"

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: "A man from Banu Sulaim who had some sheep with him, passed by some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He gave Salam to them and they said: 'He did not give Salam except to protect himself.' So they attacked him, killed him, and took his sheep. They went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with them, and Allah, Most High, revealed: O you who believe! When you go in the cause of Allah, verify and say not to anyone who greets you: "You are not a believer (4:94)."

Narrated Al-Bara bin 'Azib: "When the following was revealed: 'Not equal are those of the believers who sit (4:95)' 'Amr bin Umm Maktum came to the Prophet (ﷺ)." He said: "He was blind, so he said: 'O Messenger of Allah! What do you order me with? Indeed my vision is disabled.' So Allah [Most High] revealed this Ayah: 'Except those who are disabled.' So the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Bring me a shoulder bone and inkwell' - or 'Bring me a tablet and an inkwell.'"

Narrated Miqsam, the freed slave of 'Abdullah bin Al-Harith: from Ibn 'Abbas that he said the Ayah: Not equal are those of the believers who sit, except those who are disabled... (4:95) is about Badr and those went out for Badr. At the time of the battle of Badr, 'Abdullah bin Jahsh and Ibn Umm Maktum said: 'We are blind O Messenger of Allah! So is there an exemption for us?' So the following was revealed: Not equal are those of the believers who sit except those who are disabled. But Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward (4:95). So these were the people who sat behind, that were not disabled: But Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward - they are of levels above those who sit among the believers who did not have an excuse."

Narrated Sahl bin Sa'd As-Sa'idi: "I saw Marwan bin Al-Hakam sitting in the Masjid, so I went over to him until I sat next to him. He informed us that Zaid bin Thabit informed him, that the Prophet (ﷺ) dictated: 'Not equal among the believers are those who sit and the Mujahidin in the cause of Allah.' He said: 'So Ibn Umm Maktum came and he was dictating to me that he said: "O Messenger of Allah! By Allah! If I were capable of Jihad then I would participate in Jihad.' And he was a blind a man. So Allah revealed to His Messenger (ﷺ) - while his thigh was against my thigh - and it became so heavy that I was worried it was about to fracture my thigh. Then he was relieved of it, so Allah had revealed to him: Except those who are disabled."

Narrated Ya'la bin Umayyah: "I said to 'Umar [bin Al-Khattab]: 'Allah said: That you shorten the Salat if you fear and the people are safe (4:101).' So 'Umar said: 'I wondered about that just as you have wondered. So I mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and he said: "It is charity which Allah has given to you, so accept His charity."

Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) halted between Dajnan and 'Usfan, and the idolaters aid: "These people have a prayer which is more loved to them than their fathers and their children." That is, 'Asr. They gathered their forces and advanced altogether. And Jibra'il came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and told him to divide his Companions into two lines and lead them in prayer, and another group stood behind them on guard with their weapons. Then the other group came and prayed one Rak'ah with him. Then these people stood guard with their weapons, so each of them performed one Rak'ah while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performed two Rak'ahs.

Narrated Qatadah bin An-Nu'man: "There was a household among us called Banu Ubairiq, among whom was a Bishr, a Bushair, and a Mubashshir. Bushair was a hypocrite who would recite poetry reviling the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) then he would attribute it to some of the Arabs. Then he would say: 'So-and-so said this and that [So-and-so said this and that].' So when the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) would hear that poetry, they would say: 'By Allah! No one but this filthy person said this poetry - or as the man said - and they would say: 'Ibn Al-Ubairiq said it.'" He said: "They were a poor and needy household during Jahiliyyah and Islam. The only food the people of Al-Madinah had was dates and barely. When a man was able to, he would import flour from Ash-Sham which he bought and kept for himself. As for his dependants, their only food was dates and barely. So an import arrived from Ash-Sham, and my uncle Rifa'ah bin Zaid bought a load of it, which he put in a storage area he had, where he kept his weapons - his shield and his sword. But it was taken from him from under the house. The storage was broken into and and the food and weapons were taken. In the morning, my uncle Rifa'ah came to me and said: 'O my nephew! We were robbed during the night, our storage was broken into, and our food and weapons are gone.'" He said: "They overheard us in the house, and questioned us, and someone said to us, 'We saw Banu Ubairiq cooking during the night, and it looked like they had some of your food.'" He said: "Banu Ubairiq were saying - while we were questioning them amidst their dwellings - 'By Allah! We do not think the one you are looking for is other than Labid bin Sahl, a man among us who is righteous and accepted Islam.' When Labid heard that, he brandished his sword and said: 'I stole? By Allah! You either prove this theft, or I take to you with this sword.' They said: 'Leave us O man! You are not the one who has it.' So we continued questioning in the dwellings until we had no doubt that they had taken it. So my uncle said to me: 'O my nephew! You should go to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and tell him about that.'" Qatadah said: "So I went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: 'A family among us are ill-mannered, and they conspired against my uncle Rifa'ah bin aid. They broken into his storage and took his weapons and his food. We want them to return our weapons, but we have no need for the food.' So the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'I will decide about that.' So when Banu Ubairiq heard about that, they brought a man from among them named Usair bin 'Urwah to talk to him about that, and some people form their houses gathered and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Qatadah bin An-Nu'man and his uncle came came to a family among us who are a people of Islam and righteousness, accusing them of stealing without proof or confirmation.'" Qatadah said: "I went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and spoke to him, and he said: 'You went to a family among them known for their Islam and righteousness, and accused them of stealing without confirmation or proof.'" He said: "So I returned wishing that I had lost some of my wealth, and that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had not been spoke to about that. My uncle Rifa'ah came to me and said: 'O my nephew! What did you do?' So I told him what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, so he said: 'It is from Allah, Whom we seek help.' It was not long before the Qur'an was revealed: 'Surely, We have sent down to you the Book in truth, that you might judge between men by that which Allah has shown you, so be not a pelader for the treacherous.' That is Banu Ubairiq. 'And seek forgiveness from Allah.' [That is] from what you said to Qatadah. 'Certainly Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And argue not on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Verily, Allah does not like anyone who is a betrayer, sinner. They may hide from men, but they cannot hide from Allah for He is with them up to His saying: 'Most Merciful.' That is: If you seek Allah's forgiveness then He will forgive you. 'And whoever earns sin, he earns it only against himself...' up to His saying: 'A manifest sin.' Their saying about Labid; 'Had it not been for the grace of Allah and His Mercy upon you...' up to His saying: 'We shall give him a great reward.' (4:105-115)" So when the Qur'an was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) brought the weapon and returned it to Rifa'ah. Qatadah said: "When the weapon was brought to my uncle - and he was an elderly man with bad sight" or "an elderly weak man" - Abu 'Eisa was in doubt - "in Jahiliyyah, and I thought that he merely had entered into Islam (without real sincerity) but when I brought it to him, he said: 'O my nephew! It is for Allah's cause.' So I knew that his Islam was genuine. When the Qur'an was revealed, Bushair went with the idolaters, staying with Sulafah bint Sa'd bin Sumayyah. So Allah, Most High, revealed: Whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination. Verily Allah forgives not associating others with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whomever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah, then he has indeed strayed away (4:115-116). "When he went to stay with Sulafah, Hassan bin Thabit lampooned her with verses of poetry. So she took his saddle, put it on her head, then she left with it to cast into the valley. Then she said: 'You gave me the poetry of Hassan - you did not bring me any good.'"

Narrated Thuwair - Ibn Abi Fakhitah: from his father that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said: "There is no Ayah in the Qur'an more beloved to me than this Ayah: Verily Allah forgives not associating others with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whomever He wills (4:116)."

Narrated Abu Hurairah: "When the following was revealed: 'Whoever works evil will have the recompense of it... (4:123)' That worried the Muslims, so they complained about that to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he said: "Seek closeness and be steadfast, and in all that afflicts the believer there is atonement, even a thorn that pricks him, and the hardship he suffers."

Narrated Abu Bakr As-Siddiq: "I was with the Prophet (ﷺ) when this Ayah was revealed to him: Whoever works evil will have the recompense of it (4:123). So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'O Abu Bakr! Shall I recite to you an Ayah revealed to me?' I said: 'Of course O Messenger of Allah!' So he recited it to me, and I do not know except that I found it as a fatal blow, but I repressed it. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'What is bothering you O Abu Bakr?' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! May my father and my mother be your ransom! Which of us has not done evil - and yet we shall be recompensed for what we have done?' So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'As for you O Abu Bakr, and the believers, they will be recompensed for that in the world until they meet Allah and they have no sins. As for the others, then that will be collected for them until they are recompensed for it on the Day of Judgement.'"

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: "Sawdah feared that the Prophet (ﷺ) was going to divorce her, so she said: 'Do not divorce me, but keep me and give my day to 'Aishah.' So he (ﷺ) did so, and the following was revealed: Then there is no sin on them both if they make terms of peace between themselves, and making peace is better (4:128). So whatever they agree to make peace in something then it is permissible."

Narrated Al-Bara: "The last Ayah revealed" or, "The last thing revealed was: They ask you about a legal verdict. Say: 'Allah directs (thus) regarding Al-Kalalah (4:176).'"

Narrated Al-Bara: "A man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! They ask you about a legal verdict. Say: "Allah directs (thus) regarding Al-Kalalah (4:176)." So the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him: "You should be sufficed with the Ayah of summer." (Meaning this Ayah, while in An-Nisa number 12, is mention of the topic, and it was revealed in the winter, this Ayah, revealed in the summer - the last revealed about it - explains it)

Narrated Tariq bin Shihab: "A man among the Jews said to 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: 'O Commander of the Believers! If we were the ones unto whom this Ayah was revealed, 'This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion (5:3).' - then we would have taken that day as a day of celebration.' So 'Umar bin Al-Khattab said to him: 'Indeed I do know which day this Ayah was revealed upon. It was revealed on the Day of 'Arafah, on Friday.'"

Narrated 'Ammar bin Abi 'Ammar: "Ibn Abbas recited: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion (5:3). And a Jew was with him who said: 'If this Ayah was revealed to us then we would have taken that day as a day of celebration.' So Ibn 'Abbas said: 'Indeed it was revealed on two 'Eids: On Friday, and on the Day of 'Arafah.'"

Narrated Abu Hurairah: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Ar-Rahman's Hand is full, He spends without any decrease, night and day.' He said: 'Do you not see how much He has spent since He created the heavens and the earth, yet it has not decreased what is in His Hand, and His Throne is over the water, and in His Other Hand is the Mizan (Scale) which He raises and lowers.'"

Narrated 'Aishah: "The Prophet (ﷺ) was being guarded until this Ayah was revealed: 'Allah will protect you from mankind.' So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stuck his head out from the room and said: 'O you people! Go away, for Allah shall protect me.'"

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When the Children of Isra'il fell into disobedience, their scholars forbade them from it. But they did not stop, so they sat with them in their gatherings, and participated in eating and drinking with them. So Allah pitted their hearts against each other, and cursed them upon the tongue of Dawud and 'Eisa bin Mariam. That was because they disobeyed and were ever transgressing.'" He said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat up after he had been reclining, and he said: 'No, by the One in Whose Hand is my soul! Not until you incline them to the truth.'" 'Abdullah bin 'Abdur-Rahman said: "Yazid said: 'Sufyan Ath-Thawri would not say in it: "From 'Abdullah."

Narrated Abu 'Ubaidah: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When the Children of Isra'il fell into decline, a man among them would see his brother committing a sin, and prohibit them from it. The next day, what he saw him doing would not prevent him from eating with him, drinking with him, and associating with him. So Allah pitted their hearts against each other, and He revealed about them in the Qur'an, He said: Those among the Children of Isra'il who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawud and 'Eisa, son of Mariam. That was because they disobeyed and were ever transgressing.' And he recited until he reached: 'And had they believed in Allah, and in the Prophet, and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them as friends; but many of them are rebellious (5:78-81).' He said: "And Allah's Prophet (ﷺ) was reclining, so he sat up and said: 'No! Not until you take the hand of the wrong-doer and incline him toward the truth.'"