Day 45 · Surah An-Nisa' Verses 38-51

An-Nisa' 38–51

Charity motivated by showing off is exposed as a sign of problematic faith, followed by rules for prayer and tayammum, then attention turns to the People of the Book who distort revelation and claim their way is straighter.

• Giving charity to show off is an inducement from Satan, when in fact having faith and giving charity harm you in no way and are instead rewarded with great good.
• Mentioned is the prohibition against praying while intoxicated before the verse forbidding intoxicants was revealed, the prohibition against staying in the mosque for one in a state of major ritual impurity, and tayammum for the sick or those travelling without water.
• Some of the People of the Book choose misguidance and desire that Muslims also go astray, so the community is asked to make Allah their protector and helper.
• Some Jews distort revelation and say they hear but reject it, then the People of the Book are urged to believe in the Qur'an before punishment strikes.
• The sin of associating partners with Allah taken to death is not forgiven, while other sins may be forgiven, and we are forbidden from claiming ourselves pure.

Verses 38-43 still explain several matters related to household life, such as the person who gives charity to show off is one whose faith in Allah and the Hereafter is problematic because he follows the inducement of Satan as explained in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 268 before this. Then Allah questions, what is the harm if we have faith in Allah and the Hereafter with deep faith and give part of the provision He has given us? In fact, the opposite will happen—Allah will give a great reward of goodness. Remember, in the Hereafter we will be held accountable for all our deeds, good and bad. On that day we will no longer be able to seek excuses. The disbeliever in Allah will later regret, but his regret will be far too late. Then, Allah explains several matters such as: it is forbidden to pray while intoxicated (before the verse forbidding intoxicants was revealed), one in a state of major ritual impurity must not stay in the mosque except to pass through. If sick or travelling and there is no water for ablution, then perform tayammum.

Verse 44 again explains the behavior of the People of the Book who deliberately choose misguidance in life and desire that you Muslims go astray just as they have.

Verse 45, Muslims must be wary of enemies who always wish to lead them astray and harm them. Allah knows them, then He informs. Therefore, make Allah your Protector and Helper to be protected from their deception. Verse 46, some Jews distort revelation from its purpose. They say: we hear but reject it. They speak evil to revile the religion. Allah curses them so that only few embrace Islam. Verse 47 urges the People of the Book to believe in the Qur'an before Allah punishes them by changing their faces or cursing them. Nothing can oppose His decision.

Verse 48, Allah does not forgive the sin of associating partners with Him taken to death. As for other sins, Allah may forgive those whom He wills. Therefore, verse 49 warns us not to claim ourselves pure like the Jews do. Ask for His help so that He assists us in cleansing ourselves from shirk and other sins.

Verses 50 and 51 invite us to observe the People of the Book fabricating lies about Allah, trapped in belief in Satan and Taghut, and claiming their way of life is straighter than that of the believers.

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