Day 54 · Surah An-Nisa' Verses 155-170

An-Nisa' 155–170

A series of violations by the People of the Book is laid bare along with the consequences of their punishment, then it is affirmed that the Prophet Muhammad was sent in the long line of messengers with the same task since Nuh.

• They are said to have broken their covenant, rejected Allah's verses, killed the prophets, accused Maryam with a terrible accusation, and claimed to have killed Isa.
• Because of their injustice and obstruction, good things that were once lawful became forbidden to them, in addition to their habit of consuming usury and consuming people's wealth unjustly.
• Among the learned of them who believe in the Qur'an, establish prayer, and give charity are promised a great reward.
• The Prophet Muhammad was sent as were the messengers before him such as Nuh, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, Isa, Ayyub, Yunus, Harun, Sulaiman, and Dawud.
• The messengers were sent as bearers of glad tidings and warnings so that people would have no excuse to deny Allah.

Verses 155-162 again explain the behavior and characteristics of the People of the Book. Among them:

1. Breaking their covenant.
2. Rejecting Allah's verses, including the Qur'an.
3. Killing the prophets.
4. They say their hearts are sealed.
5. Accusing Maryam with a terrible accusation (of adultery),
6. Claiming to have killed Isa, son of Maryam.
7. Disputing about that of which they have no knowledge.
8. Following conjecture.
9. All of them will believe in Isa when he is sent down near the Day of Judgment.

Because of the injustice committed by the Jews and their obstruction of people from Allah's path, Allah punishes them by forbidding them all the good things that were previously lawful for them. Similarly, because of their love of consuming usury which is forbidden and consuming people's wealth unjustly, Allah has prepared for them a painful punishment (hellfire).

Those among the People of the Book who are well-learned and the believers from the ummah of the Prophet Muhammad, who believe in the Qur'an and the Books before it, establish prayer, pay charity, have faith in Allah and the Last Day—Allah gives them a great reward (paradise). Therefore, the faith and law of the People of the Book that Allah accepts is that which is in accordance with the Prophet Muhammad.

Verses 163-170 explain two very important matters.

1. First, regarding Allah's decree and will to send the Messenger just as He sent the messengers before him since the Prophet Nuh, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub and his offspring, Isa, Ayyub, Yunus, Harun, Sulaiman and Dawud, with tasks He determined and equipped them with the Book as guidance for humanity so they may be saved in this world and the Hereafter. Allah told some of these messengers to the Prophet Muhammad. Allah's purpose in sending them was to give glad tidings to the believers and warning to the disbelievers, and so that people would have no excuse to deny Allah. Allah and the angels testify to the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Allah revealed the Qur'an with His knowledge. Allah is sufficient as a witness.
2. Second, whoever rejects or disbelieves in the messengers and His Books, including the Qur'an, and obstructs people from Allah's path, he is surely in great error. The disbeliever, the unjust, and the polytheist will not be forgiven by Allah nor guided except to the path of Hellfire and eternity in it. This is easy for Allah.

Allah calls upon people that He has sent the Messenger with the Qur'an. Believing in both is best for them. Disbelieving in both will not diminish in the least Allah's ownership of the heavens and the earth.

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