سُوْرَةُ النِّسَآءِ
Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 113
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَهَمَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُضِلُّوكَ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۖ وَمَا يَضُرُّونَكَ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ وَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَكَ مَا لَمْ تَكُن تَعْلَمُ ۚ وَكَانَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ عَظِيمًا ﴿113﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Had not the Grace of Allâh and His Mercy been upon you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), a party of them would certainly have made a decision to mislead you, but (in fact) they mislead none except their own selves, and no harm can they do to you in the least. Allâh has sent down to you the Book (The Qur’ân), and Al-Hikmah (Islâmic laws, knowledge of legal and illegal things i.e. the Prophet’s Sunnah - legal ways), and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allâh unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَوْلَا
walawlā
And if not
فَضْلُ
faḍlu
(for the) Grace
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(of) Allah
عَلَيْكَ
ʿalayka
upon you
وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ
waraḥmatuhu
and His Mercy
لَهَمَّت
lahammat
surely (had) resolved
طَّآئِفَةٌۭ
ṭāifatun
a group
مِّنْهُمْ
min'hum
of them
أَن
an
to
يُضِلُّوكَ
yuḍillūka
mislead you
وَمَا
wamā
But not
يُضِلُّونَ
yuḍillūna
they mislead
إِلَّآ
illā
except
أَنفُسَهُمْ ۖ
anfusahum
themselves
وَمَا
wamā
and not
يَضُرُّونَكَ
yaḍurrūnaka
they will harm you
مِن
min
in
شَىْءٍۢ ۚ
shayin
anything
وَأَنزَلَ
wa-anzala
And has sent down
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
عَلَيْكَ
ʿalayka
to you
ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ
l-kitāba
the Book
وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ
wal-ḥik'mata
and [the] Wisdom
وَعَلَّمَكَ
waʿallamaka
and taught you
مَا
mā
what
لَمْ
lam
not
تَكُن
takun
you did
تَعْلَمُ ۚ
taʿlamu
know
وَكَانَ
wakāna
And is
فَضْلُ
faḍlu
(the) Grace
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(of) Allah
عَلَيْكَ
ʿalayka
upon you
عَظِيمًۭا
ʿaẓīman
great
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 113) ➊ {وَ لَوْ لَا فَضْلُ اللّٰهِ … :} The grace and mercy of Allah upon you was that He informed you of the reality of the actual incident through revelation. Otherwise, the group that was supporting Banu Ubayriq was about to convince you to acquit them, and the result would not have been just that a criminal would be saved and an innocent person would be declared guilty, but its consequences would have been far-reaching, which would have damaged the reputation and character of the Muslims. He (Allah) stated that such people were, in fact, ruining their own hereafter and harming only themselves. Your protector is Allah Himself; they could neither deceive you nor harm you in any way.
➋ {وَ عَلَّمَكَ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ تَعْلَمُ:} That is, He taught you through revelation what you did not know, and what you did not even expect. See Surah Al-Ankabut (48, 49), Surah Al-Qasas (86), Surah Ash-Shura (52), and Surah Hud (49). This is Allah’s great favor upon you. Some people use this as evidence that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was ‘Alim al-Ghayb’ (knower of the unseen), whereas Allah has used these very words regarding every human being: «{ عَلَّمَ الْاِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ }» [ العلق : ۵ ] “He taught man what he did not know.” Then, it would also prove that every human being is ‘Alim al-Ghayb’.
➋ {وَ عَلَّمَكَ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ تَعْلَمُ:} That is, He taught you through revelation what you did not know, and what you did not even expect. See Surah Al-Ankabut (48, 49), Surah Al-Qasas (86), Surah Ash-Shura (52), and Surah Hud (49). This is Allah’s great favor upon you. Some people use this as evidence that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was ‘Alim al-Ghayb’ (knower of the unseen), whereas Allah has used these very words regarding every human being: «{ عَلَّمَ الْاِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ }» [ العلق : ۵ ] “He taught man what he did not know.” Then, it would also prove that every human being is ‘Alim al-Ghayb’.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
113. 1 This is the mention of that special protection and supervision of Allah Almighty which He arranged for the Prophets (peace be upon them), which is a manifestation of Allah’s special favor and mercy upon the Prophets. By "taifah" (group) is meant those people who, in support of Banu Ubayriq, were presenting their defense before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, due to which there was a fear that the Prophet ﷺ might acquit the person of the accusation of theft, who was in fact the thief.
113. 2 This is the mention of another favor and kindness which was bestowed upon you ﷺ by revealing the Book and Wisdom (Sunnah) and by commanding the necessary matters, just as it is stated elsewhere (وَكَذٰلِكَ اَوْحَيْنَآ اِلَيْكَ رُوْحًا مِّنْ اَمْرِنَا ۭ مَا كُنْتَ تَدْرِيْ مَا الْكِتٰبُ وَلَا الْاِيْمَانُ) 42:52 "And thus We sent to you (with the Quran) an angel by Our command. You did not know what the Book was, nor what faith was?" (وَمَا كُنْتَ تَرْجُوْٓا اَنْ يُّلْقٰٓى اِلَيْكَ الْكِتٰبُ اِلَّا رَحْمَةً مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ) 28:86 "And you did not expect that the Book would be sent down to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord." From all these verses, it is understood that Allah bestowed favor and kindness upon you ﷺ and also granted you the Book and Wisdom, and in addition to these, gave you knowledge of many other things of which you were unaware. This also, in a way, negates your being 'Alim al-Ghayb' (Knower of the unseen), because one who is himself 'Alim al-Ghayb' does not need to acquire knowledge from anyone else, and one who receives information from another—whether through revelation or by any other means—is not 'Alim al-Ghayb'.
113. 2 This is the mention of another favor and kindness which was bestowed upon you ﷺ by revealing the Book and Wisdom (Sunnah) and by commanding the necessary matters, just as it is stated elsewhere (وَكَذٰلِكَ اَوْحَيْنَآ اِلَيْكَ رُوْحًا مِّنْ اَمْرِنَا ۭ مَا كُنْتَ تَدْرِيْ مَا الْكِتٰبُ وَلَا الْاِيْمَانُ) 42:52 "And thus We sent to you (with the Quran) an angel by Our command. You did not know what the Book was, nor what faith was?" (وَمَا كُنْتَ تَرْجُوْٓا اَنْ يُّلْقٰٓى اِلَيْكَ الْكِتٰبُ اِلَّا رَحْمَةً مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ) 28:86 "And you did not expect that the Book would be sent down to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord." From all these verses, it is understood that Allah bestowed favor and kindness upon you ﷺ and also granted you the Book and Wisdom, and in addition to these, gave you knowledge of many other things of which you were unaware. This also, in a way, negates your being 'Alim al-Ghayb' (Knower of the unseen), because one who is himself 'Alim al-Ghayb' does not need to acquire knowledge from anyone else, and one who receives information from another—whether through revelation or by any other means—is not 'Alim al-Ghayb'.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
113. And had it not been for the grace of Allah and His mercy upon you, a group among them had certainly resolved [151] to mislead you. Yet they only mislead themselves, and they cannot harm you in any way. For Allah has sent down to you the Book and wisdom, and taught you what you did not know. And great indeed is the favor of Allah upon you.
[151]
Allah Bestowed a Great Favor Upon You:
The favor and mercy of Allah Almighty was that He informed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ of the real situation through revelation. Otherwise, the consequences would not have been limited to the criminal escaping and an innocent person being declared guilty, but the results would have been far-reaching, which could have damaged the reputation and character of the Muslims in the eyes of the general public. Those people who tried to mislead you and have a decision made in their favor were, in fact, ruining their own hereafter. This could not have harmed you in any way. And in the sight of Allah, the criminals were those people, not you, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Seizing Another’s Property Through Deceit in a Lawsuit:
A person who deceives a ruler and gets a decision in his own favor is, in reality, deluding himself into thinking that by such schemes he has truly become entitled to that thing. Whereas, in the sight of Allah, the right remains with the one to whom it truly belongs, and the decision of a deceived ruler has no effect on reality. Thus, the Prophet ﷺ said: “I am only a human being like you. You bring your disputes to me, and it is possible that one of you may be more eloquent than the other, and I may give a verdict in his favor after hearing his arguments. So, if I, by my judgment, give someone something that rightfully belongs to his brother, then remember, I am giving him a piece of fire.”
[بخاری، کتاب الاحکام، باب موعظۃ الامام للخصوم]
In terms of the context, the meaning of this sentence is the same as mentioned above; however, its ruling is general, and it refers to such virtues that were not given to any other prophet, and the Prophet ﷺ himself described these virtues in these words: Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I have been given five things which were not given to any prophet before me. First, I have been made victorious with awe (cast into the hearts of the enemy) from a distance of one month’s journey. Second, the entire earth has been made a mosque and purifying for me, so any member of my Ummah can pray wherever the time of prayer comes. Third, the spoils of war have been made lawful for me, which were not lawful for anyone before me. Fourth, I have been granted the greatest intercession (on the Day of Judgment). Fifth, every prophet used to be sent to his own people, but I have been sent to all mankind.”
[بخاری۔ کتاب الصلٰوۃ۔ باب قول النبی جعلت لی الارض مسجدا وطھورا]
And in the hadith of Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ, the following six things are mentioned: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I have been given superiority over the other prophets in six things: I have been given jawami‘ al-kalim (concise speech with vast meanings); I have been helped with awe cast into the hearts of the enemy; spoils of war have been made lawful for me; the entire earth has been made a purifier and a place of prayer for me; I have been sent to all people (jinn and humans); and prophethood has been sealed with me.”
[مسلم کتاب المساجد۔ باب المساجد و مواضع الصلٰوۃ]
[151]
Allah Bestowed a Great Favor Upon You:
The favor and mercy of Allah Almighty was that He informed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ of the real situation through revelation. Otherwise, the consequences would not have been limited to the criminal escaping and an innocent person being declared guilty, but the results would have been far-reaching, which could have damaged the reputation and character of the Muslims in the eyes of the general public. Those people who tried to mislead you and have a decision made in their favor were, in fact, ruining their own hereafter. This could not have harmed you in any way. And in the sight of Allah, the criminals were those people, not you, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Seizing Another’s Property Through Deceit in a Lawsuit:
A person who deceives a ruler and gets a decision in his own favor is, in reality, deluding himself into thinking that by such schemes he has truly become entitled to that thing. Whereas, in the sight of Allah, the right remains with the one to whom it truly belongs, and the decision of a deceived ruler has no effect on reality. Thus, the Prophet ﷺ said: “I am only a human being like you. You bring your disputes to me, and it is possible that one of you may be more eloquent than the other, and I may give a verdict in his favor after hearing his arguments. So, if I, by my judgment, give someone something that rightfully belongs to his brother, then remember, I am giving him a piece of fire.”
[بخاری، کتاب الاحکام، باب موعظۃ الامام للخصوم]
In terms of the context, the meaning of this sentence is the same as mentioned above; however, its ruling is general, and it refers to such virtues that were not given to any other prophet, and the Prophet ﷺ himself described these virtues in these words: Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I have been given five things which were not given to any prophet before me. First, I have been made victorious with awe (cast into the hearts of the enemy) from a distance of one month’s journey. Second, the entire earth has been made a mosque and purifying for me, so any member of my Ummah can pray wherever the time of prayer comes. Third, the spoils of war have been made lawful for me, which were not lawful for anyone before me. Fourth, I have been granted the greatest intercession (on the Day of Judgment). Fifth, every prophet used to be sent to his own people, but I have been sent to all mankind.”
[بخاری۔ کتاب الصلٰوۃ۔ باب قول النبی جعلت لی الارض مسجدا وطھورا]
And in the hadith of Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ, the following six things are mentioned: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I have been given superiority over the other prophets in six things: I have been given jawami‘ al-kalim (concise speech with vast meanings); I have been helped with awe cast into the hearts of the enemy; spoils of war have been made lawful for me; the entire earth has been made a purifier and a place of prayer for me; I have been sent to all people (jinn and humans); and prophethood has been sealed with me.”
[مسلم کتاب المساجد۔ باب المساجد و مواضع الصلٰوۃ]
