Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 114

(Ayah 114) ➊ {لَا خَيْرَ فِيْ كَثِيْرٍ مِّنْ نَّجْوٰىهُمْ …: ”نَجْوَی“ } means to consult separately from some people; this is a verbal noun and, as an exaggeration, is also used for the plural like {’’ عَدْلٌ ‘‘} and {’’ رِضًي‘‘}, and after {’’ اِلَّا ‘‘ }, {’’ نَجْوَي‘‘} is omitted, meaning { ”إِلاَّ نَجْوَي مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ“ }, that is, in most of their secret talks there is no good, except for the secret talk of the one who enjoins charity.
{ ”بِصَدَقَةٍ“ } Charity refers to the wealth that is spent to seek reward from Allah Almighty. Originally, it is used for voluntary charity, but sometimes it is also used for obligatory charity, such as: «{ اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ }» [ التوبۃ : ۶۰ ] The purpose is that this act is being performed with sincerity of heart. (Raghib) { ”مَعْرُوْفٍ“ } This word includes all good deeds, even to the extent that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Your meeting your brother with a cheerful face is also among the good deeds." [ ترمذی، البر والصلۃ، باب ما جاء فی طلاقۃ الوجہ … : ۱۹۷۰، عن جابر رضی اللہ عنہ و صححہ الألبانی ]
The words of {”اِصْلَاحٍۭ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ“} include ending all kinds of disputes among Muslims; Allah Almighty said: «{ فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَ اَصْلِحُوْا ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ }» [ الأنفال : ۱ ] "So fear Allah and set right the relations among yourselves."
Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with her) says that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "He is not a liar who tries to reconcile between people and conveys something good or says something good (for this purpose)." [ بخاری، الصلح، باب لیس الکاذب الذی یصلح بین الناس : ۲۶۹۲ ]
➋ The hypocrites who sit separately at night and consult, most of the time they think of evil things, which are devoid of good, because there is no need to hide good and clean matters. However, some deeds are better done secretly, for example, if someone gives charity, he should give it secretly so that the recipient is not embarrassed, or consulting separately about giving charity is also a good deed. Similarly, if secret consultation is done regarding good deeds and especially reconciliation between people, then this too is a virtuous act. But unfortunately, these people do not consult about any of these matters; rather, they consult about things that cause evil and harm to others, and whoever consults about the above-mentioned matters purely for the sake of Allah's pleasure, then these are great virtuous deeds.

114. 1 By نَجْوَیٰ (secret counsel) is meant those conversations which the hypocrites used to have among themselves against the Muslims or against each other.

114. 2 That is, consultation regarding charity, good deeds (which includes every kind of virtue), and reconciliation between people is based on goodness, as the virtues and importance of these matters have also been mentioned in the ahadith.

114. 3 Because if sincerity (یعنی رضائے الٰہی کا مقصد) is not present, then even the greatest deed will not only be wasted but will become a source of misery.

114. 4 The ahadith mention great virtue for the aforementioned deeds. Even charity given in Allah’s way from lawful earnings equal to a date will become as great as the mountain of Uhud. Spreading good words is also of great virtue. Likewise, reconciling between relatives, friends, and others who are upset with each other is a very great deed. In one hadith, it is stated to be superior even to voluntary fasts, prayers, and voluntary charity. It is said (الا اخبرکم بأفضل من درجۃ الصیام والصلاۃ والصدقۃ ؟ قالوابلیٰ (اصلاح ذات البین،۔ قال۔: وفسادذات البینھی الحالقۃ) (Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Adab; Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Birr; Musnad Ahmad 6/445, 444) that even lying has been permitted for the one who reconciles between people, so that if he needs to use a beneficial lie to bring them closer, he should not hesitate in doing so (لَیْسَ الْکَذَّابُ الَّذِی یُصْلِحُ بَیْنَ النَّاسِ، فَیُنْمِی خَیْرًا أَوْ یَقُولُ خَیْرًا) (Bukhari). That person is not a liar who spreads good words or says good things to reconcile between people.

114. Most of their secret talks contain no good [152], except for those who enjoin charity, or goodness, or reconciliation between people. And whoever does this seeking the pleasure of Allah, We shall grant him a great reward.

[152]
Which Secret Consultations Are Better?

The hypocrites who sit separately at night and hold consultations often think of bad things, which are devoid of goodness. Because there is no need to hide good, pure, and truthful matters. However, there are some matters which are better done in secret, for example, if someone gives charity, he should give it secretly so that the recipient does not feel embarrassed. Or, holding a separate consultation regarding giving charity is also a good deed. Similarly, if a secret consultation is held regarding good deeds, and especially about reconciling people, then this too is an act of virtue. But unfortunately, these people do not consult about any of these matters. They hold such consultations from which evil arises and others are harmed. And whoever consults about the aforementioned matters solely for the pleasure of Allah, then these are great acts of goodness. Saying something good from oneself for the sake of reconciliation among people is not a lie: Thus, the Prophet ﷺ once said to the noble Companions, “Shall I not inform you of an act better than prayer, fasting, and charity?” The Companions replied, “Please do.” So the Prophet ﷺ said, “Reconciling between two people, for creating discord between two people is something that shaves (destroys) the religion.” [ترمذي، ابواب صفة القيامة] The Prophet ﷺ also said, “If someone, for the sake of reconciling people, attributes a good statement to a party or says something good, he is not a liar.” [بخاری، کتاب الصلح، باب لیس الکاذب الذی یصلح بین الناس) النسآء ]