Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 116

(Ayah 116) ➊ { اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ اَنْ يُّشْرَكَ بِهٖ …:} In the previous verse, the person is mentioned who opposes the Messenger and follows a path other than that of the believers. Such a person can only be one who persists in his disbelief and does not accept the religion of Islam. In this verse, Allah Almighty has declared his persistence in disbelief as shirk and has explicitly stated that there is no way for his forgiveness. However, if a person accepts the religion of Islam, bears witness to the oneness of Allah and the messengership of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), demonstrates it practically, and refrains from such acts that expel a person from the fold of Islam, then if he commits major sins, it is up to Allah Almighty—He may forgive him outright or admit him to Paradise after punishment. But the person who does not accept Islam at all, or after accepting Islam commits acts of clear apostasy, then there is no forgiveness for him with Allah Almighty, because to forgive him would mean to pardon a rebel and traitor who remains firm on his rebellion and treachery. No king, even the most ordinary, tolerates rebellion, so how can the King of kings, whose protective jealousy is immense, forgive rebellion? It is thus understood that only the disbelievers and polytheists will be eternally in Hell; sinful Muslims will not remain in Hell forever. This refutes those who say that a Muslim who commits major sins will be eternally in Hell. See also verse (48) of this surah.

➋ Above, the mention of the hypocrites is ongoing, who did not like the decisions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and walked on a separate path. In this verse, it is stated that Allah Almighty does not forgive shirk, so it is understood that if any religion (way) other than Islam is preferred and made a practice, then this is shirk, because any religion other than Islam is shirk, even if the shirk of worship is not committed. (Muwaddih)

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

116. Surely, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives anything less than that for whom He wills [154]. And whoever associates partners with Allah has indeed gone far astray.

[154] The following points are understood from this verse:
1. Shirk is an unforgivable crime which Allah will never forgive under any circumstances.
2.
For What Sins Can Forgiveness Be Hoped For:

Regarding other sins, it cannot be said with certainty that they will be forgiven. Allah has the authority to forgive whomever He wills and whichever sin He wills, and if He wills, He can also hold them accountable for them. Sins are also of two types, or in a single sin there can be two types of rights: one is the right of Allah, the other is the right of the servants. Allah may forgive His own right for whomever He wills, and may not forgive for whomever He wills, but the fulfillment of the rights of the servants is necessary; only then will Allah also forgive His own right. The right of the servants may be fulfilled in this world, or may be forgiven by them, or Allah, out of His mercy, may compensate the rightful person on His own behalf. In any case, after the rights of the servants are settled, there can be hope for the forgiveness of Allah’s right.
3. And the third point is that shirk is the greatest misguidance. Shirk has been called, at another place, “the greatest injustice.”