4:51 An-Nisaa (The Women)

وهذا من قبائح اليهود وحسدهم للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم والمؤمنين، أن أخلاقهم الرذيلة وطبعهم الخبيث، حملهم على ترك الإيمان بالله ورسوله، والتعوض عنه بالإيمان بالجبت والطاغوت، وهو الإيمان بكل عبادة لغير الله، أو حكم بغير شرع الله. فدخل في ذلك السحر والكهانة، وعباده غير الله، وطاعة الشيطان، كل هذا من الجبت والطاغوت، وكذلك حَمَلهم الكفر والحسد على أن فضلوا طريقة الكافرين بالله -عبدة الأصنام- على طريق المؤمنين فقال: { وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا } أي: لأجلهم تملقا لهم ومداهنة، وبغضا للإيمان: { هَؤُلَاءِ أَهْدَى مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا } أي: طريقا. فما أسمجهم وأشد عنادهم وأقل عقولهم\" كيف سلكوا هذا المسلك الوخيم والوادي الذميم؟\" هل ظنوا أن هذا يروج على أحد من العقلاء، أو يدخل عقلَ أحد من الجهلاء، فهل يُفَضَّل دين قام على عبادة الأصنام والأوثان، واستقام على تحريم الطيبات، وإباحة الخبائث، وإحلال كثير من المحرمات، وإقامة الظلم بين الخلق، وتسوية الخالق بالمخلوقين، والكفر بالله ورسله وكتبه، على دين قام على عبادة الرحمن، والإخلاص لله في السر والإعلان، والكفر بما يعبد من دونه من الأوثان والأنداد والكاذبين، وعلى صلة الأرحام والإحسان إلى جميع الخلق، حتى البهائم، وإقامة العدل والقسط بين الناس، وتحريم كل خبيث وظلم، والصدق في جميع الأقوال والأعمال، فهل هذا إلا من الهذيان، وصاحب هذا القول إما من أجهل الناس وأضعفهم عقلا، وإما من أعظمهم عنادا وتمردا ومراغمة للحق، وهذا هو الواقع

فأنزل "الله ألم تر إلى الذين أوتو نصيبا" الآية وقد روى هذا من غير وجه عن ابن عباس وجماعة من السلف. وقال الإمام أحمد: حدثنا محمد بن أبي عدي عن داود عن عكرمة عن ابن عباس قال: لما قدم كعب بن الأشرف مكة قالت قريش: ألا ترى هذا الصنبور المنبتر من قومه يزعم أنه خير منا ونحن أهل الحجيج وأهل السدانة وأهل السقاية. قال: أنتم خير. قال فنزلت "إن شانئك هو الأبتر ونزل "ألم تر إلى الذين أوتو نصيبا من الكتاب -إلى - نصيرا" وقال ابن إسحاق: حدثني محمد بن أبي محمد عن عكرمة أو عن سعيد بن جبير عن ابن عباس قال: كان الذين حزبوا الأحزاب من قريش وغطفان وبني قريظة حيي بن أخطب وسلام بن أبي الحقيق وأبو رافع والربيع بن أبي الحقيق وأبو عامر ووحوح بن عامر وهودة بن قيس. فأما وحوح وأبو عامر وهودة فمن بني وائل وكان سائرهم من بني النضير فلما قدموا على قريش قالوا: هؤلاء أحبار يهود وأهل العلم بالكتب الأول فاسألوهم أدينكم خير أم دين محمد؟ فسألوهم فقالوا دينكم خير من دينه وأنتم أهدى منه وممن اتبعه. فأنزل الله عز وجل "ألم تر إلى الذين أوتوا نصيبا من الكتاب" إلى قوله عز وجل "وآتيناهم ملكا عظيما " وهذا لعن لهم وإخبار بأنهم لا ناصر لهم في الدنيا ولا في الآخرة لأنهم إنما ذهبوا يستنصرون بالمشركين وإنما قالوا لهم ذلك ليستميلوهم إلى نصرتهم وقد أجابوهم وجاءوا معهم يوم الأحزاب حتى حفر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه حول المدينة الخندق فكفى الله شرهم "ورد الله الذين كفروا بغيظهم لم ينالوا خيرا وكفى الله المؤمنين القتال وكان الله قويا عزيزا".

Chastising and Cursing the Jews for Claiming Purity for Themselves and Believing in Jibt and Taghut

Al-Hasan and Qatadah said, "This Ayah,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُزَكُّونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ

(Have you not seen those who claim sanctity for themselves) was revealed about the Jews and Christians when they said, `We are Allah's children and His loved ones."' Ibn Zayd also said, "This Ayah was revealed concerning their statement,

نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ

(We are the children of Allah and His loved ones) and their statement,

لَن يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلاَّ مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَـرَى

(None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian)." This is why Allah said,

بَلِ اللَّهُ يُزَكِّى مَن يَشَآءُ

(Nay, but Allah sanctifies whom He wills,) meaning, the decision in this matter is with Allah Alone, because He has perfect knowledge of the true reality and secrets of all things. Allah then said,

وَلاَ يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً

(And they will not be dealt with injustice even equal to the extent of a Fatil, ) meaning, He does no injustice with anyone's compensation in any part of his reward, even if it was the weight of a Fatil. Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, `Ata', Al-Hasan, Qatadah and others among the Salaf said that Fatil means, "The scalish thread in the long slit of the date-stone." Allah said,

انظُرْ كَيفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الكَذِبَ

(Look, how they invent a lie against Allah,) claiming purity for themselves, their claim that they are Allah's children and His loved ones, their statement;

لَن يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلاَّ مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَـرَى

(None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian) their statement;

لَن تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ إِلاَ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَتٍ

(The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days) and their reliance on the righteous deeds of their forefathers. Allah has decreed that the good actions of the fathers do not help the children, when He said,

تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُم

(That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn). Allah then said,

وَكَفَى بِهِ إِثْماً مُّبِيناً

(and enough is that as a manifest sin. ) meaning, these lies and fabrications of theirs are sufficent. Allah's statement,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيباً مِّنَ الْكِتَـبِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّـغُوتِ

(Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture They believe in Jibt and Taghut). Muhammad bin Ishaq said from Hassan bin Fa'id that `Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "Jibt is sorcery and Taghut is the Shaytan." Abu Nasr Isma`il bin Hammad Al-Jawhari, the renowned scholar, said in his book As-Sihah, "Al-Jibt means idol, soothsayer and sorcerer." Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Jabir bin `Abdullah was asked about Taghut, and he said, "They are soothsayers upon whom the devils descend." Mujahid said "Taghut is a devil in the shape of man, and they refer to him for judgment." Imam Malik said, "Taghut is every object that is worshipped instead of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored."

Disbelievers Are not Better Guided Than Believers

Allah said,

وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ هَـؤُلاءِ أَهْدَى مِنَ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ سَبِيلاً

(and say to those who disbelieve, "These people are better guided on the way," than the believers.) preferring the disbelievers over Muslims, because of their ignorance, un-religious nature and disbelief in Allah's Book which is before them. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Ikrimah said, "Huyay bin Akhtab and Ka`b bin Al-Ashraf (two Jewish leaders) came to the people of Makkah, who said to them, `You (Jews) are people of the Book and knowledge, so judge us and Muhammad.' They said, `Describe yourselves and describe Muhammad.' They said, `We keep relation with kith and kin, slaughter camels (for the poor), release the indebted and provide water for the pilgrims. As for Muhammad he is without male children, he severed our relations, and the thieves who rob pilgrims (the tribe of) Ghifar follow him. So who is better, we or him' They said, `You are more righteous and better guided.' Thereafter, Allah sent down,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيبًا

(Have you not seen those who were given a portion)." This story was also reported from Ibn `Abbas and several others among the Salaf. Allah's Curse on the Jews This Ayah 4:52 contains a curse for the Jews and informs them that they have no supporter in this life or the Hereafter, because they sought the help of the idolators. They uttered this statement in Ayah 4:51 to lure the disbelievers into supporting them, and they ultimately gathered their forces for the battle of Al-Ahzab, forcing the Prophet and his Companions to dig a defensive tunnel around Al-Madinah. But, Allah saved the Muslims from their evil,

وَرَدَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِغَيْظِهِمْ لَمْ يَنَالُواْ خَيْراً وَكَفَى اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْقِتَالَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ قَوِيّاً عَزِيزاً

(And Allah drove back those who disbelieved in their rage, they gained no advantage (booty). Allah sufficed for the believers in the fighting. And Allah is Ever All-Strong, All-Mighty).

The following was revealed regarding Ka‘b b. al-Ashraf and other such scholars from among the Jews when they came to Mecca and saw those killed at Badr and began to incite the idolaters to avenge them their dead by waging war against the Prophet s Have you not seen those who were given a share of the Book how they believe in al-Jibt and al-Tāghūt two idols belonging to Quraysh and say to the disbelievers to Abū Sufyān and his companions when they the latter said to them ‘Are we who are the guardians of the House who give drink to the pilgrim offer hospitality to the guest set free the captive and do such and such … not more rightly guided than Muhammad he who has contravened the religion of his forefathers severed the ties of kinship and abandoned the Sanctuary?’ ‘These in other words you are more rightly guided upon a more upright way than the believers’?

A description of the evil traits of Jews has been appearing from the previous verse beginning with: أَلَمْ تَرَ‌ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يَشْتَرُ‌ونَ الضَّلَالَةَ. The present verses also deal with the same subject.

1. Jibt: Originally, the name of an idol which was also used later on for every false god as well as for sorcery.

2. Taghut: Literally signifies the arrogant. It is ai. used for Satan, and for evil and falsehood.

it variously. Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas, Ibn Jubayr and Abu al-` Aliyah

Commentary

What is Jibt جِبت and Taghut طَاغوت ?

Two words, 'al-Jibt' and 'al-Taghut have been mentioned in the present verse (51). What do they mean? Commentators have explained have said that 'Jibt' comes from the Ethiopian language and refers to a magician while 'Taghut' signifies a soothsayer.

Sayyidna ` Umar says that 'Jibt' means magic and 'Taghut' means Satan. Sayyidna Malik ibn Anas ؓ is reported to have said that everything worshipped other than Allah is covered by the name 'Taghut'.

Imam al-Qurtubi (رح) says that the view of Sayyidna Malik 1bn Anas (رح) ، being more inclusive, is generally preferred because it also has its support from the Holy Qur'an where it is said: أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ (Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.) (16:36) But, really, there is no contradiction as such in these different views. They all can be implied in one or the other sense, as Jibt was essentially the name of an idol after all, but it was later on that it came to be applied to other things and beings worshipped other than Allah. (Ruh al-Ma’ ani)

The present verses in the background of their revelation

Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ narrates that two chiefs of the Jews, Huyayy ibn Akhtab and Ka'b ibn Ashraf came along with a group of theirs, after the battle of Uhud, to meet the Quraysh at Makkah. The Jewish Chief, Ka'b ibn Ashraf met Abu Sufyan and promised to collaborate with him in his fight against the Holy Prophet ﷺ . The people of Makkah told Ka'b ibn Ashraf that they were a people who cheated by making false promises. Then, they challenged them to prostrate before two particular idols (Jibt and Taghut) there, if they really meant what they had said.

So, in order to assure the Quraysh, he did exactly that. After that, Ka'b told the Quraysh: 'Let thirty people from among you and thirty people from among us come forward so that we declare our resolve before the Lord of the Ka'bah that all of us will jointly fight against Muhammad ﷺ .

The Quraysh liked this proposal from Ka'b and this was how they opened a united front against Muslims. After that, Abu Sufyan told Ka'b: You are learned people. You have the Book of Allah with you. But, we are totally ignorant. Now, you let us know what do you think about us - tell us if we are on the right path, or is it Muhammad?

Ka'b asked: 'What is your religion?' Abu Sufyan said: 'We slaughter our camels for the Hajj. We offer their milk to pilgrims, and entertain guests. We maintain good relations with our kin. We make tawaf of the House of Allah and perform ` Umrah. Contrary to this, Muhammad ﷺ has abandoned his ancestral religion and he has cut himself off from his own people and, on top of that, he has challenged our ancestral religion by introducing a new religion of his own.'

Hearing all this, Ka'b ibn Ashraf said: 'You people are on the right path. Muhammad, ﷺ has gone astray.'

Thereupon, Allah Almighty revealed these verses and, thus, exposed their lying and deceit. (Ruh al-Ma’ ani)

The blind pursuit of material gains sometimes makes man surrender religion and faith

Ka'b ibn Ashraf was a distinguished scholar among the Jews. He believed in God and worshipped none but Him. However, when the ghost of overweening personal desires overpowered his mind and heart, he offered to join forces with the Quraysh against Muslims. As we already know, the Quraysh put forth the condition that he should prostrate before their idols. He swallowed this bitter pill to achieve his personal end. Here, we see that he squarely stooped to fulfill the condition imposed by the Quraysh, something, contrary to his religion, but he made no effort to stand by his religious beliefs and did not show the courage to part ways with them on so crucial an issue. The Holy Qur'an mentions a similar incident elsewhere concerning Bal'am ibn Ba’ ur. It says: وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِي آتَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا فَانسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْبَعَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ ﴿175﴾ (Recite to them the news of the one who was given Our signs, then he eased out from it and followed the Satan, and he was one of those who seduce people to err.) (7:175)

Commentators say that Bal'am ibn Ba’ ur was a great scholar and a mendicant who wielded spiritual powers. But, when he launched his sinister plans against Sayyidna Musa (علیہ السلام) ، in an effort to achieve his personal desires, he was unable to achieve anything against him, but what did happen was that he himself ended up being accursed and went astray.

This tells us that religious knowledge as culled from a book is not enough to guarantee the desired benefit. What is needed is action sought by the knowledge. This will not be possible unless one totally abstains from material greed and from the pursuit of carnal desires. Otherwise, man would not stay strong enough to resist against sacrificing something so dear as his religion on the altar of his desires. In our own time, we have the kind of people who would abandon their trice creed just to achieve their material and political goals. Some of them would go for the extra effort to dress up their secular beliefs and views with the garb of Islam. Such people less care about the grave Covenant between God and man, nor do they worry much about what would happen to them in the Akhirah. All this happens when one abandons his true and right creed and starts following the signals of the Satan.

(Hast thou not seen those unto whom a portion of the Scripture hath been given, how they believe in idols and false deities�) [4:51]. Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya informed us> his father> Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Thaqafi> 'Abd al-Jabbar ibn al-'Ala'> Sufyan> 'Amr>> 'Ikrimah who said: �When Huyayy ibn Akhtab and Ka'b al-Ashraf went to the people of Mecca they were asked: 'You are people of Scripture and ancient knowledge, so tell us about us and Muhammad?' 'What do you have to do with Muhammad?' he said. They said: 'We slaughter high-humped camels, give milk on top of water for others to drink, we assist those who are wronged, we do not severe ties of kinship and give water to the pilgrims and our religion is ancient while Muhammad's religion is new'. The Jews said: 'Rather, you are better than him and more guided in your way'. And so Allah, exalted is He, revealed (Hast thou not seen those unto whom a portion of the Scripture hath been given, how they believe in idols and false deities) up to His words, exalted is He, (� and he whom Allah hath cursed, thou (O Muhammad) wilt find for him no helper) [4:52]�. The commentators of the Qur'an said: �After the Battle of Uhud, Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf went to Mecca, accompanied by seventy riders, in order to ally themselves with Quraysh against the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, and break the covenant which they had with Allah's Messenger, Allah bless him and give him peace. Ka'b was the guest of Abu Sufyan while the other Jews were accommodated in the houses of Quraysh. The people of Mecca said: 'Your are people of Scripture and Muhammad has a Scripture and we are not completely sure that this is a scheme that you devised. So if you want us to go along with you, you have to prostrate to these two idols and believe in them', hence Allah's saying (they believe in idols and false deities). Ka'b then said to the people of Mecca: 'Let there be thirty of us and thirty of you; we shall all go to the Ka'bah and cling to it and promise the Lord of the House that we will do our best to fight Muhammad'.