The Holy Qur'an, a pure spring of guidance and knowledge, exquisitely delineates in its verses the pathways of faithful living and the wise management of human relations. Verses 89 and 90 of Surah An-Nisa, like two radiant jewels, elucidate the principles for confronting enemies and hypocrites within a framework of divine mercy and justice. This treatise, through a profound examination of these verses, endeavours to reflect their lofty meanings with clear and solemn language in a comprehensive and coherent exegesis. The goal is not only the precise understanding of these verses but also linking their concepts to contemporary issues, thereby serving as a beacon for scholars and seekers of truth.
وَدُّوا لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُوا فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَاءً ۖ فَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَخُذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُمُوهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ مِيثَاقٌ أَوْ جَاءُوكُمْ حَصِرَتْ صُدُورُهُمْ أَنْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ أَوْ يُقَاتِلُوا قَوْمَهُمْ ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ فَلَقَاتَلُوكُمْ ۚ فَإِنِ اعْتَزَلُوكُمْ فَلَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ وَأَلْقَوْا إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سَبِيلًا
Verse 89 of Surah An-Nisa, sharp as a sword, commands the apprehension and killing of hypocrites who have refused to emigrate in the path of Allah. This directive, set within the conditions of warfare, acts as a shield to preserve the security of the Islamic community and repel active threats from enemies. Hypocrites, with hearts filled with duplicity and disbelief, desire that the believers too fall into the abyss of disbelief and misguidance so that all stand on an equal footing. This desire, like a dark shadow, threatens the unity and cohesion of the Islamic society. Hence, the Holy Qur'an explicitly commands decisive action against such individuals who refuse migration and allegiance to the path of truth.
The Holy Qur'an, continuing in verse 89 as a vigilant guardian, urges the believers not to take hypocrites as friends or helpers. This prohibition, like a sturdy fortress, is designed to prevent the infiltration of internal enemies and to preserve the unity of the Islamic community. Due to their lack of commitment to divine values, hypocrites are dangerous and unreliable, akin to a serpent hidden in the sleeve. This principle, like a clear mirror, highlights the necessity of vigilance in choosing allies and avoiding trust in those whose hearts are not aligned with the truth.
Verse 89 encompasses two complementary dimensions, much like the two wings of a flying bird. The positive dimension commands the apprehension and killing of hypocrites (فَخُذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ) which directs a decisive blow towards active enemies. The negative dimension prohibits friendship and support for hypocrites (وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا), serving as a shield to protect the Islamic society from infiltration and harm. These two aspects, like the two sides of the same coin, provide a comprehensive policy for managing threats in times of war.
Some narrations attributed to this verse, such as extravagant claims concerning virgin women, have been invalidated by religious scholars as baseless and false, much like a cloud of dust obscuring the mirror of truth. This critique, akin to a cleansing breeze, stresses the necessity to return to the authentic text of the Holy Qur'an and avoid unreliable narrations. This principle, like a guiding light, calls researchers to meticulous investigation and verification of religious sources to prevent distortion and misunderstanding.
Hypocrites, due to their lack of commitment to truth and faith, resemble wolves in sheeps clothing and pose a danger to the Islamic society. Their duplicity and deceit disqualify them from authority, proximity, and guardianship. This characteristic, like an alarm bell, emphasises the need for vigilance against two-faced individuals. In todays world, this principle teaches us to be wary of those who, under a deceptive appearance, threaten the unity and cohesion of society.
Verse 90 of Surah An-Nisa, like a window opening towards divine mercy, exempts certain groups from the order of killing. First are those who join a people with whom the Muslims have a firm treaty. These individuals, like travellers seeking refuge in a safe land, are protected through their bond with the allied people. This exception, akin to a bridge of peace, underscores respect for treaties and the maintenance of peaceful relations.
Individuals connected to a people holding a peace treaty with Muslims, like a branch attached to a steadfast tree, are indirectly under protection. This mechanism, resembling a gentle flow of diplomacy, reflects Islams adaptability in maintaining peace through intermediaries. This principle, today, shines as a bright torch emphasizing the necessity of indirect diplomacy to reduce tensions and strengthen peaceful coexistence.
The second exempted group are those who come to the Muslims with hearts constrained from fighting them or their own people. These persons, like tired birds seeking shelter in a safe nest, are unable or unwilling to fight. This exception, like a breeze of mercy, indicates Islams attention to human conditions and its tolerance toward those who avoid conflict.
This group, due to emotional distress or physical weakness, lacks the capacity to fight Muslims or their own people. This condition, like a sign of neutrality, removes them from being a threat to the Islamic society. This principle, like a clear mirror, teaches us the necessity of careful threat assessment and avoidance of unnecessary confrontation.
The Holy Qur'an, like a wise sage, reminds that if Allah had willed, He could have made the enemies overpower the believers. This emphasis, like a divine light, signifies Gods absolute sovereignty and sufficiency in governance. This principle invites the faithful to rely on Allah and abstain from personal vengeance, as power and victory belong solely to Him.
If the enemies withdraw from fighting, like those who step away from the battlefield toward peace, they should not be engaged in conflict. This instruction, like an olive branch in hand, encourages refraining from unnecessary violence and respecting peace-seeking. In todays world, this principle calls us to dialogue and peaceful resolution of tensions.
Enemies who offer peace, like bearers of white flags, are protected from assault. The phrase أَلْقَوْا إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ resonates as a delightful melody, signifying surrender and desire for peaceful coexistence. This principle, like a blossoming flower, highlights the importance of accepting peace and strengthening human relations in modern societies.
The Holy Qur'an, like a just judge, declares that Allah has not made a way for harm against those who seek peace. This prohibition, like a shield of justice, underscores divine mercy in protecting peacemakers. This viewpoint, in our times, shines as a bright torch emphasizing respect for human rights and refraining from violence against non-combatants.
A humane and gentle approach, akin to an offer of peace, is a universal principle rooted in all cultures, and Islam has beautifully embraced it. This principle, like a pure river, strengthens shared human values in global interactions. The Holy Qur'an, by emphasizing these values, invites humanity to peaceful coexistence and respect for each others dignity.
Some have wrongly accused the Prophet of initiating war, based on misunderstandings of his biography. However, verses 89 and 90 of Surah An-Nisa, like a clear mirror, refute this accusation. The Prophet engaged in combat solely in defence of religion and against the persecution of enemies. This defence acted as a strong shield to preserve Islams integrity and repel threats. This principle reveals the necessity of revisiting historical narratives and correctly understanding the Prophets conduct.
