What Does Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 113 Mean? - Common Questions & Answers
Explore the meaning, interpretation, and Islamic explanation of Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 113 from the Holy Quran. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this verse, its context, and significance in Islamic teachings.
❓What is the established meaning of An-Nisa 4:113 about divine protection?
An-Nisa 4:113 reveals Allah's divine protection of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: 'Had it not been for Allah's grace and mercy upon you, a group of them would have resolved to mislead you, but they mislead none except themselves, and they cannot harm you at all. Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and taught you what you did not know. Great indeed is Allah's favor upon you.' This verse establishes that Allah's protection ensures the Prophet could never be misled in matters of religion and law.
❓What are the historical circumstances surrounding the revelation of this verse?
This verse was revealed in connection with the Banu Ubayriq incident where tribal members attempted to influence Prophet Muhammad's judgment to favor the actual thieves and blame innocent parties including a Jewish man named Labid. When they tried to mislead the Prophet into making an unjust decision, Allah revealed this verse to expose their plot and reaffirm His protection of the Prophet from such harmful influences.
❓What is the linguistic significance of 'Book and wisdom' (al-Kitab wal-Hikmah) in this verse?
According to classical Islamic scholarship, 'al-Kitab' (the Book) refers to the Quran while 'al-Hikmah' (wisdom) refers to the Sunnah and prophetic teachings. Both represent forms of divine revelation: the Quran with both words and meanings from Allah, and the Sunnah with meanings from Allah but expressed in the Prophet's words. This pairing establishes that both Quran and authentic Sunnah are obligatory sources of Islamic law and guidance.
❓What are the primary theological principles derived from this verse?
This verse establishes several key principles: 1) Divine protection of prophets from error in religious matters (prophetic infallibility), 2) The dual nature of revelation as Quran and Sunnah, 3) Allah's grace (fadl) and mercy (rahmah) as protective forces, 4) The impossibility of truly harming Allah's chosen messengers, and 5) Recognition that prophethood represents the greatest divine favor to humanity. These principles form the foundation of Islamic beliefs about prophetic authority and divine revelation.
❓How does this verse fit within the broader themes of Surah An-Nisa?
This verse follows the discussion of the Banu Ubayriq theft incident and false accusations, serving as divine reassurance about prophetic judgment and authority. It fits within An-Nisa's broader themes of justice, law, and social order by affirming that Allah's guidance through the Prophet is reliable and protected from corruption. The verse bridges the specific incident to the universal principle of divine protection for prophetic teachings.
❓What are the spiritual lessons about divine favor and protection in this verse?
The verse teaches that Allah's favor (fadl) encompasses both protection from harm and positive bestowal of guidance and knowledge. It demonstrates that divine mercy (rahmah) actively shields believers from spiritual and moral dangers. For Muslims, it provides assurance that following authentic prophetic guidance leads to divine protection, and that Allah's favor upon the Prophet ultimately benefits all believers who follow his teachings.
❓How can the guidance about divine protection be applied in contemporary Muslim life?
Modern Muslims can apply this verse by: 1) Trusting in Allah's protection when following authentic Islamic teachings, 2) Recognizing the Quran and authentic Sunnah as complementary sources of guidance, 3) Seeking Allah's grace and mercy through righteous deeds and following prophetic example, 4) Understanding that opposition to Islamic values cannot ultimately succeed against divine truth, 5) Appreciating that religious knowledge is a divine gift requiring gratitude and proper use, and 6) Relying on Allah's protection while making decisions according to Islamic principles.
❓What does this verse teach about the nature of prophetic knowledge and revelation?
The verse teaches that prophetic knowledge comes directly from Allah through revelation, as stated 'taught you what you did not know.' This establishes that the Prophet's religious teachings are not based on personal opinion but divine instruction. The phrase indicates that while the Prophet had natural human knowledge, his religious and legislative knowledge was entirely a gift from Allah. This distinguishes prophetic knowledge from scholarly interpretation and confirms the reliability of authentic prophetic teachings in matters of faith and law.
❓How does this verse demonstrate the relationship between divine grace (fadl) and mercy (rahmah)?
The verse shows that Allah's grace (fadl) and mercy (rahmah) work together as protective and nurturing forces. Grace refers to Allah's favor and bounty that goes beyond what is deserved, while mercy refers to His compassion and protection from harm. Together, they represent Allah's comprehensive care: mercy protects from spiritual dangers and wrong decisions, while grace bestows positive gifts like revelation, wisdom, and prophetic mission. The combination ensures both protection from evil and provision of good.