Surah An-Nisaa 4:114 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 114
Arabic Text
لَا خَيۡرَ فِىۡ كَثِيۡرٍ مِّنۡ نَّجۡوٰٮهُمۡ اِلَّا مَنۡ اَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ اَوۡ مَعۡرُوۡفٍ اَوۡ اِصۡلَاحٍۭۢ بَيۡنَ النَّاسِؕ وَمَن يَّفۡعَلۡ ذٰلِكَ ابۡتِغَآءَ مَرۡضَاتِ اللّٰهِ فَسَوۡفَ نُؤۡتِيۡهِ اَجۡرًا عَظِيۡمًا
Transliteration
La khayra fee katheerin min najwahumilla man amara bisadaqatin aw maAAroofin aw islahinbayna annasi waman yafAAal thalika ibtighaamardati Allahi fasawfa nu/teehi ajran AAatheema
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
An-Nisa 4:114 provides divine guidance distinguishing between harmful secret plotting and beneficial private consultation in Islamic society. The verse states 'There is no good in most of their secret talks, except those encouraging charity, kindness, or reconciliation between people' (La khayra fee katheerin min najwahumilla man amara bisadaqatin aw maaroofin aw islahinbayna annasi). According to authentic tafsir, this revelation came addressing conspiracies and false accusations, establishing that most private consultations lacking spiritual purpose are devoid of good. However, Allah specifically permits and encourages three types of secret discussions: commanding charity (sadaqah), promoting good actions (ma'ruf), and facilitating reconciliation between people (islah bayna an-nas). The Prophet ﷺ emphasized that reconciliation between people ranks higher than individual acts of fasting, prayer, and charity, calling discord 'the destroyer' that shaves away faith rather than hair. The verse concludes with the promise of great reward (ajran azima) for those who engage in these beneficial activities purely seeking Allah's pleasure (ibtighaa mardati Allah), transforming private consultation from potential harm into acts of worship and community service.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 114 will be available soon.
Verse Wallpapers & Visual Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 114
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What is the meaning and context of An-Nisa 4:114 regarding secret conversations?
An-Nisa 4:114 states 'There is no good in most of their secret talks, except those encouraging charity, kindness, or reconciliation between people.' This verse was revealed addressing conspiracies and false accusations, establishing divine criteria for when private consultations serve beneficial purposes versus harmful plotting against the Muslim community.
❓What historical circumstances led to the revelation of this verse about secret consultations?
According to classical tafsir, this verse followed the episode involving theft and conspiracies to cover up crime through false accusations against innocent people. The revelation came to address the harmful nature of secret plotting while establishing guidelines for beneficial private consultation in the Muslim community.
❓What are the three types of secret conversations that Allah permits and encourages?
Allah specifically permits three types of private discussions: 1) Commanding charity (amara bisadaqatin) - encouraging others to give in charity, 2) Promoting good actions (ma'ruf) - advocating for righteous deeds, and 3) Facilitating reconciliation between people (islah bayna an-nas) - making peace and resolving conflicts between individuals or groups.
❓What are the spiritual and legal principles derived from this verse?
The verse establishes that consultation must serve community welfare rather than individual interests. It prohibits secret plotting that harms others while encouraging private efforts for charity, righteousness, and reconciliation. The legal principle is that intention (niyyah) and outcome determine the permissibility of private consultation in Islamic law.
❓How does this verse relate to the broader themes of Surah An-Nisa?
This verse fits within An-Nisa's emphasis on community building, social justice, and ethical conduct. It follows teachings about trust, justice, and proper relationships within the Muslim community, reinforcing that even private actions must align with Islamic principles of benefiting society and seeking Allah's pleasure.
❓What spiritual lessons does this verse teach about intention and community service?
The verse teaches that all actions, even private consultations, should be undertaken purely for Allah's pleasure (ibtighaa mardati Allah). It emphasizes that true spiritual value comes from benefiting others through charity, promoting good, and making peace, transforming ordinary conversations into acts of worship and community service.
❓How can the principles of this verse be applied in modern Muslim communities?
Modern application includes using private meetings for charitable planning, community service coordination, and conflict resolution. Muslim leaders and community members should ensure their private consultations serve community welfare, avoid harmful gossip or plotting, and focus on constructive solutions that benefit society while seeking Allah's pleasure.
❓What is the significance of the Prophet's teaching about reconciliation mentioned in the tafsir?
The Prophet ﷺ taught that reconciliation between people ranks higher than individual acts of fasting, prayer, and charity, calling it superior in grade. He warned that discord 'shaves away faith' rather than hair, emphasizing that making peace between people is among the highest forms of worship and community service in Islam.
❓How does this verse address the balance between privacy and transparency in Islamic society?
The verse establishes that Islamic society should be generally open and transparent, with private consultations limited to beneficial purposes like charity, good deeds, and reconciliation. It prohibits secretive plotting while permitting confidential discussions that serve community welfare and align with Islamic principles of social harmony.
❓What is the promised reward for those who engage in beneficial secret conversations?
Allah promises 'great reward' (ajran azima) for those who engage in charity, good deeds, and reconciliation seeking only His pleasure. This indicates that private efforts for community benefit, when done with pure intention for Allah's sake, receive immense spiritual reward and divine blessing in both this world and the hereafter.
Translations & Commentary
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Resources & References
Related verses, scholarly sources, and contextual information.