Surah An-Nisaa 4:148 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 148
Arabic Text
لَا يُحِبُّ اللّٰهُ الۡجَــهۡرَ بِالسُّوۡٓءِ مِنَ الۡقَوۡلِ اِلَّا مَنۡ ظُلِمَؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ سَمِيۡعًا عَلِيۡمًا
Transliteration
La yuhibbu Allahualjahra bissoo-i mina alqawli illa man thulimawakana Allahu sameeAAan AAaleema
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
An-Nisa 4:148 establishes important Islamic social ethics by stating 'Allah does not like the public mention of evil except by one who has been wronged' (La yuhibbu Allah al-jahra bil-su'i min al-qawli illa man thulim). This Madinah verse, revealed during discussions about community conduct, provides crucial guidance on when public criticism and speaking against wrongdoing is permissible. The verse concludes with Allah being 'Sameeun Aleem' (All-Hearing, All-Knowing), emphasizing divine awareness of both the wrongdoing and the victim's response. According to classical tafsir, this verse protects both social harmony and individual rights - generally forbidding public defamation while specifically permitting the oppressed to seek justice through public appeal. Islamic scholars explain that the wronged person may publicly describe their grievance, seek community support, and warn others about the wrongdoer, but only within the bounds of truth and proportionality. This principle balances the Islamic values of privacy, reputation protection, and social justice, ensuring that victims are not silenced while maintaining community standards against slander and backbiting.
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 148 will be available soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 148
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 significance of An-Nisa 4:148 about speaking evil publicly?
An-Nisa 4:148 states 'Allah does not like the public mention of evil except by one who has been wronged.' This verse establishes Islamic social ethics by generally forbidding public defamation while specifically permitting the oppressed to seek justice through public appeal. It balances community harmony with individual rights, ensuring victims can speak out against injustice while maintaining standards against slander.
❓When does Islam allow speaking against wrongdoing publicly according to this verse?
Islam permits public criticism only for those who have been wronged or oppressed. The verse provides a specific exception for victims of injustice, allowing them to publicly describe their grievance, seek community support, and warn others about wrongdoers. However, this must be done within the bounds of truth and proportionality, without exceeding the limits of the actual wrong committed.
❓What are the rights of the oppressed in Islamic social ethics?
According to this verse and Islamic jurisprudence, the oppressed have the right to seek justice through public appeal when wronged. They may describe the injustice done to them, seek community intervention, and warn others about wrongdoers. However, these rights come with responsibilities - the response must be truthful, proportionate, and aimed at seeking justice rather than revenge or character assassination.
❓What does Allah being 'Sameeun Aleem' (All-Hearing, All-Knowing) mean in this context?
The divine names Sameeun (All-Hearing) and Aleem (All-Knowing) emphasize that Allah perfectly hears and knows both the original wrongdoing and the victim's response. This serves as both comfort for the oppressed - that Allah witnesses their suffering - and a warning that any public speech must be truthful and just, as Allah knows the full reality of every situation.
❓How does this verse balance individual rights with community harmony?
The verse creates a careful balance by generally prohibiting public defamation to protect social harmony and individual reputations, while providing a specific exception for the oppressed to seek justice. This ensures that victims are not silenced by social norms, while preventing the abuse of public criticism for personal vendettas or slander.
❓What are the exceptions to the general prohibition against backbiting in Islam?
This verse provides one of the key exceptions to the general prohibition against speaking evil of others. Islamic scholars identify several legitimate exceptions: seeking justice for wrongs suffered, warning others about harmful individuals, seeking advice about dealing with wrongdoers, and fulfilling legal or religious duties that require disclosure of someone's faults.
❓How should the oppressed exercise their right to speak publicly according to Islamic guidelines?
The oppressed should exercise this right responsibly by speaking only the truth, limiting their criticism to the actual wrongs suffered, avoiding exaggeration or false accusations, seeking justice rather than revenge, and preferring forgiveness when possible. The goal should be stopping injustice and protecting others, not destroying reputations unnecessarily.
❓What is the broader significance of this verse for Islamic society and social justice?
This verse establishes foundational principles for Islamic social justice by protecting both victims and community members. It prevents a culture of silence that enables oppression while maintaining social cohesion through limiting public criticism to legitimate cases. This creates a society where justice can be sought without descending into slander and character assassination.
Translations & Commentary
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Resources & References
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