Surah An-Nisaa 4:171 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 171
Arabic Text
يٰۤاَهۡلَ الۡكِتٰبِ لَا تَغۡلُوۡا فِىۡ دِيۡنِكُمۡ وَلَا تَقُوۡلُوۡا عَلَى اللّٰهِ اِلَّا الۡحَـقَّؕ اِنَّمَا الۡمَسِيۡحُ عِيۡسَى ابۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ رَسُوۡلُ اللّٰهِ وَكَلِمَتُهٗۚ اَلۡقٰٮهَاۤ اِلٰى مَرۡيَمَ وَرُوۡحٌ مِّنۡهُ فَاٰمِنُوۡا بِاللّٰهِ وَرُسُلِهٖۚ وَلَا تَقُوۡلُوۡا ثَلٰثَةٌ ؕ انتَهُوۡا خَيۡرًا لَّـكُمۡؕ اِنَّمَا اللّٰهُ اِلٰـهٌ وَّاحِدٌ ؕ سُبۡحٰنَهٗۤ اَنۡ يَّكُوۡنَ لَهٗ وَلَدٌۘ لَهٗ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الۡاَرۡضِؕ وَكَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ وَكِيۡلاً
Transliteration
Ya ahla alkitabi lataghloo fee deenikum wala taqooloo AAala Allahiilla alhaqqa innama almaseehu AAeesaibnu maryama rasoolu Allahi wakalimatuhu alqahaila maryama waroohun minhu faaminoo billahiwarusulihi wala taqooloo thalathatun intahookhayran lakum innama Allahu ilahun wahidunsubhanahu an yakoona lahu waladun lahu ma fee assamawatiwama fee al-ardi wakafa billahiwakeela
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
An-Nisa 4:171 contains Allah's direct address to the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab), particularly Christians, commanding them not to exceed in their religion (la taghlu fi dinikum) and to speak only truth about Allah. According to comprehensive tafsir analysis, this verse provides the Quran's definitive refutation of the Trinity doctrine, clarifying that Jesus (Isa) son of Mary was solely a messenger of Allah, His word (kalimatahu) conveyed to Mary, and a spirit (ruh) from Him - not God's son or divine incarnation. The prohibition 'do not say three' (la taqulu thalatha) directly addresses Christian beliefs in Trinity, whether Father-Son-Holy Spirit or variations including Mary. Classical Islamic scholarship explains that 'word of Allah' refers to the divine command 'Be' (kun) through which Jesus was created without a father, similar to Adam's creation from dust. The phrase 'spirit from Him' indicates honor through divine attribution, not divine essence, as clarified by Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ warning against excessive praise. This verse establishes the fundamental Islamic principle of avoiding ghuluw (religious excess) that led Christians to elevate Jesus beyond his prophetic status, emphasizing Allah's absolute oneness (tawhid) and complete transcendence above having offspring or partners.
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 171 will be available soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 171
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What does 'do not exceed in your religion' (la taghlu fi dinikum) mean in Islamic teaching?
According to classical tafsir, 'ghuluw' (excess) in religion means crossing the limits set by Allah and going beyond the proper bounds in religious beliefs or practices. The verse specifically addresses Christians who exceeded by elevating Jesus from his status as a prophet to claiming he is God's son or part of the Trinity. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned Muslims against similar excess, saying 'do not exaggerate in my praise as Christians did with Jesus, for I am only a servant of Allah and His messenger.'
❓How does the Quran refute the Trinity doctrine in An-Nisa 4:171?
The verse systematically refutes Trinity by: 1) Commanding 'do not say three' (la taqulu thalatha), directly rejecting trinitarian belief; 2) Establishing Jesus's true status as 'only a messenger of Allah'; 3) Explaining his miraculous birth through Allah's word 'Be' (kun), not divine incarnation; 4) Clarifying that 'spirit from Him' indicates honor through attribution, not divine essence; 5) Affirming Allah as 'only one God' who is 'far above having a son.' This comprehensive approach addresses all major Christian claims about Jesus's divinity.
❓What is the meaning of Jesus being Allah's 'word' (kalimatahu) and 'spirit from Him' (ruh minhu)?
Classical Islamic scholars explain 'kalimatahu' (His word) refers to the divine command 'kun' (Be) through which Jesus was created without a father, similar to Adam's creation from dust. This makes Jesus a creation through Allah's word, not the word itself. 'Ruh minhu' (spirit from Him) indicates the honored spirit Allah breathed into Mary to conceive Jesus, showing divine favor through attribution (like 'House of Allah' for Ka'bah) rather than divine essence. Both terms emphasize Jesus's miraculous creation while maintaining his status as a created servant and messenger.
❓Why does Allah specifically address Christians as 'People of the Book' (Ahl al-Kitab) in this verse?
The title 'People of the Book' acknowledges Christians' possession of previous divine scripture (Gospel), showing respect while correcting their theological errors. This address implies they should know better given their scriptural foundation, making their excess in religion more concerning. The verse came after detailed discussions with both Jews and Christians, representing Allah's final universal invitation after addressing specific theological misconceptions of both communities who had deviated from original monotheistic teachings.
❓What are the dangers of ghuluw (religious excess) according to Islamic teaching?
According to hadith and tafsir, religious excess destroyed previous communities by leading them to elevate prophets and religious leaders beyond their proper status. It begins with exaggerating about prophets (as Christians did with Jesus) and extends to treating scholars and clergy as infallible (as mentioned in 'they took their rabbis and monks as lords'). The Prophet ﷺ warned: 'Beware of excess in religion, for communities before you were destroyed due to excess in their faith.' This includes going beyond prescribed limits in worship, beliefs, or religious interpretations.
❓How does Islam view Jesus compared to Christian beliefs, according to this verse?
Islam honors Jesus (Isa) as one of the greatest messengers of Allah, born miraculously to the Virgin Mary, given many signs and miracles, and destined to return before the Day of Judgment. However, Islam rejects Christian claims of his divinity, sonship to God, or role in Trinity. The Quran emphasizes Jesus's humanity - that he and his mother 'ate food' - while acknowledging his exalted prophetic status. The verse establishes the balanced Islamic position: neither the Jewish extreme of rejection nor the Christian extreme of deification, but proper recognition as Allah's honored messenger.
❓What practical guidance does this verse offer for interfaith dialogue and religious discourse?
The verse provides a model for respectful but firm theological dialogue: 1) Address others with appropriate titles showing respect (People of the Book); 2) Speak only truth about God without compromise; 3) Correct errors with clear evidence and reasoning; 4) Maintain moderation in one's own religious practice and beliefs; 5) Focus on fundamental theological principles (monotheism vs. polytheism); 6) Use scriptural and rational arguments rather than emotional appeals. The approach is direct yet respectful, firm on principles yet acknowledging the recipients' religious status.
❓How does this verse contribute to Islamic theology and the principle of Tawhid (monotheism)?
An-Nisa 4:171 serves as a cornerstone in Islamic monotheistic theology by providing the most comprehensive Quranic refutation of Trinity doctrine. It establishes that Allah is 'only one God' without partners, sons, or incarnations, while acknowledging the miraculous nature of Jesus's birth without compromising monotheism. The verse demonstrates that extraordinary creation (like Jesus's virgin birth) doesn't necessitate divinity, as Allah created Adam without any parents. This reinforces Tawhid as the fundamental principle that separates Islam from all forms of polytheism, including sophisticated theological constructs like Trinity.
Translations & Commentary
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Resources & References
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