Editing Screen: Surah an-Nisa' 4 : 90

Editing: an-Nisa'

Description <p><strong>Explanatory Note</strong></p> <p>Having thus given a clear verdict against those who side with the unbelievers despite their claims to be Muslims, the sūrah states an exception in the case of those who seek refuge with people who have a covenant or a treaty with the Muslim community. The attitude determined for such a community now also applies to them:<strong> “Except in the case of those of them who have ties with people to whom you yourselves are bound by a covenant.” (Verse 90)</strong><br />  <br /> We see here that Islam prefers peace whenever there is room for peace which does not impede its work of freely conveying its message to people and allowing them free choice. Nothing and no one should be in a position to use force against the effort to convey Islam to people. The security of the Muslims should be guaranteed. They must not be exposed to any danger of sedition or to threats to the Islamic message which may cause its efforts to be hampered. For this reason, those who seek refuge and live with any group of people who are bound by a treaty or a covenant with the Muslims enjoy the same treatment as the people with whom they live. The same state of peace applies to them. This is clear evidence of the peaceful nature of Islam.<br />  <br /> Exception from imprisonment and execution is also made in the case of those individuals or tribes or communities who take a neutral position, those who do not join the fighting which takes place between their people and the Muslims. Their hearts shrink from thoughts of either fighting with their people against the Muslims or fighting with the Muslims against their own kin. These people stand aside, unwilling to enter into any hostilities: <strong>“Or those who come to you because their hearts shrink from the thought of fighting you or fighting their own people.” (Verse 90</strong>)<br />  <br /> Again this ruling is evidence of the Islamic desire to avoid fighting others whenever they refrain from fighting the Muslims, choosing neutrality between them and their enemies. Those who did not fight on either side were present in Arabia and, indeed, within the Quraysh itself. Islam did not pressurise them to take sides for or against it. It was sufficient that they did not oppose Islam. At the same time, there was hope that they would eventually take the side of Islam, once the circumstances which caused their reluctance were removed. This was what actually happened in many cases.<br />  <br /> God makes this line towards those neutrals beneficial to the Muslims when He reminds them of the other possibility that could have occurred. Those people could have sided with the hostile unbelievers and fought against the Muslims. The fact that they did not was far more preferable. <strong>“Had God so willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. Therefore, if they leave you alone, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God has given you no way against them.” (Verse 90)</strong></p> <p> </p>

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