Tafsir Zone - Surah 4: an-Nisa' (Women )

Tafsir Zone

Surah an-Nisa' 4:147
 

Overview (Verse 147)

What Need for Punishment
 
Finally, we have a remarkable, inspiring and profoundly effective touch. It comes after mentioning terrible punishment and great, splendid reward, in order to make people realise that God has no need to punish anyone. All glory be to Him. He has no axe to grind and He bears no one any grudge. Nor does He need to demonstrate His power and authority in this way. He has no self- interest in inflicting torment on human beings. It is only in pagan legends that we encounter such claims: It is people themselves who receive all benefit when they believe and show their gratitude to God. Hence, they are shown the good prospects that encourage them to believe and be grateful. For God knows the inner thoughts of everyone and He always responds to good action: “What can God gain by your punishment, if you are grateful and you believe? God is always responsive to gratitude, All-Knowing.” (Verse 147)
 
Yes, indeed! What would God do with people’s punishment should they believe and be grateful? Punishment is only a requital for disbelief and ingratitude. It is also a threat so that people may take heed, accept the faith and demonstrate their gratitude. There is no desire here for inflicting punishment or torment, or for demonstrating power and authority. Far be it from God to entertain any such desire or feeling. It is merely a situation where people should seek protection through faith and gratitude, and then they will receive forgiveness and reward. Beyond that, God is ever responsive, well aware of what His servants feel.
 
God’s response to gratitude has a profound effect on our hearts. It is well known that when God is thankful, then He is pleased with His servant, and His pleasure is given effect through a rich reward. But to say that God, in His glory, is grateful to His servants is profoundly inspiring. If God, the Creator, the Initiator who bestows endless favours and blessings on His creation — if He is grateful for His servants’ faith, righteousness and gratitude when He needs nothing of all that, what should be their own attitude? If God Himself is thankful and grateful, what should His servants whom He has created and on whom He bestowed great favours do in return? This is a touch full of inspiration. When we hear it, our hearts tremble with shyness and response.