Surah An-Nisa — Verse 85

Word Meanings:

• Yashfa' (يَشْفَعْ): To intercede, mediate, or advocate on behalf of someone else.
• Shafa'ah Hasana (شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً): A good intercession — helping someone attain good, benefit, or reconciliation.
• Naseeb (نَصِيبٌ): A share, portion, or reward.
• Shafa'ah Sayyi'ah (شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً): An evil intercession — helping someone attain harm, wrongdoing, or corruption.
• Kifl (كِفْلٌ): A portion or share (here, of sin and burden).
• Muqeet (مُقِيتًا): All-Powerful, All-Witnessing, All-Observing; the One who has power over everything and recompenses every deed.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This noble verse establishes a profound principle of social responsibility and accountability in Islam. Allah Almighty declares that whoever intercedes or mediates for a good cause — whether by helping someone secure a right, reconciling between two disputing parties, supporting a person in need, or facilitating any act of goodness — will receive a generous share of the reward from that good deed. The reward is not diminished for the one who initiated the good; rather, both the doer and the one who facilitated it share in the blessing.

Conversely, whoever intercedes or mediates for an evil cause — such as spreading slander, carrying tales to sow discord, helping someone commit injustice, or facilitating any form of harm — will bear a corresponding share of the sin and burden. The verse makes it clear that we are not merely responsible for our own actions, but also for the consequences of the causes we support and the assistance we render to others.

The verse concludes with a powerful reminder: "And Allah is over all things Muqeet" — meaning He is the All-Witnessing, All-Observing, All-Powerful One who watches over every intercession, every intention, and every outcome. Nothing escapes His knowledge, and He will recompense each person precisely according to their deeds — whether good or evil.

This verse beautifully highlights the Islamic concept of collective responsibility. A Muslim is not an isolated island; every word of support, every act of mediation, and every effort to help or hinder others carries weight in the sight of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Intercede, and you will be rewarded" (narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim), encouraging believers to be proactive in facilitating good for others.

Dear reader, this verse is an invitation to be a force for good in your community. Whenever you have the opportunity to reconcile between people, to help someone in need, to support a just cause, or to remove an obstacle from someone's path — seize it! Your reward is guaranteed by Allah Himself. And equally, be cautious: never lend your voice or effort to a cause that brings harm, division, or injustice, for you will carry its burden.

What a beautiful religion this is — one that honors even the smallest act of help and warns against even the slightest participation in wrongdoing. Allah is ever-watchful, ever-fair, and His justice is perfect. Let this verse inspire you to be among those whose intercession is good, so that you may share in the eternal rewards of the Hereafter.