Surah Nisa ayat 78 Tafsir Quran 4:78

﴿أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِي بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ۗ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَةٌ يَقُولُوا هَٰذِهِ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَقُولُوا هَٰذِهِ مِنْ عِندِكَ ۚ قُلْ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَالِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ لَا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ حَدِيثًا﴾
[ النساء: 78]

4:78 Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction. But if good comes to them, they say, "This is from Allah "; and if evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you." Say, "All [things] are from Allah." So what is [the matter] with those people that they can hardly understand any statement?

Wherever you may be death will overtake you though you should be in raised-up lofty towers’ forts so do not shrink from fighting for fear of death. And if a good thing such as fertility and abundance befalls them the Jews they say ‘This is from God’; but if an evil thing such as drought or misfortune befalls them as it did with them when the Prophet s arrived in Medina they say ‘This is from you’ O Muhammad (s) that is from the bad luck you bring. Say to them ‘Everything good and evil is from God.’ What is wrong with this people that they do not understand that is they do not come close to comprehending any words delivered to them the mā ‘what’ of mā li-hā’ūlā’ ‘what is wrong with these’ is an interrogative intended to provoke amazement at their extreme ignorance; to state that one cannot even come close to doing something is rhetorically more intense than saying that he cannot do it.

Wherever you may be you shall be caught in the jaws of death even if you happen to be in fortresses fortified against confounding ages cruel knife. Yet when good fortune falls in their way, they -your people– relate it to Allah, and if they are befallen with a misfortune they relate it to you O Muhammad. Say to them: All happenings, good or bad, are authorized by Allah. What ails these people that they hardly comprehend a discourse of reason

The Wish that the Order for Jihad be Delayed In the beginning of Islam, Muslims in Makkah were commanded to perform the prayer and pay some charity, so as to comfort the poor among them.
They were also commanded to be forgiving and forbearing with the idolators and to observe patience with them at the time.
However, they were eager and anticipating the time when they would be allowed to fight, so that they could punish their enemies.
The situation at that time did not permit armed conflict for many reasons.
For instance, Muslims were few at the time, compared to their numerous enemies.
The Muslims' city was a sacred one and the most honored area on the earth, and this is why the command to fight was not revealed in Makkah.
Later on when the Muslims controlled a town of their own, Al-Madinah, and had strength, power and support, Jihad was then legislated.
Yet, when the command to fight was revealed, just as Muslims wished, some of them became weary and were very fearful of facing the idolators in battle. وَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيْنَا الْقِتَالَ لَوْلا أَخَّرْتَنَا إِلَى أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ ( They say: "Our Lord! Why have You ordained for us fighting Would that You had granted us respite for a short period" ) meaning, we wish that Jihad was delayed until a later time, because it means bloodshed, orphans and widows.
In a similar Ayah, Allah said, وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَوْلاَ نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ ( Those who believe say: "Why is not a Surah sent down (for us ) But when a decisive is sent down, and fighting is mentioned).
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that `Abdur-Rahman bin `Awf and several of his companions came to the Prophet while in Makkah and said, "O Allah's Prophet! We were mighty when we were pagans, but when we embraced the faith, we became weak." The Prophet said,
«إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ بِالْعَفْوِ فَلَا تُقَاتِلُوا الْقَوْم»
( I was commanded to pardon the people, so do not fight them. ) When Allah transferred the Prophet to Al-Madinah, He commanded him to fight ( the idolators ), but they ( some Muslims ) held back.
So, Allah revealed the Ayah; أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّواْ أَيْدِيَكُمْ ( Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands ) This Hadith was collected by An-Nasa'i and Al-Hakim.
Allah's statement, قُلْ مَتَـعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَالاٌّخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقَى ( Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world.
The Hereafter is (far ) better for him who fears Allah,) means, the destination of the one who with Taqwa is better for him than this life. وَلاَ تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً ( and you shall not be dealt with unjustly even equal to the Fatil. ) for your good deeds.
Rather, you will earn your full rewards for them.
This promise directs the focus of believers away from this life and makes them eager for the Hereafter, all the while encouraging them to fight in Jihad. There is No Escaping Death Allah said, أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُواْ يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ( Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high! ) meaning, you shall certainly die and none of you shall ever escape death.
Allah said, كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ ( Whatsooever is on it (the earth ) will perish), كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ( Everyone shall taste death ), and, وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ ( And We granted not to any human being immortality before you ).
Therefore, every soul shall taste death and nothing can save any person from it, whether he performed Jihad or not.
Everyone has an appointed time, and a limited term of life.
In the illness that preceded his death, Khalid bin Al-Walid said, while in his bed, "I participated in so and so number of battles, and every part of my body sustained an injury due to a stab or a shot.
Yet here I am, I die in my bed! Let not the eyes of the cowards ever taste sleep." Allah's statement, وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ( even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high! ) means, entrenched, fortified, high and towering.
No caution or fortification can ever avert death. The Hypocrites Sense a Bad Omen Because of the Prophet ! Allah said, وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَةٌ ( And if some good reaches them ) meaning, fertile years and provision of fruits, produce, children, etc., as said by Ibn `Abbas, Abu Al-`Aliyah and As-Suddi. يَقُولُواْ هَـذِهِ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ ( they say, "This is from Allah," but if some evil befalls them ) drought, famine, shortages of fruits and produce, death that strikes their children or animals, and so forth, as Abu Al-`Aliyah and As-Suddi stated. يَقُولُواْ هَـذِهِ مِنْ عِندِكَ ( they say, "This is from you," ) meaning, because of you and because we followed you and embraced your religion.
Allah said about the people of Fir`awn, فَإِذَا جَآءَتْهُمُ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالُواْ لَنَا هَـذِهِ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُواْ بِمُوسَى وَمَن مَّعَهُ ( But whenever good came to them, they said: "Ours is this." And if evil afflicted them, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Musa and those with him. ) Allah said, وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ ( And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were upon the edge (i.
e.
in doubt )).
The same is the statement uttered by the hypocrites, who embraced Islam outwardly, but disliked it inwardly.
This is why when a calamity befell them, they attributed it to following the Prophet .
Consequently, Allah revealed, قُلْ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ Say: All things are from Allah, Allah's statement that all things are from Him means, everything occurs by the decision and decree of Allah, and His decision shall come to pass for both the righteous and the wicked, the faithful and the disbelievers.
Allah then said while addressing His Messenger , but refering to mankind in general, مَّآ أَصَـبَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ ( Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, ) meaning, of Allah's bounty, favor, kindness and mercy. وَمَآ أَصَـبَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ( But whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself. ), meaning because of you and due to your actions.
Similarly, Allah said, وَمَآ أَصَـبَكُمْ مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٍ ( And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned.
And He pardons much. ) As-Suddi, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Ibn Jurayj and Ibn Zayd said that, فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ( from yourself ) means, because of your errors.
Qatadah said that, فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ( From yourself ) means, as punishment for you, O son of Adam, because of your sins.
Allah said, وَأَرْسَلْنَـكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولاً ( And We have sent you as a Messenger to mankind, ) so that you convey to them Allah's commandments, what He likes and is pleased with, and what He dislikes and refuses. وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ شَهِيداً ( and Allah is sufficient as a Witness. ) that He has sent you.
He is also Witness over you and them, having full knowledge in what you convey to them and the disbelief and rebellion with which they respond to the truth.

(4:78) Wherever you might be, death will overtake you even though you be in massive towers. And when some good happens to them, they say: 'This is from Allah'; whereas when some misfortune befalls them, they say: 'This is because of you'. *109 Say: 'All is from Allah.' What has happened to this people that they seem to understand nothing?

Wherever you may be, death will overtake meaning

*109).
When such people encounter success and victory, they attribute it to the grace of God.
They allow themselves to forget that this grace came to them through no one but the Prophet ( peace be on him ).
When they are either beaten or face setbacks because of their own faults and weaknesses they gratuitously exonerate themselves and place the blame squarely on the Prophet ( peace be on him ).

 

The Wish that the Order for Jihad be Delayed In the beginning of Islam, Muslims in Makkah were commanded to perform the prayer and pay some charity, so as to comfort the poor among them.
They were also commanded to be forgiving and forbearing with the idolators and to observe patience with them at the time.
However, they were eager and anticipating the time when they would be allowed to fight, so that they could punish their enemies.
The situation at that time did not permit armed conflict for many reasons.
For instance, Muslims were few at the time, compared to their numerous enemies.
The Muslims' city was a sacred one and the most honored area on the earth, and this is why the command to fight was not revealed in Makkah.
Later on when the Muslims controlled a town of their own, Al-Madinah, and had strength, power and support, Jihad was then legislated.
Yet, when the command to fight was revealed, just as Muslims wished, some of them became weary and were very fearful of facing the idolators in battle. وَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيْنَا الْقِتَالَ لَوْلا أَخَّرْتَنَا إِلَى أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ ( They say: "Our Lord! Why have You ordained for us fighting Would that You had granted us respite for a short period" ) meaning, we wish that Jihad was delayed until a later time, because it means bloodshed, orphans and widows.
In a similar Ayah, Allah said, وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَوْلاَ نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ ( Those who believe say: "Why is not a Surah sent down (for us ) But when a decisive is sent down, and fighting is mentioned).
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that `Abdur-Rahman bin `Awf and several of his companions came to the Prophet while in Makkah and said, "O Allah's Prophet! We were mighty when we were pagans, but when we embraced the faith, we became weak." The Prophet said, «إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ بِالْعَفْوِ فَلَا تُقَاتِلُوا الْقَوْم» ( I was commanded to pardon the people, so do not fight them. ) When Allah transferred the Prophet to Al-Madinah, He commanded him to fight ( the idolators ), but they ( some Muslims ) held back.
So, Allah revealed the Ayah; أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّواْ أَيْدِيَكُمْ ( Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands ) This Hadith was collected by An-Nasa'i and Al-Hakim.
Allah's statement, قُلْ مَتَـعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَالاٌّخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقَى ( Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world.
The Hereafter is (far ) better for him who fears Allah,) means, the destination of the one who with Taqwa is better for him than this life. وَلاَ تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً ( and you shall not be dealt with unjustly even equal to the Fatil. ) for your good deeds.
Rather, you will earn your full rewards for them.
This promise directs the focus of believers away from this life and makes them eager for the Hereafter, all the while encouraging them to fight in Jihad. There is No Escaping Death Allah said, أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُواْ يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ( Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high! ) meaning, you shall certainly die and none of you shall ever escape death.
Allah said, كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ ( Whatsooever is on it (the earth ) will perish), كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ( Everyone shall taste death ), and, وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ ( And We granted not to any human being immortality before you ).
Therefore, every soul shall taste death and nothing can save any person from it, whether he performed Jihad or not.
Everyone has an appointed time, and a limited term of life.
In the illness that preceded his death, Khalid bin Al-Walid said, while in his bed, "I participated in so and so number of battles, and every part of my body sustained an injury due to a stab or a shot.
Yet here I am, I die in my bed! Let not the eyes of the cowards ever taste sleep." Allah's statement, وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ( even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high! ) means, entrenched, fortified, high and towering.
No caution or fortification can ever avert death. The Hypocrites Sense a Bad Omen Because of the Prophet ! Allah said, وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَةٌ ( And if some good reaches them ) meaning, fertile years and provision of fruits, produce, children, etc., as said by Ibn `Abbas, Abu Al-`Aliyah and As-Suddi. يَقُولُواْ هَـذِهِ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ ( they say, "This is from Allah," but if some evil befalls them ) drought, famine, shortages of fruits and produce, death that strikes their children or animals, and so forth, as Abu Al-`Aliyah and As-Suddi stated. يَقُولُواْ هَـذِهِ مِنْ عِندِكَ ( they say, "This is from you," ) meaning, because of you and because we followed you and embraced your religion.
Allah said about the people of Fir`awn, فَإِذَا جَآءَتْهُمُ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالُواْ لَنَا هَـذِهِ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُواْ بِمُوسَى وَمَن مَّعَهُ ( But whenever good came to them, they said: "Ours is this." And if evil afflicted them, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Musa and those with him. ) Allah said, وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ ( And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were upon the edge (i.
e.
in doubt )).
The same is the statement uttered by the hypocrites, who embraced Islam outwardly, but disliked it inwardly.
This is why when a calamity befell them, they attributed it to following the Prophet .
Consequently, Allah revealed, قُلْ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ Say: All things are from Allah, Allah's statement that all things are from Him means, everything occurs by the decision and decree of Allah, and His decision shall come to pass for both the righteous and the wicked, the faithful and the disbelievers.
Allah then said while addressing His Messenger , but refering to mankind in general, مَّآ أَصَـبَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ ( Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, ) meaning, of Allah's bounty, favor, kindness and mercy. وَمَآ أَصَـبَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ( But whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself. ), meaning because of you and due to your actions.
Similarly, Allah said, وَمَآ أَصَـبَكُمْ مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٍ ( And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned.
And He pardons much. ) As-Suddi, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Ibn Jurayj and Ibn Zayd said that, فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ( from yourself ) means, because of your errors.
Qatadah said that, فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ( From yourself ) means, as punishment for you, O son of Adam, because of your sins.
Allah said, وَأَرْسَلْنَـكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولاً ( And We have sent you as a Messenger to mankind, ) so that you convey to them Allah's commandments, what He likes and is pleased with, and what He dislikes and refuses. وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ شَهِيداً ( and Allah is sufficient as a Witness. ) that He has sent you.
He is also Witness over you and them, having full knowledge in what you convey to them and the disbelief and rebellion with which they respond to the truth.

( Wheresoever ye may be ) O sincere believers, on land or on the sea, in settlement or travelling, ( death will overtake you, even though ye were in lofty towers ) in fortified towers. Allah then mentioned the saying of the Jews and hypocrites: since Muhammad and his Companions came to us, our harvests and fields have kept ever decreasing, saying: ( Yet if a happy thing ) land fertility, lower prices and continuous rain throughout the year ( befalleth them ) the Jews and hypocrites ( they say: This is from Allah ) for He knew that we were good; ( and if an evil thing ) drought, dearth, hardship and high prices ( befalleth them they say: This is of your doing ) this is because of the ill-omen of Muhammad and his Companions. ( Say (unto them )) unto the Jews and hypocrites, O Muhammad: ( All ) hardship and blessing ( is from Allah. What is amiss with these people ) the Jews and hypocrites ( that they come not nigh to understand a happening? ) that both hardship and bounty are from Allah.

"Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!" And if some good reaches them, they say, "This is from Allah," but if some evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you (O Muhammad SAW)." Say: "All things are from Allah," so what is wrong with these people that they fail to understand any word?

Page 90 English transliteration