An-Nisa · Madani · ayah 105 of 176

An-Nisa 4:105

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمًا

“Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allāh has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate.”

Saheeh International

Essence

The Book came down with the truth, so no one, however close or respected, may enlist you to defend a betrayal.

A reflection

Sent down, not voted up

Innā anzalnā ilayka al-kitāba bi-al-ḥaqq: truly, We have sent down to you the Book with the truth.

The ayah opens with the 'We' of majesty. One classical commentator notes that tying the sending-down to the pronoun of greatness magnifies the matter. Before a single verdict is mentioned, the listener is told where verdicts come from.

The word ḥaqq carries a firm picture. The lexicons describe a tightly woven cloth, and a door's pivot turning true in its socket. A young camel entering its fourth year was a ḥiqq: now it could rightly bear a load. Truth, in this language, is what holds weight.

Now set that beside the scene the ayah answered. A respected clan arrived to plead for one of their own. They had numbers, standing and a confident story. All of it could be voted for. None of it could bear weight.

This is where the ego shrinks. Each of us is tempted to think that our standing makes our account true. The senior partner, the eldest brother and the long-serving member have all felt it. The ayah says truth was sent down. It is not voted up, and it does not rise with rank.

Is it arrogant for Allah to speak of Himself in this way? Look at who the greatness protected. In this story the 'We' of majesty stood behind the weakest person in Madinah, a man with no clan pleading for him. A mighty speaker who names his might so that the powerless are safe is not boasting. He is guarding.

Picture a village cricket club's annual dinner. The president, chairman for thirty years, tells again how he scored a century in 1994. A new member, tidying the pavilion cupboard, has found the scorebook. It says sixty-one. Nobody's seniority will make it say anything else.

So when you next feel sure because you are older, senior or louder, stop. Ask what is true, not who is speaking.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.