Al-Qur'an Surah An-Nisa Verse 88

Mufti Taqi Usmani

So, what is the matter with you that you have become two groups about the hypocrites, while Allah has reverted them because of what they did. Do you want to guide the one whom Allah has let go astray? The one whom Allah lets go astray, you shall never find a way for him.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Why are you ˹believers˺ divided into two groups regarding the hypocrites while Allah allowed them to regress ˹to disbelief˺ because of their misdeeds? Do you wish to guide those left by Allah to stray? And whoever Allah leaves to stray, you will never find for them a way.

Ruwwad Translation Center

What is the matter with you, that you are divided into two groups concerning the hypocrites, when Allah has reverted them [to disbelief] because of their misdeeds? Do you want to guide those whom Allah has caused to stray? Whoever Allah causes to stray, you will never find a way [to guidance] for him.

A. J. Arberry

How is it with you, that you are two parties touching the hypocrites, and God has overthrown them for what they earned? What, do you desire to guide him whom God has led astray? Whom God leads astray, thou wilt not find for him a way.

Abdul Haleem

[Believers], why are you divided in two about the hypocrites, when God Himself has rejected them because of what they have done? Do you want to guide those God has left to stray? If God leaves anyone to stray, you [Prophet] will never find the way for him.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

What aileth you then, that ye are two parties regarding the hypocrites? whereas Allah hath reverted them because of that which they have earned. Would ye lead aright those whom Allah hath sent astray? And whomsoever Allah sendeth astray, for him thou shalt not find a way.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Why should ye be divided into two parties about the Hypocrites? Allah hath upset them for their (evil) deeds. Would ye guide those whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way? For those whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way, never shalt thou find the Way.

Abul Ala Maududi

What has happened to you that you have two minds about the hypocrites even though Allah has reverted them, owing to the sins that they earned? Do you want to lead those to the right way whom Allah let go astray? And he whom Allah lets go astray, for him you can never find a way.

Ahmed Ali

How is it that you are divided in two factions about the hypocrites? God has routed them for what they were doing. Do you wish to guide him to the path whom God has allowed to go astray? As for him whom God allows to go astray you will not find a way.

Ahmed Raza Khan

So what is the matter with you that you got divided into two groups concerning the hypocrites, whereas Allah has inverted them because of their misdeeds? Do you wish to guide one whom Allah has sent astray? And for one whom Allah sends astray, you will not find a way.

Ali Quli Qarai

Why should you be two groups concerning the hypocrites, while Allah has made them relapse [into unfaith] because of their deeds? Do you desire to guide someone Allah has led astray? Whomever Allah leads astray, you will never find any way for him.

Ali Ünal

(O believers!) How is it with you that you are in two groups regarding the hypocrites (from Makkah and other tribes who claim to be Muslims yet take part in the hostile machinations of their people against you), seeing that God has thrown them back (to unbelief) on account of what they have earned (by their sins)? Do you seek to guide him whom God has led astray? Whoever God has led astray, for him you cannot find a (safe) way (to follow).

Amatul Rahman Omar

How is it then with you, that you are divided into two parties regarding the hypocrites, while Allâh has overthrown them for (the sins) which they committed knowingly? Do you desire to guide him whom Allâh has forsaken? And he whom Allâh forsakes you shall not find for him a way (of his deliverance).

English Literal

So what for you (so why are you being divided) two groups in (regarding) the hypocrites? And God set them back because (of) what they gathered, do you want that to guide who God misguided? And who God misguides, so you will not find for him a path/means.

Faridul Haque

So what is the matter with you that you got divided into two groups concerning the hypocrites, whereas Allah has inverted them because of their misdeeds? Do you wish to guide one whom Allah has sent astray? And for one whom Allah sends astray, you will not find a way.

Hamid S. Aziz

Save those who join (or take refuge among) a people betwixt whom and you is an alliance, or those who come to you because their heart forbid them from fighting you or fighting their own people. But had Allah pleased He could have given them power over you, and they would surely have fought you. So if they withdraw from you and do not fight you, and offer you peace, then Allah allows you no way against them.

Hilali & Khan

Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites? Allah has cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made to go astray? And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never find for him any way (of guidance).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Allah, there is no god but He -- He will certainly gather you together on the Resurrection day, there is no doubt in it. And who is more true in word than Allah?

Mohammad Habib Shakir

What is the matter with you, then, that you have become two parties about the hypocrites, while Allah has made them return (to unbelief) for what they have earned? Do you wish to guide him whom Allah has caused to err? And whomsoever Allah causes to err, you shall by no means find a way for him.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

What aileth you that ye are become two parties regarding the hypocrites, when Allah cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they earned? Seek ye to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray? He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him thou (O MUhammad) canst not find a road.

Muhammad Sarwar

Why are you divided into two different parties concerning the hypocrites, when God Himself has turned them to disbelief because of their misdeeds. Do you want to guide those whom God has caused to go astray? You cannot find guidance for those whom God has made to err.

Qaribullah & Darwish

What is the matter with you that you are two parties concerning the hypocrites when Allah has overthrown them for what they earned? Would you desire to guide those whom Allah has caused to be led astray? Whosoever Allah leads astray, you will not find for him a way.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites Allah has cast them back because of what they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made to go astray And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never find for him a way.

Wahiduddin Khan

How is it that you are divided into two groups regarding the hypocrites, when God Himself cast them back [to disbelief] because of their misdeeds? Do you seek to guide those whom God allows to go astray? You cannot guide those whom God allows to go astray.

Talal Itani

What is the matter with you, divided into two factions regarding the hypocrites, when God Himself has overwhelmed them on account of what they did? Do you want to guide those whom God has led astray? Whomever God leads astray—you will never find for him a way.

Tafsir jalalayn

When a group retreated from Uhud, people were at variance over their status. Some said, `Let us slay them', while others said, `No!' So the following was revealed; What is wrong with you, what is the matter with you, that you have become two parties, two groups, regarding the hypocrites, when God has overthrown them, He has turned them back [to disbelief], for what they earned?, in the way of disbelief and acts of disobedience. What, do you desire to guide him whom God has sent astray?, that is, to count them among the guided (the interrogative in both places is for disapproval). And he whom God sends astray, you will never find for him a way, a path to guidance.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Censuring the Companions for Disagreeing over the Hypocrites who Returned to Al-Madinah Before Uhud

Allah says;

فَمَا لَكُمْ فِي الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِيَتَيْنِ



Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites!

Allah criticizes the believers for disagreeing over the hypocrites.

There are conflicting opinions over the reason behind revealing this Ayah.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Zayd bin Thabit said that;

Messenger of Allah marched towards Uhud. However, some people who accompanied him went back to Al-Madinah, and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah divided into two groups concerning them, one saying they should be killed and the other objecting.

Allah sent down,
فَمَا لَكُمْ فِي الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِيَتَيْنِ
(Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites).

The Messenger of Allah said,

إِنَّهَا طَيْبَةُ وَإِنَّهَا تَنْفِي الْخَبَثَ كَمَا يَنْفِي الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيد

She (Al-Madinah) is Taybah, and she expels filth, just as the billow expels rust from iron.

The Two Sahihs also recorded this Hadith.

Al-Awfi reported that Ibn Abbas said that;

the Ayah was revealed about some people in Makkah who said they embraced Islam, yet they gave their support to the idolators. One time, theses people went out of Makkah to fulfill some needs and said to each other, "If we meet the Companions of Muhammad, there will be no harm for us from their side."

When the believers got news that these people went out of Makkah, some of them said, "Let us march to these cowards and kill them, because they support your enemy against you."

However, another group from the believers said, "Glory be to Allah! Do you kill a people who say as you have said, just because they did not perform Hijrah or leave their land. Is it allowed to shed their blood and confiscate their money in this case?"

So they divided to two groups, while the Messenger was with them, and did not prohibit either group from reiterating their argument.

Thereafter, Allah revealed,
فَمَا لَكُمْ فِي الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِيَتَيْنِ
(Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites).

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded this Hadith.

Allah said,

وَاللّهُ أَرْكَسَهُم بِمَا كَسَبُواْ

Allah has cast them back because of what they have earned.

meaning, He made them revert to, and fall into error.

Ibn Abbas said that,
أَرْكَسَهُم
(Arkasahum),

means, `cast them' .

Allah's statement,
بِمَا كَسَبُواْ
(because of what they have earned),

means, because of their defiance and disobedience to the Messenger and following falsehood.

أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَهْدُواْ مَنْ أَضَلَّ اللّهُ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلً



Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made to go astray! And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never find for him a way.

meaning, there will be no path for him, or way to guidance.

Allah's statement