Al-Qur'an Surah An-Nisa Verse 94

Mufti Taqi Usmani

O you who believe, when you go out in the way of Allah, be careful, and do not say to the one who offers you the Salām (salutation), “You are not a believer” to seek stuff of the worldly life. So, with Allah there are spoils in abundance. In the same state you were before; then Allah favored you. So, be careful. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

O believers! When you struggle in the cause of Allah, be sure of who you fight. And do not say to those who offer you ˹greetings of˺ peace, “You are no believer!”—seeking a fleeting worldly gain.[[ i.e., spoils of war.        ]] Instead, Allah has infinite bounties ˹in store˺. You were initially like them then Allah blessed you ˹with Islam˺. So be sure! Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

Ruwwad Translation Center

O you who believe, when you go to fight in the way of Allah, make sure [who you fight]; and do not say to someone who offers you the greetings of peace, “You are not a believer” – seeking gains of the life of this world, while Allah has abundant gains. You were in the same position before, then Allah blessed you [with Islam]. Therefore make sure, for Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

A. J. Arberry

O believers, when you are journeying in the path of God, be discriminating, and do not say to him who offers you a greeting, 'Thou art not a believer,' seeking the chance goods of the present life. With God are spoils abundant. So you were aforetime; but God has been gracious to you. So be discriminating; surely God is aware of the things you do.

Abdul Haleem

So, you who believe, be careful when you go to fight in God’s way, and do not say to someone who offers you a greeting of peace, ‘You are not a believer,’ out of desire for the chance gains of this life- God has plenty of gains for you. You yourself were in the same position [once], but God was gracious to you, so be careful: God is fully aware of what you do.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

O Ye who believe! when ye march forth in the way of Allah, make things clear and say not unto one who giveth you a salutation: thou art none of a believer, seeking the perishable goods of the life of the world; for with Allah are spoils abundant. Even Thus were ye aforetime, then Allah favoured you. So make things clear; verily Allah is of that which ye work ever Aware.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

O ye who believe! When ye go abroad in the cause of Allah, investigate carefully, and say not to any one who offers you a salutation; "Thou art none of a believer!" Coveting the perishable goods of this life; with Allah are profits and spoils abundant. Even thus were ye yourselves before, till Allah conferred on you His favours; Therefore carefully investigate. For Allah is well aware of all that ye do.

Abul Ala Maududi

Believers! When you go forth in the way of Allah, discern (between friend and foe), and do not say to him who offers you the greeting of peace: 'You are not a believer.' If you seek the good of this worldly life, there lies with Allah abundant gain. After all, you too were such before, and then Allah was gracious to you. Discern, then, for Allah is well aware of what you do.

Ahmed Ali

O believers, when you go out on a journey in the way of God, be discreet and do not say to anyone who greets you in peace: "You are not a believer." You desire the gain of earthly life, but there are prizes in plenty with God. You were also like him (an unbeliever) in the past, but God has been gracious to you. So be careful and discreet, for God is aware of what you do.

Ahmed Raza Khan

O People who Believe! When you go forth to fight in holy war, make a proper study, and do not say to the one who greets you, “You are not a Muslim,” – you seek the means of this worldly life; so with Allah are the bounties in plenty; you too were like this before, then Allah bestowed His favour on you, therefore you must make a proper study; indeed Allah knows whatever you do.

Ali Quli Qarai

O you who have faith! When you issue forth in the way of Allah, try to ascertain: do not say to someone who offers you peace, ‘You are not a believer,’ seeking the transitory wares of the life of this world. Yet with Allah are plenteous gains. You too were such earlier, but Allah did you a favour. Therefore, do ascertain. Allah is indeed well aware of what you do.

Ali Ünal

O you who believe! When you go forth (to war) in God’s cause, investigate with care until the situation becomes fully clear to you, and do not say to anyone who offers you (the greeting of) peace (thereby indicating his being a Muslim), "You are not a believer," seeking the fleeting gains of the present, worldly life; for with God are gains abundant. Even thus (as he now is) were you before (ignorant of faith and what being a Muslim is, and you too entered Islam with a similar word); but God has since then been gracious to you. So investigate with care until the situation becomes fully clear to you. Surely God is fully aware of all that you do.

Amatul Rahman Omar

O you who believe! when you set forth in the cause of Allâh, then make proper investigations (before you dub anyone as a disbeliever), and do not say to him who offers you `Salâm´, (- peace, the Muslim salutation to show himself thereby a Muslim,) `You are not a believer.´ You seek the transitory goods of this life, but Allâh has good things in plenty with Him. You were such (disbelievers) before that (you accepted Islam), but Allâh has conferred His special favour on you, hence do make proper investigations. Surely, Allâh is Well-Aware of what you do.

English Literal

You, you those who believed, if you moved in God`s sake, so seek clarification/explanation , and do not say to who threw (offered) the peace/surrender/greeting , you are not a believer, you wish/desire the life the present`s/worldly life`s enjoyable accessories, so at God (are) many winnings/gains/spoils, like that you were from before, so God blessed on you, so seek clarification/explanation, that God was/is with what you make/do expert/experienced.

Faridul Haque

O People who Believe! When you go forth to fight in holy war, make a proper study, and do not say to the one who greets you, "You are not a Muslim," - you seek the means of this worldly life; so with Allah are the bounties in plenty; you too were like this before, then Allah bestowed His favour on you, therefore you must make a proper study; indeed Allah knows whatever you do.

Hamid S. Aziz

Degrees of rank from Him, and pardon and mercy, for Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Hilali & Khan

O you who believe! When you go (to fight) in the Cause of Allah, verify (the truth), and say not to anyone who greets you (by embracing Islam): "You are not a believer"; seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with Allah. Even as he is now, so were you yourselves before till Allah conferred on you His Favours (i.e. guided you to Islam), therefore, be cautious in discrimination. Allah is Ever Well-Aware of what you do.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his punishment is hell, abiding therein; and Allah is wroth with him and He has cursed him and prepared for him a grievous chastisement.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

O you who believe! when you go to war in Allah's way, make investigation, and do not say to any one who offers you peace: You are not a believer. Do you seek goods of this world's life! But with Allah there are abundant gains; you too were such before, then Allah conferred a benefit on you; therefore make investigation; surely Allah is aware of what you do.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

O ye who believe! When ye go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discriminate, and say not unto one who offereth you peace: "Thou art not a believer," seeking the chance profits of this life (so that ye may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were ye before; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.

Muhammad Sarwar

Believers, if you march with arms for the cause of God, make sure that you know whom to fight. Do not accuse anyone who claims himself to be a Muslim of disbelief just for worldly gains. There is abundant bounty with God. Before, you were also like them, but God bestowed His favors upon you. Thus, make sure that you know whom to fight. God is Well Aware of what you do.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Believers, if you are journeying in the way of Allah, do not say to those who offer you peace, until it has been clarified: 'You are not believers' seeking the enjoyment of the worldly life, with Allah there are many spoils. You were like that before, and Allah has been gracious to you. Therefore let it be clarified. Surely, Allah is Aware of what you do.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

O you who believe! When you go (to fight) in the cause of Allah, verify (the truth), and say not to anyone who greets you: "You are not a believer;" seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There is much more benefit with Allah. Even as he is now, so were you yourselves before, till Allah conferred on you His Favors, therefore, be cautious in discrimination. Allah is Ever Well-Aware of what you do.

Wahiduddin Khan

Believers, when you go forth in the cause of God, make due investigation and do not say to those who offer you the greeting of peace, "You are no believer!" because you seek the good things of this life. With God there are good things in plenty. You yourself were in the same position before, but God conferred His special favour on you. Therefore, take care to investigate. Surely God is well-aware of what you do.

Talal Itani

O you who believe! When you journey in the way of God, investigate, and do not say to him who offers you peace, “You are not a believer,” aspiring for the goods of this world. With God are abundant riches. You yourselves were like this before, and God bestowed favor on you; so investigate. God is well aware of what you do.

Tafsir jalalayn

The following was revealed when a group from among the Companions passed by a man from the Ban Sulaym driving his flock of sheep, and he offered them a greeting of peace. But they said, `He only greeted us dissimulating, out of fear'. So they killed him and took away his flock; O you who believe, when you are going forth, travelling in order to struggle, in the way of God, be discriminating (fa-tabayyan; a variant reading has fa-tathabbat, `ascertain', here and further below); and do not say to him who offers you peace (read al-salm or al-salam), that is, the greeting, or [offers you] submission, declaring the profession of faith (shahda), which is an indication of being a Muslim; `You are not a believer; you are only saying this to dissimulate for fear of your life and property', so that you then end up killing him, desiring, seeking by this, the transient goods of the life of this world, that is, its enjoyment, in the way of spoils. With God are plenteous spoils, rendering you free of the need to kill such a person for his property. So you were formerly, when your lives and property were protected simply upon your professing the faith; but God has been gracious to you, making you known for your faith and uprightness. So be discriminating, lest you kill a believer and treat those entering the religion as you were treated [formerly]. Surely God is ever Aware of what you do, and will requite you for it.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Greeting with the Salam is a Sign of Islam

Allah says;

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ لَسْتَ مُوْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا

O you who believe! When you go (to fight) in the cause of Allah, verify (the truth), and say not to anyone who greets you;"You are not a believer;" seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ikrimah said that Ibn Abbas said,

"A man from Bani Sulaym, who was tending a flock of sheep, passed by some of the Companions of the Prophet and said Salam to them. They said (to each other), `He only said Salam to protect himself from us.' Then they attacked him and killed him. They brought his sheep to the Prophet, and this Ayah was revealed,
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ
(O you who believe!), until the end of the Ayah."

At-Tirmidhi recorded this in his (chapter on) Tafsir, and said, "This Hadith is Hasan, and it is also reported from Usamah bin Zayd."

Al-Hakim also recorded it and said, "Its chain is Sahih, but they did not collect it."

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn Abbas commented;
وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ لَسْتَ مُوْمِنًا
(and say not to anyone who greets you;"You are not a believer),"

"A man was tending his sheep and the Muslims caught up with him. He said, `As-Salamu Alaykum.' However, they killed him and took his sheep. Allah revealed the Ayah;
وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ لَسْتَ مُوْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا
(And say not to anyone who greets you;"You are not a believer; seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life)."

Ibn Abbas said; "The goods of this world were those sheep." And he recited,
السَّلَمَ
(Peace)."

Imam Ahmad recorded that Al-Qa`qa bin Abdullah bin Abi Hadrad narrated that his father Abdullah bin Abi Hadrad said,

"The Messenger of Allah sent us to (the area of) Idam. I rode out with a group of Muslims that included Abu Qatadah, Al-Harith bin Rabi and Muhallam bin Juthamah bin Qays. We continued on until we reached the area of Idam, where `Amr bin Al-Adbat Al-Ashja`i passed by us on his camel. When he passed by us he said Salam to us, and we did not attack him. Because of some previous problems with him, Muhallam bin Juthamah killed him and took his camel. When we went back to the Messenger of Allah and told him what had happened, a part of the Qur'an was revealed about us,
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ
(O you who believe! When you go (to fight) in the cause of Allah), until,
خَبِيرًا
(Well-Aware)." Only Ahmad recorded this Hadith.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah said to Al-Miqdad,

إِذَا كَانَ رَجُلٌ مُوْمِنٌ يُخْفِي إِيمَانَهُ مَعَ قَوْمٍ كُفَّارٍ فَأَظْهَرَ إيمَانَهُ فَقَتَلْتَهُ فَكَذلِكَ كُنْتَ أَنْتَ تُخْفِي إِيمَانَكَ بِمَكَّةَ مِنْ قَبْل

You killed a believing man who hid his faith with disbelieving people, after he had announced his faith to you. Remember that you used to hide your faith in Makkah before.

Al-Bukhari recorded this shorter version without a complete chain of narrators.

However a longer version with a connected chain of narrators has also been recorded.

Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al-Bazzar recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"The Messenger of Allah sent a military expedition under the authority of Al-Miqdad bin Al-Aswad and when they reached the designated area, they found the people had dispersed.

However, a man with a lot of wealth did not leave and said, `I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.'

Yet, Al-Miqdad killed him, and a man said to him, `You killed a man after he proclaimed;`There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. By Allah I will mention what you did to the Prophet.'

When they went back to the Messenger of Allah, they said, `O Messenger of Allah! Al-Miqdad killed a man who testified that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.'

He said,

ادْعُوا لِيَ الْمِقْدَادَ يَا مِقْدَادُ أَقَتَلْتَ رَجُلً يَقُولُ لَا إِلهَ إلاَّ اللهُ فَكَيْفَ لَكَ بِلَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ غَدًا



Summon Al-Miqdad before me. O Miqdad! Did you kill a man who proclaimed, "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah." What would you do when you face, "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah tomorrow!"

Allah then revealed;

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ لَسْتَ مُوْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ اللّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ كَذَلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ اللّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ

O you who believe! When you go (to fight) in the cause of Allah, verify (the truth), and say not to anyone who greets you;"You are not a believer;" seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with Allah. Even as he is now, so were you yourselves before till Allah conferred on you His Favors, therefore, be cautious in discrimination.

The Messenger of Allah said to Al-Miqdad,

كَانَ رَجُلٌ مُوْمِنٌ يُخْفِي إِيمَانَهُ مَعَ قَوْمٍ كُفَّارٍ فَأَظْهَرَ إيمَانَهُ فَقَتَلْتَهُ فَكَذَلِكَ كُنْتَ أَنْتَ تُخْفِي إِيمَانَكَ بِمَكَّةَ مِنْ قَبْل

He was a believing man who hid his faith among disbelieving people, and he announced his faith to you, but you killed him, although you used to hide your faith before, in Makkah."

Allah's statement,

فَعِندَ اللّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ

There is much more benefit with Allah.

means, better than what you desired of worldly possessions which made you kill the one who greeted you with the Salam and pronounced his faith to you. Yet, you ignored all this and accused him of hypocrisy, to acquire the gains of this life. However, the pure wealth with Allah is far better than what you acquired.

Allah's statement,

كَذَلِكَ

كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ اللّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ

so were you yourselves before, till Allah conferred on you His Favors.

means, beforehand, you used to be in the same situation like this person who hid his faith from his people.

We mentioned the relevant Hadiths above. Allah said,

وَاذْكُرُواْ إِذْ أَنتُمْ قَلِيلٌ مُّسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ

And remember when you were few and were reckoned weak in the land. (8;26)

Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Sa`id bin Jubayr commented about Allah's statement,
كَذَلِكَ

كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ
(so were you yourselves before),

"You used to hide your faith, just as this shepherd hid his faith."

Allah said,

فَتَبَيَّنُواْ

therefore, be cautious in discrimination,

then said,

إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا



Allah is Ever Well-Aware of what you do.

and this part of the Ayah contains a threat and a warning, as Sa`id bin Jubayr stated