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Surah An-Nisa, Verse 171

سورة النساء، الآية ١٧١

4:171 Juz 6 Hizb 11 Page 105 of the mushaf Medinan surah

Text of verse 4:171

يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَٰثَةٌ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا ۝١٧١

Transliteration

yāahla l-kitābi lā taghlū fī dīnikum walā taqūlū ʿalā l-lahi illā l-ḥaqa innamā l-masīḥu ʿīsā ub'nu maryama rasūlu l-lahi wakalimatuhu alqāhā ilā maryama warūḥun min'hu faāminū bil-lahi warusulihi walā taqūlū thalāthatun intahū khayran lakum innamā l-lahu ilāhun wāḥidun sub'ḥānahu an yakūna lahu waladun lahu mā fī l-samāwāti wamā fī l-arḍi wakafā bil-lahi wakīlan

Translation

O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion236 or say about Allāh except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allāh and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allāh and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allāh is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.

Notes

[236] Such as attributing divine qualities to certain creations of Allāh or revering them excessively.

Translation in another language
Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary Read in the surah

Verse 171 of Surah An-Nisa (4:171), a Medinan surah, is in juz 6, on page 105 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 72 reciters.

Listen to verse 171 of Surah An-Nisa

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Tafsir of verse 171

Al-Mukhtasar

Say, O Messenger, to the Christians who received the Gospel: Do not overstep the limits in your religion and do not say anything but the truth about Allah in relation to Jesus. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, is only Allah’s messenger sent with the truth. He created him by His word which He sent with Gabriel to Mary, which was the word ‘Be’, and he became. It was a breath from Allah which Gabriel blew with Allah’s instruction. So have faith in Allah and all His messengers without making a distinction between them. Do not say, ‘The gods are three’. Avoid saying this false statement and it will be better for you in this world and the Afterlife. Allah is the only One God free of any partner or child. He is Self-sufficient. The dominion of the heavens, the earth and whatever is in between the two is His. He is sufficient as a guardian to carry out the affairs of His creation.

Tafsir of the whole Surah An-Nisa

Other translations of verse 171

O People of the Book, do not go to extremes in your religion, and do not say about Allah but the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His Word that He bestowed upon Mary, and a spirit110 from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers and do not say “Three” [i.e., Trinity]. Cease; that is better for you. Indeed, Allah is the only One God. Glory be to Him, [far exalted is He] to have a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and sufficient is Allah as a Disposer of Affairs.

Notes

[110] That is, Jesus’s spirit was created by Allah. [Ibn Kathīr, al-Sa‘dī]. Al-Baghawī says: “He (Jesus) is a soul just like any other soul but Allah added him to Himself to honor him”. Al-Shawkānī is also of this opinion. Al-Alūsī says: “Because Jesus was created by a blow (of air), not by a drop (of sperm), he was called a ‘soul’.” The Qur’an makes it clear that Jesus is just like all other human beings, whose spirit was created by Allah.

O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allâh aught but the truth. The Messiah ‘Îsâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allâh and His Word, ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rûh )46 created by Him; so believe in Allâh and His Messengers. Say not: "Three (trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allâh is (the only) One Ilâh (God), glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allâh is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.47

Notes

[46] (V.4:171) Rûh-ullâh: According to the early religious scholars from among the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and their students and the Mujtahidûn , there is a rule to distinguish between the two nouns in the genitive construction:
a) When one of the two nouns is Allâh, and the other is a person or a thing, e.g. Allâh’s House (Bait-ullâh); Allâh’s Messenger (Rasul-ullâh): Allâh’s slave (‘Abdullâh): Allâh’s spirit (Rûh-ullâh), the rule for the above words is that the second noun, e.g., house, messenger, slave, spirit is created by Allâh and is honourable in His Sight, and similarly, Allâh’s spirit may be understood as the spirit of Allâh, in fact it is a soul created by Allâh, i.e. ‘Îsâ (Jesus). And it was His Word: "Be!" -and he was.[i.e. ‘Îsâ (Jesus) was created like Adam].
b) But when one of the two is Allâh and the second is neither a person nor a thing, then it is not a created thing but is a quality of Allâh e.g. Allâh’s Knowledge (‘Ilm-ullâh); Allâh’s Life (Hayât-ullâh); Allâh’s Statement (Kalâm-ullâh); Allâh’s Self (Dhat-ullâh).
[47] (V.4:171) Narrated ‘Ubadah رضي الله عنه : The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "If anyone testifies that lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh Alone) Who has no partners, and that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم is His slave and His Messenger, and that Jesus عليه السلام is Allâh’s slave and His Messenger and His Word ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Mary and a spirit (Rûh) created by Him, and that Paradise is the truth, and Hell is the truth - Allâh will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he had done even if those deeds were few." (Junadah, the subnarrator said; "Ubâdah added: ‘Such a person can enter Paradise through any of its eight gates he likes.’ ") (Sahih Al Bukhârî, Vol. 4, Hadîth No. 644).

O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One Allah. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.

O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.

O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only a messenger of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His messengers, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one Allah; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.

O population of the Book, (Or: Family of the Book, i.e., Jews and Christians) do not go beyond the bounds in your religion and do not say concerning Allah (anything) except the Truth. Surely the Masih, Isa son of Maryam, (The Messiah, Jesus sonof Mary) was only the Messenger of Allah, and His Word that He cast forth to Maryam, and a Spirit from Him. So, believe in Allah and His Messengers, and do not say, "Three." Refrain; most charitable is it for you; surely Allah is only One God. All Extolment be to Him-that He should have a child. To Him (belongs) whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth; and Allah suffices for an Ever-Trusted Trustee.

Verse 171 word by word

  1. يَٰٓأَهْلَ yāahla O People أ ه ل
  2. ٱلْكِتَٰبِ l-kitābi (of) the Book ك ت ب
  3. لَا lā (Do) not
  4. تَغْلُوا۟ taghlū commit excess غ ل و
  5. فِى fī in
  6. دِينِكُمْ dīnikum your religion د ي ن
  7. وَلَا walā and (do) not
  8. تَقُولُوا۟ taqūlū say ق و ل
  9. عَلَى ʿalā about
  10. ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
  11. إِلَّا illā except
  12. ٱلْحَقَّ l-ḥaqa the truth ح ق ق
  13. إِنَّمَا innamā Only
  14. ٱلْمَسِيحُ l-masīḥu the Messiah م س ح
  15. عِيسَى ʿīsā Isa
  16. ٱبْنُ ub'nu son ب ن ي
  17. مَرْيَمَ maryama (of) Maryam
  18. رَسُولُ rasūlu (was) a Messenger ر س ل
  19. ٱللَّهِ l-lahi (of) Allah
  20. وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ wakalimatuhu and His word ك ل م
  21. أَلْقَىٰهَآ alqāhā which He conveyed ل ق ي
  22. إِلَىٰ ilā to
  23. مَرْيَمَ maryama Maryam
  24. وَرُوحٌ warūḥun and a spirit ر و ح
  25. مِّنْهُ min'hu from Him
  26. فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ faāminū So believe أ م ن
  27. بِٱللَّهِ bil-lahi in Allah
  28. وَرُسُلِهِۦ warusulihi and His Messengers ر س ل
  29. وَلَا walā And (do) not
  30. تَقُولُوا۟ taqūlū say ق و ل
  31. ثَلَٰثَةٌ thalāthatun Three ث ل ث
  32. ٱنتَهُوا۟ intahū desist ن ه ي
  33. خَيْرًا khayran (it is) better خ ي ر
  34. لَّكُمْ lakum for you
  35. إِنَّمَا innamā Only
  36. ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah
  37. إِلَٰهٌ ilāhun (is) God أ ل ه
  38. وَٰحِدٌ wāḥidun One و ح د
  39. سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ sub'ḥānahu Glory be to Him س ب ح
  40. أَن an That
  41. يَكُونَ yakūna He (should) have ك و ن
  42. لَهُۥ lahu for Him
  43. وَلَدٌ waladun a son و ل د
  44. لَّهُۥ lahu To Him (belongs)
  45. مَا mā whatever
  46. فِى fī (is) in
  47. ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ l-samāwāti the heavens س م و
  48. وَمَا wamā and whatever
  49. فِى fī (is) in
  50. ٱلْأَرْضِ l-arḍi the earth أ ر ض
  51. وَكَفَىٰ wakafā And is sufficient ك ف ي
  52. بِٱللَّهِ bil-lahi Allah
  53. وَكِيلًا wakīlan (as) a Disposer of affairs و ك ل

Hadiths that cite this verse

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 3435

certainly admit him into Paradise, regardless of the deeds which he has done

"Whoever bears witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger; that ‘Isa (Jesus) is the slave and Messenger of Allah, and His word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary), and a spirit from Him; and that Paradise is true and Hellfire is…

مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَأَنَّ عِيسَى عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَكَلِمَتُهُ، أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ، وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ…

Narrated by Ubādah ibn as-Sāmit + 8 other versions Explained

Verses related to verse 171

Cited by Ibn Kathir in his explanation of this verse

  • Ali ’Imran 3:59

    إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

    Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allāh is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.

  • At-Tawbah 9:31

    ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَٰنَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَٰهًا وَٰحِدًا لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

    They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allāh, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.

  • Al-Ma’idah 5:75

    مَّا ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُۥ صِدِّيقَةٌ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ ٱلطَّعَامَ ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ ثُمَّ ٱنظُرْ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ

    The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded.

  • At-Tahrim 66:12

    وَمَرْيَمَ ٱبْنَتَ عِمْرَٰنَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِنَا وَصَدَّقَتْ بِكَلِمَٰتِ رَبِّهَا وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَكَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْقَٰنِتِينَ

    And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of ʿImrān, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel [i.e., Gabriel], and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.

  • Az-Zukhruf 43:59

    إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

    He [i.e., Jesus] was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.

  • Ali ’Imran 3:45

    إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ ٱسْمُهُ ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ

    [And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allāh gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allāh].

Verses with similar wording

They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.

  • An-Nisa 4:132

    وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا

    And to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.

  • Ash-Shuraa 42:4

    لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

    To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.

  • Taha 20:6

    لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ ٱلثَّرَىٰ

    To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and what is between them and what is under the soil.

  • Al-Hajj 22:64

    لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ

    To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. And indeed, Allāh is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.

  • Ali ’Imran 3:109

    وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ

    To Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And to Allāh will [all] matters be returned.

  • Al-Hashr 59:1

    سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

    Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth exalts Allāh, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

All similar verses of Surah An-Nisa

The names of Allah in this verse

Names mentioned in this verse

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