What is [the matter] with you [that you are] two groups concerning the hypocrites,206 while Allāh has made them fall back [into error and disbelief] for what they earned.207 Do you wish to guide those whom Allāh has sent astray? And he whom Allāh sends astray - never will you find for him a way [of guidance].208
Notes
[206] i.e., divided between two viewpoints - whether or not they should be fought and killed.
[207] As the result of their disobedience and disloyalty.
[208] Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) leaves or sends astray those who choose to reject His guidance.
Verse 88 of Surah An-Nisa (4:88), a Medinan surah, is in juz 5, on page 92 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 72 reciters.
Listen to verse 88 of Surah An-Nisa
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Tafsir of verse 88
Al-Mukhtasar
Why is it, O believers, that you have become two groups differing over how to deal with the hypocrites? One group wants to fight against them because of their disbelief and another group wants to leave them because of their faith. You should not disagree over them for Allah has returned them to disbelief and misguidance because of their actions. Do you wish to guide those whom Allah has not shown the truth? If Allah misguides anyone, you will never find a way to guide such a person.
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.
Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites? Allâh has cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allâh has made to go astray? And he whom Allâh has made to go astray, you will never find for him any way (of guidance).
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.
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.
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.
So, what is it with you that you are two communities regarding the hypocrites, and Allah has cast them back for what they earned? Would you (like) to guide him whom Allah has led into error? And whomever Allah leads into error, then you will never find for him a way.
خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى أُحُدٍ، رَجَعَ نَاسٌ مِمَّنْ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ، وَكَانَ أَصْحَابُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِرْقَتَيْنِ، فِرْقَةً تَقُولُ نُقَاتِلُهُمْ. وَفِرْقَةً تَقُولُ لاَ…
Narrated by Zayd ibn Thābit
AuthenticMuttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim)Sahih al-Bukhari 4589
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَرَجَ إِلَى أُحُدٍ فَرَجَعَ نَاسٌ مِمَّنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ فَكَانَ أَصْحَابُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيهِمْ فِرْقَتَيْنِ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ نَقْتُلُهُمْ . وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ…
And when the inviolable months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakāh, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."
Verses with similar wording
They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.
Wavering between them, [belonging] neither to these [i.e., the believers] nor to those [i.e., the disbelievers]. And whoever Allāh sends astray - never will you find for him a way.
