Surah An-Nisa 4:115
سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ · Medinan · Verse 115 of 176
وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا
Translation
if anyone opposes the Messenger, after guidance has been made clear to him, and follows a path other than that of the believers, We shall leave him on his chosen path- We shall burn him in Hell, an evil destination.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse serves as a profound warning from Allah, addressing anyone who deliberately opposes the Messenger, peace be upon him, after the truth of Islam has become clear to them. It also applies to those who then choose a path different from the clear way of the believers. The verse warns of severe consequences, both in this life and the Hereafter.
Choosing to Oppose
The phrase "وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ" (Whoever opposes the Messenger) is central. The Arabic word *mushaqqah* (مشاققة), as explained by al-Razi and Ibn Ashur, comes from the root meaning to be on a "شق" (shiqq), or one side, while the other person is on an opposing side. It implies a deep, intentional disagreement and enmity, not just a simple difference of opinion. This isn't a casual turning away, but a deliberate choice to stand against the Prophet's message.
Clear Guidance, Deliberate Deviation
The verse specifies this opposition occurs "مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ" (after the guidance has become clear to him). This clarifies the gravity of the sin. It refers to someone who has witnessed the proofs and evidences for the truth of Islam and the Prophet's mission, yet still chooses to rebel. As al-Razi notes, "guidance" here refers to the compelling *proof* that has been manifested. Such a person cannot claim ignorance; their rejection is wilful.
The warning continues with "وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ" (and follows a path other than that of the believers). The term "سبيل" (sabil) means a path or way. Ibn Ashur elaborates that this "path" encompasses the comprehensive way of life of a people, including their beliefs, actions, and customs. It highlights that going against the established, collective way of the believers is intertwined with opposing the Messenger himself. This emphasizes the importance of the community's unity in faith and practice.
A Consequence of Choice
The divine response to such a grave defiance is captured in the powerfully echoing phrase "نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ" (We will turn him to what he has turned to/chosen). Here, the words "نُوَلِّهِ" and "تَوَلَّىٰ" share the same root, creating a striking linguistic connection. It means Allah will leave the person to their own chosen path of misguidance, withdrawing divine support and allowing them to fully embrace the wrong choices they made. As al-Razi puts it, "We will leave him to what he chose for himself, and abandon him to what he relied upon." It signifies a withdrawal of divine guidance, leaving the individual to their destructive devices.
The verse concludes with the ultimate consequence: "وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا" (and admit him to Hell, and wretched is that destination). The word "نُصْلِهِ" (nuslihi) from *as-salaa* (الصلاء) originally refers to clinging to fire for warmth. Here, it is used with intense irony to mean forcing someone into the Hellfire, making them adhere to its burning heat. The final declaration, "وساءت مصيرا" (and wretched is that destination), powerfully emphasizes the terrible end awaited by those who deliberately turn away from truth and the righteous path.
Source: al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Nisa 4:115 is discussed in 10 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
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