Surah An-Nisa 4:60
سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ · Medinan · Verse 60 of 176
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّٰغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوٓا۟ أَن يَكْفُرُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَيُرِيدُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَٰلًۢا بَعِيدًۭا
Translation
Do you [Prophet] not see those who claim to believe in what has been sent down to you, and in what was sent down before you, yet still want to turn to unjust tyrants for judgement, although they have been ordered to reject them? Satan wants to lead them far astray.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Qur'anic Worlds
Have you ever observed someone who speaks with conviction about their faith, yet their actions tell a different story? This verse, Surah An-Nisa (4), verse 60, invites Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) – and by extension, us – to ponder exactly such a scenario. Allah addresses the Prophet directly, highlighting a profound contradiction in those who claim belief in both the Quran and previous divine scriptures.
The Claim of Faith
The verse begins, "Have you not seen those who claim that they have believed in what was revealed to you and what was revealed before you...?" (أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ). The word *'yaz'umoon'* (يزعمون), translated as "claim" or "assert," often carries a nuance of an unverified or even false assertion, as highlighted by al-Razi. This immediately signals that these are not sincere believers but rather hypocrites (munafiqoon) – individuals who outwardly profess Islam but inwardly harbor disbelief. Sayyid Qutb notes that this description perfectly fits hypocrites, as Jews would not typically claim belief in the Quran. These events unfolded in the early Madani period, when hypocrisy was a significant challenge for the nascent Muslim community.
Seeking Other Judgments
What exposes their false claim? The verse continues: "...they wish to refer their disputes to *Taghut*, though they have been commanded to reject it." (يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّٰغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوٓا۟ أَن يَكْفُرُوا۟ بِهِۦ). *Taghut* (الطاغوت) refers to anything that oversteps its bounds, especially in claiming authority that belongs solely to Allah. It can be idols, corrupt judges, soothsayers, or even unjust customs and laws.
Scholars like al-Razi, al-Baghawi, and al-Tabari recount various historical instances that led to the revelation of this verse, painting a vivid picture of the "World of Revelation." One prominent account involves a dispute between a Jew and a hypocrite (sometimes named Bishr). The Jew, trusting in the Prophet's known justice, suggested they take their case to him. But the hypocrite, fearing a just ruling because he was in the wrong, preferred to go to someone else – perhaps a pagan soothsayer, a corrupt Jewish leader like Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, or even another Companion after the Prophet had already ruled. The desire to bypass divine law for a self-serving outcome, even after claiming faith, exposed the depth of their hypocrisy. Mufti Shafi also highlights the astonishing incident where, after the Prophet ruled in favor of the Jew, the hypocrite then insisted on taking the case to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), hoping for a different outcome, leading to Umar's decisive action to uphold the Prophet's judgment.
The Deeper Misguidance
Ultimately, the verse concludes: "And Satan wishes to lead them far astray." (وَيُرِيدُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَٰلًۢا بَعِيدًۭا). Their inclination to reject Allah's judgment and turn to *taghut* is not merely an intellectual error; it is a profound spiritual deviation, driven by Satan. Satan's goal is to lure them far away from the straight path of truth and justice, into a deep and distant error where they lose their way completely. This shows that the internal struggle between true faith and hypocritical rejection of divine law has external, spiritual influences at play, pulling people away from guidance.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), Ibn Kathir, Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi)
Worldly Mirror
This verse opens with a striking question, "Have you not seen those who claim that they believe in what was revealed to you and what was revealed before you, yet they wish to seek judgment from the Taghoot, though they were commanded to disbelieve in it? And Satan wishes to lead them far astray." (Quran 4:60) It's a direct address to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but serves as a profound mirror for all who claim faith. Allah is exposing a critical contradiction in the hearts and actions of certain individuals, identified in the commentaries as hypocrites (*munafiqin*), who outwardly professed belief in the Quran and previous scriptures, but inwardly harbored a different inclination. The immediate situation is a severe rebuke for this dual standard.
The Claim and the Contradiction
The verse highlights a fundamental disconnect between what these people *claim* to believe and what they *choose* to do. They assert faith in divine revelation but then, in matters of dispute, "wish to seek judgment from the Taghoot." What is *Taghoot* (طاغوت)? As Sayyid Qutb explains, it refers to anything that claims sovereignty or the right to legislate besides Allah, anything not derived from His revealed books. Dr. Israr Ahmad further clarifies that *Taghoot* can be any ruler or institution that does not judge according to Allah's and His Messenger's commands. It signifies crossing a boundary, exceeding proper limits. This choice reveals a deeply flawed inner state, a lack of sincerity in their declared faith.
The Worldly Mirror
This ayah provides a powerful reflection for individuals and societies. On a personal level, it probes the authenticity of our own faith. Do we truly submit to Allah's guidance in all aspects of our lives, or do we selectively pick and choose, preferring other systems or personal desires when they seem more convenient or advantageous? The *munafiqin* of Madinah, as Tazkirul Quran mentions, would turn to non-Islamic judges or pagan soothsayers like Ka`b bin al-Ashraf (identified by al-Munir as *Taghoot*) if they felt the Prophet's judgment wouldn't favor them. This mirrors a temptation that can arise in any era: to circumvent divine guidance when it clashes with our immediate interests.
On a societal level, the verse asks us to observe communities and institutions. Where do people turn for resolution, guidance, and law? Is it to the clear principles of divine revelation, or to systems that claim authority independent of Allah? The verse makes it clear that true faith demands a complete rejection of *Taghoot*. Indeed, Allah says they "were commanded to disbelieve in it," a fundamental tenet of Islamic belief. Rejecting Allah's judgment negates the very claim of faith, as Sayyid Qutb emphasizes. The famous incident involving `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), recounted by Dr. Israr Ahmad and Ibn al-Jawzi, where he executed a hypocrite who refused the Prophet's verdict, underscores the gravity of this issue and `Umar's understanding of unwavering submission to divine law.
Satan's Aim
The verse concludes by revealing Satan's role: "And Satan wishes to lead them far astray." This highlights that turning away from divine judgment is not merely a mistake but a path orchestrated by Satan, leading to profound deviation from the truth. This spiritual diagnosis calls for vigilance, recognizing that our choices in seeking judgment are not neutral; they are either acts of submission to Allah or steps on a path away from Him, influenced by the whisperings of Iblis. It's a reminder that true peace and justice are found only in adherence to what Allah has revealed.
Sources: Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Connections
This powerful verse, Surah An-Nisa, ayah 60, opens with a question that conveys astonishment and censure: "أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَن يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا" (Did you not see those who claim that they believe in what was revealed to you and what was revealed before you, yet they wish to seek judgment from the Taghut, though they were commanded to disbelieve in it? And Satan desires to lead them far astray).
The Heart of the Matter
Allah addresses Prophet Muhammad, expressing profound astonishment at the behavior of certain individuals who *claim* faith. The Arabic word "يَزْعُمُونَ" (yaz'umoona), meaning "they claim," carries a connotation of a statement lacking verification, or even outright falsehood, as noted by scholars like al-Wasit and al-Sabuni. These individuals assert belief in the Quran, revealed to the Prophet, and in previous scriptures, yet their actions contradict their words.
The Contrast of Claims and Actions
The verse highlights a stark contradiction: they profess faith in divine revelations, but "يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ" (they wish to seek judgment from the Taghut). "الطَّاغُوتِ" (Taghut) refers to anything judged by other than Allah's law, a false deity, or a system of falsehood that oversteps divine bounds. In this context, it specifically points to corrupt judges or those who lead people astray. This desire is particularly damning because "وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَن يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ" (even though they were commanded to disbelieve in it). They were explicitly told to reject such false authorities and submit to divine guidance.
A Specific Incident
The immediate context of this verse is illuminated by its reason for revelation, known as *sabab an-nuzul*. As narrated by al-Wasit and al-Sabuni, it concerns a dispute between a Jew and a hypocrite (named Bishr in some accounts). The Jew wished to take their case to Prophet Muhammad, while the hypocrite insisted on referring to Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, a Jewish leader known for his animosity towards the Prophet and considered a *Taghut*. When the Prophet ruled in favor of the Jew, the hypocrite was dissatisfied and suggested going to 'Umar. The tradition further recounts that 'Umar, upon hearing that the hypocrite rejected the Prophet's judgment, swiftly executed him, leading to 'Umar being called "al-Faruq" (the distinguisher between truth and falsehood), as mentioned by al-Biqa'i. This incident vividly demonstrates the practical implication of rejecting divine judgment.
A Broader Message for Believers
This verse connects powerfully to the broader themes of Surah An-Nisa. As al-Sabuni points out, the surah first addresses the state of the People of the Book and then guides believers towards happiness through obedience to Allah and His Messenger. This verse then serves as a crucial transition, exposing the characteristics of hypocrites as a warning for the Muslim community. It sets the stage for the following verses, especially Surah 4:65, which states unequivocally: "فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا" (But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you judge in what they dispute among themselves, and then find no discomfort in their souls from what you have decided, and submit in full submission). This later verse provides the ultimate condition for true faith, clarifying the Quranic norm that sincere belief necessitates complete submission to Allah's and His Messenger's judgment.
Ultimately, the verse warns that choosing other than divine law is a path where "وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا" (Satan desires to lead them far astray), implying a profound and irrecoverable misguidance, pushing them away from truth and guidance.
Source: al-Muyassar, al-Wasit (Tantawi), al-Biqa'i (Nazm al-Durar), al-Sabuni (Safwat al-Tafasir)
Sources: al-Wasit (Tantawi), al-Biqa'i (Nazm al-Durar), al-Sabuni (Safwat al-Tafasir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Nisa 4:60 is discussed in 14 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Nisa 4:60 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.