Tafseer of The Women · An-Nisaa · 4:138
Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment -
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The explanation of His word: بَشِّرِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا (Announce to the hypocrites that for them there is a painful punishment) (4:138).
Abū Jaʿfar said: He means by His word — exalted be His praise —: "Announce to the hypocrites (munāfiqīn)", that is to say: inform the hypocrites.
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We have already previously set forth the meaning of "the announcing of tidings (al-tabshīr)", in a manner that absolves us from repeating it.
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= "that for them there is a painful punishment" — He means: that for them on the Day of Resurrection there is from Allah, on account of their hypocrisy (nifāq), = "a painful punishment", that is to say: a punishment that causes pain, and that is the punishment of Hell (jahannam).
