Tafseer of The Women · An-Nisaa · 4:172
Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels near [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant - He will gather them to Himself all together.
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 the words of Allah: The Messiah will never disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor will the angels brought near
The Exalted means by His words "the Messiah will never disdain": the Messiah will never abhor it nor consider himself too lofty — "to be a servant of Allah," that is: to be a servant (ʿabd) of Allah, as in:
10856 — Bishr ibn Muʿādh related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda: "The Messiah will never disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor will the angels brought near" — the Messiah will not shun being a servant of Allah, nor will the angels.
As for His words "nor will the angels brought near": He means thereby: Nor will His messengers brought near disdain to acknowledge servitude to Allah and to submit themselves to Him thereby — "the brought near," those whom Allah has brought near and whose ranks He has raised above others of His creatures.
And it is related from al-Ḍaḥḥāk that he used to say concerning that, namely:
10857 — Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Bazūrī related this to me, saying: Yaʿlā ibn ʿUbayd related to us, on the authority of al-Ajlaḥ, who said: I said to al-Ḍaḥḥāk: Who are "the brought near"? He said: Those among them who are closest to the second heaven.
The explanation of the words of Allah: And whoever disdains to worship Him and is arrogant — He will gather them all to Himself (4:172)
Abū Jaʿfar said: The Exalted means thereby: And whoever considers himself too great for the worship of his Lord, and abhors submitting himself in humility and lowliness to Him in obedience — among all creatures — and is arrogant about that — "He will gather them all to Himself," that is: He will resurrect them all on the Day of Resurrection and bring them together for their appointed gathering before Him.
