Tafseer of The Women · An-Nisaa · 4:63
Those are the ones of whom Allah knows what is in their hearts, so turn away from them but admonish them and speak to them a far-reaching word.
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: أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُ اللَّهُ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَعِظْهُمْ وَقُلْ لَهُمْ فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ قَوْلا بَلِيغًا (Those are the ones of whom Allah knows what is in their hearts; so turn away from them, admonish them, and speak to them concerning themselves words that reach deep) (4:63).
Abū Jaʿfar said: Exalted is His praise, He means by His word "those are the ones": these are those hypocrites (munāfiqūn) whose quality I have described to you, O Muḥammad = "Allah knows what is in their hearts" in their turning to the false idol (al-ṭāghūt) for judgment, and their abandoning of turning to you for judgment, and their turning away from you = of hypocrisy (nifāq) and misguidance, even though they swore by Allah: we intended nothing but to do good and to bring about reconciliation = "so turn away from them and admonish them," He says: leave them be, then, do not punish them in their bodies and persons, but admonish them by instilling in them fear of the wrath of Allah that may descend upon them, and of His punishment that may come down upon their dwelling, and warn them against the detestable state in which they are, namely doubt concerning the affair of Allah and the affair of His Messenger = "and speak to them concerning themselves words that reach deep," He says: command them to fear Allah (taqwā) and to believe in Him and in His Messenger and in His promise and His threat.
