Tafseer of The Women · An-Nisaa · 4:80
He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian.
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 statement concerning the interpretation of His word: Wie de Boodschapper gehoorzaamt, heeft waarlijk Allah gehoorzaamd; en wie zich afkeert — Wij hebben jou niet als bewaker over hen gezonden (4:80)
Abū Jaʿfar said: This is a vindication (a removal of any excuse) from Allah toward His creatures concerning His Prophet Muḥammad — peace and blessings be upon him. Allah, exalted is His mention, says to them: Whoever of you, O people, obeys Muḥammad has indeed obeyed Me by obeying him. So listen to his word and obey his command, for everything he commands you toward is part of My command by which he commands you, and everything he restrains you from is part of My prohibition. So let none of you say: "Muḥammad is only a human being like us, who wishes to exalt himself above us!"
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Then He said, exalted be His praise, to His Prophet: And whoever turns away from your obedience, O Muḥammad, and turns away from you, (1) We have indeed not sent you as a "keeper" over them — that is to say: as a guardian over what they do, who calls them to account. Rather, We have only sent you to expound to them what has been sent down to them. And We suffice as Keeper of their deeds, and as the One who calls them to account for that.
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This verse was, it is reported, sent down before jihād was commanded, as in:
9979 — Yūnus related to me, saying: Ibn Wahb informed us, saying: I asked Ibn Zayd about the word of Allah: "We have not sent you as a keeper over them." He said: This was at the beginning of his mission; He said: Op jou rust slechts de verkondiging (Sūrat al-Shūrā: 48). He said: Then, after this, the command came to him to wage jihād against them and to act harshly toward them, until they would submit (would convert to Islam).
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The footnotes:
(1) See the explanation of "tawallā" (to turn away) in what passed earlier, 7: 326, note: 3, and the references there.