Tafseer of The Women · An-Nisaa · 4:97
Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves - [the angels] will say, "In what [condition] were you?" They will say, "We were oppressed in the land." The angels will say, "Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?" For those, their refuge is Hell - and evil it is as a destination.
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: "Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while they are wronging themselves — they say: 'In what condition were you?' They say: 'We were oppressed upon the earth.' They say: 'Was the earth of Allah not spacious, so that you might have emigrated therein?' Those — their abode is Hell (jahannam), and an evil destination it is." (4:97)
Abū Jaʿfar said: The Exalted means by His word "Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death]": indeed, those whose souls the angels take — "while they are wronging themselves," that is to say: those who have earned for themselves the wrath and displeasure of Allah.
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We have already explained the meaning of "wrongdoing" (al-ẓulm) previously.
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— "They say: 'In what condition were you?'", that is to say: the angels said to them: "In what condition were you," in what state were you with regard to your religion? — "They say: 'We were oppressed upon the earth'", that is to say: those whom the angels took while they had wronged themselves said: "We were oppressed upon the earth," the polytheists who ascribed partners to Allah oppressed us in our land and our regions on account of their great numbers and their power, and they prevented us from believing in Allah and following His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace — a feeble excuse and a flimsy argument. — "They say: 'Was the earth of Allah not spacious, so that you might have emigrated therein?'", that is to say: so that you might have departed from your land and your homes, and might have separated yourselves from those who prevented you there from believing in Allah and following His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace — to the land whose inhabitants would protect you from the dominion of the polytheists who ascribe partners to Allah, so that you might there profess the Oneness of Allah, worship Him, and follow His Prophet? — Allah, the Exalted, says: "Those — their abode is Hell (jahannam)", that is to say: they are those whose characteristic I have described to you — those whom the angels take while they are wronging themselves — "their abode is Hell," that is to say: their destination in the Hereafter is Hell, and that is their dwelling place — "and an evil destination it is," that is to say: and Hell is an evil place for its inhabitants who come to it — "a destination" and a dwelling place and an abode.
