105 Page Notes

04 Surah An-Nisa (continued)

Page 105 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

4:171

4:172

4:173

4:174

4:175

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 105 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 105 of the Quran contains Surah An-Nisa, verses 171 through 175.

This page delivers some of the most philosophically and theologically significant passages in the entire Surah. It directly addresses the Christian community regarding the nature of Isa (Jesus), explicitly refutes the concept of the Trinity, clarifies the role of the Messiah, and offers a final universal appeal to humanity regarding the Quran as a manifest light.

1. Refuting Extremism in Religion and the True Nature of Isa (Verse 171)

"O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, 'Three'; desist - it is better for you..." (4:171)

This verse serves as a primary source text for Islamic Christology, rejecting theological exaggeration (Ghulw) that elevated a prophet to divine status.

• Hadith Warning Against Over-Extolling Prophets: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly tied the warning in this verse to his own legacy, fiercely commanding Muslims not to repeat the theological shift made by previous communities:

"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Maryam (Jesus), for I am only a slave. So, call me the slave of Allah and His Messenger." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3445).

• Hadith on the Cosmic Value of This Creed: Sincerely affirming the exact description of Isa mentioned in verse 171—as a servant, a messenger, and a word from Allah—is described in the Sunnah as a direct key to Paradise:

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever testifies that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone... and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, and that Jesus is Allah's slave, His Messenger, and His Word which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hell is true—Allah will admit him into Paradise through any of its eight gates he likes." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3435; Sahih Muslim 28).

2. The Messiah is Never Disdainful of Servitude (Verse 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." (4:172)

This verse argues that being a beloved servant ('Abd) of God is not a demeaning status, but the ultimate pinnacle of honor for any created being—including the Messiah and the highest ranks of angels.

• Hadith on the Humility of the Prophet and Angels: The Sunnah mirrors this theme by highlighting that the greatest prophets actively chose the title of servant over royal kingly status when offered the choice by angels.

The Angel Jibril (Gabriel) sat with the Prophet ﷺ, and an angel descended from the sky. Jibril said, "This angel has never descended to earth since he was created until today." The angel said, "O Muhammad, your Lord has sent me to you: Shall He make you a prophet-king or a servant-messenger?" Jibril signaled, "Be humble before your Lord, O Muhammad."

The Prophet ﷺ replied: "No, rather a servant-messenger." (Musnad Ahmad 7160; graded Sahih by Ahmad Shakir).

3. Clear Proof and a Manifest Light (Verses 174–175)

"O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light. So those who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him - He will admit them to mercy from Himself and bounty and guide them to Himself on a straight path." (4:174–175)

Page 105 concludes its main theological arguments by identifying the revelation given to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a "Burhan" (conclusive proof) and a "Nur Mubin" (manifest light) designed to guide humanity out of theological confusion.

• Hadith on Holding Fast to the Light: The phrase "hold fast to Him" is heavily expounded upon in the Sunnah, where the Prophet ﷺ explicitly identified the Quran as the physical "rope" or lifeline connecting humanity to divine safety.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood to deliver a sermon and said: "The Book of Allah is the rope of Allah. Whoever follows it will be upon guidance, and whoever leaves it will be upon misguidance." (Sahih Muslim 2408).

• Hadith Analogy of the Light: The Prophet ﷺ illustrated how following this divine light practically preserves an individual's spiritual path in a chaotic world:

"Allah has set an example of a straight path... and at the beginning of the path is a caller saying: 'O people! Enter the straight path all of you and do not wander off!'... The straight path is Islam, the walls are the boundaries of Allah, the open doors are the things Allah has forbidden, and the caller at the top of the path is the admonisher of Allah inside the heart of every Muslim." (Musnad Ahmad 17634; Sunan at-Tirmidhi 2859; graded Sahih by Al-Albani).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari.

• Al-Naysaburi, M. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim.

• Al-Tirmidhi, M. (n.d.). Sunan at-Tirmidhi.

• Ibn Hanbal, A. (n.d.). Musnad Ahmad.

• Al-Albani, N. (Ed.). Sahih al-Jami' al-Saghir.