Transliteration:( Wa mai yushaaqiqir Rasoola mim ba'di maa tabaiyana lahul hudaa wa yattabi' ghaira sabeelil mu'mineena nuwallihee ma tawallaa wa nuslihee Jahannama wa saaa'at maseeraa )
“And whoso opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear [354], and follows a way other than the way of the Muslims [355], We shall leave him in his own condition and shall cause him to enter Hell. What an evil destination that is.”
From this we learn that those to whom the message of Islam has not reached are not accountable for Islamic laws. If such people hold belief in the Oneness of Allah, it is considered sufficient, as they have not knowingly opposed the Prophet ﷺ.
Any misdeeds they commit out of ignorance do not count as willful opposition to the Prophet ﷺ. Opposition becomes accountable only when done with full awareness of one’s actions.
It must also be remembered that opposing the Prophet ﷺ in belief is infidelity, while opposing him in actions is considered sinful.
From this, we understand the importance of following the collective path of Muslims. This affirms that Taqleed—following the teachings of our righteous predecessors, such as the four Imams—is commendable, as it aligns with the general path of the Ummah.
Similarly, practices like:
Khatm-e-Qur’an,
Fateha,
Meelad gatherings, and
Urs (commemoration) events
are widely practiced by Muslims and considered beneficial. Since they reflect the path followed by the majority of Muslims, they are worthy of being continued.
As Allah says:
“And thus, We made you an exalted nation so that you may be witnesses over mankind.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:143)
Therefore, straying from the unified path of the Muslim community after clear guidance is a grave error, and leads to a terrible destination—Hell.
The tafsir of Surah Nisa verse 115 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nisa ayat 110 which provides the complete commentary from verse 110 through 115.
(4:115) As for him who sets himself against the Messenger and follows a path other than that of the believers even after true guidance had become clear to him, We will let him go to the way he has turned to,[143] and We will cast him into Hell – an evil destination.
143. When, after revelation from God, the Prophet (peace be on him) delivered his verdict in favour of the innocent Jew rather than the dishonest Muslim, the latter was so seized by un-Islamic, egotistic and chauvinistic considerations that he left Madina, went straight to Makka to join the ranks of the enemies of Islam and of the Prophet (peace be on him), and undertook open opposition. The verse alludes to that incident.
[218]- i.e., make him responsible for his choice.
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