Transliteration:( Laakinir raasikhoona fil'ilmi minhum walmu'minoona yu'minoona bimaaa unzila ilaika wa maaa unzila min qablika walmuqeemeenas Salaata walmu'toonaz Zakaata walmu 'minoona billaahi wal yawmil Aakhir; ulaaa'ika sanu'teehim ajran 'azeemaa )
"But those of them who are firm in knowledge and belief, they believe in what has been revealed to you (O Beloved Prophet) and what has been revealed before you. And they establish Prayer and give Zakah, and those who believe in Allah and the Last Day; to them, We shall give a great reward." [462]
The phrase "firm in knowledge" refers to those scholars and learned men whose knowledge has deeply penetrated their hearts, much like deep-rooted trees.
These are the Ulema with correct beliefs who also act upon their knowledge, such as Hazrat Abdullah bin Salam (May Allah be pleased with him) and his companions — formerly Jewish scholars who embraced Islam and became honoured Companions of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
This includes both:
Clear revelations such as the Holy Qur'an, and
Subtle revelations such as the Hadith (sayings and teachings) of the Prophet ﷺ.
Thus, a complete believer is one who accepts both the Qur'an and the Hadith with conviction.
The verse highlights two distinct types of belief:
Belief in the previous books (like Torah and Injil) is general and collective.
Belief in the Holy Qur'an is comprehensive and practical, involving full implementation.
Mentioning both separately signifies the superiority and finality of the Qur'an.
A practising scholar has a higher reward than others because:
His example and conduct serve as guidance for others.
His actions embody the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
On the contrary, a non-practising scholar bears greater sin than an ordinary sinner because:
His negligence can misguide others.
His sinful conduct may be mistakenly taken as permissible by the public.
The tafsir of Surah Nisa verse 162 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nisa ayat 160 which provides the complete commentary from verse 160 through 162.
(4:162) Those among them who are firmly rooted in knowledge and the believers, such do believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you.[203] (Those who truly believe) establish the Prayer and pay Zakah, those who firmly believe in Allah and in the Last Day, to them We shall indeed pay a great reward.
203. Those well acquainted with the true teachings of the Scriptures, and whose minds are free from prejudice, obduracy, blind imitation of their forefathers and bondage to animal desires, will be disposed to follow those teachings. Their attitude is bound to be altogether different from the general attitude of those Jews apparently immersed in unbelief and transgression. Such people realize, even at first glance, that the Qur’anic teaching is essentially the same as that of the previous Prophets, and hence feel no difficulty in affirming it.
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