Transliteration:( Wa yaqooloona taa'antun fa izaa barazoo min 'indika baiyata taaa'ifatum minhum ghairal lazee taqoolu wallaahu yaktubu maa yubaiyitoona fa a'rid 'anhum wa tawakkal 'alal laah; wa kafaa billaahi Wakeelaa )
“And they say, ‘We have obeyed,’ but when they go forth from your presence, a group of them make [258] plans in the night against what they had said. And Allah writes down [259] what they plan by night. Therefore (O Beloved) leave them [260] and trust in Allah. And sufficient is Allah as the dispenser of affairs.”
This verse refers to the hypocrites who, in the presence of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, would declare:
“We believe in you, and your obedience is incumbent upon us.”
However, behind his back, they would plot secretly at night—contradicting the very statements they had made in public.
Their double-faced behavior revealed the deep-rooted hypocrisy within their hearts.
This verse was revealed about those hypocrites whose outward declarations of faith and obedience were false.
Though they plotted secretly, Allah states that:
“Allah writes what they plan at night.”
Here, we learn that even secret actions are known and recorded by Allah. Although the angels are assigned to write the deeds, Allah attributes the act to Himself to emphasize His complete knowledge and authority.
This also shows that:
The works of Allah’s pious servants are indeed Allah’s works.
For example:
Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) said: “I give life to the dead by the permission of Allah”.
Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) said to Bibi Maryam: “I will give you a son.”
Although the action is performed by Allah, it is executed through His chosen servants, and hence they may refer to it as their doing, by His will.
The instruction “Leave them” means:
Do not pay further attention to these hypocrites,
Or do not take action against them yet.
This is because their infidelity was hidden, and until it becomes publicly known, the law of Shariah cannot be enforced against them.
Hence, this verse is:
Not abrogated,
But remains valid and applicable.
It affirms the principle in Shariah that judgment is passed based on what is apparent, not what lies concealed in hearts.
And finally:
“Place your trust in Allah, for He alone is sufficient as the one who manages all affairs.”
The tafsir of Surah Nisa verse 81 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nisa ayat 80 which provides the complete commentary from verse 80 through 81.
(4:81) They say (in your presence): ‘We obey’, but when they leave your presence a party of them meets by night to plan against what you have said. Allah takes note of all their plots. So, let them alone, and put your trust in Allah. Allah is sufficient as a guardian.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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