Transliteration:( Illal lazeena yasiloona ilaa qawmim bainakum wa bainahum meesaaqun aw jaaa'ookum hasirat sudooruhum ai yuqaatilookum aw yuqaatiloo qawmahum, wa law shaaa'al laahu lasallatahum 'alaikum falaqaatalookum; fa ini' tazalookum falam yuqaatilookum wa alqaw ilaikumus salama famaa ja'alal laahu lakum 'alaihim sabeelaa )
“Except those who are connected with such a people [282] between whom and you there is a pact (treaty) [283], or they come to you because their hearts have no strength to fight against you [284] or fight their own people. And if Allah had so willed, He would certainly have given them control over you, and surely then they would fight with you. So, if they withdraw from you, and do not fight with you and make you an offer of peace [285], then Allah does not open any way (of aggression) against them [286].”
By “who are connected” is meant: do not kill those who remain totally neutral, and those whose hearts lack strength to fight—neither do they fight against you, nor help their infidel allies, nor join you to fight against them.
Nevertheless, this clause connects with “kill them”, not with “friends”, because befriending infidels is never permissible, whether they be combatants, civilians, refugees, or confederates.
From this we learn:
It is obligatory to fulfill agreements, even if they are made with non-Muslims.
Allah says: “And fulfill the promise. Undoubtedly, the promise is to be questioned of” (Surah Bani Isra’il, 17:34)
This refers to non-believers with whom peace treaties have already been made.
Do not fight them, and
Fulfill the terms of the agreement.
This verse only applies to the context of killing, not forming friendships—which remains impermissible.
From this, we learn that sometimes the firmness and unity of the believers becomes a source of fear in the hearts of disbelievers.
This fear is a blessing and grace from Allah Almighty, instilled to protect the Ummah.
The previous verse dealt with those with whom treaties already existed.
This part refers to infidels who now wish to negotiate peace—even though no prior agreement was made.
There is no contradiction, as this section either:
Refers to new peace negotiations, or
Serves as an extension or explanation of the earlier ruling.
This means that since you have not been granted divine permission to fight such people, and they offer peace, you must accept it.
Though this verse was later abrogated by the command to “Kill the polytheists”,
it establishes that the Muslim ruler retains discretion—to either make peace or reject it, based on the situation and Islamic interests.
The tafsir of Surah Nisa verse 90 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nisa ayat 88 which provides the complete commentary from verse 88 through 91.
(4:90) unless it be such of them who seek refuge with a people who are joined with you by a covenant,[119] or those who come to you because their hearts shrink from fighting either against you or against their own people. Had Allah so willed, He would certainly have given them power over you and they would have fought against you. If they leave you alone and do not fight against you and offer you peace,, then Allah does not permit you to harm them.
119. The exception here does not relate to the injunction that they should not be taken as friends and supporters, but to the injunction that the believers should seize and slay them. What is meant is that if a hypocrite takes shelter among an unbelieving people with whom the Muslims have an agreement he should not be pursued into that territory. It is not permissible for Muslims of the Islamic state to kill a hypocrite in some neutral territory even if he merits execution. This is because of the sanctity of the agreement concluded by the Muslims rather than the sanctity of the hypocrite’s blood.
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