An-Nisa · Ayah 166

لَّـٰكِنِ ٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ أَنزَلَهُۥ بِعِلْمِهِۦ ۖ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَشْهَدُونَ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا 166

Translations

But Allāh bears witness to that which He has revealed to you. He has sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness [as well]. And sufficient is Allāh as Witness.

Transliteration

Lākin-illāhu yashhadu bimā anzala ilayka anzalahu bi'ilmihi wa-al-malāikatu yashhadu wa-kafā billāhi shahīdā

Tafsir (Explanation)

This verse affirms that Allah Himself bears witness to the revelation sent to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), emphasizing that He revealed it with His perfect knowledge, and the angels also testify to its truth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as a powerful declaration of the Quran's authenticity and divine origin, refuting the accusations of disbelievers who denied the revelation. The phrase 'and Allah is sufficient as a witness' (kafā billāhi shahīdā) conveys that Allah's testimony supersedes all other testimonies and needs no corroboration.

Revelation Context

This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of matters of faith, testimony, and the rights of women. It comes after verses addressing disputes about the revelation and accusations against the Prophet, serving to reinforce the divine authenticity of the Quranic message against the skepticism and objections of the Meccan disbelievers and hypocrites of Medina.

Related Hadiths

Sahih Bukhari (4472): The Prophet said, 'The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.' This relates to the importance of preserving and transmitting the witnessed revelation. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the angels' involvement in revelation and their witnessing of divine truth.

Themes

Divine testimony and witnessAuthenticity of the QuranRole of angelsSufficiency of Allah's knowledgeRefutation of deniers

Key Lesson

This verse teaches believers that the Quran's truth is guaranteed by Allah Himself and supported by the celestial realm, providing unwavering confidence in the message regardless of worldly opposition or skepticism; it encourages Muslims to trust in Divine wisdom and transmit this witnessed revelation faithfully to subsequent generations.

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Related Ayahs

4:63An-Nisa

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُ ٱللَّهُ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَعِظْهُمْ وَقُل لَّهُمْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ قَوْلًۢا بَلِيغًا

Those are the ones of whom Allāh knows what is in their hearts, so turn away from them but admonish them and speak to them a far-reaching [i.e., effective] word.

4:47An-Nisa

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَارِهَآ أَوْ نَلْعَنَهُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَّآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلسَّبْتِ ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا

O you who were given the Scripture, believe in what We have sent down [to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)], confirming that which is with you, before We obliterate faces and turn them toward their backs or curse them as We cursed the sabbath-breakers. And ever is the matter [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.

4:156An-Nisa

وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَـٰنًا عَظِيمًا

And [We cursed them] for their disbelief and their saying against Mary a great slander

4:43An-Nisa

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا۟ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِى سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغْتَسِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا

O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janābah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [i.e., had sexual intercourse] and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allāh is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.