يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا۟ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَنْ أَلْقَىٰٓ إِلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا 94
Translations
O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allāh, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace, "You are not a believer," aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allāh are many acquisitions. You [yourselves] were like that before; then Allāh conferred His favor [i.e., guidance] upon you, so investigate. Indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu idha darabtum fi sabilillahi fatabbayyu wa la taqulu liman alqa ilaykumu assalama lasta mu'minan tabtaghuna arada alhayati addunya fa'inda allahi maghanmu kathirah. Kadhalika kuntum min qablu famanna allahu alaikum fatabbayyu. Inna allaha kana bima ta'malun khabira.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to verify and investigate thoroughly before making hasty judgments during warfare, particularly warning against killing someone who submits with the Islamic greeting as-salaam. Ibn Kathir notes this verse addresses the incident where some Muslims killed a man who had surrendered and proclaimed Islam, motivated by worldly gain. The verse emphasizes that Allah provides abundant provisions (spoils) without resorting to treachery, and reminds believers that they themselves were once in need of Allah's mercy and guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period concerning a specific incident during early Islamic warfare where a Muslim fighter killed someone who had clearly submitted to Islam and greeted with as-salaam. The broader context within Surah An-Nisa addresses women's rights, inheritance, and conduct in warfare, establishing ethical guidelines for Muslim conduct in battle.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates that during a battle, a man from the enemy forces uttered the Islamic testimony but was still killed by a Muslim companion. This ayah was revealed to prevent such incidents. Additionally, Sahih Muslim records the Prophet's (ﷺ) teaching that the greatest jihad is the jihad of the soul, emphasizing restraint and verification.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to exercise caution, verify circumstances before judgment, and never prioritize worldly gains over ethical principles—a lesson applicable beyond warfare to all human interactions, reminding us that hasty conclusions often lead to grave injustices.