فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا 99
Translations
For those it is expected that Allāh will pardon them, and Allāh is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
Transliteration
Fa-ulā'ika 'asā Allāhu an ya'fū 'anhum; wa-kāna Allāhu 'afuwwan ghafūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the discussion about those unable to participate in jihad, stating that Allah may pardon them for their inability to fight. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that Allah's pardon is contingent upon sincere intention and genuine inability, not laziness or cowardice. The ayah reinforces that Allah is supremely pardoning (Al-'Afuww) and most forgiving (Al-Ghafūr), extending mercy to those who genuinely cannot fulfill certain obligations due to legitimate constraints such as disability, illness, or weakness.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa's broader discussion on the concessions granted to various groups regarding participation in jihad (verses 95-99). It specifically addresses those who are weak, ill, blind, disabled, or unable to find means of transportation—those excused from military struggle. The context reflects the Medinan period when the Muslim community faced military threats and the obligation to defend the faith was established.
Related Hadiths
Hadith of the blind man who asked for exemption from prayer in congregation (Sunan Ibn Mājah and others): The Prophet (ﷺ) permitted him despite his disability, showing Allah's mercy for genuine inability. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said: 'Allah is more merciful to His servants than a mother to her child,' reflecting the theme of divine pardon.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah judges us not by what we cannot do, but by our sincere intentions and genuine efforts within our capacities. It offers comfort to those facing physical, mental, or circumstantial limitations, reminding believers that Allah's mercy encompasses even our human weaknesses when our hearts are devoted to Him.
Related Ayahs
تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
These are the limits [set by] Allāh, and whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment.
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَهَمَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُضِلُّوكَ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۖ وَمَا يَضُرُّونَكَ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ وَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَكَ مَا لَمْ تَكُن تَعْلَمُ ۚ وَكَانَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ عَظِيمًا
And if it was not for the favor of Allāh upon you, [O Muḥammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they will not harm you at all. And Allāh has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of Allāh upon you been great.
وَٱلَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَـٰنِهَا مِنكُمْ فَـَٔاذُوهُمَا ۖ فَإِن تَابَا وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُوا۟ عَنْهُمَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا
And the two who commit it [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] among you - punish [i.e., dishonor] them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allāh is ever Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.
لَّـٰكِنِ ٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ أَنزَلَهُۥ بِعِلْمِهِۦ ۖ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَشْهَدُونَ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
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.