The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 228
CH. 4 AN-NISA' PT. 5 حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا dispute between them and then find not in their hearts any demur concerning that which thou decidest and submit with full submission. 538 وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اقْتُلُوا And if We had commanded. 67 them, "Kill your people or أَنْفُسَكُمْ أَوِ اخْرُجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ مَّا leave your homes, they would b فَعَلُوهُ إِلَّا قَلِيْلٌ مِّنْهُمْ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ not have done it except a few of فَعَلُوْا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًان them; and if they had done what they are exhorted to do, it would surely have been better for them and conducive to greater strength. 539 538. Important Words: "4:78. (demur) is the noun-infinitive from meaning, it was or became narrow; or he became disquieted and contracted in his bosom; he doubted, because doubt disquiets the mind; he became straitened or in difficulty, particularly owing to the commission of a sin or crime for which he deserved punishment; therefore means, straitness; difficulty; a sin or crime or an act of disobedience for which one deserves punishment (Lane & Aqrab). Commentary: It should be noted that the injunction contained in this verse does not refer to the Holy Prophet alone. The verse speaks of the settlement of disputes, and so the injunction contained in it should be taken to pertain not to the person of the Holy Prophet but to him as Head 668 of the Muslim State and is, therefore, applicable to his Successors as well. Muslims should not only have their disputes settled in accordance with the Law of Islam but should submit to the awards of those in authority with cheerfulness. The injunction is most essential for the maintenance of solidarity among the Muslim community. In fact, the chief cause of discord in a community is that people should regard their own judgement as right and should refuse to give to those in authority their due. The verse requires the Faithful not only to refer their differences to the Holy Prophet, and for that matter to his Successors, submit to their decisions cheerfully deputies and representatives, but to and without demur. 539. Commentary: This verse refers to the hypocrites of Medina. The words (kill