Surah An-Nisa, Verse 69 and 70

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*Surah An-Nisa, Verse 69:*

وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا

And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad [Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him]), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqun (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!

*COMMENTARY*

A passage of the deepest devotional meaning. Even the humblest man who accepts Faith and does good becomes an accepted member of a great and beautiful company in the Hereafter. It is a company which lives perpetually in the sunshine of God's Grace. (This passage partly illustrates Sūra AL-FĀTĪHA, verse 5). It is a glorious hierarchy, of which four grades are specified:

1. The highest is that of the Prophets or Apostles, who get plenary inspiration from God, and who teach mankind by example and precept. That rank in Islam is held by Prophet Muhammad Al-Mustafā.

2. The next are those whose badge is sincerity and truth: they love and support the truth with their person, their means, their influence, and all that is theirs. That rank was held by the special Companions of Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him), among whom the type was that of Hadhrat Abu Bakr As-Siddīq.

3. The next are the noble army of Witnesses, who testify to the truth. The testimony may be by martyrdom, Or it may be by the tongue of the true Preacher or the pen of the devoted Scholar, or the life of the man devoted to service.

4. Lastly, there is the large company of Righteous people, the ordinary folk who do their ordinary business, but always in a righteous Way.

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*Surah An-Nisa, Verse 70:*

ذَٰلِكَ الْفَضْلُ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ عَلِيمًا

Such is the Bounty from Allah, and Allah is Sufficient as All-Knower.

*COMMENTARY*

If a generous General gives the private soldier the privilege of sitting with his comrades and officers, high and low, in one common Brotherhood, people may perhaps wonder: how may this be? If we are admitted to that Company, we want to know no more. It is enough to us that Allāh knows our humility and our unworthiness, and with His full knowledge admits us to that Glorious Company!