وَإِذَا جَآءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْنِ أَوِ ٱلْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰٓ أُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَنۢبِطُونَهُۥ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَٱتَّبَعْتُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا 83
Translations
And when there comes to them something [i.e., information] about [public] security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who [can] draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it. And if not for the favor of Allāh upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few.
Transliteration
Wa-idha ja'ahum amrun min al-amni aw al-khawf adha'u bihi wa-law radduhu ila al-rasuli wa-ila uli al-amri minhum la-'alimahu alladhina yastanbituunahu minhum wa-lawla fadl Allah alaikum wa-rahmatuhu la-ttaba'tum al-shaytana illa qalilan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rebukes the believers for hastily spreading news of security or danger without verifying it through the Prophet ﷺ and those in authority (uli al-amr), which could lead to confusion and panic. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that those entrusted with responsibility and knowledge (al-mustanbituun) are better equipped to extract the correct understanding and implications of such matters. The ayah teaches that hasty dissemination of unverified information is a form of following shaitan, and Allah's grace protects the ummah from this temptation except for a few.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period during a time when rumors were spreading rapidly among the Muslim community, causing fear and confusion. It addresses a specific incident where the Muslims received alarming news and spread it without verification, leading to unnecessary panic and potentially harmful consequences. The broader context of Surah An-Nisa addresses social order and proper conduct within the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'It is sufficient as a lie for a man to speak of everything he hears' (Sahih Muslim). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet ﷺ warned against spreading news without knowledge, saying: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.'
Themes
Key Lesson
In an age of rapid information spread, Muslims must verify news through reliable authorities and knowledgeable sources before disseminating it, avoiding panic and confusion. This ayah reminds us that restraint in speech and consulting those in positions of knowledge and responsibility is a sign of wisdom and protection from spiritual harm.