مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقِيتًا 85
Translations
Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share [i.e., reward] therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a portion [i.e., burden] therefrom. And ever is Allāh, over all things, a Keeper.
Transliteration
Man yashfa' shafa'atan hasanatan yakun lahu nasibun minha wa man yashfa' shafa'atan sayyi'atan yakun lahu kiflun ilha wa kana Allahu 'ala kulli shay'in muqitan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the principle of moral accountability for intercession (shafa'ah): whoever intercedes with good intention and for a righteous cause earns a share of the good that results, while whoever intercedes for an evil or unjust purpose bears responsibility for that evil. Ibn Kathir explains that this encompasses all forms of advocacy, counsel, and mediation, emphasizing that one's intentions and the righteousness of the cause determine the moral outcome. Al-Qurtubi notes that 'naseeb' (share) and 'kifl' (portion) both indicate that the intercessor gains reward or burden proportional to their role in the affair.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa (Medinan), revealed during the period of Islamic community development in Medina. It addresses the societal practice of intercession and mediation, which was common in Arab culture, reframing it within Islamic ethics. The broader context of An-Nisa focuses on social relationships, justice, and moral conduct within the believing community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever intercedes for his brother and he (the one being interceded for) gives him a gift, he should not accept it, for it is unlawful sustenance.' (Sunan Abu Dawud 3543). Additionally, 'The best intercession is that which is done for a relative or in a matter of lawful gain' - a principle derived from authentic traditions emphasizing righteous intercession.
Themes
Key Lesson
Our actions as advocates, mediators, and influencers carry moral weight—we are responsible not only for our intentions but for the outcomes of our intercessions. This teaches believers to carefully consider whether they are advancing justice and righteousness or enabling wrongdoing, understanding that every act of mediation brings reward or reckoning before Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ فِى يَتَـٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمًا
And they request from you, [O Muḥammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, "Allāh gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and [yet] you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing of it.
مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا
He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allāh; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian.
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ شِقَاقَ بَيْنِهِمَا فَٱبْعَثُوا۟ حَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهِۦ وَحَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهَآ إِن يُرِيدَآ إِصْلَـٰحًا يُوَفِّقِ ٱللَّهُ بَيْنَهُمَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا خَبِيرًا
And if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his people and an arbitrator from her people. If they both desire reconciliation, Allāh will cause it between them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Aware.
وَإِنَّ مِنكُمْ لَمَن لَّيُبَطِّئَنَّ فَإِنْ أَصَـٰبَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالَ قَدْ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىَّ إِذْ لَمْ أَكُن مَّعَهُمْ شَهِيدًا
And indeed, there is among you he who lingers behind; and if disaster strikes you, he says, "Allāh has favored me in that I was not present with them."