37/15. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4069 — Forgiveness After Trial and Return
The Repentance of the Apostate
Forgiveness After Trial, Migration, and Patience
Sunan an-Nasai : 4069
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4069
أَخْبَرَنَا زَكَرِيَّا بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ وَاقِدٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ يَزِيدَ النَّحْوِيِّ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ فِي سُورَةِ النَّحْلِ { مَنْ كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ إِيمَانِهِ إِلاَّ مَنْ أُكْرِهَ } إِلَى قَوْلِهِ { لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ } فَنُسِخَ وَاسْتَثْنَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ { ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوا ثُمَّ جَاهَدُوا وَصَبَرُوا إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنْ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ } وَهُوَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَرْحٍ الَّذِي كَانَ عَلَى مِصْرَ كَانَ يَكْتُبُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَزَلَّهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَلَحِقَ بِالْكُفَّارِ فَأَمَرَ بِهِ أَنْ يُقْتَلَ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ فَاسْتَجَارَ لَهُ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عَفَّانَ فَأَجَارَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said concerning Surat An-Nahl - : "Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith; but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a great torment." "This was abrogated, and an exception was made, as Allah said: "Then, verily, your Lord for those who emigrated after they had been put to trials and thereafter strove hard and fought (for the Cause of Allah) and were patient, verily, your Lord afterward is, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."This was 'Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi As-Sarh who was the governor of Egypt and used to write to the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. The Shaitan misled him and he went and joined the unbelievers. So he (the Prophet [SAW]) commanded that he be killed on the day of the Conquest of Makkah. Then, 'Uthman bin 'Afan sought protection for him, and the Messenger of Allah [SAW] granted him protection."
[1] An-Nahl 16:106.[2] An-Nahl 16:110.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4069In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 104English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4074
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4069
This narration explains verses from Surat An-Nahl about disbelief after faith, including the exception for a person forced while the heart remains firm in faith. Ibn Abbas then mentions a later exception for those who migrated after being tested, strove, and remained patient, followed by Allah's forgiveness and mercy. He connects this account to Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi As-Sarh, who had written for the Messenger of Allah, was misled, and joined the unbelievers. Although an order concerning him was given on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, Uthman sought protection for him, and the Messenger of Allah granted that protection. The text highlights trial, return, patience, and granted safety.
What we learn from this hadith
- Coercion is distinguished from willingly opening the heart to disbelief.
- The cited verses mention migration, striving, and patience after trial.
- Uthman sought protection for Abdullah bin Sa'd.
- The Messenger of Allah granted the requested protection.
