A Comprehensive Interpretation of ‘The Verse of Obedience’ in the Light of Classical Exegesis

Allah, the Exalted says: “O believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those those in authority among you. Should you disagree on anything, then refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is the best and fairest resolution.” (Surah an-Nisa 49)

This verse is known as ‘the verse of obedience’ due to the repetitive word ‘ati’u’ (obey). This epistle explores the inner dynamics of the comprehensive verse, interpreting it in the light of linguistics, rhetoric, Prophetic narrations, intertextuality hermeneutics and salaf’s understanding. In order to offer the reader an in-depth profundity of the verse, the quintessence of it is summarised in a few pages from the classical exegetical works; which is fathomless ocean. Additionally, many nuanced inferences regarding creed, theology, hadith, principles of jurisprudence, grammar, eloquence, rhetoric and so on are drawn from the verse.