What is the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted: {And if only, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you and sought forgiveness from Allah}? And is there an argument in it for one who seeks nearness to Allah through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?
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The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : The verse.
The Shaykh : Which verse?
The questioner :[An-Nisa 4:64]
The Shaykh : Yes, yes, and what is in it?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, it is not permissible to interpret this as referring to the future.[An-Nisa 4:64] The word "idh" (when) indicates a past event. The meaning is: if they had committed this wrongdoing, they would have come to you and sought forgiveness from Allah, and the Messenger would have sought forgiveness for them. It cannot be for after his death, because he did not say "idha" (if/when) they wronged themselves, but rather "idh" (when). Also, he says: [An-Nisa 4:64] And it is known that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) cannot seek forgiveness for anyone after his death, because his deeds are cut off, as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 6:234.
The questioner : The verse.
The Shaykh : Which verse?
The questioner :
And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muhammad], and asked forgiveness of Allah
ولو أنهم إذ ظلموا أنفسهم جاؤوك فاستغفروا اللهThe Shaykh : Yes, yes, and what is in it?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, it is not permissible to interpret this as referring to the future.