"Except those who repent and believe (in the Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (V.25:70) — Sahih al-Bukhari 4766

Overview & Central Theme

This hadith, transmitted by Abdur-Rahman bin Abza via Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), addresses two pivotal Qur'anic verses concerning divine justice and mercy. The first verse (An-Nisa 4:93) declares that whoever intentionally murders a believer incurs an eternal punishment in Hell, and Ibn Abbas affirms that this ruling remains unabrogated, establishing the inviolability of a believer's life. The second verse (Al-Furqan 25:68-70) lists sins including shirk (polytheism), unlawful killing, and adultery, and Ibn Abbas clarifies that this verse was revealed specifically concerning the pagans of Mecca—not the believers—thereby distinguishing between the unforgivable sin of shirk for those who die upon it and the hope of repentance for monotheists. The central theme is the precise application of Qur'anic texts: severe divine retribution for intentional murder without valid cause and the contextual scope of verses addressing polytheists, underscoring the balance between Allah's justice and His mercy.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The hadith arises from a question posed by Abdur-Rahman bin Abza, a companion known for his piety, who sought clarification from Ibn Abbas—the eminent interpreter of the Qur'an (Tarjuman al-Qur'an). The first verse (An-Nisa 4:93) states: "And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell; he shall abide therein forever, and Allah has sent His wrath upon him and cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment." Linguistically, the term "mu'min" (believer) is general, encompassing all who profess faith, and the phrase "fa-jaza'uhu Jahannam" (his recompense is Hell) employs a definitive article indicating severity. Ibn Abbas's assertion that "nothing has abrogated this verse" refutes any notion of supersession, affirming its perpetual applicability. Regarding the second verse (Al-Furqan 25:68): "And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity and do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse—and whoever does this will meet a penalty," Ibn Abbas clarifies it was revealed about the pagans of Quraysh who committed these heinous acts, yet the subsequent verses (25:70-71) promise forgiveness for those who repent and believe, thereby showing that the threat of punishment is for those who persist in shirk without repentance, not for believers who sin and turn back to Allah.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

• The intentional murder of a believer is a major sin (kabirah) with a severe threat of eternal punishment, and this ruling is not abrogated; however, scholars (jumhur) hold that the punishment may be waived through sincere repentance, as Allah's mercy encompasses all sins except shirk upon death without repentance (based on An-Nisa 4:48 and 4:116).
• The verse in Al-Furqan (25:68) was revealed concerning polytheists, indicating that the threat of punishment for these sins is primarily directed at those who commit them while associating partners with Allah, whereas believers who commit such sins are subject to the legal penalties (hudud) in this world and are under Allah's will in the Hereafter—either punished or forgiven.
• This hadith demonstrates the principle of contextual interpretation (tafsir al-ayah bi al-ma'thur): understanding the occasion of revelation and the intended audience is essential to avoid misapplication, and it highlights the importance of seeking knowledge from qualified scholars like Ibn Abbas.

"Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, in Fath al-Bari (12:272), comments: 'Ibn Abbas's statement that the verse was revealed concerning the pagans does not negate its general application to believers who commit these sins, but rather it specifies the primary context of revelation, while the general ruling remains valid for all who commit such acts without repentance.'"

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

This hadith calls every Muslim to revere the sanctity of human life, recognizing that intentional murder is a grave transgression with eternal consequences, and thus to exercise utmost restraint in anger and conflict. It also instills hope: even if one has fallen into major sins, the door of repentance remains open for monotheists, as Allah's mercy is vast—yet this hope must never breed complacency, for death upon shirk nullifies all deeds. In daily life, one should avoid associating partners with Allah in any form (including riya, or showing off), refrain from unlawful killing and adultery, and seek sincere tawbah (repentance) immediately after any sin, combining fear of Allah's justice with hope in His mercy. Furthermore, it encourages believers to study the Qur'an with proper context, consulting authentic tafsir and learned scholars, so that verses are not misused or taken out of their intended scope, thereby embodying the Prophetic legacy of knowledge, justice, and mercy.