Addressing the Believers
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah
And Allah ta`ala said:
"Believers! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and
those charged with authority among you; if you differ in
anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger (for
judgment) if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day:
that is best and most suitable for final determination."
[4:59]
Allah ta`ala is requiring obedience to Him and to His
Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam). He starts the aayah
with an address to the "believers", hinting that what is
required thereafter is a consequence of that name with which
they are addressed.
This is similar to saying: "You whom Allah has favored and
enriched with His bounties, be good to others as Allah has
been good to you." And like, "Learned men, teach people
what would benefit them." And, "Ruler, rule with justice."
And so on.
For this reason, legislative matters in the Qur'an are
frequently addressed to the believers, starting the address
with "Believers". For example Allah says:
"Believers, fasting is prescribed for you." [2:183]
And He says:
"Believers, when the call is proclaimed for prayer on Friday,
hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah." [62:9]
And He says:
"Believers, fulfill the contracts." [5:1]
Addressing the believers like this carries the implication that:
"If you are true believers, you should perform the following
action, because it is a requirement for the integrity and
sincerity of Iman."
Courtesy Of: Islaam.com