Surah an-nisa - notes PDF

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SURAH AN-NISA (4) Information:  Revealed in Madinah  Consists of 176 ayahs  Special study (for exegesis) ayahs 1-25  Compromised of 3 discourses, each revealed at different occasions  First discourse revealed about rights of orphans, women and division of inheritance  The second discourse was revealed as a final warning to the Jews in Madinah  The third discourse was about Tayammum Majors issues discussed throughout surah:  Restriction on number of wives  Creation of mankind  Property of orphans  Rights of orphans  Obligation of dowry (mahr)  Laws of inheritance  Prescribed shares (division) in inheritance  Inheritance of spouse’s property  Commandment to abide by the limits of Allah (swt)  Punishment for women guilty of fornication  Acceptable and unacceptable repentance  Rights of women  Prohibitions in marriage Sociocultural and historical setting:  Revealed in Madinah while Islam was still growing  Revealed after the battle of Uhud, where 70 men died, and their sons and brothers were inheriting their wives.  Fist discourse (1-28) was revealed after the battle of Uhud, where the Muslims lost 70 people  Asbab Al-nuzul  written under each verse  Rights of orphans were being breached  Inheritance was becoming an issue  Women’s rights were ignored  Marriage to multiple women was addressed and restricted after specific events

Ayah 1: “O mankind! Be afraid of you Rabb, the one who created you from a single soul, from that soul he created its mate, and through them he spread countless men and women. Fear Allah, the one in whose name you demand your rights from one another and the ties of relationship; surely Allah is watching you very closely.” Meaning: To remind mankind of their creator and remind them to fear Allah Techniques:  Command: “Fear your Rabb”  Allusion: “created from a single soul and from that soul he created its mate” This alludes to prophet Adam and his wife Hawaa  Iltifaat: “He” this pronoun refers to Allah Ayah 2: “And give unto orphans their property and do not exchange (your) bad things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by adding it) to your substance. Surely, this is a great sin.” Meaning: This ayah signifies an orphan’s rights and reminds people not to lie or cheat orphans. Techniques:  Command: “do not exchange”  Contrast: “their valuable things for your worthless ones”  Digression: the previous ayah was about creation of mankind and this one is about orphans Asbab al-nuzul: A man from Ghatafan had possession of a fortune that belonged to his orphaned nephew, and when his nephew reached the age of puberty, he claimed the fortune, but his uncle refused to give it to him. They went to prophet Muhammad, and then this verse was revealed. The uncle straight away abided by Allah’s laws and gave the fortune to his orphaned nephew. Ayah 3: “And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.” Meaning: This verse clarifies how important it is to abide by the rights of an orphan. Allah command’s Muslims to be able to treat orphans properly or resist from marrying a woman with orphan children. This verse also sets out restrictions on the number of wives permitted for a husband and the importance of treating your wives fairly Techniques:  Command: “the you should not marry the women with orphan children”  Metonymy: “the rights way” Asbab al-nuzul: This verse was revealed after there were orphaned females who had wealth and fortune, but no one to defend them. This led to their custodians giving them for marriage in greed for their wealth and possessions, harming them or treating them badly. This verse forbids these acts. It also taught men that all their wives should be treated fairly and equally, and if they cannot maintain fairness upon all of them, then they should marry them.

Ayah 4-5:

“And give to the women (whom you marry) their Mahr (obligatory bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart, but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it, and enjoy it without fear of any harm (as Allah has made it lawful). (5) And give not unto the foolish your property which Allah has made a means of support for you, but feed and clothe them therewith, and speak to them words of kindness and justice.” Meaning: This verse commands men to pay women their dowries at the time of marriage and may only take a portion of it if their wife willingly gives it. Verse 5 reminds Muslims to not entrust their property to feebleminded people. Techniques:  Command: “do not entrust” Ayah 6: “And try orphans (as regards their intelligence) until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgement in them, release their property to them, but consume it not wastefully, and hastily fearing that they should grow up, and whoever amongst guardians is rich, he should take no wages, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable (according to his work). And when you release their property to them, take witness in their presence; and Allah is All-Sufficient in taking account.” Meaning: Help orphans until they are at the age of marriage. If you find that they are responsible, then hand them their property. If not, then train them to manage their properties and hand it to them. Techniques:  Didactic: this whole verse is revealed to teach a lesson  Aphorism: “Allah is sufficient in taking accountability” Asbab Al-nuzul: This was revealed about Tabith ibn Rifa’ah and his uncle. Rifa’ah died when his son Tabith was very young, so his uncle went to prophet Muhammad and asked him when he should give Tabith his wealth, since he is still very young. Then this verse was revealed. Ayah 7: “There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether, the property be small or large - a legal share.” Meaning: Both men and women will have shares and inherit what their parents and relatives leave. Techniques:  Contrast: between men and women amount of shares Asbab al-nuzul: Aws ibn Tabith al-Ansari died, and he left behind his wife and three daughters. His two cousins; Suwayd and ‘Arfajah took all his money and failed to give any to his family. This was because of how they inherited during the pre-Islamic period, where no males or females inherited anything, only older men did. Umm Kujjah- the wife, went to the prophet and explained the situation. the prophet called the two men and spoke to them and asked them to wait until this verse was revealed. Ayah 8-9: “And when the relatives and the orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) are present at the time of division, give them out of the property, and speak to them words of kindness and justice. (9.) And let those (executors and guardians) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own, if they had left weak offspring behind. So, let them fear Allah and speak right words.” Meaning: Give their families their legal share of wealth and houses after someone dies

Ayah 10:

“Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only a fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!” Meaning: Those who don’t abide by Allah’s commands about the rights and laws of inheritance will be punished. Techniques:  Imagery: “they eat up only a fire into their bellies and they will be burnt in the baling fire”  Metaphor: “eat up fire into their bellies” Asbab al-nuzul: This verse was revealed about a man from Ghatafan called Mathrah ibn Zayd, who took the fortune of his orphaned nephew who was under his custody. Ayah 11: “Allah commands you as regards your children's (inheritance); to the male, a portion equal to that of two females; if (there are) only daughters, two or more, their share is two thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is half. For parents, a sixth share of inheritance to each if the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers or (sisters), the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies he may have bequeathed or debts. You know not which of them, whether your parents or your children, are nearest to you in benefit, (these fixed shares) are ordained by Allah. And Allah is Ever All-Knower, AllWise.” Meaning: This verse explains the prescribes shares in inheritance for both males and females in Islam. The verse clearly outlines what each child receives under different circumstances. The males portion is equivalent to two females Techniques:  Aphorism: “Allah is the knowledgeable and wise” Asbab al-nuzul: This verse was revealed after two occasions. The first was when Jabir from Banu Salamah was sick and the prophet and Abu Bakr visited him, he asked the prophet what would happen to his wealth and who out of his children would get it. The second reason for revelation was when a women who’s husband died during the battle of Uhud had two daughters with no money, after their uncle took possession of their father’s inheritance and left them nothing. Then this verse was revealed. Ayah 12-14: “In that which your wives leave, your share is a half if they have no child; but if they leave a child, you get a fourth of that which they leave after payment of legacies that they may have bequeathed or debts. In that which you leave, their (your wives) share is a fourth if you leave no child; but if you leave a child, they get an eighth of that which you leave after payment of legacies that you may have bequeathed or debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third; after payment of legacies he (or she) may have bequeathed or debts, so that no loss is caused (to anyone). This is a Commandment from Allah; and Allah is Ever All-Knowing, Most-Forbearing. (13) These are the limits Allah (and whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) will be admitted to Gardens under which rivers flow to abide therein, and that will be the great success. (14) And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment.”

Meaning: These verses highlight the inheritance laws between spouse’s and their property and then the importance and commandments to abide by the limits of Allah. It covers their punishments and rewards if they do or don’t abide by Allah’s commands. Techniques:  Commandment: “you shall” “you will” “your wives shall”  Aphorism: “Allah is all knowledgeable and forbearing”  Contrast: between paradise and hell  Imagery: “rivers flow”  Negative connation: “humiliating punishment” Ayah 15-18:

(15) And those of your women who commit illegal sexual intercourse, take the evidence of four witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them (i.e. women) to houses until death comes to them or Allah ordains for them some (other) way. (16) And the two persons (man and woman) among you who commit illegal sexual intercourse, punish them both. And if they repent (promise Allah that they will never repeat, i.e. commit illegal sexual intercourse and other similar sins) and do righteous good deeds, leave them alone. Surely, Allah is Ever the One Who accepts repentance, (and He is) Most Merciful. (17) Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they to whom Allah will forgive and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise. (18) And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: "Now I repent;" nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful torment. Meaning: In these verses the initial punishment for women who person fornication (not adultery) was ordered and Allah (swt) clearly outlines which kinds of repentance are acceptable and which types are not. Techniques:  Muhkamat: even though this is not a technique. These verses are very clear and outline punishments, what’s acceptable and unacceptable very clearly  Aphorism: “Allah is the acceptor of repentance and merciful” Ayah 19: “O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honourably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.” Meaning: This verse explains to not treat women as if they can be inherited or as if they are a part of an estate. But instead, treat them with kindness and love, even if you dislike them. Techniques:  Exclamation: “O believers!”  Allusion: to the jahilliyah period and how they treated women as property  Digression: the previous verse was about inheritance and this is about women and marriage  Command: “treat them with kindness” Asbab al-nuzul: This verse was revealed because when a man died it was tradition from the pre-Islamic period, that his heirs had a right to be married to his wife, whether she wanted or not and if they did not want his wife they would leave her unmarried. This was also revealed after a specific incident Abu Qays died and his son inherited his wife Kubayshah, but did not treat her well not touch her, so that she would pay him to leave her. She told the prophet about what was happening, and this made many other women in Madinah tell the prophet that they were going through similar things. Until this verse was revealed. Ayah 20-21: “But if you intend to replace a wife by another and you have given one of them a Cantar (of gold i.e. a great amount) as Mahr, take not the least bit of it back; would you take it wrongfully without a right and (with) a manifest sin? (21) And how could you take it (back) while you have gone in unto each other, and they have taken from you a firm and strong covenant?” Meaning: You cannot take back dowry, possessions or fortunes you’ve given your first wife when you wish to marry another Techniques:  Rhetorical questions

Ayah 22:

“And marry not women whom your fathers married, except what has already passed; indeed it was shameful and most hateful, and an evil way.” Meaning: This verse prohibits men from marrying wives who their fathers had married prior Techniques:  Negative connation and emphasis: “surely it was shocking, disgusting and an evil practice” Asbab al-nuzul: This was revealed bout Hisn ibn abi al-qays who married the wife of his father kubayshah and many more men who had married the wives of their father prior to this revelation of this verse. There was a specific incident when Abu Qays proposed to the wife of his father once his father had died and she told him she saw him as a son to her, and the consulted the prophet. This verse was later revealed. Ayah 23: “Forbidden to you (for marriage) are: your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, your foster mother who gave you suck, your foster milk suckling sisters, your wives' mothers, your step daughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom you have gone in - but there is no sin on you if you have not gone in them (to marry their daughters), - the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins, and two sisters in wedlock at the same time, except for what has already passed; verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Meaning: This verse clarifies which women are forbidden for marriage, which are: your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your aunties, nieces, foster mothers, foster sisters, mother in las, sisters of your wives while you are married to her and step daughters. Techniques:  Command: “do not”  Aphorism: “Allah is forgiving and merciful”

Ayah 24: “Also (forbidden are) women already married, except those (captives and slaves) whom your right hands possess. Thus, has Allah ordained for you. All others are lawful, provided you seek (them in marriage) with Mahr (bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) from your property, desiring chastity, not committing illegal sexual intercourse, so with those of whom you have enjoyed sexual relations, give them their Mahr as prescribed; but if after a Mahr is prescribed, you agree mutually (to give more), there is no sin on you. Surely, Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.” Meaning: This verse continues which women are prohibited for marriage and which women are permitted and under what circumstances. Techniques:  Aphorism: “all is the knowledgeable, wise” Asbab al-nuzul: This verse was revealed after the messenger of Allah captured the people of awtas as prisoners of war and then the capturers asked if they can have relation with those women, so the verse was revealed permitting them to after marrying them. But some companions of the prophet were uncomfortable having physical relations with them because they had husbands who were idolaters, so the verse was revealed about forbidding marriage with married women.

Ayah 25:

“And whoever of you have not the means wherewith to wed free, believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those (captives and slaves) whom your right hands possess, and Allah has full knowledge about your Faith, you are one from another. Wed them with the permission of their own folk (guardians, Auliya' or masters) and give them their Mahr according to what is reasonable; they (the above said captive and slave-girls) should be chaste, not adulterous, nor taking boy-friends. And after they have been taken in wedlock, if they commit illegal sexual intercourse, their punishment is half that for free (unmarried) women. This is for him among you who is afraid of being harmed in his religion or in his body; but it is better for you that you practise self-restraint, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Meaning: This verse clarifies which marriages are permitted with slave girls and which are not...