^{Surah Name:} An-Nis'aa ^Meaning: The Women

Key Points

Surah An-Nis'aa

Secrets Of Revelation

Besides ordering Muslims to hold on to Din tenaciously and courageously, Allaah^-SWT has granted many concessions and relaxations also. According to the Hadith relating the events of Ascension of the Holy Prophet^-SW, Allaah^-SWT had enjoined fifty Salat to be offered. Prophet Musa^-AS suggested to the Holy Prophet^-SW that he^-SW should request Allaah^-SWT to reduce the number. So as a result of the Holy Prophet^-SW repeated trips to Allaah^-SWT with the request of reduction in the number of Salat, it came down to forty, then thirty; twenty; ten, and finally to five. Prophet Musa^-AS again pleaded to the Holy Prophet^-SW that even five were too much as his people could not fulfill the obligation of even two. The Holy Prophet^-SW  replied that he^-SW  felt embarrassed asking for more reduction, as already the number had come down from fifty to five. Allaah^-SWT liked this gesture so much that He said that because of this bashfulness of the Holy Prophet^-SW. He will reward the believers for fifty Salat against five, i.e. the reward will be the same as that of fifty Salat. Thus the reward of availing a concession given by Allaah^-SWT and straining for carrying out His Commands is equal.

Similarly here the relaxation given in these particular Ayat is because of the arduous journeys of migration and Jihad, but all kinds of travellers can benefit from it. During a journey the cycles of Salat are to be reduced from four to two. If one gets a chance to offer Sunnah and voluntary Salat that will be offered as normal but the obligatory cycles will have to be reduced from four to two. The Salat-al-Fajr already has two obligatory cycles while the three of Maghrib will be offered as such. According to jurists the journey must be more than three destinations; each destination is approximately equal to sixteen miles. As soon as one is out of the city he will avail this concession. If a person decides to stay for more than fifteen days at a place he is visiting, then he will be considered a local and will offer his Salat in full. But if it is less than fifteen days, he will enjoy the concession. If he misses any Salat while in journey he will make up in the same manner. Details may be seen in Fiqh books, but here it is important to note that Allaah^-SWT has granted relaxation in Salat during journey but has not excused it.

Another situation that can be faced while travelling to migrate, or on an expedition of Jihad, is the threat from non-believers. The possibility is that while the Muslims are busy in Salat, the non-believers might attack and massacre them, as they are the enemies of the Muslims beyond doubt and no respite can be expected from them. It is a volatile and perilous situation yet Allaah^-SWT has not remitted the Salat. He asserts that in the presence of the Holy Prophet^-SW in such situations, he will lead the congregational Salat, while in his^-SW absence, whoever leads must do so. A group of armed soldiers must stand guard, and the rest of the Muslims should offer one cycle with the Imam. The latter must also keep their weapons by them, and when they are through with one cycle, they should take positions as guards and the former will offer one cycle with the Imam. After a total of two cycles, the Imam's Salat will be over, whereas those behind him will continue and complete their second cycle. After that, the group that had earlier offered a cycle with the Imam will come back and complete their second cycle. In this way, complete vigilance towards the enemy will be exercised, while at the same time Allaah^-SWT’s worship will also not be neglected. Thus, Islam does not allow anyone to give up any form of obligatory worship, nor does it allow any escape from practical life. Rather Allaah^-SWT’s Zikr complemented with an active participation in all aspects of practical life in complete obedience to the Holy Prophet^-SW is Islam.

Since the infidels will always be intent on eradicating Islam, the Muslims must remain equipped and must know how to use the weapons. This is all in order to protect Islam. It is thus important that each one of the protectors of Islam, must himself practise Islam too; and if they do not implement Islam on themselves, there is no sense fighting for it. So right in the heat of the battle while continuing with shelling and firing, the Muslims must take turns to offer a couple of cycles. In the state of fear, like in war, the cycles of Salat are reduced, just as in journey. The non-believers want all the Muslims to engage in worship simultaneously so that they would attack them all at once. In fact, these Ayat were revealed at an instance when the non-believers concluded after surveillance that they would attack the Muslims when they are busy in Salat. But Allaah^-SWT informed the Holy Prophet^-SW of their plan and instructed for future safety the way to offer Salat in war. They were told to offer one cycle in congregation and one at their own. They should offer two instead of four but must not miss their Salat. Let us pause and think whether Salat has a similar importance in our lives today? There are other concessions too; such as in case of rain, or some illness which prevents the wearing of weapons, these can be put aside. Since in those days the weapons were carried on a person, this concession is being given, yet it is recommended to at least carry some weapon for defense at all times. The infidels are destined for disgrace, both in this world and the next. However, this world is a place of causes and effects, and the Muslims must rely on Allaah^-SWT only after adopting adequate means. This is called Tawakkal i.e. reliance upon Allaah^-SWT. The Hereafter is a reward from Allaah^-SWT for obeying Him in this life. Thus Allaah^-SWT tells the Muslims to obey Him by employing resources and having trust in Him and He will take care of the non-believers. Not only will they be humiliated in this world but also will be disgraced much more in the Hereafter.

Yet earning out these two Commandments appears to be difficult. To worship at the proper time and to work at the time of work; to abstain from rituals in the former and to refrain from the illegitimate in the latter, to control evil thoughts and desires, and a perpetual and life-threatening conflict with evil; all this is not easy to accomplish at all. But there is a prescription, which makes it very simple. While on the battlefield when the Salat is over, Allaah^-SWT's Zikr should never cease. Allaah^-SWT is to be remembered with intensity and continuity while standing, sitting or reclining. Not a single moment must pass without the Zikr of Allaah^-SWT. The Divine Lights of His Name must be absorbed in the heart, and see what immense peace and absolute satisfaction is gained. A Salat offered after acquiring these feelings is a world apart from that offered without them. Those who insist that Salat is the alternative of Zikr must ponder over these Ayat in which not ordinary' Salat but also Salat al Khauf (Salat of Fear) is being explained, which is offered during Jihad. Even then Allaah^-SWT orders that the Salat concludes but the Zikr never does, whether people are attacking, falling or lying down. Lying down may mean reclining for rest and may also indicate falling down when wounded in Fight, and the Ruh is ready to depart. The Zikr must continue in all circumstances. It is strange how people who stop others from practising Zikr-ullaah, ignore these Ayat.

When there is peace, full Salat must be offered. Continuous Zikr will improve the quality of feelings experienced during Salat. It brings inner peace and happiness as a result of which each Sajdah becomes more blissful. Salat can only be offered at its prescribed time and is a basic tenet of Islam. At the same time the Muslims must not be sluggish in tackling the enemy. The infidels are stricken by similar hardships, fatigue, wounds and dearth of ration as the Muslims, for they too are at war. But the Muslims hope for magnificent rewards and awards from Allaah^-SWT, to the extent that they aspire to actually see Him! The infidels have no such expectations to motivate them. Allaah^-SWT is all-Knowing and the Wisest. He shall reward everyone according to his action, intention and sincerity. Besides, Allaah^-SWT orders only that for whose execution he grants the capability.