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

Key Points

Surah An-Nis'aa

Secrets Of Revelation

In fact the hypocrites try to deceive Allaah^-SWT. When they deceive the believers or the Holy Prophet^-SW, it amounts to making futile attempts to beguile Allaah^-SWT. It is possible that the believers are tricked temporarily and take these hypocrites for Muslims, but it is Allaah^-SWT Who will finally requite them for their deeds. Allaah^-SWT shall punish these hypocrites severely for their deception. They are so deplorable, that when they stand in Salat, they do so with extreme disgust and indolence. Here indolence does not imply physical laziness but it points out to indolence of faith. Otherwise, outwardly they may be standing with a false pretence to impress other people, as they pray only to show people and not for seeking Allaah^-SWT's Pleasure. They want to be known as pious among people and pretend to offer Salat with great concentration, whereas inside them is nothing but perfidy. The topic of discussion here is not the laziness resulting from illness or physical weakness, but the inner feelings of the hypocrites are being exposed. Secondly, the hypocrites do not do Allaah^-SWT's Zikr: and if at all they do, they do it very rarely. They do Zikr only when stuck in such a gathering only to show off. If only they practised Zikr-ullaah with regularity, much of their hypocrisy would have been cured. But they are deprived of practising Allaah^-SWT's Zikr. As a result they are left standing between infidelity and faith, thoroughly confused. Sometimes they turn to the infidels, while at others take an odd step towards the Muslims. The important thing is that man must not annoy Allaah^-SWT. If one errs or sins, the best thing to do is to accept one's mistake and repent sincerely and beg for Allaah^-SWT's Forgiveness. Otherwise, continuous indulgence in sin and failure to repent invokes Allaah^-SWT's anger, and when He denies guidance to someone, all paths to salvation are closed, and the case becomes hopeless. Thus it is not proper for the believers to prefer the friendship of non-believers. Trespassing the limits for such relationships laid down by Shariah amounts to convicting one's ownself for if asked by Allaah^-SWT the reason for such conduct on the Day of Judgement, there will be no answer.

Hypocrisy a Grave Sin

The hypocrites shall be condemned to the deepest level of Hell. The levels in Paradise increase upwards, the better the status of a person, the higher will be the level to which he or she will be elevated. Conversely the levels of Hell extend downwards, with each adding to the severity of punishment and torment. The hypocritcs will be thrown into the very lowest level of Hell thus receiving punishment even more rigorous than the infidels. This is because the latter were blatant in their disbelief, while the former hid their true selves. No one shall dare to help them and they shall be without any supporters.

Yet the door to repentance is open! They are free to repent even when they have gone widely astray. And what is repentance? It is to ask forgiveness from Allaah^-SWT for past mistakes, and to correct one's beliefs and actions according to the teachings of the Holy Prophet^-SW and to form a bond with Allaah^-SWT. All the hopes associated with the non-believers or anyone besides Allaah^-SWT must now be focused on Allaah^-SWT Alone. Allaah^-SWT promises that even if right now these hypocrites purify their character, and gets rid of all diversions, He would bestow upon them the same rewards which he grants to the believers, and would reckon them among His loved ones. The believers shall be duly-rewarded by Allaah^-SWT not in proportion to their performance but stupendously according to the Graciousness of Allaah^-SWT. Thus if the hypocrites, too correct themselves and become sincere devotees of the Holy Prophet^-SW Allaah^-SWT shall forgive them and enroll them amongst the faithful servants of Islam. Just think for a second O’ mankind! What will Allaah^-SWT gain by punishing you? What is your worth? You are only His humble creation. If you yourself do not deviate from the path, remain faithful, obey Allaah^-SWT, and be thankful to Him, He is extremely appreciative and rewards people out of all proportions to their deeds. He knows everything, and no one can deceive Him. Obedience is the only key to success.

Publicity of Evil

Nothing bad and undersirable should be said or done before people as Allaah^-SWT does not approve of publicizing evil. However, if someone has been wronged, he has the right to raise a voice, either publicly or before the concerned authorities, so that they may help him, or at least protect themselves against the tyrant. Allaah^-SWT knows and sees everything. Since the topic under discussion is the society, its reformation, the establishment of peace and justice and, the right and duties involved, therefore, all possibilities have been brought to light. Thus the rule is that evil should not be publicized as this will encourage people to indulge in similar behaviour. It is, however, imperative to publicize virtue and acts of piety so as to induce noble feelings in others. In our country, majority of the magazines and periodical thrive on obscenity, and the newspapers too, publish only what evil is going on in the society. No act of nobility no matter how great can ever make headlines. All this ignominy is published merely for earning a few pennies. Whereas Allaah^-SWT declares that such abhorrent acts are the basic cause of the degeneration of society, and is despised by Allaah^-SWT. Yet the one who has been wronged, can avenge himself, but only to the extent of the damage done to him. If he exceeds the limit he too will be amongst the oppressors.

Moreover the courts' decisions can award adequate compensation to the oppressed for the damage done, but they do embitter the hearts. How great it would be if the excesses of one party are answered by the other virtuously, or are thus forgiven purging the hearts of malice forever. If you forgive the wrong done to you, in public or in private, it is quite possible that this act of nobility would revolutionize the life of the wrongdoer and he changes his ways. Allaah^-SWT is Himself so full of forgiveness. Although He is Powerful and can do whatever and whenever He wants to, and there may be so many sins you have committed and are surely known to Him, yet He overlooks and forgives despite being all Powerful.

If you too can forgive one of His servants, this act of your will certainly win you His reward and if that person mends his ways as a result, you have indeed done a remarkable and an heroic act, as you have contributed to the reformation of the society.

There are certain people who repudiate Allaah^-SWT and His Messengers^-AS and this they do by believing in some of the Prophets^-AS and denying the others. The Jews proclaim that they believe in Prophet Musa^-AS and in Torah as their Book, and the Christians profess to believe in Prophet Isa^-AS and the Bible as their Book. Allaah^-SWT declares that they are all infidels, unless they acknowledge the Prophethood of all the Prophets^-AS of Allaah^-SWT. For that they have to believe in Prophet Muhammad^-SW, and if they believe in him, they will also have to follow his teachings as people are bound to obey the Prophet^-AS of their time, and the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet^-SW  is for the entire mankind. He also affirms the earlier Divine Revelations and all the Prophets^-AS. The Books revealed to all Prophets^-AS were absolutely true, but the Jews and the Christians have altered them into the present form, which is a separate issue, but it is imperative to believe in all the Messengers^-AS of Allaah^-SWT, though people are accountable to obey only their contemporary Prophet^-AS. Another misconception is brushed aside here. Some people today create doubts that Christians or Jews doing good deeds shall be forgiven. This is absolutely not the case, 'Those who believe in certain Prophets^-AS and deny others and hence look for a middle course are the true infidels, and the worst of them. This is because they are bent upon proving their disbelief as Islam. For such infidels Allaah^-SWT has designed a shameful doom. They will have to suffer not only torture but also humiliation. Whereas those pure souls who believe in Allaah^-SWT and His Messengers^-AS, and do not discriminate amongst them, shall be successful and soon will be rewarded for their goodness. Even if such people have committed mistakes, which are humanly quite possible, they will find Allaah^-SWT extremely Merciful, Forgiving and Beneficent. Rejected here is also the notion that the real thing is to act morally and all the rest are the mutual quarrels of the Muslim clergy, it is not necessary to offer Salat or fast for what is the use of worship if one is committing sins at the same time? But the question that arises here is: who will set the criteria for virtue and vice? Who will spell out the limits? How will the difference between a noble deed and a sin will be known? To find it out, faith in Allaah^-SWT and in His Prophet^-SW is a prerequisite.

Only that will determine what is virtuous and what is not. Besides, if one worships and commits sins too, it is the latter which is to be given up and not the former! One must strive to quit sin and remain steadfast on worship.