سورة النساء   

Surah Name: An-Nisa' Meaning:The Women

  • Revealed at Madinah
  • The evolution of a society is based upon the determination of rights and duties. It is the responsibility of the ruler or the State to ensure compliance by the people and to punish the negligent. Since the duty of one is the right of another, any failure in the performance will surely lead to the extortion of people's rights. This is the basic concept of every social system though we may not like its particular manner of determination of duties. Islam far surpasses others in this regard. It begins by fixing the rights and duties of people. It reminds the State of its responsibilities. It goes still further and makes an individual stand before Allah-SWT , and motivates him to perform his duties to gain His-SWT Pleasure, He-SWT , Whose-SWT Providence he enjoys every moment and Who-SWT knows him inside out; Whose-SWT Nearness is his destination; Whose-SWT Pleasure is his aim of life; and Whose-SWT Grace is his ambition and desire. Abiding by the rules and regulations is one thing, and feelings of the Qalb is another. Spending on parents, wives, children and orphans is a noble act; but emotions, such as respect, love, kindness, cannot be measured by any scale, nor can be commanded. Therefore, the reward for such noble feelings will be Allah-SWT's Pleasure. Since this Surah deals especially with the rights of women, it has been named An-Nisa'
  • Total Number of Rukū / Sections 24
  • Total Number of Āyāt / Parts 176
  • Sūrah / Chapter number 4
  • Rukū / Section 21 contains Āyāt / Parts 11
  • Siparah/ Volume 4, 5 & 6

bismillah

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُواْ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قَامُواْ كُسَالَى يُرَآؤُونَ النَّاسَ وَلاَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً

Inna almunafiqeena yukhadiAAoona Allaha wahuwa khadiAAuhum waitha qamoo ila a(l)ssalati qamoo kusala yuraoona a(l)nnasa wala yathkuroona Allaha illa qaleela(n)

Verily the hypocrites would beguile Allah-SWT, whereas it is He-SWT Who-SWT beguiles them; and when they stand up to Salat, they stand up languidly, making a show to the people, and they remember Allaah-SWT but little.

(4:142)

مُّذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ لاَ إِلَى هَـؤُلاء وَلاَ إِلَى هَـؤُلاء وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلاً

Muthabthabeena bayna thalika la ila haolai wala ila haolai waman yudlili Allahu falan tajida lahu sabeela(n)

Wavering between this and that, neither for this nor for that; and he whom Allaah-SWT sends astray, for him you will not find a way.

(4:143)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاء مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَجْعَلُواْ لِلّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَانًا مُّبِينًا

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la tattakhithoo alkafireena awliyaa min dooni almumineena atureedoona an tajAAaloo lillahi AAalaykum sultanan mubeena(n)

O’ you who believe! Do not take infidels, instead of believers, for friends. Would you give Allaah-SWT a manifest authority against you?

(4:144)

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا

Inna almunafiqeena fee a(l)ddarki alasfali mina a(l)nnari walan tajida lahum naseera(n)

Verily the hypocrites shall be in the lowest abyss of the Fire, and you will not find for them a helper.

(4:145)

إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ تَابُواْ وَأَصْلَحُواْ وَاعْتَصَمُواْ بِاللّهِ وَأَخْلَصُواْ دِينَهُمْ لِلّهِ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ اللّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

Illa allatheena taboo waaslahoo wa(i)AAtasamoo bi(A)llahi waakhlasoo deenahum lillahi faolaika maAAa almumineena wasawfa yuti Allahu almumineena ajran AAatheema(n)

Except those who will yet repent and amend and hold fast by Allaah-SWT and make their religion solely for Allaah-SWT . These then shall be with the believers, and soon shall Allaah-SWT give the believers a mighty wage.

(4:146)

مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَآمَنتُمْ وَكَانَ اللّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًا

Ma yafAAalu Allahu biAAathabikum in shakartum waamantum wakana Allahu shakiran AAaleema(n)

What will Allaah-SWT do with your torment, if you return thanks and believe? And Allaah-SWT is ever Appreciative, Knowing.

(4:147)

لاَّ يُحِبُّ اللّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوَءِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلاَّ مَن ظُلِمَ وَكَانَ اللّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا

La yuhibbu Allahu aljahra bi(al)ssooi mina alqawli illa man thulima wakana Allahu sameeAAan AAaleema(n)

Allah-SWT does not approve of the uttering of harsh words, except by one who has been wronged; and Allaah-SWT is ever Hearing, Knowing.

(4:148)

إِن تُبْدُواْ خَيْرًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ أَوْ تَعْفُواْ عَن سُوَءٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا قَدِيرًا

In tubdoo khayran aw tukhfoohu aw taAAfoo AAan sooin fainna Allaha kana AAafuwwan qadeera(n)

Whether you disclose a good or conceal it, or pardon an evil, surely Allaah-SWT is ever Pardoning, Potent.

(4:149)

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِاللّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُواْ بَيْنَ اللّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُواْ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاً

Inna allatheena yakfuroona bi(A)llahi warusulihi wayureedoona an yufarriqoo bayna Allahi warusulihi wayaqooloona numinu bibaAAdin wanakfuru bibaAAdin wayureedoona an yattakhithoo bayna thalika sabeela(n)

Verily those who disbelieve in Allaah-SWT and His-SWT Messengers-AS and would differentiate between Allaah-SWT and His-SWT Messengers-AS and say: some we believe in and others we deny, and who would take a way in-between this and that.

(4:150)

أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ حَقًّا وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا

Olaika humu alkafiroona haqqan waaAAtadna lilkafireena AAathaban muheena(n)

They are the disbelievers in very truth, and We-SWT have prepared for the disbelievers a torment ignominious.

(4:151)

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِاللّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَلَمْ يُفَرِّقُواْ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ أُوْلَـئِكَ سَوْفَ يُؤْتِيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَكَانَ اللّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

Wa(a)llatheena amanoo bi(A)llahi warusulihi walam yufarriqoo bayna ahadin minhum olaika sawfa yuteehim ojoorahum wakana Allahu ghafooran raheema(n)

And as to those who believe in Allah-SWT and His-SWT Messengers-AS and do not differentiate between any of them, soon We-SWT shall give them their wages; and Allah-SWT is ever Forgiving, Merciful.

(4:152)

In The Name of Allah-SWT the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
SECRETS OF REVELATION:

In fact the hypocrites try to deceive Allah-SWT . When they deceive the believers or the Holy Prophet-SW  .it amounts to making futile attempts to beguile Allah-SWT . It is possible that the believers are tricked temporarily and take these hypocrites for Muslims, but it is Allah-SWT Who-SWT will finally requite them for their deeds. Allah-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 Allah-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 Allah-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-Allah-SWT with regularity, much of their hypocrisy would have been cured. But they are deprived of practising Allah-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 Allah-SWT . If one errs or sins, the best thing to do is to accept one's mistake and repent sincerely and beg for Allah-SWT's Forgiveness. Otherwise, continuous indulgence in sin and failure to repent invokes Allah-SWT's anger, and when He-SWT 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 Allah-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 Allah-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 Allah-SWT . All the hopes associated with the non-believers or anyone besides Allah-SWT must now be focused on Allah-SWT Alone. Allah-SWT promises that even if right now these hypocrites purify their character, and gets rid of all diversions, He-SWT 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 Allah-SWT not in proportion to their performance but stupendously according to the Graciousness of Allah-SWT . Thus if the hypocrites, too correct themselves and become sincere devotees of the Holy Prophet-SW    Allah-SWT shall forgive them and enroll them amongst the faithful servants of Islam. Just think for a second O’ mankind! What will Allah-SWT gain by punishing you? What is your worth? You are only His-SWT humble creation. If you yourself do not deviate from the path, remain faithful, obey Allah-SWT , and be thankful to Him-SWT , He-SWT is extremely appreciative and rewards people out of all proportions to their deeds. He-SWT knows everything, and no one can deceive Him-SWT . Obedience is the only key to success.

 

Publicity of Evil

Nothing bad and undersirable should be said or done before people as Allah-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. Allah-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 Allah-SWT declares that such abhorrent acts are the basic cause of the degeneration of society, and is despised by Allah-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. Allah-SWT is Himself-SWT so full of forgiveness. Although He-SWT is Powerful and can do whatever and whenever He-SWT wants to, and there may be so many sins you have committed and are surely known to Him-SWT , yet He-SWT overlooks and forgives despite being all Powerful.

 

If you too can forgive one of His-SWT servants, this act of your will certainly win you His-SWT 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 Allah-SWT and His-SWT 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. Allah-SWT declares that they are all infidels, unless they acknowledge the Prophethood of all the Prophets"-AS of Allah-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-SWT 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 Allah-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 Allah-SWT has designed a shameful doom. They will have to suffer not only torture but also humiliation. Whereas those pure souls who believe in Allah-SWT and His-SWT 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 Allah-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-SWT 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 Allah-SWT and in His-SWT 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.

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