Chapter 4 - An-Nisa'
***Please note... The information in the parentheses immediately following the verse number indicates the file or article to which they refer. Verses will continue to be added as the documents are introduced.
4:1(2) O MANKIND! Keep very consciously fearful of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity, and then by its division into two halves, but still complete beings, in the form of male and female, created its mate, and out of their spiritual and physical mating, spread abroad a multitude of men and women. And remain consciously aware of God, in whose name you assert your rights and kinships upon one another. Verily, God is ever watchful over your journey of evolution!
4:2(2) Hence, render unto the orphans their possessions, and do not substitute bad deeds for the good ones; which means, do not grab their possessions by mixing up with your own: this, verily, is a great crime.
4:3(2) And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then sponsor and become guardians (ankahu) of those of this weaker segment of society (min an-Nisaa) who might look suitable for you; may they be two, three or four of them. Still if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then sponsor only one - or if you already have one under your sponsorship/supervision/responsibility, that is sufficient. This will make it more likely that you will not suffer undue economic burden.
4:3(32)(34) “And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then SPONSOR OR TAKE UNDER YOUR GUARDIANSHIP (فَانكِحُوا) from this weaker segment of society (مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ) two, three and four of such as may deem appropriate to you; then if you think you can’t treat all of them justly, sponsor only one; OR just take care of those who are already under your subordination through an oath or working contract/agreement (مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ). This way it is more likely that you will not over burden yourselves.”
4:4(2) And give this weaker class of society (An-Nisaa) their dues (sadaqaati-hunna) without recourse to argumentation (nihlatun). But if they, of their own accord, intend to give up unto you a part thereof, then enjoy it with pleasure.
4:5(2) But keep in mind the general principle not to entrust to those who are weak of judgment the possessions which God has made the means of your stability; but let them have their sustenance there from, and groom them, and speak unto them in a kindly way.
4:6(2) And test those orphans by passing through trials until they reach (balaghoo) the age of taking possession and control (An-Nikaah); then, if you find them to be mature of mind, hand over to them their possessions; and do not consume their assets by wasteful spending, and in haste, ere they grow up. And let him who is rich abstain entirely from his ward's property; and let him who is in need partake thereof in a fair manner. And when you hand over to them their possessions, let there be witnesses on their behalf - although none can take count as God does.
4:7(2) Males out of them SHALL have the full right on what their parents and kinsfolk have left behind, and females shall have full right on what their parents and kinsfolk have left behind, whether it be little or much - a right ordained [by God].
4:8(2) And when [other] near of kin and orphans and needy persons are present at the distribution of inheritance, give them something thereof for their sustenance, and speak unto them in a kindly way.
4:9(2) And all concerned must visualize the possible fate of leaving behind them their own weaker offspring fearing their destitution; so let them all remain conscious of God, and let them always be just and straightforward.
4:10(2) Behold, those who sinfully grab the possessions of orphans they fill up their bellies with fire: they will have to endure a blazing flame!
4:15-16 “Those of your women who are seen transgressing the limits of modesty (يَأْتِينَ الْفَاحِشَةَ), arrange to produce four witnesses against them. If they attest to their crime, hand them over to the relevant governmental institutions (فِي الْبُيُوتِ) so that this degrading life of captivity (الْمَوْتُ) may strengthen their character by removing their weaknesses (يَتَوَفَّاهُنَّ), or the divine Government may create for them a way out from this impasse (لَهُنَّ سَبِيلًا). Then if you find two of your males committing transgression from the moral limits, sentence them too to some kind of punishment. If they repent and improve their conduct, let them go. Indeed Allah or Divine Government always reverts to its people with mercy.”
04:24(34) CLARIFICATION ABOUT VERSE 4:24
The context of this Verse starts from Verse 4:22 where this admonition is issued : وَلَا تَنكِحُوا مَا نَكَحَ آبَاؤُكُم مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ سَلَفَ ۚ : “And do not grab and possess (وَلَا تَنكِحُوا) of the weaker segments of your society (مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ) all that your ancestors (آبَاؤُكُم) used to take in their possession (نَكَحَ); excepting what was done in the past”. Now the felony was committed here in such a crooked way that the sex-obsessed religious scholars of old times always wishfully asserted only a single but un-authentic definition of NIKAAH, viz., MARRIAGE! They also preferred another single and lone wishful meaning of NISAA, viz., WOMEN! According to this mindset of theirs, employed under an organized conspiracy, they interpreted the above Verse forthwith as: “Do not Marry (or sleep with) those Women whom your forefathers had Married (or fornicated)”! What a joke! The point to consider here lies in the purely academic lexical definition of the word NIKAAH which stipulates that it can mean Marriage only exceptionally, just when it is used in company of some other word/words that may lead to the relation of Marriage between man and woman! Where only the word NIKAAH is used without any other subsequent lead or clue towards Marriage, Nikaah cannot be taken to mean Marriage. It would most of the times mean: “to take into possession; to take in your guardianship or sponsorship or in employment or into any agreement of working relationship” as per the dictates of the context of narration. This explanation of the meaning of NIKAAH enjoys full lexical authority and not only solves many puzzles arising in Readers’ minds but also opens up new horizons of thought and deliberation! But imagine the corroded mindset of our so-called religious scholars! How could they suppose that the younger generations would be attracted towards marrying the ageing widows left behind by their forefathers? And that Allah would be so shocked on this phenomenon that He would specifically order them NOT TO DO THAT?? What a big joke with Quran! Imagine as to how old the women married to your fathers and grandfathers are supposed to be? Naturally very old! And who would be the insane young males, leaving alone younger women of comparable age and going after those old ones who, by virtue of their direct relationship, should be their mothers, and grandmothers, etc.? You would feel like crying in bewilderment on the insanity of these fake translations!!! And some of the traditionist scholars would still not feel ashamed in advancing lame excuses that this was an existing practice among the Arabs of that time! VOW! Is that true? Ask any Arab sage about it! Okay! However, in the end, they need to answer another big and crucial question: “Was Quran sent for only the Arab society, and dealt with only their prevalent customs, or was it meant for the guidance of the entire humanity”??? You will find them dumbfounded, having no answer to that!!
4:24(34) “And forbidden to you is to forcibly bring under your domination, from the weaker masses (مِنَ النِّسَاءِ), those segments/groups/communities who are morally righteous and well- protected (وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ) except those who have already come under your oath of allegiance (إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ): this is God's ordinance, binding upon you. But lawful is, all beyond the aforementioned, for you to join with them to make them strong and protected (مُّحْصِنِينَ) by spending from your treasury towards their welfare, without blood-letting (غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ ). And then whatever benefits and gains you acquire by their allegiance (فَمَا اسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهِ مِنْهُنَّ ), do reward them fully there for as a duty (فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً ). Moreover, you will incur no sin if, after having awarded their lawful due (بَعْدِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ), you freely agree with one another upon anything else. And do remember that God is indeed all-knowing, wise.”
4:25(34) “And those of your regional leadership not having (لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ ) abundance of means, resources or enough power (طَوْلًا) to enter into alliances/allegiance (أَن يَنكِحَ ) with powerful and well-protected peaceful regional communities (الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ), they should join with those young and upstart groups (فَتَيَاتِكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ) who already are under your oath of allegiance (مَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُم ). Allah is well aware of your commitments/covenants (أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِكُم ). You all belong to each other. Therefore, enter into agreements or allegiances (فَانكِحُوهُنّ) with the permission of the authorized elders of those communities (بِإِذْنِ أَهْلِهِنَّ ) and then give them their full legal rights in a way that they maintain their moral and strategic strength (مُحْصَنَاتٍ), may not resort to bloodletting (غَيْرَ مُسَافِحَاتٍ) and may not indulge in secret conspiracies (مُتَّخِذَاتِ أَخْدَانٍ ). When they have become powerful and fully protected and might resort to untoward behavior, they will be liable to half the punishment as compared to other already powerful and protected units. This favored treatment is only for those units who have been facing difficulties and hardship. But those of you who remain steadfast in those unfavorable situations, it will be a source of great benefit for you because Allah is the provider of protection and mercy in difficult situations.”
4:28(35) God wants to make easy for you; and man is created weak.
4:34(2) The people of power and authority in a society are required to provide all the means of stability to their weaker segments inasmuch as God’s law has, as a matter of course, granted some of them status of superiority over others and inasmuch as they are in a position to spend from the public exchequer. Hence, the society’s righteous segments, loyal and obedient groups, are the guardians of those future aspirations of their nations which God Himself safeguards. However, those of them you fear disobedience from, admonish them, leave them to counsel in their meetings and explain things to them clearly. Thereafter, if they obey your directives in normal course, do not find ways to confront them. Verily only Allah is the high and exalted one.
4:34(32) “The powerful and authoritative segment of society, viz., the elitist ruling class (الرِّجَالُ) are responsible for providing stability to the weaker segments of population (النِّسَاءِ) insofar as Allah’s Laws have bestowed some of them a higher level than the rest, and insofar as they are in a position to spend (وَبِمَا أَنفَقُوا) from their national wealth (أَمْوَالِهِمْ). Therefore, society’s righteous groups, and the loyal and submissive groups, safeguard those visionary goals of the nation (حَافِظَاتٌ لِّلْغَيْبِ ) which are supported by Allah’s Laws. However, those groups among them whom you fear ill-conduct from (تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ ), you need to admonish them (فَعِظُوهُنَّ ) and leave them to deliberate in their gatherings (فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ ) and explain the issues to them clearly (وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ). Then if they turn to you in obedience (أَطَعْنَكُمْ ), do not take steps against them. Verily, Allah’s Law has very high inspirational values.
4:43(32) “O those of you who have attained to faith and peace, when your intellect/mental faculties are confused (سُكَارَىٰ - sukaara), do not go near to the pursuit of divine commandments (لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ) until you have acquired full knowledge of what you are speaking about; and it is the same when you happen to be a stranger (junuban - جنبا) on this ideological front until you purify your concepts (taghtasiloo - تَغْتَسِلُوا), except if one has crossed his way towards the learning process (illa ‘aabiri Sabeel -إِلَّا عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ). And if you suffer from infirmities of faith and belief (mardhaa - مرضیٰ), or still are in the middle of your learning process (‘alaa safari – علیٰ سفر), or if one of you has come up from a very low intellectual level (min al-Ghaait – من الغائط), or a particular conscious weakness has touched/influenced you (laamas-tum an-Nisaa – لامستُم النساء) and you have not known a revelation/guidance solving this problem, all you need is to keep your targets and aspirations (فَتَيَمَّمُوا) very high and noble (صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا). Then assess (فامْسَحُوا) your thoughts/concepts (وُجُوهِكُم) and capabilities (وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ). And keep in mind that, verily, Allah is forgiving and dispenser of protection.”
4:101(15) “AND WHEN you eventually set off for a journey towards your goal (ضَرَبْتُمْ) and you have reason to fear that those bent on denying the truth may cause you harm, you will incur no sin by desisting from (تَقْصُرُوا) open pursuit of divine discipline (الصَّلَاةِ), in self defense; for, verily, those who deny the truth are your open foes.”
Qaf-Sad-Ra = become short, have little or no power, become niggardly, fall short, i.e. not to reach something, left/relinquish/abstain/desist/cease, took from its length, clip/shove, restricted/confined/limited, kept within certain bounds or limits, restrain/withheld, hinder/prevent, contract or draw oneself together, obedient, last part of day. qasr (pl. qusur) - ample and spacious house, castle, palace.
4:102(15) “And, O Messenger, when thou art among these faithful and have deputed them to carry out (فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ) the divine commandments (الصَّلَاةَ ), the proper way to that will be to let different contingents of them (طَائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم) stay under your supervision (مَّعَكَ) turn by turn; and carry with them their weapons (وَلْيَأْخُذُوا أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ) so that when they have fully surrendered in obedience (سَجَدُوا), they must be enrolled in the ranks behind you (مِن وَرَائِكُمْ), and the other group who has not yet followed (لَمْ يُصَلُّوا) shall come forward to undergo the discipline in your company (فَلْيُصَلُّوا مَعَكَ) and, subsequently, take up defensive measures and remain armed (وَلْيَأْخُذُوا حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ ). You should keep in mind that those who are bent on denying the truth (َکفَرُوا) would love to see you oblivious of your weapons and related equipment (تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ), so that they might fall upon you in a surprise attack. However, it shall not be wrong for you (وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ) to lay down your weapons (أَن تَضَعُوا أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ ) for a while if you are facing troubles like a shower of arrows from above (أَذًى مِّن مَّطَرٍ) or encountering some other strategic weakness (أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ), and you need to take defensive measures for your safety (وَخُذُوا حِذْرَكُمْ ); Verily, God has reserved a shameful suffering for those who deny the truth!”
Matar; that which falls upon you in mercy or in punishment; good or evil poured upon; hastening, quickening; raining; shower of water from skies.
4:103(15) “And when you have carried out your missionary responsibilities (الصَّلَاةَ), you must still keep inviting attention to the Divine Attributes of Allah (فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّـهَ) while standing or sitting among people, and all around you. And when finally peace prevails then you must enforce the overall discipline of Divine Guidance. Verily the pursuit of the divinely ordained Discipline is a duty (كِتَابًا) regarded as mandatory (مَّوْقُوتًا) upon the faithful/peace keepers.”
4:104(15) “And do not show slackness in seeking out the enemy concentrations. If you feel you are suffering painful repercussions, then be it known that they are also facing the same fate as you. But you are in a better position of expecting a rewarding return from Allah, which they expect not. Rest assured that Allah is aware of all that you pass through and is a possessor of profound wisdom.”
4:161(29) “....And they were multiplying their wealth through exorbitant profit taking though they were forbidden to do so, and thus by employing unfair practices they were robbing people of their financial means....”
4:164(26) “And Allah addressed MOSES to convey his message”.