An-Nisa
Encyclopedia
Sura
An-Nisa (Arabic
: سورة النساء, Sūratu an-Nisā, "Women") is the fourth chapter
of the Qur'an
, with 176 verses. It is a Medinan sura. It is the third longest chapter in the Qur'an after Al-i-Imran and Al-Baqarah and was recited after sura Al-Mumtahina
.
As its name suggests, it deals extensively with matters relating to women and their rights and obligations, outlining the requirements of modesty
, including the verse traditionally interpreted to require wearing of the hijab
. It also describes a variety of other legal and ethical matters, such as inheritance
law, marriage, and orphan
s, and deals with matters relating to Medina
n politics, in particular tensions with the Hypocrites
(i.e. the party of Abdullah ibn Ubayy) and Jews. An-Nisa also mentions the matter of ma malakat aymanukum
and addresses the Nikah Mut'ah.
Regarding polygamy in Islam.
If we read the first verse this encourages an individual to adopt orphans, if one has a capacity to be just and equitable just as to one's own children. In other words this also suggests adoption of orphans over marriage.
This verse is about Nikah
.
This verse describes God
's/Allah
's forgiveness.
This verse details all woman whom a man may not marry(Mahram). The iteration continues in to the first line of verse 24 with the line "And all married women except those whom your right hands possess.
And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
According to Shia Tafseer, it's a verse that has been called "the verse of Mut'ah
"
Sura
A sura is a division of the Qur'an, often referred to as a chapter. The term chapter is sometimes avoided, as the suras are of unequal length; the shortest sura has only three ayat while the longest contains 286 ayat...
An-Nisa (Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: سورة النساء, Sūratu an-Nisā, "Women") is the fourth chapter
Sura
A sura is a division of the Qur'an, often referred to as a chapter. The term chapter is sometimes avoided, as the suras are of unequal length; the shortest sura has only three ayat while the longest contains 286 ayat...
of the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
, with 176 verses. It is a Medinan sura. It is the third longest chapter in the Qur'an after Al-i-Imran and Al-Baqarah and was recited after sura Al-Mumtahina
Al-Mumtahina
Surat Al-Mumtahina is the 60th sura of the Qur'an, a Madinan sura with 13 ayat.- External links :* at Sacred Texts...
.
As its name suggests, it deals extensively with matters relating to women and their rights and obligations, outlining the requirements of modesty
Modesty
Standards of modesty are aspects of the culture of a country or people, at a given point in time, and is a measure against which an individual in society may be judged....
, including the verse traditionally interpreted to require wearing of the hijab
Hijab
The word "hijab" or "'" refers to both the head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women and modest Muslim styles of dress in general....
. It also describes a variety of other legal and ethical matters, such as inheritance
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies...
law, marriage, and orphan
Orphan
An orphan is a child permanently bereaved of or abandoned by his or her parents. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents is called an orphan...
s, and deals with matters relating to Medina
Medina
Medina , or ; also transliterated as Madinah, or madinat al-nabi "the city of the prophet") is a city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, and serves as the capital of the Al Madinah Province. It is the second holiest city in Islam, and the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and...
n politics, in particular tensions with the Hypocrites
Munafiq
Munāfiq is an Islamic Arabic term used to describe a religious hypocrite, who outwardly practices Islam, while inwardly concealing his disbelief , perhaps even unknowingly....
(i.e. the party of Abdullah ibn Ubayy) and Jews. An-Nisa also mentions the matter of ma malakat aymanukum
Ma malakat aymanukum
Ma malakat aymanukum is a reference in the Qur'an to slaves.-Overview:The term itself is normally considered to refer to prisoners of war, or more broadly to slaves in general, according to the classic tafsirs...
and addresses the Nikah Mut'ah.
Selected verses
- And if you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one or what your right hands possess; this is more proper, that you may not deviate from the right course.
Regarding polygamy in Islam.
If we read the first verse this encourages an individual to adopt orphans, if one has a capacity to be just and equitable just as to one's own children. In other words this also suggests adoption of orphans over marriage.
- And give women their dowries as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result.
- (Inheritance) The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females
This verse is about Nikah
Nikah
Marriage in Islam is an Islamic prenuptial contract between a man and woman to live as husband and wife. It is a formal, binding contract considered integral to a religiously valid Islamic marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom and bride involved in marriage proceedings...
.
- Repentance with Allah is only for those who do evil in ignorance, then turn (to Allah) soon, so these it is to whom Allah turns (mercifully), and Allah is ever Knowing, Wise.
This verse describes God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
's/Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
's forgiveness.
- Forbidden to you are your mothers and your daughters and your sisters and your paternal aunts and your maternal auntAuntAn aunt is a person who is the sister or sister-in-law of a parent. A man with an equivalent relationship is an uncle, and the reciprocal relationship is that of a nephew or niece....
s and brothers' daughters and sisters' daughters and your mothers that have suckled you and your foster-sisters and mothers of your wives and your step-daughters who are in your guardianship, (born) of your wives to whom you have gone in, but if you have not gone in to them, there is no blame on you (in marrying them), and the wives of your sons who are of your own loins and that you should have two sisters together, except what has already passed; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
This verse details all woman whom a man may not marry(Mahram). The iteration continues in to the first line of verse 24 with the line "And all married women except those whom your right hands possess.
- Sahih International
And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
According to Shia Tafseer, it's a verse that has been called "the verse of Mut'ah
Mut'ah (arabic word)
Mut'ah is an Arabic word meaning literary "joy". As a term, its main connotation is Temporary Marriage -General meaning:The word is used in the name of the Battle of Mu'tah...
"
- "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly) (leave them ): ; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all)." (translation by Abdullah Yusuf AliAbdullah Yusuf AliHafiz Abdullah Yusuf Ali, CBE, FRSL was an Indian Islamic scholar who translated the Qur'an into English. His translation of the Qur'an is one of the most widely-known and used in the English-speaking world....
)
See also
- Women in IslamWomen in IslamThe study of women in Islam investigates the role of women within the religion of Islam. The complex relationship between women and Islam is defined by Islamic texts, the history and culture of the Muslim world...
- Islamic marital jurisprudenceIslamic marital jurisprudenceIn Islamic law , marriage is a legal bond and social contract between a man and a woman. Islam commends marriage, with the age of marriage being whenever the individuals feel ready, financially and emotionally...
External links
- An-Nisa at Quran.com