An-Nisa

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An-Nisa
النسآء
Classification Madinan
Meaning of the name The Women
Statistics
Sura number 4
Number of verses 176
Juz' number 4 to 6
Hizb number 8 to 11
Number of Sajdahs none
Previous Sura Al-i-Imran
Next Sura Al-Ma'ida
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Sura An-Nisa (Arabic: سورة النساء, Sūratu an-Nisā, "The Women") [1] is the fourth chapter of the Qur'an, with 176 verses. It is a Madinan sura. It is the second longest chapter in the Qur'an after Al-Baqara, and was recited after sura Al-Mumtahina.[citation needed]

It was named Surat An-Nisa as it deals extensively with women and their rights and obligations compared to any other chapter. Some called it the Major (full) Surat An-Nisa, in contrast to the minor Surat An-Nisa At-Talaq ("Divorce") with twelve verses.

Contents

[edit] Overview

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 orphans, and deals with matters relating to Madinan politics, in particular tensions with the Hypocrites (i.e. the party of Abdullah ibn Ubayy) and Jews.

The Ani-Nisa is controversial in that it touches on the matter of ma malakat aymanukum, addresses the Nikah Mut'ah and suggests the treatment of women when a man fears desertion.

[edit] Content

[edit] [Qur'an 4:3]

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 the individual has a capacity to be just and equitable just as ones own children. In other words this also suggests adoption of orphans over marriage.

[edit] [Qur'an 4:4]

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.

This verse is about Nikah.

[edit] [Qur'an 4:17]

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's/Allah's forgiveness.

[edit] [Qur'an 4:23]

Forbidden to you are your mothers and your daughters and your sisters and your paternal aunts and your maternal aunts 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".

[edit] [Qur'an 4:24]

Main article: An-Nisa, 24

The first part of the verse is a continuation from the previous verse. The middle part states that the non-mentioned woman are lawful, provided that the criteria for marriage is fulfilled. The last part of the verse addresses Nikah Mut'ah

[edit] [Qur'an 4:34]

Main article: An-Nisa, 34
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one superior to 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; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

While Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Shakir translate with "beat them", Pickthal holds "scourge them" to be appropriate.[2]

Professor Ahmed Ali, in his Arabic-English translation of the Qur'an, translated this verse with well-researched sources as follows[3]:

"Men are the support of women as God gave some more means than others, and because they spend of their wealth (to provide for them). So women who are virtuous are obedient to God and guard the hidden as God has guarded it. As for women you feel are averse, talk to them suasively; then leave them alone in bed (without molesting them) and go to bed with them (when they are willing). If they open out to you, do not seek an excuse for blaming them. Surely God is sublime and great."

[edit] See also

Previous Sura:
Al Imran
The Qur'an Next Sura:
Al-Ma'ida
Sura 4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114

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[edit] References

  1. ^ The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'ân,: 4. an-Nisa': Women
  2. ^ [Qur'an 4:34]
  3. ^ Al-Qur'an: a Contemporary Translation by Ahmed Ali, Princeton University Press, 1993

[edit] External links

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