Surah An-Nisa

Consolidation of the Muslim Ummah. The main theme of this Surah is the building of a strong Islamic community. Guidelines are provided to the Muslims for uniting their ranks to be firm and strong. Instructions are given to stabilize the family structure, which is the nucleus of a strong community. Muslims are urged to prepare themselves for defence and to be the torchbearers of Islam. The importance of having a high moral character in building a strong community is emphasized.

Guidelines for the smooth running of family life are provided and methods to settle family disputes are taught. Rules for marriage are prescribed and rights of wife and husband are assigned fairly and equitably. The status of women in the society is determined and the declaration about the rights of orphans is made. Laws and regulations are laid down for the distribution of inheritance. Instructions are given to reform the economic system. The foundation of criminal laws are laid down. Drinking is prohibited. Instructions are given for cleanliness and purification. The Muslims are taught what kind of relations they should have with their Lord and with their fellow human beings. Instructions are given for the maintenance of discipline in the Muslim community.

The moral and religious condition of the People of the Book is reviewed to teach lessons to the Muslims, and a warning is given to refrain from following in their footsteps. The distinctive features of hypocrisy and true faith are clearly marked for easy identification between the two. The setback in the Battle of Uhud had enabled the polytheist Arab clans, the neighbouring Jews, and the hypocrites in Madinah to threaten the Muslims from all sides. At this critical stage, Allah’s grace filled the Muslims with courage and gave them the necessary instructions during that period. In order to counteract the fearful rumours that were being spread by the hypocrites, they were asked to make a thorough inquiry about their accuracy and then inform the appropriate leadership. Muslims were experiencing difficulties in offering their Salah during the expeditions when water was not available to perform ablution. In such circumstances Allah granted permission to Women make Tayammum (purification with clean earth), and to shorten the Salah or to offer the “Salat-ul-Khawf,” when they were faced with danger. Instructions were also given to those Muslims who were living in the enemy camps that they should migrate to Madinah, the Islamic State.

Clear instructions are also given regarding the hypocrites and non-belligerent clans. On one hand, the superiority of Islamic morality and culture is established over that of the Jews, Christians and Polytheists; on the other hand, their incorrect religious concepts, immorality, and evil actions are criticized to prepare the ground for inviting them to the right way.

Establishment of the new Islamic social order after removing the preIslamic (Jahili) system. The ‘Just System’ will protect the rights of the weak and vulnerable members of society like women and orphans, in issues related to marriage, forced marriage, inheritance and financial rights. We can also take note that the word ghafarah (forgiveness) appears most in this Surah and as people are weak, one should be forgiving towards them.

The Period of Revelation This Surah comprises of several discourses which were revealed on different occasions during the period ranging probably between the end of year 3 or 4 A.H. or the beginning of 5 A.H. Although it is difficult to determine the exact dates of their revelations, it is possible to assign to them a fairly correct period with the help of the commandments and the events mentioned therein. A few instances are given below by way of illustration:

1. We know that the inheritance law for those martyred and protection for the rights of the orphans was sent down after the Battle of Uhud (in which 70 Muslims were martyred). From this we conclude that v. 1 -28 were revealed on that occasion.
2. We learn from the traditions that the ruling regarding the prayer (Salah) during war time was given on the occasion of the Dhat-ar-Riqa’an expedition. This took place in 4 A.H. From this we conclude that the discourse containing v. 102 was revealed on that occasion.

Women

1. The last warning to the Jews was given before the Banu-Nadheer were exiled from Madinah in Rabi’ al-Awwal 4 A.H. It may therefore be assumed that the discourse containing v. 47 was revealed before that date.
2. The permission about performing ablution with dust in the event of no water (tayammum) verse 43, was given during the Bani-al-Mustaliq expedition which took place in 5 A.H.