An-Nisa

Surat An-Nisa (Arabic: سورة النساء ) ("The Women") [2] 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.

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.

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.

Content

^[Quran 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.

^[Quran 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.

^{[Quran 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. The iteration continues in to the fist line of verse 24 with the line "And all married women except those whom your right hands possess".

^{[Quran 4:24]}

And all married women except those whom your right hands possess (this is) Allah's ordinance to you, and lawful for you are (all women) besides those, provided that you seek (them) with your property, taking (them) in marriage not committing fornication. Then as to those whom you profit by, give them their dowries as appointed; and there is no blame on you about what you mutually agree after what is appointed; surely Allah is Knowing, Wise.

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 fullfilled. The last part of the verse addresses Nikah Mut'ah, and therefore is the entire verse known as "the verse of Mut'ah"

Regarding the first part, Ibn Kathir writes:

Allah said: "(Also (forbidden are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess.) The Ayah means, you are prohibited from marrying women who are already married, (except those whom your right hands possess) except those whom you acquire through war, for you are allowed such women after making sure they are not pregnant. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said, "We captured some women from the area of Awtas who were already married, and we disliked having sexual relations with them because they already had husbands. So, we asked the Prophet about this matter, and this Ayah was revealed: "(Also (forbidden are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess). Consequently, we had sexual relations with these women." This is the wording collected by At-Tirmidhi An-Nasa'i, Ibn Jarir and Muslim in his Sahih.

He continues regarding the last part :

Mujahid stated that, (So with those among them whom you have enjoyed, give them their required due,) was revealed about the Mut`ah marriage. A Mut`ah marriage is a marriage that ends upon a predetermined date. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that the Leader of the Faithful `Ali bin Abi Talib said, "The Messenger of Allah prohibited Mut`ah marriage and eating the meat of domesticated donkeys on the day of Khayber (battle). In addition, in his Sahih, Muslim recorded that Ar-Rabi` bin Sabrah bin Ma`bad Al-Juhani said that his father said that he accompanied the Messenger of Allah during the victory of Makkah, and that the Prophet said, (O people! I allowed you the Mut`ah marriage with women before. Now, Allah has prohibited it until the Day of Resurrection. Therefore, anyone who has any women in Mut`ah, let him let them go, and do not take anything from what you have given them.) Allah's statement, (but if you agree mutually (to give more) after the requirement (has been determined), there is no sin on you.) is similar to His other statement".

The the first line of the above exegise is agree on by Shi'as, the rest is a Sunni only view. See Muslim controversies related to Nikah Mut'ah for the Shi'a-Sunni stance, or Hadiths related to Mut'ah their view on the individual historical sources.

^{[Quran 4:34]}

"Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great."

This verse suggests the treatment of women when a man fears desertion, often cited by Critics of Islam

External links

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir
• An-Nisa at Altafsir.com
• Tafsir and Recitation