Introduction to Surat An-Nisaa’ (The Women)
Names of the Surah:
1- The Women
The Surah takes its title form the many references to women throughout the Surah. For example, the Almighty Allah says:
And if you
fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry
those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four… (An-Nisaa’ 4:3)
2- The Longer Surah of Women
Some Scholars call this Surah ‘the longer Surah of women’ as Surat At-Talaq is so called the ‘the shorter surah of women’ as was mentioned in the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
It was narrated from `Abdullah that the shorter Surah, which speaks
of women (At-Talaq), was revealed after Al-Baqarah. (An-Nasa’i)
Is it a Makki or Madani Surah?
It is a Madani Surah that comprises several discourses which
were revealed on different occasions during the period ranging probably
between the end of (3 A.H.) and the end of (4 A.H.) or the beginning of
(5 A.H.). Although it is difficult to determine the exact dates of
their revelations, yet it is possible to assign to them a fairly correct
period with the help of the commandments and the events mentioned
therein and the traditions concerning them.
Subject: Consolidation of the Islamic Community
The main object of this Surah is to teach the Muslims the ways that
unite a people and make them firm and strong. Introductions for the
stability of family, which is the nucleus of community, have been given.
Then they have been urged to prepare themselves for defense. Side by
side with these, they have been taught the importance of the propagation
of Islam. Above all, the importance of the highest moral character in
the scheme of consolidation of the Community has been impressed.
Topics and Purposes of the Surah:
1- The surah also reflects some of the efforts Islam exerted in
bringing into being and protecting the first Muslim community and
Islamic society.
2- Just, fair and equitable laws and regulations for the smooth
running of family life have been laid down for the husband and wife.
Detailed instructions have been given for the division of inheritance
and due regard has been paid to the rights of orphans.
3- The surah moves with clear determination to erase all aspects of
that ignorant society from which Islam saved the Muslim community.
4- The ways of the purification of mind and body for the offering of
prayer have been taught because it plays the most important part in
every scheme of moral and social reform.
5- The Surah discusses the rights of orphans, particularly girls,
plundered by the very relatives and guardians who were supposed to look
after them; what property of theirs was good and valuable being
substituted with foul and less valuable things.
6- The establishment of the family on a firm basis coupled with the
requirements of human nature, its protection against temporary
influences in family and social life.
7- Organizing relations between individuals in the Muslim community
so that they are based on mutual care, compassion, honest counsel,
justice and benevolence is the subject dealt with by many verses.
8- The surah examines, in detail, the discussion started in the
previous two surahs about the successive plots hatched by the Jews
against the Muslim community in Madinah.
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Source:
Sayyed Abu Ala Maududi’s Tafhim Al-Qur’an.
Sayyid Qutb’s Fi Zhilal Al-Qur’an.
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