Surah
3, Aal-Imran (Family of Imran), Verses 93-200 & Surah 4, An-Nisa (The
Women), Verses 1-25
Surah 3, Aal-Imran (Family of
Imran)
Section 10: Everliving
testimony to the truth of Islam, verses 92-101
"Say: Allah speaketh truth. So
follow the religion of Abraham, the upright. He was not of the idolaters." (Verse 95)
"Lo! the first Sanctuary
appointed for mankind was that at Becca, a blessed place, a guidance to the
peoples; Wherein are plain memorials (of Allah's guidance); the place where
Abraham stood up to pray; and whosoever entereth it is safe. And pilgrimage to
the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither.
As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) lo! Allah is Independent of
(all) creatures." (Verses 96-97)
"How can ye disbelieve, when it
is ye unto whom Allah's revelations are recited, and His messenger is in your
midst? He who holdeth fast to Allah, he indeed is guided unto a right
path." (Verse 101)
The faith of Prophet Abraham
was Islam, he was the first Muslim, the fountain-head of the true faith. He
constructed the Holy Kaaba, referred to here as "Becca". The Hajj is one of the pillars
of Islam and obligatory to all Muslims who have sufficient means of performing
the pilgrimage.
No rational and intelligent person can remain a disbeliever after the arrival
of the Holy Prophet in this world with the Quran. So long as the people hold fast
to the Quran and his Ahlul-Bayt, the two weighty things mentioned by the Holy
Prophet they will not go back to paganism.
Section 11: To hold fast to
God, verses 102-109
"And hold fast, all of you
together, to the cable of Allah, and do not separate. And remember Allah's
favour unto you: How ye were enemies and He made friendship between your hearts
so that ye became as brothers by His grace; and (how) ye were upon the brink of
an abyss of fire, and He did save you from it. Thus Allah maketh clear His
revelations unto you, that haply ye may be guided, And there may spring from
you a nation who invite to goodness, and enjoin right conduct and forbid
indecency. Such are they who are successful." (Verses 103-104)
"On the Day when (some) faces
will be whitened and (some) faces will be blackened; and as for those whose
faces have been blackened, it will be said unto them: Disbelieved ye after your
(profession of) belief? Then taste the punishment for that ye disbelieved." (Verse 106)
The "cable of Allah" refers
to the two cables mentioned
by the Holy Prophet, The Holy Quran and the Ahlul-Bayt: "My Ahlul-Bayt are like the
ark of Nuh. He who sails on it will be safe, but he who holds back shall
perish." These verses also warn the Muslims not to misinterpret
the verses of the Quran or have doubts about the authority of the Holy Prophet
and his Ahlul-Bayt to explain the true meanings of the word of Allah, because
these two are the inseparably interwoven "cable
of Allah."
We also read the first mention
of enjoining the right (amr bil maruf) and forbidding the wrong (nahi
anil munkar), two concepts that are vitally important to Islam. This has
been epitomised by the Ahlul-Bayt.
Section 12: Muslims raised for
the welfare of mankind, verses 110-120
"They are not all alike. Of the
People of the Scripture there is a staunch community who recite the revelations
of Allah in the night season, falling prostrate (before Him). They believe in
Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency, and vie
one with another in good works. These are of the righteous." (Verses 113-114)
"O ye who believe! Take not for
intimates others than your own folk, who would spare no pains to ruin you; they
love to hamper you. Hatred is revealed by (the utterance of) their mouths, but
that which their breasts hide is greater. We have made plain for you the
revelations if ye will understand." (Verse
118)
Verse 118 has been twisted as an anti-Semitic
verse because it advises against friendship with the disbelievers,
originally aimed at the Jews at the time of the Holy Prophet who were an open
enemy of Islam. Practically applied today, it highlights the need to ensure
that we surround ourselves with the right people, with Muslims of similar
faith.
Section 13: The Battle of Uhud,
verses 121-129
"When two parties of you almost
fell away, and Allah was their Protecting Friend. In Allah let believers put
their trust. Allah had already given you the victory at Badr, when ye were
contemptible. So observe your duty to Allah in order that ye may be
thankful." (Verses 121-122)
"It is no concern at all of thee
(Muhammad) whether He relent toward them or punish them; for they are
evil-doers." (Verse 128)
The Battle of Uhud almost
saw a heavy defeat for the Holy Prophet and his army. Once again they were
severely outnumbered and initially after Imam Ali (as) made inroads
to the enemy camps the Muslims left their posts to try and grab the
spoils/booty of war. However, the Muslims were caught off guard by a return
attack and the Holy Prophet was injured in the fighting. At this time a cry
came out that the Holy Prophet was killed and the Muslim army, including some
of his closest companions took flight. Imam Ali (as) continued to fight along
with the uncle of the Holy Prophet, Hamza and regained the initiative and
managed to save the Holy Prophet's life but at great cost with several Muslims
including Hamza killed in battle. These verses were revealed to confirm
that Uhud was a trial and test for those who professed to believe in Allah and
his messenger.
Verse 128 was revealed as the Prophet lay
injured concerned about the welfare of the Muslims after his departure from
this world. Allah puts him at ease by saying that the evil-doers will remain
regardless of the Holy Prophet's actions.
Section 14: Prohibition of
interest - means of achieving success, verses 130-143
"Those who spend (of that which
Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity, those who control their wrath
and are forgiving toward mankind; Allah loveth the good; And those who, when
they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore
forgiveness for their sins - Who forgiveth sins save Allah only? - and will not
knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. The reward of such will be forgiveness
from their Lord, and Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will
abide for ever - a bountiful reward for workers!" (Verses 134-136)
"Or deemed ye that ye would enter
paradise while yet Allah knoweth not those of you who really strive, nor
knoweth those (of you) who are steadfast?" (Verse 142)
Verses 134-136 perhaps highlights best the mercy of
Allah and his willingness to forgive our sins and misdeeds. If by remorse and
making amends in the way prescribed by the divine law we turn repentant to
Allah, our sins may be forgiven. It is Allah who alone can forgive those
sinners who do not persist in that which they have done.
Section 15: Perseverance and
patience in suffering, verses 144-148
"Muhammad is but a messenger,
messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that,
when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back
on his heels doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful." (Verse 144)
"Their cry was only that they
said: Our Lord! forgive us for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold
sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk." (Verse 147)
Verse 144 was revealed after the Battle of Uhud
when those who had fled the battlefield used the excuse that they thought the
Holy Prophet had been killed in battle.
Verse 147 is the prayer uttered by every
Prophet. By reason of their steadfastness and their asking forgiveness and
seeking refuge with Allah, Allah grants them victory against infidels,
glorifies their mission and enhances their reputation in this world, and gives
an excellent reward in the hereafter.
Sections 16 & 17:
Delinquency and dreadsome Muslims in the Battle of Uhud & The faithful
identified from the hypocrites at the Battle of Uhud, verses 149-171
"When ye climbed (the hill) and
paid no heed to anyone, while the messenger, in your rear, was calling you (to
fight). Therefor He rewarded you grief for (his) grief, that (He might teach)
you not to sorrow either for that which ye missed or for that which befell you.
Allah is Informed of what ye do." (Verse 153)
"It was by the mercy of Allah
that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and
fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them
and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs.
And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those
who put their trust (in Him)." (Verse 159)
"Allah verily hath shown grace to
the believers by sending unto them a messenger of their own who reciteth unto
them His revelations, and causeth them to grow, and teacheth them the Scripture
and wisdom; although before (he came to them) they were in flagrant error. And
was it so, when a disaster smote you, though ye had smitten (them with a
disaster) twice (as great), that ye said: How is this? Say (unto them, O
Muhammad): It is from yourselves. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things." (Verses 164-165)
"Think not of those, who are
slain in the way of Allah, as dead. Nay, they are living. With their Lord they
have provision." (Verse 169)
From verse 121 onwards the
discussion in Surah Aal-Imran is mainly focused on the Battle of Uhud. Here
the deserters are mentioned and how Allah commanded the Holy Prophet
to forgive them. It was a great favour of Allah that He sent the Holy Prophet
to show them the right path.
Those converts who accepted Islam with half a heart showed their
dissatisfaction at the slightest reverse or disadvantage. They began to waver
after the battle of Uhud on the pretext as to how that reverse came about when
they were believers. It is pointed out to them that it was due to their
disobeying the Holy Prophet's command and yielding to satanic promptings.
Verse 169 once again re-iterates how Allah looks
after those who were martyred in the battles under the command of the Holy
Prophet and the Ahlul-Bayt.
Section 18: Uhud a loss to the
enemy, verses 172-180
"And let not those who disbelieve
imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give
them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful
doom." (Verse 178)
"And let not those who hoard up
that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty think that it is better
for them. Nay, it is worse for them. That which they hoard will be their collar
on the Day of Resurrection. Allah's is the heritage of the heavens and the
earth, and Allah is Informed of what ye do." (Verse 180)
The worldly possessions the unbelievers had was a respite, a temporary
well-being, which pulled them deeper and deeper into the abyss of infidelity
from where they could never come out. Whatever a man possesses, he receives it
from Allah, therefore, it is incumbent upon him to spend His bounties in His
way. Greed is a curse which will cleave to the neck of every miser on the day
of judgement, like a neck-ring.
Section 19: Jewish carpings at
the apostle, verses 181-189
"(The same are) those who say:
Lo! Allah hath charged us that we believe not in any messenger until he bring
us an offering which fire (from heaven) shall devour. Say (unto them, O
Muhammad): Messengers came unto you before me with miracles, and with that
(very miracle) which ye describe. Why then did ye slay them? (Answer that) if
ye are truthful!" (Verse 183)
"Every soul will taste of death.
And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly
earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed
is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion." (Verse 185)
The Jews demanded certain
fire-based miracles from the Holy Prophet in order to believe in him. The Holy
Prophet knew that in their hearts they would never believe and verse 183 was revealed.
Everything, beside Allah, will know the taste of death. Nothing, save Allah, is
permanent in its existence. This awareness of certain death makes man do good
and avoid evil, so as to prepare himself for the inevitable day of reckoning.
Section 20: The triumph of the
faithful, verses 190-200
"Lo! In the creation of the
heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens (of
His Sovereignty) for men of understanding, Such as remember Allah, standing,
sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth,
(and say): Our Lord! Thou created not this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve
us from the doom of Fire." (Verses 190-191)
"And their Lord hath heard them
(and He saith): Lo! I suffer not the work of any worker, male or female, to be
lost. Ye proceed one from another. So those who fled and were driven forth from
their homes and suffered damage for My cause, and fought and were slain, verily
I shall remit their evil deeds from them and verily I shall bring them into
Gardens underneath which rivers flow - A reward from Allah. And with Allah is
the fairest of rewards." (Verse 195)
"O ye who believe! Endure, outdo
all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order
that ye may succeed." (Verse 200)
Those who know that Allah has not created the universe in vain and reflect on
the creation of the heavens and the earth (to gain guidance and admonition),
remember Allah in thought and in words constantly, and in all attitudes and
actions.
Verse 195 highlights the equality of male and
female. Islam recognises perfect equality of both sexes - a unique and foreign
concept in the 6th Century in Arabia.
With verse 200, Surah
Aal-Imran comes to an end and chapter 4 finishes with the beginning of Surah
An-Nisa. Revealed in Mecca, it consists of 177 verses with 24 sections. The
following are the first 25 verses (4 sections) of the 4th Surah of the Holy
Quran.
Surah 4, An-Nisa (The Women)
Section 1: Responsibilities of
the guardians of orphans, verses 1-10
"O mankind! Be careful of your
duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its
mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be
careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one
another, and toward the wombs (that bare you). Lo! Allah hath been a watcher
over you." (Verse
1)
"And if ye fear that ye will not
deal fairly by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or
three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one
(only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus it is more likely
that ye will not do injustice." (Verse
3)
"Unto the men (of a family)
belongeth a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, and unto the
women a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, whether it be
little or much - a legal share." (Verse
7)
"Lo! Those who devour the wealth
of orphans wrongfully, they do but swallow fire into their bellies, and they
will be exposed to burning flame." (Verse 10)
The entire mankind,
irrespective of sex, rank, age, colour, race and nationality, has been
addressed. We are the children of a common ancestor, Adam & Hawwa who were
created from a "single
soul." The basic unity of mankind has been positively asserted in
this verse. Much has been said and practised by the Holy Prophet and his Ahlul
Bayt to lay emphasis on the love of near relatives, brotherhood of mankind and
peace and harmony in human society.
Verse 3 grants man permission to marry more
than one wife to a maximum of 4, but with strict conditions, if he thinks he
cannot treat so many with equity, he must marry only one. Polygamy is only
allowed as a safeguard against greater social evils. It is a controversial
subject but at the time of revelation Islam provided a rational positive
direction to the sexual anarchy that existed at the time. It may not be as
applicable today (although you could still argue that it is) but the ruling
remains clear with strict guidelines.
Verse 7 discusses inheritance and in Islam
both the men and women are given the right of inheritance. This Islamic law of
inheritance is a land-mark in the history of legal and social reform. In pre-Islamic
world wives, daughters and sisters were excluded altogether from
inheritance.
Section 2: Law of inheritance, verses 11-14
Self-explanatory with clear
guidelines.
Section 3: Dealing with women,
verses 15-22
"As for those of your women who
are guilty of lewdness, call to witness four of you against them. And if they
testify (to the truth of the allegation) then confine them to the houses until
death take them or (until) Allah appoint for them a way (through new
legislation)." (Verse 15)
"The forgiveness is not for those
who do ill-deeds until, when death attendeth upon one of them, he saith: Lo! I
repent now; nor yet for those who die while they are disbelievers. For such We
have prepared a painful doom." (Verse 18)
Verse 15 touches on adultery and the
requirements of being able to prove an adulterer -
4 separate witnesses, this will be discussed in more detail in later
chapters inshallah. Verse 18 highlights an important feature of
Allah's forgiveness, namely that it is not enough to do what you want and then
seek forgiveness just before your death, by then it will be too late.
Section 4: Women who may be
taken in wedlock, verses 23-25
"And all married women (are
forbidden unto you) save those (captives) whom your right hands possess. It is
a decree of Allah for you. Lawful unto you are all beyond those mentioned, so
that ye seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock, not debauchery. And those
of whom ye seek content (by marrying them), give unto them their portions as a
duty. And there is no sin for you in what ye do by mutual agreement after the
duty (hath been done). Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Wise." (Verse 24)
The muta verse - verse 24 grants permission for temporary
marriage, something I have blogged about here.
Chapter 4 finishes just before
we get to arguably one of the most discussed and debated verses of the Holy
Quran. All will be revealed tomorrow inshallah.
Thanks for reading.
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