Surah An-Nisa (The Women): Allah’s Guide for Fairness, Kindness, and Respect
Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4 of the Quran) is a very powerful part of the Quran. It changed Arab society in a big way—and it still gives important lessons to the world today.
It was revealed in Madinah, and talks about many topics:
➡️ Women’s rights
➡️ Justice for all
➡️ Inheritance rules
➡️ Rules of war
➡️ Belief in One God
Let’s look at the main messages of Surah An-Nisa with history, Quranic verses, and lessons for life today.
1. All Humans Are Equal (4:1)
Arabic:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ…
English:
“O people, be careful of your Lord, who made you from one soul and from it made its mate…”
Why This Was Special
- Before Islam, people thought their tribe or color made them better.
- This verse says everyone came from Adam and Eve.
- Lesson Today: Islam says no racism, no caste, no looking down on others.
2. Be Fair to Orphans (4:2-6)
Arabic:
وَآتُوا الْيَتَامَىٰ أَمْوَالَهُمْ…
English:
“Give the orphans their money and don’t take what belongs to them…”
What Was Happening Back Then
- Before Islam, many people stole from orphans and cheated them.
- Islam told people to protect orphans and be honest with their money.
- Today’s Lesson: Always be honest with money, business, and charity.
3. Women Must Get Their Dowry (Mehr) – (4:4)
Arabic:
وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً…
English:
“Give women their dowry happily…”
Why This Was Important
- In the past, men took women’s dowry or treated women like things.
- Islam said women must be given Mehr (gift money) when they marry.
- Important: A woman’s money is hers only—no one can take it.
4. Inheritance – A Big Change (4:7-12)
Arabic:
لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ…
English:
“Men get a share of what family leaves behind, and women get a share too…”
A Huge Reform
- Before Islam, women got nothing when someone died.
- Islam gave set shares to women—like daughters, wives, and mothers.
- Important Note: Sometimes women get more than men, depending on the case.
- Truth: Islam gave women these rights 1,400 years ago, long before other societies did.
5. Polygamy – With Fairness (4:3)
Arabic:
فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً…
English:
“If you can’t be fair to all, then marry only one…”
Why This Was Allowed
- After the Battle of Uhud, many women became widows.
- Islam said men could marry up to four women, but only if they treat them fairly.
- Today: It’s better to have one wife if a man can’t be fair to all.
6. Always Be Fair – Even to Yourself (4:135)
Arabic:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ…
English:
“O believers! Always stand for justice, even if it’s against yourself or your parents…”
Why This Matters
- Islam says don’t do injustice—even to help your own family.
- Example: If your father does something wrong, you must still speak the truth.
7. Rules for War (4:90)
Arabic:
فَإِنِ اعْتَزَلُوكُمْ فَلَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ…
English:
“If they stop fighting and want peace, you cannot hurt them…”
Islam’s War Rules
- Don’t kill innocent people.
- Don’t cut trees or destroy homes.
- If enemies want peace, Muslims must stop fighting.
- Today: Many wars break these rules, but Islam taught them a long time ago.
8. Don’t Be a Hypocrite (4:145)
Arabic:
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ…
English:
“The hypocrites will be in the lowest part of Hell…”
What Is a Hypocrite?
- Someone who pretends to be a believer but acts against Islam secretly.
- Example: Saying good things in public, but doing bad things in private.
- Today: This is like people who say they love Islam but spread hate online.
9. Believe in One God – No Trinity (4:171)
Arabic:
لَّا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ انتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ…
English:
“Don’t say ‘Three’ (Trinity). Stop—it’s better for you…”
What Islam Teaches
- Islam respects Jesus (peace be upon him), but says he was a prophet, not God.
- This verse asks Christians to believe in One God only (Tawheed).
Final Thoughts – Why Surah An-Nisa Is Still Important
✅ Islam gave women rights when the world didn’t.
✅ It protects orphans, the poor, and the weak.
✅ It set rules for war long before others even thought about it.
Question for You:
“Which part of Surah An-Nisa taught you something new? Write in the comments!”
Tell me what you’d like to see next! 😊
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