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Surah 4 · Madinah · 176 āyāt
Phase 05 · Hijrah and the building of Madinah(1–5 AH) — view in timelineAn-NisāʾThe Women
النساء
Revealed 92nd, largely in the years following Uḥud when the young Madinan state was absorbing the loss of seventy martyrs, many of them fathers and husbands, and had to legislate for the orphans and widows left behind. The surah opens with the single human origin of men and women, then builds a body of law — orphans' property, inheritance shares, marriage and divorce conduct, and justice that must hold even against oneself or one's own kin. It closes an early running argument with the hypocrites of Madinah and vindicates an innocent man wrongly accused, before ending with the great fatwā on inheritance.
Why it was revealed
Uḥud left many households without a breadwinner: orphaned children and widows whose share of a deceased husband's estate had never been fixed by binding law, and whose guardians sometimes preyed on their wealth. The community also had to define its relationship with the hypocrites who had held back from the battle and now sowed doubt within Madinah.
Drawn fromṢaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4577; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1616; al-Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-Nuzūl; Ibn Kathīr on 4:105; Ibn Kathīr on 4:142–145; Ibn Kathīr, introduction to Sūrat an-Nisāʾ
Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh reported that when he fell ill, the Prophet ﷺ and Abū Bakr came walking to visit him, and found him unconscious; the Prophet ﷺ performed wuḍūʾ and poured the water on him. Jābir said, 'O Messenger of Allāh, how should I decide about my property?' Jābir had only sisters, and no verse on inheritance had yet been revealed regarding them — then the verse of inheritance was revealed.
Cited toṢaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4577; Ibn Kathīr, introduction to Sūrat an-Nisāʾ
In the Prophet's ﷺ life
Uḥud leaves orphans and widows
Seventy Companions were martyred at Uḥud; many left behind young children and wives whose inheritance and guardianship had no fixed legal shares before this surah.
Recalled in āyah 2, 3, 11
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟
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. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
يُوصِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ ۖ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۚ فَإِن كُنَّ نِسَآءً فَوْقَ ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَ ۖ وَإِن كَانَتْ وَٰحِدَةً فَلَهَا ٱلنِّصْفُ ۚ وَلِأَبَوَيْهِ لِكُلِّ وَٰحِدٍ مِّنْهُمَا ٱلسُّدُسُ مِمَّا تَرَكَ إِن كَانَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ وَلَدٌ وَوَرِثَهُۥٓ أَبَوَاهُ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلثُّلُثُ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَهُۥٓ إِخْوَةٌ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلسُّدُسُ ۚ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِى بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ ۗ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًا ۚ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
Allāh instructs you concerning your children [i.e., their portions of inheritance]: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [and/or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.
Cited toIbn Kathīr, introduction to Sūrat an-Nisāʾ
- Madd — 2 vowels
- Madd — 2, 4 or 6 vowels
- Madd — 6 vowels (lāzim)
- Madd — 4 or 5 vowels (wājib)
- Ghunnah — 2 vowels
- Qalqalah
- Ikhfāʾ
- Ikhfāʾ shafawī
- Idghām shafawī
- Idghām with ghunnah
- Idghām without ghunnah
- Idghām mutajānisayn
- Idghām mutaqāribayn
- Iqlāb
- Hamzat al-waṣl
- Lām shamsiyyah
- Silent letter
Tajwīd markup and colour convention: Quran.com API (v4) — text_uthmani_tajweed. Recitation audio: Quran.com / Quran Foundation Audio API (v4).
One origin, one accountability
The surah opens by grounding all human relations in a single origin — one soul, its mate, and the many men and women dispersed from them — before turning immediately to the vulnerable: orphans, and the warning against consuming their wealth. Fair treatment of orphan girls is tied to the permission of marrying more than one wife, but only within strict justice.
Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 4:3; Ibn Kathīr on 4:1
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءً ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا
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O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allāh, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allāh is ever, over you, an Observer.
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟
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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. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
From the tafsīr
The single soul is Ādam, and the mate created from him is Ḥawwāʾ; the āyah begins the surah on human dignity because the laws that follow — inheritance, marriage, guardianship — presuppose that men and women share one root.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 4:1
The connection between fearing injustice toward orphan girls and the permission of plural marriage shows that a law given elsewhere in the surah is itself framed by the demand for justice, not an unconditional licence.
Cited toAl-Qurṭubī on 4:3
Key takeaways
- Every law that follows in the surah is built on the prior fact of shared human origin.
Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 4:3; Ibn Kathīr on 4:1
- Permissions in the sharīʿah are conditioned on the capacity for justice, not treated as entitlements.
Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 4:3; Ibn Kathīr on 4:1
- Guardianship of the vulnerable was the immediate occasion for revealing family law.
Drawn fromAl-Qurṭubī on 4:3; Ibn Kathīr on 4:1
Reflect
Where in your own relationships have you treated a permission as an entitlement rather than a conditional trust?
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Question 1 of 2
Per al-Qurṭubī, how is the permission for plural marriage in 4:3 framed?
Question 2 of 2
According to Ibn Kathīr, why does the surah open by naming the single soul and its mate?
Fixed shares: the law of inheritance
Allah Himself specifies the shares of children and parents in an estate, closing the door to the pre-Islamic practice of excluding women and minors from inheritance altogether. The passage ends by calling these fixed shares a farīḍah — an obligation from Allah, not a matter for family negotiation.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 4:11; Ibn Kathīr on 4:11
يُوصِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ ۖ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۚ فَإِن كُنَّ نِسَآءً فَوْقَ ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَ ۖ وَإِن كَانَتْ وَٰحِدَةً فَلَهَا ٱلنِّصْفُ ۚ وَلِأَبَوَيْهِ لِكُلِّ وَٰحِدٍ مِّنْهُمَا ٱلسُّدُسُ مِمَّا تَرَكَ إِن كَانَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ وَلَدٌ وَوَرِثَهُۥٓ أَبَوَاهُ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلثُّلُثُ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَهُۥٓ إِخْوَةٌ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلسُّدُسُ ۚ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِى بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ ۗ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًا ۚ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
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Allāh instructs you concerning your children [i.e., their portions of inheritance]: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [and/or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.
From the tafsīr
Before Islam, only adult men who could fight were given inheritance; this āyah abolished that custom and fixed shares for daughters, sons and parents together as divinely legislated fractions.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 4:11
The reason given — 'you know not which of them is nearer to you in benefit' — teaches that human judgement about who deserves more is unreliable, so the division is left to the One who knows.
Cited toAl-Saʿdī on 4:11
Key takeaways
- Inheritance shares are legislated in the Qurʾān itself, not left to family custom.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 4:11; Ibn Kathīr on 4:11
- Women and children gained an enforceable share that pre-Islamic Arabia denied them.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 4:11; Ibn Kathīr on 4:11
- Human intuition about who is 'more deserving' is set aside in favour of revealed shares.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 4:11; Ibn Kathīr on 4:11
Reflect
Do you treat the distribution of an estate as a divine command or as a matter of personal preference?
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Question 1 of 2
What pre-Islamic custom does 4:11 abolish, per Ibn Kathīr?
Question 2 of 2
Why does al-Saʿdī say human judgement is set aside in fixing these shares?
Marriage: kindness, dower and difficult unions
Women are not property to be inherited against their will, and a husband may not pressure a wife to surrender her dower by making life difficult for her. 'Live with them in kindness' governs even a marriage the husband dislikes, since Allah may place much good in what is disliked. Households are then given a structure of responsibility and a graded response to serious marital discord.
Drawn fromIbn Kathīr on 4:19; Ibn Kathīr on 4:34
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَن تَرِثُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ كَرْهًا ۖ وَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذْهَبُوا۟ بِبَعْضِ مَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَـٰحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ ۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا
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O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality [i.e., adultery]. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allāh makes therein much good.
ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ قَـٰنِتَـٰتٌ حَـٰفِظَـٰتٌ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱلَّـٰتِى تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا
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Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allāh has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allāh would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them [lightly]. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted and Grand.
From the tafsīr
Pre-Islamic heirs would sometimes inherit a widow as they inherited property, either marrying her without her consent or preventing her from remarrying; the āyah forbids both.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 4:19
'Qawwāmūn' denotes guardianship and leadership, which Ibn Kathīr grounds in both divine preference in virtue and the obligation of financial maintenance; the graded steps for addressing discord begin with verbal admonition as progressive measures, and the Prophet ﷺ never struck any of his wives.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 4:34
Key takeaways
- A wife's dower and consent may not be manipulated away through hardship.
Drawn fromIbn Kathīr on 4:19; Ibn Kathīr on 4:34
- 'Live with them in kindness' is commanded even where affection has faded.
Drawn fromIbn Kathīr on 4:19; Ibn Kathīr on 4:34
- Responsibility in marriage is about duty and provision, not a licence for harshness.
Drawn fromIbn Kathīr on 4:19; Ibn Kathīr on 4:34
Reflect
Where has 'I dislike this' closed your eyes to a good Allah may have placed in it?
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Question 1 of 2
What does Ibn Kathīr note about the Prophet's ﷺ own practice regarding 4:34?
Question 2 of 2
What pre-Islamic practice does 4:19 forbid?
Trusts, obedience and returning disputes
Trusts must be returned to those entitled to them, and judgement between people must be with justice. Obedience is owed to Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and those in legitimate authority, but any dispute is referred back to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, not left to unaccountable power.
Drawn fromAl-Ṭabarī on 4:59; Ibn Kathīr on 4:58
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا۟ ٱلْأَمَـٰنَـٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا۟ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا
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Indeed, Allāh commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allāh instructs you. Indeed, Allāh is ever Hearing and Seeing.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
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O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allāh and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allāh and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.
From the tafsīr
Reported to have been revealed regarding the key of the Kaʿbah, commanding ʿUthmān ibn Ṭalḥah's trust be honoured; the ruling is then generalised to every trust and every judgement.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 4:58
Obedience to those in authority is not unconditional — it is obedience within obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, which is why disputes are referred back to revelation, not to the ruler's opinion alone.
Cited toAl-Ṭabarī on 4:59
Key takeaways
- Trusts, whether public office or private deposit, must reach those entitled to them.
Drawn fromAl-Ṭabarī on 4:59; Ibn Kathīr on 4:58
- Just judgement is commanded regardless of who is judged.
Drawn fromAl-Ṭabarī on 4:59; Ibn Kathīr on 4:58
- Obedience to authority is bounded by obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
Drawn fromAl-Ṭabarī on 4:59; Ibn Kathīr on 4:58
Reflect
What trust — a role, a secret, a responsibility — have you been slow to return or fulfil in full?
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Question 1 of 2
What occasion is reported for the revelation of 4:58?
Question 2 of 2
How does al-Ṭabarī describe obedience to 'those in authority' in 4:59?
Judging by truth: the innocent man cleared
A member of the Anṣār stole a set of armour and, to escape blame, arranged for suspicion to fall on an innocent Jewish man. Part of the community, moved by tribal loyalty, was ready to argue in the thief's defence — until these āyāt commanded the Prophet ﷺ to judge only by what Allah showed him, forbade being an advocate for the deceitful, and vindicated the wrongly accused man.
Drawn fromAl-Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-Nuzūl, on 4:105; Ibn Kathīr on 4:105
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمًا
Tajwīd markup unavailable for this āyah — text shown uncoloured
Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allāh has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate.
From the tafsīr
The occasion involved Ṭuʿmah ibn Ubayriq, who stole armour and hid it in a Jewish man's house, then his tribe pressed the Prophet ﷺ to clear him; the āyah forbids being an advocate for the treacherous, whoever they are.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 4:105
The passage that follows warns against arguing on behalf of those who betray themselves, and states plainly that Allah does not love one who is a betrayer and sinner — a rebuke of loyalty that overrides truth.
Key takeaways
- Truth is judged by evidence, never by tribal or communal loyalty.
Drawn fromAl-Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-Nuzūl, on 4:105; Ibn Kathīr on 4:105
- Defending a wrongdoer because he is 'one of us' is itself named a betrayal.
Drawn fromAl-Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-Nuzūl, on 4:105; Ibn Kathīr on 4:105
- An innocent outsider's rights were vindicated over an insider's guilt — a standard, not an exception.
Drawn fromAl-Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-Nuzūl, on 4:105; Ibn Kathīr on 4:105
Reflect
Have you ever defended someone simply because they were 'yours', against the evidence in front of you?
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Question 1 of 2
What was the underlying incident behind 4:105–113?
Question 2 of 2
What does 4:105 command the Prophet ﷺ regarding judgement?
Standing firm in justice, even against yourself
Believers are commanded to be firmly upright for justice, witnesses for Allah, even if the testimony harms themselves, their parents or their relatives, and regardless of whether the party concerned is rich or poor. Following personal inclination is named as the thing that bends justice out of shape.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 4:135; Ibn Kathīr on 4:135
۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
Tajwīd markup unavailable for this āyah — text shown uncoloured
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allāh, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allāh is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
From the tafsīr
The āyah anticipates the two most common excuses for injustice — protecting one's own family, and favouring the powerful over the weak (or pitying the poor unjustly) — and forecloses both.
Cited toIbn Kathīr on 4:135
'Allah is more worthy of both [the rich and the poor]' means His right to justice outweighs whatever sympathy or fear a person feels toward either party.
Cited toAl-Saʿdī on 4:135
Key takeaways
- Justice is owed even when it costs you, your parents or your relatives.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 4:135; Ibn Kathīr on 4:135
- Wealth and poverty must not bias testimony in either direction.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 4:135; Ibn Kathīr on 4:135
- Personal inclination (hawā) is named as the direct enemy of justice.
Drawn fromAl-Saʿdī on 4:135; Ibn Kathīr on 4:135
Reflect
Recall the last time your testimony or judgement was softened for someone close to you.
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Question 1 of 2
What does al-Saʿdī say the phrase 'Allah is more worthy of both' establishes?
Question 2 of 2
What two excuses for injustice does 4:135 specifically foreclose, per Ibn Kathīr?
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Roots from this surah
Learn the three-letter root and you unlock every word built from it — across the whole Qur'an, not just this surah.
ي ت م
āyāt 2, 3, 6, 10, 127orphanhood
- يَتِيمorphan
- يَتَامَىٰorphans
- الْيُتْمِorphanhood
ع د ل
āyāt 3, 58, 129, 135justice, fairness
- تَعْدِلُوا۟you are just
- عَدْلjustice
- الْعَدْلthe just dealing
ق س ط
āyāt 3, 127, 135equity, standing firm in fairness
- تُقْسِطُوا۟you deal justly
- قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِfirmly upright for justice
- الْمُقْسِطِينَthose who are just
و ص ي
āyāt 11, 12, 176to instruct, to bequeath
- يُوصِيكُمُHe instructs you
- وَصِيَّةa bequest
- يُوصِىhe bequeaths
أ م ن
āyāt 58, 59, 83, 136trust, safety, belief
- ٱلْأَمَـٰنَـٰتِthe trusts
- ءَامَنُوا۟they believed
- أَمَانَةa trust
خ و ن
āyāt 105, 107, 109betrayal, treachery
- لِّلْخَآئِنِينَfor the treacherous
- يَخْتَانُونَthey betray
- خَوَّانًاone who is deeply treacherous
ه و ي
āyāt 27, 135desire, personal inclination
- ٱلْهَوَىٰٓpersonal inclination
- يَهْوَىٰhe desires
- أَهْوَآءdesires (pl.)
Carry this with you
- Family law in Islam began by protecting those Uḥud left behind: orphans and widows.
- Every permission granted in marriage is bound to the capacity for justice.
- Inheritance shares are fixed by revelation, not negotiated by families.
- A wife's dower and consent may never be extracted through hardship.
- Trusts must reach those entitled to them, and judgement must be just regardless of who is judged.
- Obedience to authority is real but bounded by obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
- Tribal or communal loyalty must never be allowed to defend the guilty against the innocent.
- Justice is commanded even against yourself, your parents, and your closest relatives.
Where this surah connects
Cross-surah threads
Parts of the Qurʾān explain other parts. Each thread below opens the same subject as it is argued across every other surah you have studied, in revelation order.
Sources behind Sūrah An-Nisāʾ
Every line of context, tafsīr and takeaway on this page traces back to one of these references. Ḥadīth numbers open on sunnah.com and āyah references open on quran.com, so you can check the claim rather than take it on trust. The Arabic text itself is fetched live from a verified public corpus.
Tafsīr15
- Al-Qurṭubī on 4:3
- Al-Saʿdī on 4:11
- Al-Saʿdī on 4:135
- Al-Ṭabarī on 4:59
- al-Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-Nuzūl
- Al-Wāḥidī, Asbāb al-Nuzūl, on 4:105
- Ibn Kathīr on 4:1
- Ibn Kathīr on 4:105
- Ibn Kathīr on 4:11
- Ibn Kathīr on 4:135
- Ibn Kathīr on 4:142–145
- Ibn Kathīr on 4:19
- Ibn Kathīr on 4:34
- Ibn Kathīr on 4:58
- Ibn Kathīr, introduction to Sūrat an-Nisāʾ
Full exam — the whole surah, from memory
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An-Nisāʾ — full exam
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12 questions across 6 themes.
An-Nisāʾ · Fixed shares: the law of inheritance
What pre-Islamic custom does 4:11 abolish, per Ibn Kathīr?
Arabic (Uthmānī script) and the Ṣaḥīḥ International translation are fetched live from the Quran.com API (v4), sourced from the King Fahd Complex muṣḥaf — api.quran.com API docs · Translation: Ṣaḥīḥ International · Integrity & testing protocol