SURAH 4: An-Nisā' |
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1
O humanity! adhere to the Laws of your Sustainer Who initiated your
creation with a single life-cell (6/99, 39/6) which split into two parts
– one male and the other female – and through them spread so many men
and women in the world.
(It is thus clear from this example that the origin of mankind is
one and the same and therefore subsequent man-made divisions have no
justification. You consider entire humanity as one entity) and follow the
Laws of Niz’am-e-Rabubiyyat,
through which all those necessities of yours are fulfilled for which you
seek each other’s assistance (14/34). The first step, while establishing
this Niz’am,
would be with your own kith and kin (and then keep on expanding the
circle, till the entire community comes inside) and if you succeed in
doing this, you will see how Allah’s
Laws continue in keeping watch over you! 2
To begin with, if those persons who are alone in society e.g.
orphans, come under your guardianship, you should make over to them what
belongs to them. Do not substitute worthless stuff for what is valuable.
Do not consume their property by amalgamating it with your own. This is a
serious crime. 3
But the problem of orphans (or those left alone in the society) is
not solved simply by taking care of their property – it has other
implications as well. For instance, if a situation arises, out of a war or
otherwise – where a large number of men die, leaving behind widows and
orphans, or you have a large number of marriageable women who cannot find
husbands (4/127) and they cannot marry outside your circle; so if you
cannot find an equitable solution to this problem then permission is
hereby given to you to relax the Law of monogamy and those amongst you who
can afford it and can treat all justly can marry two or three or four
women of their liking. But if you fear that you cannot do justice, then
only one or the female captives who are already in your charge. This will
relieve you from the burden of a large family. 4
Give your wives their dower willingly since they have a right to it
(4/20). If they forego a part of it out of their own free will, then you
may utilise it as you like. 5
Wealth is the mainstay of a nation, so take good care of it. And do
not entrust to those who are immature and of weak understanding, the
possessions which Allah has
placed in your charge for their support, but let them have their
sustenance and clothe them, give them good education and explain to them
in a gentle way why their property is not being returned to them. 6
With regards to the orphans in your care, ascertain if they are of
sound understanding. If so, hand over
their property to them when they attain the age of marriage. Thinking that
you may have to return the property of orphans to them after a short time,
do not devour it or expend it wastefully. Those who have means should not
charge anything for their stewardship and those who are in need may charge
a fair and reasonable sum. When you are going to return the property of
orphans to them, call witnesses and keep in mind that you are accountable
to Allah. 7
As regards the distribution of inheritance, men have a share in
what their parents and nearest kin have left, and women also have a share
in what their parents and nearest kin have left, whether it be little or
much. This is their legal share. 8
At the time of the distribution of inheritance if some relatives,
orphans or those in want (who have no legal share in the inheritance) are
present, give them something out of kindness and speak to them gently. 9
Those who are responsible for the distribution of inheritance
should do so strictly in accordance with Allah’s
Laws. They should keep in mind how they would feel if, in case of their
death, someone were to treat their helpless dependants unjustly: therefore
speak to them in straight, clear and proper language. 10
Those who devour the property of orphans unjustly, fill their
bellies with fire which will burn them into ashes. 11 Now Allah
explains to you the Laws of inheritance: 1. The portion of a son is equal to the portion of two daughters, 2. If there are two or more daughters, they shall have together 2/3rds of the inheritance, 3. If there is only one daughter, her share shall be one half of the inheritance, 4. The father and mother of the deceased shall each have one-sixth of the inheritance, if he left children, 5.
If the deceased left no children and his parents alone are the
heirs, his mother shall have one-third (and his father two-thirds) of the
inheritance, but if he left brothers or sisters along with his parents,
his mother shall have one-sixth of the inheritance. (The shares of his
brothers and sisters are determined under 12(3).
The distribution of inheritance, in all cases, is after the
provisions of the deceased’s will have been fulfilled and his debts have
been paid. Allah has appointed these shares because you could not know who
amongst the inheritors of the deceased are deserving and to what extent.
Certainly Allah is All-Knowing,
Wise. 12 1. You shall have one-half of what your wives leave behind if they leave no child, but if they leave a child, you shall have one-fourth of what they have left behind. This is after the provisions of the deceased’s will have been fulfilled and her debts have been paid. 2. Your wives shall have one-fourth of what you have left behind, if you have no child, but if you have child, they shall have one-eighth of what you leave behind, after the provisions of your will have been fulfilled and your debts have been paid. 3. If the deceased leaves no children and his heirs are parents and brothers and sisters*, then:- a) In case there is one brother and one sister, each of them gets one-sixth of the inheritance, b)
in case there are more than two then together they will get
one-third of the inheritance. This
is after the provisions of the deceased’s will have been fulfilled and
his debts have been paid.
The distribution of
the inheritance should be in such a way that no loss is caused to anyone.
This is an injunction from Allah,
Who knows ALL and is not carried away by emotions. 13
These are the limits set by Allah.
Whoever obeys Allah’s System
will be admitted to gardens where streams flow to abide therein. This will
be a great achievement**. 14
Whosoever disobeys Allah’s
System and transgresses the limits prescribed by Him, will be thrown into
hell to abide therein and lead a life of great degradation. 15
If any of your women commit indecency, take the evidence of four
witnesses from amongst yourselves. If they are proven guilty, restrict
their movement by confining them to their houses for life or until Allah
opens out a way for them. 16
If two men from amongst you are found guilty of something similar,
punish them. But if they repent and make amends, then leave them alone.
The Divine System makes room for repentance and thereafter the restoration
of the means of development. 17
Repentance (Taubah) is
only accepted from those who do something wrong in ignorance and repent
immediately thereafter: for Allah
is All-Knowing, Wise. (18)
Of no avail is the repentance (Taubah)
of those who persist in wrong doing until they are confronted by death and
they say: “Now we have repented indeed.” These people as well as those
who die in the state of Kufr
will suffer a most grievous punishment. 19
O Jama’at-ul-Momineen,
you cannot marry women against their will and become their master instead
of their companion. Do not treat them harshly in order to appropriate a
part of their dower unless they are guilty of open indecency. (The matter
will, of course, be decided by the proper authority.) On the contrary,
live with them honourably. If you dislike something about them do not
resolve immediately to separate from them. It is possible that something
you dislike may bring about abundant good for you. 20-21
If you intend to marry another woman
in place of your present wife and you have given the latter a whole
treasure as dower you should not take back even a portion of it. You
should not slander her or accuse her of open wrong in order to compel her
to surrender a part of her dower. How can you do that when your wives have
taken a solemn covenant from you, and you also have enjoyed marital
relations with each other. 22
Marry not women whom your fathers had married. What is past is
past, but this was a very shameful, indecent, and abominable custom
indeed! 23
Forbidden to you in marriage are:
However, what is past is past. Allah
overlooks your shortcomings, but remember that the protection and
nourishment of your personality can only be, if you follow His Laws. 24 Also forbidden
to you in marriage are those women who are already married except those
whom you already possess.
These are the Divine Laws.
Except for these
women, all others are lawful for you in marriage provided you pay them
their dower and marry them for the purpose of leading a conjugal life and
not for the mere satisfaction of your lust. Pay the dower to the women
whom you take into marriage. By mutual agreement, the original dower may
be altered.
Allah’s Laws are
based upon knowledge and wisdom. 25
Whoever amongst you cannot afford to marry a free believing woman,
may marry a believing woman who is a captive. If you marry a captive
woman, do not treat her as an inferior (because once she accepts Islam and
marries you, she is at par with others). Allah
knows all about your Ei’man
(and Ei’man is the only consideration for distinction, otherwise) the one of
you is as the other. Marry captive women with the permission of their
custodians and pay them their appropriate dowers. If you marry these
women, marry them for the purpose of leading a conjugal life and not for
the mere satisfaction of your lust. Do not have a secret relationship with
them.
If captive women are
guilty of adultery, after they have entered into wedlock, their punishment
is one-half that of free believing women*** (24/2).
Permission to marry
captive women is given only to those men who fear that they might falter
if they remain unmarried but it is better for them if they practise
continence (24/33). Remember Allah
is the Protector and Raheem. 26-27
These Family Laws have been explained
to you in detail and with clarity because they pertain not only to
individuals but also have great impact upon the life of nations. The
history of earlier nations testifies to this – those who obeyed these
Laws led blissful lives while those who disobeyed them were ruined. Allah
is All-Knowing, Wise.
Allah wants that you
should be protected from such ruin. Lewdness and indecency are prevalent
in the present society and people who act thus would like you to drift
away from the right path and become like them. (28)
Allah
wants to lighten your burdens. He knows that if your emotions are not channeled
by means of the Divine Laws and you are left to yourselves then you would
be overpowered by your emotions, which would result in destruction and
there would be chaos in the society. Limitations are essential to control
the emotions. 29-30
O Jama’at-ul-Momineen
do not devour each other’s wealth unlawfully. You will destroy each
other that way whereas Allah
desires the nourishment of all of you. But if you defy Allah’s
Laws, it would be tantamount to zulm
which brings about society’s ruin according to the Law of Mukaf’at. This can
happen very easily.
Trade by mutual agreement is the proper way for exchanging wealth. 31
Should you abstain from the serious crimes which you have been
forbidden to commit, it will save your society from chaos and you will
lead an honorable life. 32
The earning capacity of individuals differs but each person should
strive hard to increase his or her capacity to earn. Men shall have what
they earn and women shall have whatever they earn. Allah
has knowledge of all things. 33
Men and women own not only what they earn but also have their
prescribed shares in inheritance as explained earlier (4/12-13). In
distribution of inheritance contractual relatives have precedence over
blood relatives. Truly Allah is witness to all things. 34
As stated earlier, women own what they earn but due to biological
reasons, they are incapacitated for considerable periods of time, to earn
a living. Due to this fact it is obvious and natural that the
responsibility for maintaining the family is vested in men. When women are
given such protection then they must fulfill their functions as women
faithfully and safeguard their potentialities.
If notwithstanding all this, those in authority apprehend defiance
on the part of women with regards to the performance of their natural
functions, they should, in order to correct such a behaviour, first
admonish the women, then, if required, separate them temporarily from
their husbands, or intern them, and finally, if necessary, punish them
otherwise. Allah’s Laws must prevail. If they submit to them then seek no
occasion against them. 35
The above directive concerns men and women in general. As regards
husbands and wives, if you apprehend a breach between the couple, then the
concerned authority should constitute a board of arbitration consisting of
two members, one from the husband’s family and the other from the
wife’s. If they want to reach a settlement then appropriate
reconciliation should be effected between the couple. Surely, Allah
is the knowing and apprised of everything. (If a settlement cannot be
reached then divorce is to be resorted to for which directives have been
given separately.) 36
Next, comes the matter of relatives other than spouses. In dealing
with them, Allah’s Laws must
be adhered to strictly and no man-made Laws should be mixed with them.
According to these Laws, you should do good to: 1. parents, 2. kin-folk, 3. orphans, 4. others in need, 5. neighbours irrespective of whether they are your relatives or not, 6. wayfarers who stand in need of your help and, 7.
those in your charge or those who work under you.
Allah does not like those
who are proud and boastful. 37
These people are those who try to keep as much as possible for
themselves. They bid others to do likewise and try to keep hidden whatever
bounty Allah has given them. For such ungrateful people Allah
has prepared a humiliating life. 38
As regards those who spend for the sake of making a show and do not
believe in Allah and the Hereafter, Shait’an
becomes their companion. What a dreadful companion he is! 39
If these people had believed in Allah
and the Hereafter and spent in the cause of Allah
instead of their own glory, what harm would have come to them? Surely Allah
has full knowledge of them. 40
Allah does not lessen aught from the compensation given to those who
spend in His Cause, but doubles the compensation of His own accord. 41
Those who act hypocritically think that their hypocrisy will remain
unknown. Ask them what their situation would be when they are confronted
by a meeting of representatives from each group presided over by the Rasool. 42 Those people
who were bent upon denying the truth and also paid no heed to the Rasool’s
directives would wish that they had been levelled to the ground so that
their hypocrisy had remained veiled, but nothing shall remain concealed
from Allah! 43
In order to establish Quranic
Order, congregational meetings of Sal’at are necessary. O Jama’at-ul-Momineen
do not come to such an assembly: 1. With a befogged mind when you do not understand what you say ****; 2. Until you have washed yourselves if you have had sexual intercourse, except when you do not participate in the meeting but simply pass by it; 3. If you cannot wash yourself due to sickness when water is harmful to you; 4.
When you are on a journey; or you have returned from a call of
nature and water is not available or you have touched a woman.
In these cases you can clean yourselves by using soil and wipe your
hands and face. Such a relaxation is given by Allah
Who is lenient and protective. 44
Have you pondered over the case of those who were earlier given a
part of the Code (and now with the revelation of the Quran,
the whole message is complete). (Instead of accepting the whole truth)
they are adopting the wrong path and wish that you should also go off the
right track. 45
Allah knows who your enemies are but you need not be afraid of them.
Allah is Sufficient for you as
guard and helper. 46
Amongst the Jews there are some who pervert the words of their
scriptures and while talking to you use homonymous language. For instance,
instead of saying Sam’aina
wa ata’ina (i.e. we have heard what you have said and we will obey)
they will say Sam’aina wa ’asa’ina (i.e.
we have heard but we will not obey or you listen to us, though you would
not be listened to and they say Ra’aina
– by twisting their tongues. Their intention is to scoff at your Deen
(2/104)). If they had been well intentioned and had said in clear words,
“we have heard what you have said and we will obey” or “please hear
what we say and pay it due regard,” this would have been better and more
befitting for them. But they will not follow this path and will deprive
themselves of Allah’s
Blessings. This is why only a few of them have accepted this Deen. 47
Ask these Ahl-ul-Kit’ab to believe in what Allah
has revealed which validates the claims made in their scriptures, before
there is a confrontation in which they will suffer a crushing defeat and
be defaced beyond recognition, being cast away from Allah
as the Sabbath-breakers were (2/65). This will certainly come to pass. 48
If anyone falters due to ignorance or error, the possibility of
being protected from the ill-consequences of his action exists. But it is
impossible for those who accept the authority of others alongside Allah
to secure this protection. He who has set up a peer to Allah has indeed committed a grievous calumny (Shirk). 49-50
Have you not taken note of those who
consider themselves very pure and pious? Purity and piety can be achieved
only by following the Laws of Allah and in that process none shall be wronged a whit. These people
invent lies about Allah and
this, in itself, is an obvious crime. 51-52
Have you not marked those who were
given a portion of the Book but they follow self-made rituals and obey
authorities which they have set up alongside Allah?
They say that the K’afireen
are better guided than the Momineen.
They deprive themselves of Allah’s
Blessings. Those who are thus deprived can have no helper. 53
It is fortunate that people with this mentality do not have worldly
power. If they had any share in it they would not have given even a
farthing to their fellow men. 54
The reason for their attitude is that they are envious of those to
whom Allah has bestowed His bounties. Allah had given the people of Abraham not only the revealed Code of
life but also wisdom and had conferred upon them a great kingdom. 55-57
Some of them believed in Allah
and some of them turned away from Him. For the latter, the life of hell is
appropriate.
Tell those who discredit Our Laws, that they will be ruined.
Gathering all their forces they will come to the battlefield and be
defeated. They will again amass their forces and return to the
battle-field and be defeated again. Surely, Allah
is mighty and wise.
(The Jama’at-ul-Momineen
will achieve success after success because as a result of following Allah’s
Laws, they possess both power and vision.) They will be admitted into
gardens in which streams flow and where there is a deep shade, to abide
therein forever. There they shall have companions of pure and sublime
character. 58
In order to establish the Quranic
System, it is necessary to entrust responsibility to those who are capable
of discharging it. All matters should be decided justly. This is excellent
counsel which Allah is giving
you for Allah hears and sees
all. 59
O Jama’at-ul-Momineen
you should obey the System established by the Rasool in accordance with Allah’s
Laws, and obey the local authorities appointed by this Order. In case of a
dispute with the local officers, an appeal can be made to the Order (the
Central Government). This will constitute evidence that you believe in Allah
and the Hereafter. This is the best and fairest way to reach a settlement. 60
This is the way of the true Momineen.
On the other hand, you will find people who assert that they believe in
what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before but desire to
take their disputes to authorities other than Allah
although they were asked to reject such authorities. Indeed it is Shait’an who leads them
astray. 61
When these Mun’afiqeen
are asked that they should refer their disputes to the Divine Order, they
turn away in disgust. 62
When they are seized by some calamity which they have brought upon
themselves they come to you (O Rasool,)
swearing by Allah that they had
gone to authorities other than Allah
in good faith and to create harmony. 63
They are liars and Allah
knows what they say and what they conceal. Stay clear of them but continue
to give them good counsel which reaches their heart. 64
Deen is not an abstract ideology or mere theoretical values. It is a
practical way of living, a collective life. For this purpose an order or
system is essential. This is why Allah
has sent a Rasool along with
revelation. The responsibility of the Rasool
is to establish that Order. Obedience to Allah
is through obedience to the Rasool.
For example, if anyone falters, he is required to go to the Rasool
to seek forgiveness. The Rasool
cannot decide the matter in his personal capacity. He will decide it in
accordance with Allah’s Laws.
In Deen this is the procedure
for securing forgiveness from Allah. 65
Allah stands witness that these persons cannot claim to be Momineen
until they make you (O Rasool)
the judge in their disputes and thereafter do not find any vexation in
their hearts over what you decide, and submit to your decisions
wholeheartedly. 66-68
Those who do not accept Deen
in this way, if asked to leave their homes or go to the battlefield for
the cause of Allah, will not do
so, excepting a few. If they had done what Allah
had counselled them to do, it would have been better for them and their Ei’man
would have become more firm. Allah
has surely given them a great reward and guided them to the straight path. 69-70
If they had obeyed the Divine Order
they would have joined the caravan of those following the straight path
whom Allah had blessed. In the
caravan, led by Anbia, would be
those who validate their Ei’man
by action, those who safeguard the system vigilantly, and S’aliheen.
How blessed and pleasant is this company! Such is the bounty from Allah
and it is sufficient that Allah
knows all. 71
In order to safeguard the System you should take every precaution.
When you go to war you can advance in detachments or altogether as may
seem necessary. 72
There are certainly among you those who will lag behind. If any
misfortune befalls you they will say: “It was Allah’s
favour to us in that we were not present with you.” 73
But if success comes to you they are sure to say as if they had
never been amongst you before: “How well it would have been if we were
with them; we could also have shared in their gains and achievements.” 74
The fact is that only they can fight in the cause of Allah
who barter the life of the present for the life to come. Whether they are
slain in battle or come back victorious, Allah
will give them a great reward in the near future. 75
War in the cause of Allah
is for the help of oppressed people. Allah
helps oppressed people through human agency and not directly. This is
illustrated by the following: In Al-Madina,
the Momineen had established their own state but those who could not
leave Makkah were greatly
oppressed. They cried to Allah
for help and Allah said to the Momineen in Al-Madina:
“What has happened to you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah?
Do you not hear the cries of the helpless men, women and children in Makkah
who entreat Allah: “O our Rabb!
rescue us from this city whose inhabitants are oppressors. Send us someone
who will protect and defend us” 76
This is fighting in Allah’s
cause which is undertaken by the Momineen.
On the contrary, the K’afireen
fight for the cause of ungodly authorities. So, O Jama’at-ul-Momineen, you
should fight the friends of Shait’an.
Mark! the cunning of Shait’an proves futile. 77
In the initial phase of the establishment of the system of Sal’at
and Zak’at
the programme was only concerned with teaching and training with no
occasion for confrontation. During this phase, these people were very
enthusiastic, but when fighting was required of them, a group from amongst
them became very fearful and said to Allah:
“ Why have You enjoined war upon us? Could You not postpone it for a
while?” Tell them: O Rasool!
“very little is the enjoyment of this world and the future is all good
for those who have lived according to the Laws of Allah.
They will never be dealt with unjustly,” in the very least. 78-80
Also tell them: “Death is sure to
overtake you wherever you may be even though you may be in strong
towers.”
Their mentality is such that if something good happens to them they
say: “This is from Allah,”
but if any evil betides them they say, “It is because of you, O Rasool.”
Say to them O Rasool
“If you want to understand the correct position, I will explain it to
you.” The fact is that everything in the universe happens in accordance
with Allah’s Laws. If you act
according to these Laws the results will be good and if you act contrary
to these Laws you will bring about your misfortune. Good and evil do not
come from the Rasool. His
function is only to communicate to you the Laws of Allah and to establish an Order based on them. Obedience to Allah’s
Laws will be through this Order. It is up to you whether you obey these
Laws or not. If you turn away from them it will not be for the Rasool
to compel you to obey them. You will face the consequences of your actions
yourselves. 81
Amongst them there are people who profess to obey you O Rasool,
but when they meet together at night they plot against what you had said
– Allah records their plots.
You should keep clear of them and put your trust in Allah
Who is All-Sufficient as a Protector. 82
Do they not reflect upon the Quran?
Were it from anyone other than Allah
they would have found many inconsistencies therein. 83
These people are not habituated to a disciplined life. Whenever
they hear any news of peace or danger they broadcast it directly. Had they
brought the news to the notice of the Rasool
or the local authority, those who have been charged with the
responsibility of scrutinising news would have found out the truth. Were
it not for Allah’s goodness
towards you, the majority amongst you would have followed Shait’an. 84
O Rasool, you should
fight in the cause of Allah, for
you are not responsible except for yourself. You should train the Momineen
to enable them to fight. The time will soon come when the onslaught of the
K’afireen
will be checked. Allah is the
stronger in power and the stronger to restrain them. 85
As already stated, you will implement your programme depending on
yourself alone. If anyone stands by you he will have share in the good
results which accrue and if anyone stands by your opponents he will have
share in the evil consequences which follow. Allah
is the dispenser of all things. 86
If you receive life-giving help from someone you must repay in the
like measure if not more. Allah
takes account of all things. 87
Whether anyone stands by you or not, you should remain firm in your
conviction that power and authority in the entire universe belong to Allah
alone. The confrontation between truth and falsehood will certainly take
place. There is no doubt about this. Whose word can be more true than Allah? 88
There should be no difference of opinion regarding the Mun’afiqeen
whom Allah has cast away for their actions. Do you desire to bring back
to the right path those who have intentionally taken up the wrong path? As
long as the latter are determined to follow the wrong path none can guide
them. 89-90
You desire to bring them to the right
path but their effort is that they should make you K’afireen
like themselves so that you would be on their level. Do not take any of
them for friends until they forsake their homes in the cause of Allah. If they turn traitor, seize them and slay them whenever you
find them. Mark again! do not take any of them for friends and helpers
except those who have taken asylum with a people with whom you have an
alliance or those who come over to you saying: “We wish to remain
neutral.” The fact is that if the latter had sufficient power they would
have fought you. Nevertheless, if they come to you professing to be
neutral you should accept their offer of peace and should not proceed
against them. 91
Amongst them there are those who profess neutrality but if there is
a call from their people to join them in creating disorder, they plunge
into the mischief-making. If they neither withdraw from you nor give you a
guarantee for peace or restrain their hands, seize them and slay them
wherever you find them. You have a clear sanction from Allah
against them. 92
A Momin would never kill
another Momin except by mistake.
If he kills another Momin by
mistake he should set free a believing slave and pay blood-money to the
family of the deceased unless they forego it as an act of grace. If the
deceased belongs to a people hostile to you setting free of a slave is
enough. If the deceased belongs to a people with whom you have an
alliance, a believing slave should be freed and blood-money should also be
paid. For one who finds this beyond his means, he should fast for two
consecutive months. His repentance will be accepted. Allah
is Wise and knows well why He so enjoins. 93
But whoever kills a Momin
with full intention, his punishment will be as stated in 2/178. He will
receive this punishment in this world. In the life Hereafter his
recompense will be Jahannam to abide in. He will be cast away by Allah Who will prepare for him a dreadful torment. 94
When you go forth to fight in the cause of Allah,
make sure that you know who your friends and enemies are. If anyone sends
you an offer of peace do not say to him “you are not sincere in your
offer” and wage war against him. By this way you may get some spoils of
war but do not forget that whatever you will get by obeying Allah’s
Laws will be much more. You used to look for such excuses in the pre-Islam
period. Allah has shown you the
right path. You should therefore probe carefully before taking a decision.
Allah is well-aware of what you
do. 95-96
When order is given for war, some
amongst the Momineen respond
very enthusiastically and prepare to fight with all their means and their
persons, while others are rather slow. It is obvious that the former and
the latter cannot be esteemed alike. Allah
will grant a higher place to the former. The good promise of Allah
however extends to both. The distinction is only in the grant of a higher
reward to some ranks; protection and means of development are all granted
by Allah according to the
measures appointed by Him. 97
Hijra plays a very important role in the life of Momineen.
Those who are content to live a wretched and oppressed life in an ungodly
society will be asked by the Malaika
at the time of their death: “Why did you lead such a wretched life?”
They will answer, “We were weak and helpless.” The Malaika
will then say, “Was not the earth of Allah
vast enough for you to undertake Hijra
to some favourable place”? These people lead a life of Jahannam in this world and in the Hereafter also, they will abide in
Jahannam. 98-99
The exception is those men, women and
children who were truly weak and unable to seek means of escape and did
not know whither to go. For them there is hope for leniency from Allah
Who is Forbearing and Protective. 100
Whoever undertakes Hijra
for the cause of Allah will find
a place of refuge and plentiful resources. Whoever leaves home to
undertake Hijra to a place where the Quranic
Order is established and is overtaken by death on the way, will be fully
rewarded by Allah for Allah
is the Protector and the Raheem. 101
When you set out on a journey and apprehend danger from your enemy,
there is no harm if you shorten your Sal’at. The K’afireen
are your open enemies. 102
O Rasool! if you are with your Jama’at
while they are on a march and you arrange their Sal’at,
it should be in the following manner: “Let a batch of your followers
join in the Sal’at retaining their
arms. When they have done their Sajda
let them retrieve to the rear and let another batch join the Sal’at.
They should, however, take every precaution and retain their arms.” Your
enemies desire that you should become inattentive towards your arms and
provisions so that they can fall upon you suddenly. If due to rain or some
other reason it is not convenient for you to retain your arms you may set
them aside but even then you should be very watchful of your enemies.
There is no doubt that ultimately your enemies will face a humiliating
defeat, but you have to be very cautious about them. 103
When you have finished Sal’at
in this state of insecurity, you should be mindful of the Code of Divine
Law at all times – sitting, standing or lying down. When you feel
secure, perform your Sal’at in the regular way. It should be noted that assemblies of Sal’at
are held at appointed times and participation in these assemblies is
obligatory. 104
Be prompt in pursuing your enemies in the battlefield. If you face
hardships in war remember that your enemies also face similar hardships.
In this way you are on the same footing. However, they cannot aspire for
what you hope from Allah. This
assurance is given to you by Allah
Who is indeed All-Knowing, Wise. 105-106
From discussion regarding war
affairs, We now turn to social problems. For this purpose, O Rasool,
We have sent down to you the Code of Laws based on truth so that you might
judge between people in the light of what Allah
has revealed to you. Do not be an advocate for those who betray their
trust. Awarding judgement between people is a grave responsibility and the
protection of Divine Laws must be sought at all times for certainly it is Allah
alone Who is the Protector and the Raheem. 107
Do not plead on behalf of those who are false to themselves or
harbour deceit in their hearts for Allah
does not like those who betray their trust and persist in sinful ways.
(They think that by deceit they have gained something, whereas they have
weakened their Nafs by such actions, and this in actual fact amounts to betraying
themselves.) 108
These people can hide their crimes from others but not from Allah
for He is with them when they hold their nightly conference in secret to
discuss such matters which He does not approve. Allah’s Law of Mukaf’at
encompasses their entire doings. 109-110
Those who plead on behalf of such
people should remember that they can plead for them in this world but no
one will be able to do so in the Hereafter. None can be their champion
then. Allah’s Law of Mukaf’at is that whoever wrongs another or himself, shall have to suffer
the consequences thereof, except those who secure protection through
adherence to Divine Laws, for most certainly you will find that it is Allah
Who is the Protector and the Raheem. 111
To reiterate: whoever commits a wrong, wrongs himself. Allah
is ever-Knowing, the Wise. 112
If a person commits a crime himself and then foists it on the
innocent, he takes upon himself the burden of a calumny and a heinous
crime. 113
It is Allah’s favour
and Rahmat that He has sent down to you a Code of Laws, explained its
rationale to you, and given you knowledge of what you did not know before.
Had it not been for this grace a party of your enemies who plotted against
you to lead you astray, would have been successful.
Now they can neither lead you astray nor do you any harm. They can
only lead themselves astray. This is a great blessing from Allah
for you. 114
These Mun’afiqeen
hold secret consultations but not for a good cause. Their consultation
would be good only if they are to enjoin contributions for the betterment
of humanity or that which is right and conducive to promoting goodwill
amongst people. Those who do the above without any ulterior motive shall
have mighty reward and blessings of the highest value from Allah. 115
If anyone after receiving such clear guidance, sets himself up in
opposition to the Rasool or
follows any path other than that of the Momineen,
he will become the companion of those whom he has himself chosen and they
will lead a life of hell and what an evil end of a journey! 116
There is possibility that the ill-effects of minor shortcomings may
be removed through good action but no protection is available to those who
commit Shirk. Shirk takes a
person very far away from the right path (4/48). 117-119
Look at the stupidity of those who
commit Shirk that they call upon
lifeless goddesses instead of Allah. They are indeed motivated by Shait’an, the castaway,
whom Allah had condemned his
having said that, “I will certainly draw to myself a definite portion of
your devotees. I will mislead them and raise false hopes in them (that
their goddesses will grant them what they want). I will command them to
slit the ears of cattle and deface Allah’s
creation.”
Allah has cast Shait’an away and
whoever takes him for a friend shall suffer a manifest loss. 120-121
Shait’an makes false promises with those who follow him and raises vain
hopes in them. However, his promises are nothing but, delusion. Hell shall
be the abode of those who are duped by him and they shall find no escape
from it. 122
Those who believe in Divine Laws and act accordingly, will be
admitted to gardens in which streams flow to dwell therein forever. This
is a promise from Allah which always holds good. Whose word can be more true than Allah’s? 123
Mark it that paradise-like life cannot be achieved through wishful
thinking – be it yours or that of Ahl-ul-Kit’ab.
Whoever does wrong shall reap the consequence thereof and shall not find
anyone to protect and help him except Allah. 124
On the other hand, those – men or women – who are Momin
and do good shall enter Jannat
and not the least injustice will be done to them. 125
In view of what has been stated above, ask them as to which Deen
is better than one in which every individual surrenders to the Laws of Allah,
does good to others, and follows the path of Abraham, the Haneef
Allah had taken Abraham for a
friend. 126
The Deen referred to
above prevails throughout the universe and encompasses everything. (A
similar Niz’am
should prevail in human society as well.) 127
A significant part of this Deen
relates to family life concerning which We have already given you
instructions (4/3). Allah
supplements those instructions which relate to women without husbands,
whether widows or unmarried. You wish to marry these women but deny their
legal dues. It is essential to pay these dues. Similarly, the dues of
orphans and those who are unprotected in society must be paid justly. Allah
is aware of whatever good you do. 128
If circumstances are such that a woman fears ill-treatment or
aversion on her husband’s part, the two may settle their affairs
amicably, for amicable settlement is always good. Self-interest is the
main hurdle in the way of such settlement, for human mind is prone to it.
If you also keep the other person’s interest in view and adhere to Allah’s
Laws then this hurdle may be overcome. Allah
is well aware of what you do. 129
Permission to marry more than one wife was given subject to the
condition that you hold the balance evenly amongst the wives (4/3). Allah
knows that it will not be possible for you to hold this balance absolutely
evenly, however keen you may be to do so. Justice will be secured if you
do not incline towards one wife in such a way that another is left, as it
were, suspended. If you observe fairness and be mindful of Allah’s Laws you will secure protection and nurture from Him. 130
If the efforts for settlement are unsuccessful then you may
separate in accordance with the instructions given by Allah
(4/35). Do not let the fear of being left without provision become a
hurdle in separation. The Divine System will provide for you in abundance.
Allah is Bountiful and Wise. 131-132
Everything in the universe is busily
engaged in carrying out Allah’s plan. His plan should be implemented in the human sphere
similarly. We had enjoined this upon the people who were given the Book
before you and similarly you also are being enjoined to be mindful of Allah’s
Laws. If you do not do so, Allah’s
Laws will continue to operate in the universe as they do now. And to Allah
belongs whatever is there in the heavens and all that is on earth. And Allah
alone is sufficient to carry out His affairs. 133 If He wills, He could put
all humanity away and bring in some others. Allah
has the power to do this undoubtedly. 134
Those who desire provisions of this world should know that if they
adhere to Allah’s Laws they
can have provisions of this world as well as those of the Hereafter, for Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing. 135 For this purpose justice should prevail. Justice depends mainly on evidence. O Jama’at-ul-Momineen, if you are called upon to give evidence, do not appear as a witness on behalf of either party, but for Allah. Be truthful in giving evidence even though it be against your own-selves or your parents and kin-folk, whether the party concerned be rich or poor. Allah safeguards the interests of both parties. Do not follow your own inclinations lest you should swerve from justice. Do not foist your statements nor show aversion to appearing as a witness. Allah is well aware of what you do. 136
O you who profess to believe! hold fast unto your belief in Allah,
His Rusul, the Book which He has
sent to this Rasool, and those
which He had sent earlier. He who denies Allah,
His Malaika, His Books, His Rusul
and the Hereafter has surely gone far astray. 137
Those who believe, then disbelieve and then believe again and
disbelieve once more and then grow stubborn in their denial of the truth,
they will not find protection from Allah
nor the straight path. 138
O Rasool! announce to the Mun’afiqeen
that a very severe chastisement awaits them. 139
Do those who take for friends Kuff’ar instead of Momineen
seek power and prestige from them? Tell them that all power and prestige
comes from Allah and can be had
by adherence to His Laws. 140
Leave aside friendship with the Kuff’ar; it has already been communicated to you in the Book that if you
hear Allah’s Laws being
rejected and scoffed at, do not sit in such company until it changes its
discourse. If you do not do so you will be reckoned as one of them. Allah will surely gather together all Mun’afiqeen and Kuff’ar
in hell. (6/68). 141
The Mun’afiqeen
wait and watch about you. If victory is granted to you they say to you:
“were we not with you?”, and if success falls to the lot of the
unbelievers they say to them: “Did we not encourage you to attack the
believers and protect you from them?”. Tell them that Allah
will judge between you on the Day of Reckoning. Never will Allah allow the unbelievers an upper hand over the believers. 142
They adopt two-faced tactics towards Allah’s
System and delude themselves into thinking that they are deceiving Allah. In fact they are deceiving themselves (2/9). When they join
the assembly of Sal’at
they do so grudgingly. They ignore the purpose of Sal’at,
paying attention only to its formal aspect in order to be seen by others
(2/54, 107/4-7). 143
They belong sincerely neither to one party nor to the other but
hover like a fly between the two. Those who discard the path shown by Allah
will never find a way. 144
O Jama’at-ul-Momineen
befriend only the Momineen and
not the K’afireen. If you befriend the latter, this action alone will be
sufficient as evidence against you. 145-146
The Mun’afiqeen
will surely be in the lowest depths of Jahannam
where they will find no helpers. The exception is those who make amends
and hold fast to Allah’s Laws,
adhering to the Deen sincerely.
Only then will they be reckoned amongst you. The Momineen
will soon be rewarded abundantly by Allah. 147 Why should Allah deal out chastisement to you if you believe in His Laws and adhere to them sincerely? Allah knows about every sincere action and rewards it. 148
Publicising evil is not liked by Allah
but it is permissible for one who has been wronged to talk about the
injustice done to him. Surely Allah
is All-Hearing, All-Knowing (as to the intent for such a publicity). 149
As for good, there is no harm if you publicise it or conceal it. To
be forbearing towards others’ shortcomings is a good thing. See how Allah
with all His power, is forbearing. 150-151
Those who deny Allah
and His Rusul, those who believe in the Laws of Allah operating in the outer universe (i.e. Laws of Nature) but do
not believe in the Laws given by Him through His Rusul for the guidance of mankind, and those who accept a part of
these Laws, rejecting the others and desire to take a course in-between,
all of them are truly unbelievers. Allah
has prepared a humiliating chastisement for them. 152
On the other hand, those who believe in Allah
and His Rusul and make no
distinction amongst them are (in truth) Momineen.
They will be rewarded by Allah,
the Protector and Nourisher. 153
The Ahl-ul-Kit’ab demand that a ready-made Book should be sent to them from above.
They had made an even greater demand of Moses asking him “Show us Allah
visibly.” They were so bold in making such a demand but so weak that
they were terrified even of the thundering noise of the earthquake (2/55,
7/155).
They deified a calf after they had received clear guidance from Allah. But even thereafter Allah
was forbearing towards them and conferred unquestioned authority upon
Moses. 154
They were afterwards given security by being placed in a valley
with a mountain protecting them from the back. A covenant was taken from
them to enter the city submissively (2/63) and also not to transgress the
prohibitions imposed in relation to the Sabbath (2/65). This was a very
firm covenant taken from them. 155
They violated their covenant, denied the Laws of Allah,
murdered their Anbia unjustly
and professed boastfully that their hearts were sealed and nothing new
would enter them. The seal upon their hearts was the result of their
wrong-doings and now they do not profess Ei’man
but few of them. 156-157 They charged Mary with a grave calumny. They boasted that they had murdered Jesus, son of Mary, Rasool of Allah, although the fact is that they neither murdered him nor crucified him. What they took for reality was merely something which appeared to them as such. On the other hand, those who differ from Jews (i.e. Christians) are also in doubt about the matter. Their knowledge is no more than a surmise. It is certain that they (i.e. Jews) did not murder Jesus. 158
The Jews say that by crucifying him they had inflicted a degrading
death upon him. Allah has raised
Jesus very high in His ranks. He had power enough to protect Jesus from
his enemies and He did so with great sagacity (3/54). 159
The Christians are so firm in their belief that each one confesses
before his death that Jesus was crucified and atoned for their sins. On
the Day of Reckoning, Jesus himself will bear witness against them
(5/116-117). 160-161
Due to the wrong doings of the Jews, they were forbidden to partake
of what was lawful earlier (6/147).
Their wrong doings included obstructing many from following the
path of Allah, taking Riba although it was forbidden and devouring others’ property
unlawfully. Allah has prepared a
grievous torment for unbelievers amongst them. 162 Amongst them, however, there are people who acquire true knowledge and then believe in what has been sent down to you, O Rasool! and what was revealed earlier and co-operate in establishing the order of Sal’at and | |||||||||||||||