As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 4, An-Nisâ or the Women, verses 1-14. These verses deal with the property and conduct with orphans, multiple marriages, dowry, inheritance by children or family, and inheritance of spouse’s property.
There are controversial parts of this selection and this Surah with which not everyone will agree. But still, I think it’s important for people to read and hear what is written. What you do with it is your business.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.O mankind! Have fear of your Lord, the One who created you from a single soul, from that soul He created its mate, and through them He spread countless men and women. Fear Allah, the One in whose name you demand your rights from one another and the ties of relationship; surely, Allah is watching you very closely.[1] 4:[1]
Give orphans the property which belongs to them when they are able to handle it themselves and do not substitute your worthless things for their valuable ones; and do not cheat them of their possession through mixing it up with your own. For this would indeed be a great sin.[2] 4:[2]
If you fear that you shall not be able to treat the orphans with fairness, then marry other women of your choice: two, three or four. But if you fear that you will not be able to maintain justice between your wives, then marry only one or any slave girl you may own. That will be more suitable, so that you may not deviate from the Right Way. [3] 4:[3]
Give the women (whom you marry) their dowries willingly as an obligation; but if they, by their own free will, give up to you a portion of it then you may enjoy it with pleasure.[4] 4:[4] Do not entrust your property which Allah has made a means of support for you, to feeble-minded people, however, provide such people with food and clothing, speak to them nicely and give them good advice.[5] 4:[5]
Observe the orphans through testing their abilities until they reach the age of marriage, then if you find them capable of sound judgment, hand over to them their property; and do not consume it wastefully in haste lest they grow up to demand it. If the guardian is well-off, he should not take compensation from the orphan’s property, but if he is poor let him take a just and reasonable remuneration. When you hand over their property to them, call in some witnesses; even though Allah is sufficient in taking the accountability.[6] 4:[6]
Men will have a share in what their parents and their near relatives leave; and women will have a share in what their parents and their near relatives leave: whether it be a small or large, they shall be legally entitled to their shares.[7] If the relatives, orphans or needy are present at the time of the division of an inheritance, give them something out of it, and speak to them kind words.[8] Let those (executors and guardians) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own if they were to leave helpless children behind: they should, therefore, fear Allah and speak for justice.[9] In fact, those who misappropriate the property of orphans unjustly, swallow but fire into their bellies; they will soon be cast into the blazing fire![10] 4:[7-10]
In regard to inheritance, Allah commands you concerning your children: that the share of a boy shall be twice that of a girl. In the case where there are more than two girls, their share will be two thirds of the estate; but if there is only one girl, her share will be one half of the estate. If the deceased left children behind, each of the parents shall get one sixth of the estate, but if the deceased left no children and the parents are the only heirs, the mother shall get one third of the estate, but if the deceased left brothers or sisters, then the mother will get one sixth of it. The distribution in all cases shall be after fulfilling the terms of any bequest and the payment of debts. With regards to your parents and your children, you do not know who is more beneficial to you, therefore, Allah has issued this ordinance. Surely, Allah is the Knowledgeable, Wise.[11] 4:[11]
You shall inherit one half of your wives’ estate if they leave no child, but if they leave behind a child then you will get one fourth of their estate, after fulfilling the terms of their last will and the payment of debts. Your wives shall inherit one fourth if you leave no child behind you; but if you leave a child, then they shall get one-eighth of your estate; after fulfilling the terms of your last will and the payment of debts. If a man or a woman leaves neither ascendant nor descendants but has left a brother or a sister, they shall each inherit one sixth, but if they are more than two, they shall share one third of the estate; after fulfilling the terms of the last will and the payment of debts, so that no loss is caused to anyone. Thus is the commandment of Allah. Allah is Knowledgeable, Forbearing.[12] 4:[12]
These are the limits set by Allah: those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to paradise, beneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever, and that will be a Great Achievement.[13] But the ones who disobey Allah and His Messenger, and transgress His limits, they will be cast to Hell-fire to live therein forever. They shall have a humiliating punishment.[14] 4:[13-14]
Ameen.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.