Publisher's Synopsis
Surah Nisa's subject matter deals with the social problems which the Muslim community had to face immediately after battle of Uhud. While the particular occasion made the necessity urgent, the principles laid down have permanently governed Muslim Law and social practice.The Surah broadly can be divided into two parts ie - dealing with women, orphans, inheritance, marriage, and family rights generally, and - dealing with the recalcitrant in the larger family, the community at Madinah, viz., the Hypocrites and their accomplices. The Surah begins with an appeal to the solidarity of mankind, the rights of women and orphans, and the implications of family relationship, including an equitable distribution of property after death, While the decencies of family life should be enforced, women should be held in honor and their rights recognized, in marriage, property, and inheritance; and this principle of goodness be extended in all beings, great and. The sections in Madinah, not yet in the Muslim community, should not go after false gods, but should accept the authority of the Prophet, and obey him. Then it will be their privilege to be admitted to a great and glorious. The Believers should organize in self-defence against their enemies, and beware of the secret plots and mischiefs of the Hypocrites; how deserters should be treated. Caution about the taking of life; recommendations for having places inimical on Islam; religious duties in the midst of war. Treachery and the lure of evil. Women and orphans to be justly dealt with; Faith must go with justice, sincerity, and moderation in speech. Where People of the Book went wrong, with honorable exceptions. Abdullah Yusuf Ali
