The Qur’an chapter 4
The fourth chapter of the Qur’an is called an-Nisāʾ, or The Women. It consists of 176 verses. Here is our commentary.
Disclaimer
We are not Muslims. We have no expertise with the Qur’an.
We are reading the Qur’an as a good-faith effort to to become better-equipped for the ministry of of Interfaith Dialogue with Muslims.
We are Christians who are reading the Qur’an for the first time. Our mindset is to approach the Qur’an with respect and as learners. Our comments are simply whatever stood out to us.
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
VERSE 1. O people, be aware of your Lord who has created you from one person and He created from it its mate and sent forth from it many men and many women; and be aware of God whom you ask about, and the relatives. God is Watcher over you.
God is Watcher over you. The term “Watcher” is interesting.
A Watcher is a type of angel. They are described in the biblical Book of Daniel, as well as in the ancient Hebrew text called 1 Enoch. Read more »
VERSE 2. And give the orphans their money; and do not substitute the rotten for the good, and do not consume their money to your money; for truly it is a great sin!
VERSE 3. And if you fear that you cannot be equitable to the orphans, then you may marry those who are agreeable to you of the women: two, and three, and four. But if you fear you will not be fair, then only one, or whom you are committed to by your oath. This is best that you do not face financial hardship.
two, and three, and four. This seems to say a Muslim man may have up to four wives.
if you fear you will not be fair, then only one. If a Muslim man is aware that he might not be fair to four wives, then he should have just one wife.
VERSE 4. And give the women their charities willingly, and if they remit any of it to you of their own will, then you may take it with good feelings.
VERSE 5. And do not give the immature ones your money for which God has made you overseers, and spend on them from it and clothe them, and speak to them in goodness.
do not give the immature ones your money. Presumably this means to not give money to immature children.
VERSE 6. And test the orphans when they reach puberty, then, if you have determined from them comprehension, then give them their money, and do not deliberately consume it in overindulgence or quickly before they grow up. And whoever is rich, then let him not claim anything, and if he is poor then let him consume in kindness. If you give to them their money, then make a witness for them, and God is enough for Reckoning.
when they reach puberty. Apparently at puberty certain legal rights begin.
VERSE 7. For the men is a portion from what the parents and the relatives left behind, and for the women is a portion from what the parents and relatives left behind, be it little or much; a forced portion.
For the men is a portion. Men can receive an inheritance.
for the women is a portion. Women can receive an inheritance.
VERSE 8. And if the distribution is attended by the relatives and the orphans and the needy, then you shall give them part of it and say to them a kind saying.
VERSE 9. And let them be concerned, that if it was they who had left behind them a weak progeny, would they not fear for them? Let them reverence God and let them say what is appropriate.
VERSE 10. Those who consume the money of the orphans illicitly, in fact they are consuming fire in their bellies, and they will endure the Blaze.
consume the money of the orphans illicitly. This is forbidden.
VERSE 11. God directs you regarding your children: “To the male shall be as that given to two females; however, if the women are more than two, then they will have two thirds of what is left behind; and if she is only one, then she will have one half. And to his parents, each one of them shall have one sixth of what is left behind, if he has a child. If he has no child, and his parents are the heirs, then to his mother is one third; and if he has siblings then to his mother is one sixth. All after a will is carried through or a debt. Your parents and your sons, you do not know which are closer to you in benefit-an edict from God, for God is Knowledgeable, Wise.”
To the male shall be as that given to two females. This seems to say men are worth twice as much as women.
VERSE 12. And for you is half from your wives of what is left behind, if they have no child; however, if they have a child, then to you is one quarter of what is left behind. All after a will is carried through or a debt. And to them is one quarter of what is left behind, if you have no child; however, if you have a child, then to them is one eighth of what is left behind. All after a will is carried through or a debt. And if a man or a woman who is being inherited has no dependents, but has a brother or a sister, then to each one of them is one sixth, but if they are more than this then they are to share in one third. All after a will is carried through or a debt, to avoid causing harm. A dispensation from God, and God is Knowledgeable, Compassionate.
VERSE 13. These are the boundaries of God, and whoever obeys God and His messenger, He will admit him to estates with rivers flowing beneath them, abiding therein. This is the great triumph.
His messenger. Presumably this is speaking of Mohammed.
VERSE 14. And whoever disobeys God and His messenger, and transgresses His boundaries, He will admit him to a Fire, abiding therein, and he will have a humiliating retribution.
VERSE 15. And those of your women who commit immorality, you shall bring four witnesses over them from among you; if they bear witness, then you shall restrict them in the homes until death terminates their lives, or God makes for them a way out.
women who commit immorality. Women are singled out for intense scrutiny regarding their moral behavior.
It seems that men are not equally scrutinized.
VERSE 16. And the two men who commit it from among you, you shall trouble them. If they repent and reform, then leave them alone. God is Redeemer, Merciful.
VERSE 17. Repentance is only for those who commit a sin out of ignorance and then repent soon after; these will be forgiven by God, for God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
commit a sin out of ignorance. This is a substantial narrowing of the possibility of repentance. It is only possible for people who commit a sin out of ignorance.
However, in our observation, many people knowingly commit sins. Then they repent afterwards.
VERSE 18. And there will be no repentance for those who commit sin then when death comes upon any one of them he says: “I repent now!” Nor for those who die while they are rejecters. For those We have prepared a painful retribution.
when death comes upon. In Islam there are no deathbed conversions.
VERSE 19. O you who believe, it is not permissible for you to inherit from the women by force. And do not make difficulty for them so that you may take away some of what you have given them, unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. If you dislike them, then perhaps you dislike something while God makes in it much good.
live with them in kindness. Men are to be kind to women.
VERSE 20. And if you wish to replace one wife with another, and you have given one of them a large amount, then do not take anything from it. Will you take it by falsehood while it is clearly a sin?
replace one wife with another. This seems to allude to divorce.
VERSE 21. And how can you take it when you have become intimate with each other, and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?
VERSE 22. And do not marry who your fathers had married from the women, except what has already been done. It is an immorality, and an abhorrence, and an evil path.
do not marry who your fathers had married. Islam prohibits this type of incest.
VERSE 23. Forbidden for you are your mothers, and your daughters, and your sisters, and the sisters of your father, and the sisters of your mother, and the daughters of your brother, and the daughters of your sister, and your foster mothers who suckled you, and your sisters from suckling, and the mothers of your women, and your step-daughters who are in your lodgings from your women with whom you have already consummated the marriage; if you have not consummated the marriage then there is no sin upon you; and those who were in wedlock with your sons who are from your seed, and that you join between two sisters except what has already been done. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Islam prohibits these many types of incest.
VERSE 24. And the emancipated from the women – except those committed to by your oath – is God’s decree over you. And it is permitted for you to seek beyond this category that you employ your wealth, to be emancipated, not for illicit sex. So, for those of them you find pleasing, then you shall give them their dowries as an obligation; and there is no sin upon you for what you agree on after the obligation. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
give them their dowries. In our day, this is called a bride price. It is a payment by the groom or his family, to the bride or her family.
Conversely, in our day, a dowry is a payment, such as property or money, paid by the bride’s family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage.
VERSE 25. And whoever of you cannot afford to marry the emancipated female believers, then from those committed to by your oath of the believing young women. And God is more aware of your faith, some of you to each other. You shall marry them with the permission of their parents, and give them their dowries in kindness. To be emancipated – not for illicit sex or taking lovers. Once they are emancipated, then any of them who comes with an immorality shall have half of what is upon those already emancipated of the punishment. This is for those who fear a hardship from among you, but if you are patient it is better for you. And God is Forgiver, Merciful.
VERSE 26. God wants to clarify for you and guide you to the paths of those before you, and pardon you, and God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
VERSE 27. And God wants to pardon you, but those who follow desires want that you would be diverted into a great diversion.
God wants to pardon you. This is nice!
VERSE 28. God wants to alleviate for you; and mankind was created weak.
VERSE 29. O you who believe, do not consume your money between you unjustly, unless it is through a trade which is mutually agreed by you. And do not kill yourselves; God is Merciful towards you.
do not kill yourselves. Muslims should not die by suicide.
VERSE 30. And whoever does so out of animosity and transgression, We will cast him into a fire; and this for God is easy to do.
We. God is speaking with the Royal We. The Royal We is the use of a plural pronoun used by a person who holds a high office to refer to themselves. Popes often use the Royal We.
VERSE 31. If you avoid the major sins that you are prohibited against, then We will cancel your existing sins and admit you to a generous entrance.
avoid the major sins. Does this mean minor sins are allowed?
VERSE 32. And do not envy that which God has graced some of you over others with. For the men is a portion of what they earned, and for the women is a portion of what they earned. And ask God from His grace; God is knowledgeable in all things.
VERSE 33. And for each We have made inheritors for what was left behind by the parents and the relatives. And those bound by your oath, you shall give them their portion. God is witness over all things.
VERSE 34. The men are to support the women with what God has bestowed upon them over one another and for what they spend of their money. The upright females are dutiful; keeping private the personal matters for what God keeps watch over. As for those females from whom you fear rebellion, then you shall advise them, and abandon them in the bedchambers, and withdraw from them; if they obey you, then do not seek a way over them; God is Most High, Great.
The men are to support the women. Men are envisioned as the providers.
if they obey you. Presumably Muslim women must obey Muslim men.
VERSE 35. And if you fear a permanent rift between them, then send a judge from his family and a judge from her family. If they want to reconcile, then God will bring them together. God is Knowledgeable, Expert.
VERSE 36. And serve God and do not set up anything with Him, and do good to the parents, and the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and the neighbor who is a relative, and the neighbor nearby, and the friend nearby, and the wayfarer, and those committed to by your oath. God does not like the arrogant, the boastful.
God does not like the arrogant, the boastful. This is a powerful statement.
In our day, many Christians select role models who are arrogant and boastful. Those Christians need to hear this statement that God does not like the arrogant or the boastful.
VERSE 37. Those who are stingy and order the people to stinginess, and they conceal what God has given them from His bounty. And We have prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution.
stingy. Muslims must not be stingy.
VERSE 38. And those who spend their money to show off to the people, and they do not believe in God or the Last Day. And whoever has the devil as his associate, then what a miserable associate!
to show off to the people. Western cultures are, unfortunately, overrun with people who spend their money to show off to the people.
VERSE 39. What would bother them if they believed in God and the Last Day and spent from the provisions of God? God is aware of them.
VERSE 40. Indeed, God does not wrong the weight of an atom; and if it is good He will double it. And He grants from Himself a great recompense.
the weight of an atom. The Qur’an was written in the 600s. Yet here it mentions the atom.
The atom was not officially discovered until the early 1800s by an English scientist named John Dalton.
Thus the Qur’an seems to be speaking prophetically.
VERSE 41. How is it then when We bring forth from every nation a witness, and bring you as a witness over these?
VERSE 42. On that Day those who rejected and disobeyed the messenger will wish that the earth would swallow them; but they cannot hide any narrative from God.
VERSE 43. O you who believe, do not come near the Connection while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless a wayfarer, until you wash. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
This verse lists actions that prohibit you from praying:
while you are intoxicated. Getting drunk prohibits you from praying.
Nor if you have had intercourse. Sexual intercourse prohibits you from praying.
if you are ill. Illness prohibits you from praying.
or traveling. Traveling prohibits you from prayer.
This is a major problem for homeless people, as they are always traveling.
one of you has excreted feces. Pooping prohibits you from praying.
select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. The above prohibitions can be overcome by wiping your face and hands with clean soil.
This is a major problem for people who live in a large city. They do not have access to clean soil.
This verse is similar to 5:6.
VERSE 44. Did you not note those who have been given a portion of the Book? They purchased straying, and they want you to stray from the path.
VERSE 45. And God is fully aware of your enemies; and God is enough as a supporter, and God is enough as a victor.
VERSE 46. From among those who are Jewish are some who take the words out of context, and they say: “We hear and disobey, and listen but let not any listen, and shepherd us,” in a twisting of their tongues and as a mockery of the system! And had they said: “We hear and obey, and listen, and watch over us,” it would have been better for them and more upright; but God has cursed them for their disbelief, they do not believe except very little.
God has cursed them for their disbelief. This verse is quite negative about the Jewish people.
VERSE 47. O you who have received the Book, believe in what We have sent down affirming what is with you, before We cast down faces and turn them on their backs or curse them as the people of the Sabbath were cursed. And the will of God is always done.
the people of the Sabbath were cursed. This verse is quite negative about the Jewish people.
VERSE 48. God does not forgive that partners be set up with Him, and He forgives other than that for whom He pleases. Whoever sets up partners with God has indeed invented a great sin.
VERSE 49. Did you not note those who ascribe purity to themselves? No, it is God who purifies whom He wills, and they will not be wronged in the least.
VERSE 50. See how they invent lies about God! And that is enough as a clear sin.
VERSE 51. Did you not note those who were given a portion of the Book, they believe in sorcery and evil, and they say to those who rejected: “You are better guided than those who believed the path.”
believe in sorcery. Sorcery is mentioned in the same sentence as “evil.” Thus sorcery is portrayed in a negative light.
VERSE 52. These are the ones whom God has cursed, and whoever God curses, you will not find for him a victor.
VERSE 53. Or would they have a portion of the sovereignty? If so, then they would not give the people a speck.
VERSE 54. Or do they envy the people for what God has given them of His bounty? We have given the descendants of Abraham the Book and the wisdom; We have given them a great kingship.
VERSE 55. Some of them believed in it, and some of them turned away from it. In Hell will be enough flames.
In Hell will be enough flames. The Qur’an speaks of Hell as existing, and that it is a realm of fire.
VERSE 56. Those who have rejected Our revelations, We will admit them to a Fire. Every time their skins are cooked, We replace them with other skins that they may taste the retribution. God is Noble, Wise.
Every time their skins are cooked. Eww.
taste the retribution. This is a powerful statement. Thus far we have seen it in 3:106 and 4:56 and 6:30.
VERSE 57. And those who believe and do good, We will admit them to estates with rivers flowing beneath them; abiding therein eternally, in it they will have pure mates, and We will admit them to a vast shade.
believe and do good. This is a lovely resolution of the age-old debate among Christians concerning faith versus works.
they will have pure mates. This seems to imply that in heaven, people will be partnered up.
VERSE 58. God orders you to deliver anything you have been entrusted with to its owners. And if you judge between the people, then you shall judge with justice. It is always the best that God prescribes for you. God is Hearer, Seer.
VERSE 59. O you who believe, obey God and obey the messenger and those in authority among you. But if you dispute in any matter, then you shall refer it to God and His messenger if you believe in God and the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for knowing.
VERSE 60. Did you not note those who claimed they believed in what was sent down to you and what was sent before you? They wanted to seek judgment using evil, while they were ordered to reject it. It is the devil who wants to lead them far astray.
VERSE 61. And if they are told: “Come to what God has sent down and to the messenger,” you see the hypocrites turning away from you strongly.
the hypocrites. It is not entirely clear which group is being spoken of.
VERSE 62. Why then, when disaster befalls them for what their hands have delivered, do they come to you swearing by God that they only wanted to do good and reconcile?
for what their hands have delivered. Presumably the hypocrites (see previous verse) have done evil deeds.
VERSE 63. These are a people whom God knows what is in their hearts, so turn away from them and advise them, and say to them in their souls a clear saying.
God knows what is in their hearts:
Luke 16:15. He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
VERSE 64. We do not send a messenger except to be obeyed with the permission of God. And had they come to you when they had wronged themselves and sought the forgiveness of God, and the messenger sought forgiveness for them, they would have then found God to be Pardoning, Merciful.
VERSE 65. No, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you judge in what they dispute with each other, then they will not find in their souls any animosity for what you have decided, and they will comply completely.
VERSE 66. And had We decreed for them: “Kill yourselves,” or “Leave your land,” they would not have done so except for a few of them. And if they had done what they were advised with, it would have been better for them and helped to strengthen them.
kill yourselves. In verse 29 above, we saw that Muslims should not die by suicide.
But in this verse, hypocrites are being commanded to die by suicide.
VERSE 67. Then We would have given them from Us a great recompense.
VERSE 68. And We would have guided them to a straight path.
VERSE 69. And whoever obeys God and the messenger will be among those whom God has graced from the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the upright. What an excellent companionship!
VERSE 70. That is the bounty from God; and God knows what is best.
VERSE 71. O you who believe, take your precaution by going out in clusters, or going out all together.
VERSE 72. And from among you are those who would slow behind, so that if disaster befalls you he would say: “God has graced me that I was not a martyr with them!”
VERSE 73. And if grace from God benefits you, he will speak as if there had not been affection between you and him: “Oh, I wish I had been with them so I would have triumphed a great triumph.”
VERSE 74. Let those who seek to purchase the Hereafter rather than this world fight in the cause of God. And whoever fights in the cause of God and is killed or attains victory, then We will grant him a great recompense.
those who seek to purchase the Hereafter. Presumably this is not referring to the Catholic system of Indulgences. Rather, presumably, this refers to people who seek Heaven.
VERSE 75. And why do you not fight in the cause of God, when the weak among the men and women and children say: “Our Lord, bring us out of this town whose people are wicked, and grant us from Yourself a supporter, and grant us from Yourself a victor!”
fight in the cause of God. Presumably this refers to evangelism, where Muslims evangelize non-Muslims to Islam.
We have met such people:
Meeting Muslim Street Preachers. On the streets of Birmingham in England, we met some men preaching about Islam! They invited us to come to their house that night to join them for a meal.
VERSE 76. Those who believe fight in the cause of God, while those who reject fight in the cause of evil; so fight the supporters of the devil, for the planning of the devil is weak.
VERSE 77. Did you not note those who were told: “Cease your aggression, and hold the Connection, and contribute towards purification.” But when fighting was decreed for them, a group of them were concerned towards the people as they would have been concerned towards God or even more so. And they said: “Our Lord, why did You decree fighting for us? If only You would delay for us until another time.” Say: “The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is far better for those who are aware; you will not be wronged in the least.”
VERSE 78. Wherever you may be, death will find you, even if you are in fortified towers. If any good befalls them, they say: “This is from God,” and if any evil befalls them, they say: “This is from you!” Say: “All is from God;” what is wrong with these people, they barely understand any narrative!
If any good befalls them. If a good thing happens to them, many Christians assume it was from God.
if any evil befalls them. If a bad thing happens to them, many Christians blame themselves. Or they blame other people.
All is from God. This mirrors an expression that some Christians assert. They say: “God is in complete control!”
VERSE 79. Any good that befalls you is due to God, and any evil that befalls you is due to yourself. We have sent you as a messenger to the people and God is enough as a witness.
VERSE 80. Whoever obeys the messenger has obeyed God; and whoever turns away, We have not sent you as a guardian over them.
Whoever obeys the messenger has obeyed God. This is a very strong statement.
VERSE 81. And they say: “Obedience,” but when they come out from being with you, a group of them prepares for other than what you have said, and God records what they planned. So turn away from them and put your trust in God. God is enough for your trust.
VERSE 82. Do they not reflect on the Qur’an? If it was from any other than God they would have found in it a profound difference.
the Qur’an. The Qur’an refers to itself by name.
VERSE 83. And if any matter regarding security, or fear, comes to them they make it publicly known, but if they had referred it to the messenger and to those entrusted from them then it would have been known by those who studied it from them. And had it not been for the grace of God upon you and His mercy, you would have followed the devil, except for a few.
had it not been for the grace of God. This mirrors a common expression: “But for the grace of God, there go I.”
VERSE 84. So fight in the cause of God; you are not responsible except for yourself. And enjoin the believers: “Perhaps God will put a stop to the might of those who disbelieved.” And God is far Mightier and far more Punishing.
God is far Mightier and far more Punishing. Punishing and retribution are common refrains in the chapters of the Qur’an thus far.
VERSE 85. Whoever intercedes with a good intercession, he will have a reward of it; and whoever intercedes with an evil intercession, he will receive a share of it. And God has control over all things.
intercedes with a good intercession. Some Christians get involved in a matter from an altruistic intention.
intercedes with an evil intercession. Other Christians get involved in a matter from an intention that is selfish or destructive or malicious.
VERSE 86. And if you are greeted with a greeting, then return an even better greeting or return the same. God is Reckoning over all things.
VERSE 87. God, there is no god except He. He will gather you for the Day of Resurrection in which there is no doubt. Who is more truthful a narrative than God?
the Day of Resurrection. The Resurrection is often spoken of in the chapters of the Qur’an thus far.
VERSE 88. What is the matter with you that you are divided into two groups over the hypocrites, while God has regressed them for what they have earned? Do you want to guide those whom God misguides? Whoever God causes to be misguided, you will never find for him a path.
VERSE 89. They hope that you will reject as they have rejected, then you will be the same. Do not take any of them as allies until they emigrate in the cause of God. If they turn away, then take them and kill them wherever you find them; and do not take from them any ally or supporter.
until they emigrate in the cause of God. Presumably this means “until they become Muslims.”
VERSE 90. Except for those who reach a people with whom you have a covenant, or if they come to you with a reluctance in their chests to fight you or to fight their own people. Had God willed He would have given them strength and they would have fought you. But if they retire from you, and do not fight you, and they offer you peace; then God does not make for you a path against them.
VERSE 91. You will find others who want to be safe among you and safe among their own people. Every time they are returned to the test, they fall back in it. If they do not withdraw from you, and offer you peace, and restrain their hands; then you may take them, and you may kill them wherever you engage them. For these We have given you a clear authority.
you may kill them wherever you engage them. Presumably this is referring to the context of warfare.
VERSE 92. And it is not for a believer to kill another believer except by accident. And whoever kills a believer by accident, then he shall free a believing slave, and give compensation to the family; except if they remit it. If he was from a people who are enemies to you, and he was a believer, then you shall free a believing slave. And if he was from a people with whom you have a covenant, then a compensation to his family, and free a believing slave. Whoever does not find, then the fasting of two consecutive months as a repentance from God; for God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
free a believing slave. Apparently in those days Muslims kept Muslim slaves.
VERSE 93. And whoever kills a believer intentionally, then his recompense shall be Hell, abiding therein, and God will be angry with him, and curse him, and for him is prepared a great retribution.
VERSE 94. O you who believe, if you strike in the cause of God, you shall investigate carefully. And do not say to he who greets you with peace: “You are not a believer!” You are seeking the vanity of this world; but with God are many riches. That is how you were before, but God graced you, so investigate carefully. God is expert over what you do.
VERSE 95. Not equal are those who stayed behind from the believers; except those disabled; with those who strived in the cause of God with their money and lives. God has preferred those who strive with their money and lives over those who stayed behind by a grade; and to both God has promised goodness; and God has preferred those who strived over those who stayed behind by a great reward.
VERSE 96. Grades from Him and forgiveness and a mercy. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
VERSE 97. Those whose lives are terminated by the angels, while they had wronged themselves; they said: “What situation were you in?” They said: “We were oppressed on the earth.” They said: “Was the earth of God not wide enough that you could emigrate in it?” To these their abode will be Hell; what a miserable destiny!
terminated by the angels. Apparently the angels kill people.
VERSE 98. Except for those who were oppressed from the men, women, and children who could not devise a plan nor could be guided to a way.
VERSE 99. For these, perhaps God will pardon them. God is Pardoner, Forgiving.
VERSE 100. Whoever emigrates in the cause of God will find in the earth many spoils and a bounty. And whoever leaves his home emigrating to God and His messenger, then is overcome by death; his recompense has fallen to God, and God is Forgiving, Merciful.
VERSE 101. And if you go forth in the land, then there is no harm that you shorten from the Connection, if you fear that the rejecters will try you. The rejecters are to you a clear enemy.
VERSE 102. And if you are with them and you hold the Connection for them, then let a group from among them stand with you and let them bring their weapons; and when they have prostrated then let them be behind you; and let a group who has not yet connected come and connect with you, and let them be wary and let them bring their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution.
VERSE 103. Once you are done with the Connection, then remember God while standing, or sitting, or on your sides. Then, when you are secure, hold the Connection. Indeed, the Connection for the believers is a book that is scheduled.
Once you are done with the Connection. This seems to mean, “Once you have finished formal prayers.”
VERSE 104. And do not falter in the pursuit of the remaining group. If you are feeling pain, then they are also feeling pain as you are; and you seek from God what they do not seek. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
If you are feeling pain, then they are also feeling pain:
We are in it together! When other people benefit, we rejoice. When other people suffer, we suffer along with them. Read more »
VERSE 105. We have revealed to you the Book with the truth that you may judge between the people by that which God has shown you, and do not be an advocate for the treacherous.
that you may judge between the people. This is contrary to the Lord Jesus:
Matthew 7:1. Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.
VERSE 106. And seek forgiveness from God; for God is Forgiver, Merciful.
VERSE 107. And do not argue on behalf of those who betray themselves. God does not like those who are betrayers, sinners.
VERSE 108. They may conceal this from the people, but they do not conceal it from God, and He was with them when they schemed what He does not approve of to be said. God is Encompassing what they do.
VERSE 109. Here you are arguing on their behalf in this world, but who will argue on their behalf with God on the Day of Resurrection? Or, who will be their sponsor?
VERSE 110. And whoever does any evil, or wrongs himself, then seeks the forgiveness of God; he will find God is Forgiver, Merciful.
VERSE 111. And whoever earns any sin, then he has brought it on himself. And God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
earns any sin. Presumably this means “has committed any sin.”
VERSE 112. And whoever earns a wrongdoing or sin, then blames it on an innocent person; he has incurred falsehood and a clear sin.
blames it on an innocent person. Some people do this all the time. They commit a wrongdoing. Then they blame it on other people.
VERSE 113. And had it not been for the grace of God upon you and His mercy, a group of them would have obsessed on misguiding you; they would not have misguided except themselves, nor would they harm you in anything. And God has sent down to you the Book and the wisdom, and He has taught you what you did not know. And the grace of God upon you is great.
VERSE 114. There is no good in most of what they privately confer, except whoever orders a charity or kindness or reconciliation between the people. And whoever does this seeking the grace of God, We will give him a great recompense.
no good in most of what they privately confer. Many people are scheming for selfish gain.
VERSE 115. And whoever is hostile to the messenger after the guidance has been clarified to him, and he follows other than the path of the believers; We will grant him what he has sought and deliver him to Hell; what a miserable destination.
deliver him to Hell. The Qur’an speaks of Hell as existing.
VERSE 116. God does not forgive that partners be set up with Him, and He forgives other than that for whom He pleases. Whoever sets up partners with God has indeed strayed a far straying.
VERSE 117. They are calling on females besides Him. Indeed, they are only calling on a persistent devil.
VERSE 118. God has cursed him; and he said: “I will take from Your servants a sizeable portion.”
VERSE 119. “And I will misguide them and make them desire, and I will command them so that they will mark the ears of the hoofed animals, and I will command them so they will make change to the creation of God.” Whoever takes the devil as a supporter other than God, then he has indeed lost a great loss.
mark the ears of the hoofed animals. Farmers often do this. They rivet a tag into the ear of their livestock.
VERSE 120. He promises them and makes them desire, but what the devil promises them is only vanity.
VERSE 121. For these, their abode shall be Hell, and they will find no escape from it.
their abode shall be Hell. The Qur’an speaks of Hell as existing.
VERSE 122. As for those who believe and do good works, We will admit them to estates with rivers flowing beneath them, abiding therein eternally. The promise of God is truth; and who is more truthful in saying than God?
believe and do good works. This is a lovely resolution of the age-old debate among Christians concerning faith versus works.
VERSE 123. It will not be by what you desire, nor by what the people of the Book desire. Whoever works evil, he will be paid for it; and he will not find for himself besides God any supporter or victor.
VERSE 124. And whoever does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, then these will be admitted to Paradise, and they will not be wronged in the least.
and is a believer. Presumably one’s good works only count if you are a believer.
VERSE 125. And who is better in the system than the one who submits himself to God, and he is a good doer, and he follows the creed of Abraham in monotheism? And God took Abraham as a friend.
one who submits himself to God. To submit yourself to God is the essence of Islam. After all, the word “Islam” means voluntary submission to the will of God.
VERSE 126. And to God is what is in the heavens and the earth; and God is Encompassing all things.
VERSE 127. And they seek a ruling regarding the women, say: “God will give you a ruling regarding them and what is being recited to you in the Book regarding the orphans’ mothers whom you wish to marry but have not given them what was decreed for them, and the oppressed from the children: That you stand for the orphans in equality.” Whatever good you do, then God is aware of it.
VERSE 128. And if a woman fears from her husband rebellion or disregard, then there is no sin upon them to find a solution of reconciliation between themselves; and reconciliation is best. And the souls are brought by need; and if you are kind and do right, then God is expert over what you do.
if a woman fears from her husband. This seems to be speaking of a situation of abuse.
VERSE 129. And you will not be able to be fair regarding the women even if you make every effort; so do not sway too greatly and leave her as one hanging in a void. And if you reconcile and do right, then God is Forgiver, Merciful.
VERSE 130. And if they separate, then God will provide for each of them from His bounty. God is Vast, Wise.
if they separate. Presumably this is speaking of divorce.
God will provide for each. The Qur’an does not condemn people for divorce.
VERSE 131. And to God is what is in the heavens and the earth; and We have instructed those who were given the Book before you, and you, to be aware of God. And if you reject, then to God is all that is in the heavens and the earth; God is Rich, Praiseworthy.
to be aware of God. This verse reads as a summary-statement. If so, the first step required of us is to be aware of God.
VERSE 132. And to God is all that is in the heavens and the earth; and God is enough as a Caretaker.
God … as a Caretaker. This is a lovely expression!
VERSE 133. O you people, if He wills, He can make all of you cease to exist; then He will bring others in your place. God is most capable to do this.
He can make all of you cease to exist. God is all-powerful; thus, God can indeed do this.
However, being reminded of this can be terrifying.
VERSE 134. Whoever seeks the reward of this world, then with God is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. God is Hearing, Watchful.
VERSE 135. O you who believe, stand with justice as witnesses to God, even if against yourselves, or the parents or the relatives. Even if he be rich or poor, God is more worthy of them, so do not follow desire into being unjust. And if you twist or turn away, then God is Expert over what you do.
stand with justice. A Muslim is called to be an agent of justice.
We wish Christians saw themselves as being called to be agents of justice.
VERSE 136. O you who believe; believe in God and His messenger, and the Book which was sent down to His messenger, and the Book which was sent before. And whoever rejects God, and His angels, and His Books, and His messengers, and the Last Day; then he has strayed a far straying.
the Book which was sent down to His messenger. Presumably this refers to the Qur’an.
the Book which was sent before. Presumably this refers to the Torah.
VERSE 137. Those who believed, then rejected, then believed, then rejected, then they increased in rejection; God was not to forgive them nor to guide them to the path.
VERSE 138. Give news to the hypocrites that they will have a painful retribution.
Give news to the hypocrites. Muslims are called to share the message with all people. Even hypocrites.
VERSE 139. Those who take the rejecters as allies instead of the believers: “Do they seek glory with them?” All glory belongs to God.
VERSE 140. And it has been sent down to you in the Book, that if you hear the revelations of God being rejected and mocked, then do not sit with them until they move on to a different narrative; if not, then you are like them. God will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers in Hell all together.
VERSE 141. Those who linger and observe you, if you have a victory from God they say: “Were we not with you?” And if the rejecters have success, they say: “Did we not side with you and deter the believers from you?” God will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection, and God will not grant the rejecters any success over the believers.
the rejecters. This is an interesting expression.
VERSE 142. The hypocrites seek to deceive God, while He is deceiving them; and if they attend to the Connection, they do so lazily, only to show the people; they do not remember God except very little.
only to show the people. Apparently within Islam there are hypocrites. That unites it with Christianity and its legions of hypocrites.
VERSE 143. They are swaying in-between, neither with this group nor with that group. Whoever God will misguide, you will not find for him a way.
VERSE 144. O you who believe, do not take the rejecters as allies instead of the believers. Do you want God to have a reason against you?
VERSE 145. The hypocrites will be in the lowest pit of the Fire; and you will not find for them a victor.
the lowest pit of the Fire. The Qur’an speaks of Hell as existing, and that it is a realm of fire.
VERSE 146. Except those who repent, and amend, and hold fast to God, and are loyal in their system to God; then these will be with the believers. And God will give the believers a great recompense.
VERSE 147. What would God want with your punishment if you were only thankful and believed? God is Thankful, Knowledgeable.
VERSE 148. God does not like that negative things be said in public, unless one was wronged. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
God does not like that negative things be said in public. Our human existence seems to be flooded with negative things said in public.
VERSE 149. If you reveal that which was good, or keep quite, or pardon what was negative, then God is Pardoner, Capable.
VERSE 150. Those who rejected God and His messengers, and they want to make a separation between God and His messengers, and they say: “We believe in some and reject some!” And they desire to take a path in-between.
take a path in-between. The Qur’an seems to frown on things that are in-between. It reminds us of the Book of Revelation:
Revelation 3:15. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.
VERSE 151. These are the true rejecters; and We have prepared for the rejecters a humiliating retribution.
VERSE 152. And those who believe in God and His messengers and do not make a distinction between any of them, We will give them their recompense. And God is Forgiving, Merciful.
VERSE 153. The people of the Book ask you to bring down to them a book from the heaven. They had asked Moses for even more than that, for they said: “Show us God openly!” So the thunderbolt took them for their wickedness. Then they took the calf after the clarity had come to them, and We pardoned them for this; We gave Moses a clear authority.
The people of the Book. Presumably this is speaking of the Jewish people.
VERSE 154. And We raised the mount above them by the covenant they took, and We said to them: “Enter the passageway by crouching.” And We said to them: “Do not transgress the Sabbath;” and We took from them a solemn covenant.
Enter the passageway by crouching. We are not aware of this being said in the Old Testament. Nor the New Testament.
The Book of Genesis describes sin, not people, as the one who is crouching:
Genesis 4:7. If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.
VERSE 155. So, for the breaking of their covenant, and their rejection of the revelations of God, and their killing of the prophets without right, and their saying: “Our hearts are shielded.” Indeed, God has stamped upon their hearts because of their rejection; they do not believe, except for a few.
VERSE 156. And for their rejection and their saying about Mary a great falsehood.
their saying about Mary a great falsehood. We wonder what great falsehood Jewish people say about Mary.
VERSE 157. And their saying: “We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, messenger of God!” And they had not killed him, nor crucified him, but it appeared to them as if they had. And those who dispute are in doubt regarding him, they have no knowledge except to follow conjecture; they did not kill him for a certainty.
the Messiah, Jesus. This depicts Jesus as the Messiah.
VERSE 158. Instead, God had raised him to Himself; and God is Noble, Wise.
God had raised him to Himself. Presumably this refers to the Lord Jesus being resurrected.
VERSE 159. And from the people of the Book are those who refused to believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be witness against them.
the people of the Book. Presumably this is speaking of the Jewish people.
VERSE 160. Because of wickedness from among those who are Jewish, We made forbidden to them the good things that were always permissible to them; and for their deterring many from the path of God.
VERSE 161. And for their taking of usury, while they were prohibited from doing so, and for their consuming the money of the people unjustly. We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful retribution.
their taking of usury. The Qur’an is saying Jewish people took usury.
VERSE 162. But those of them who are well founded in knowledge, and the believers, they believe in what was sent down to you and what was sent down before you; and those who hold the Connection, and those who contribute towards purification, and those who believe in God and the Last Day; to these We will give them their recompense greatly.
those of them who are well founded. The Qur’an sees that there are Jewish people who are holy.
VERSE 163. We have inspired you as We had inspired Noah and the prophets after him. And We had inspired Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and Jesus, and Job, and Jonah, and Aaron, and Solomon; and We gave David the Psalms.
Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac. This verse lists Ishmael prior to Isaac.
That is different than we see in the Old Testament.
VERSE 164. And messengers whom We have narrated to you from before, and messengers whom We have not narrated to you; and God spoke to Moses directly.
messengers whom We have not narrated to you. The Bible does not list every messenger of the LORD God.
The LORD God has more messengers than are listed in the Bible.
VERSE 165. Messengers who were bearers of good news and warners, so that there will be no excuse for the people with God after the messengers. God is Noble, Wise.
warners. This is a new term.
VERSE 166. But God bears witness for what He has sent down to you with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness; and God is enough as a witness.
VERSE 167. Those who have rejected and turned away from the path of God, they have strayed a far straying.
VERSE 168. Those who have rejected and did wrong, God was not to forgive them, nor guide them to a path.
God was not to forgive them, nor guide them to a path. This is dire.
VERSE 169. Except to the path of Hell, they will abide therein eternally. For God this is very easy.
Except to the path of Hell. Hell seems to be the only destiny for rejecters.
VERSE 170. O people, a messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; that is better for you. And if you reject, then to God is what is in the heavens and the earth. And God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
a messenger has come to you with the truth. If you were alive back in the 600s AD, and messengers arrived in your village saying God sent a messenger with the truth, how would you react?
VERSE 171. O people of the Book, do not overstep in your system, nor say about God except the truth. Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of God and His word, which He cast to Mary, and a Spirit from Him. So believe in God and His messengers, and do not say: “Three.” Cease, for it is better for you. God is only One god, be He glorified that He should have a child! To Him is all that is in the heavens and the earth; and God is enough as a Caretaker.
Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of God and His word. This verse makes clear the Qur’an’s interpretation of the Lord Jesus.
VERSE 172. The Messiah is not too proud to be a servant to God, nor are the angels who are close to Him. Whoever is too proud from His service, and is arrogant, then He will gather them all towards Him together.
VERSE 173. As for those who believe and do good works, He will give them their recompense and increase for them from His bounty. And as for those who are too proud and arrogant, He will punish them a painful retribution, and they will not find besides God any supporter or victor.
those who believe and do good works. This is a lovely resolution of the age-old debate among Christians concerning faith versus works.
VERSE 174. O people, proof has come to you from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a guiding light.
proof has come to you. If you were alive back in the 600s AD, and messengers arrived in your village saying there was proof that God sent a messenger with the truth, how would you react?
VERSE 175. As for those who believe in God and hold fast to Him, He will admit them in a mercy from Him and a bounty, and He will guide them to Himself, a straight path.
VERSE 176. They seek a ruling from you, say: “God gives you the ruling for those who have no dependants. If a person passes away and has no child, but has a sister, then she shall receive half of what is left behind; and he will inherit from her if she has no child. However, if he has two sisters, then they will receive two thirds of what is left behind; and if he has siblings, men and women, then to the male shall be as that given to two females.” God makes clear to you that you do not stray; God is aware of all things.
THE QUR’AN
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Phrases, Adventures
Here at the Explore the Faith website, we are using the Modern Literal Translation of the Qur’an by Free Minds. According to their About Us page, all their work at that site, unless specified, may be copied and/or distributed on condition that reference is given back to www.free-minds.org. According to Wikisource, the Modern Literal Translation “is in the public domain worldwide because it has been so released by the copyright holder.”
To help our understanding, we are consulting The Sublime Quran, Revised Edition, translated by Laleh Bakhtiar, Ph.D., distributed by Kazi Publications.
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.