THIS LONG chapter contains 176 verses arranged in twenty-four sections which date from the fourth year that the Prophet spent in Madina, or 625-6 A.D. It was revealed after Examining Her 60 and before The Earthquake 99, and it deals with women's rights and conditions after the battle of Uhud 3 / 625. These concern marriage laws (I & IV), and how to treat women, as the title itself suggests; in fact, the word "women" echoes constantly throughout this chapter.
It also takes up the subject of orphans (I & XIX), especially those girls left after the battle of Uhud, men's duty in maintaining their own households (VI), and matrimonial rifts (VI & XIX). Inheritance is also dealt with (I-II, XXIV). Sexual offences form a further theme (III), as does etiquette and politeness (XI). The sin of Association is mentioned several times (VI, VII & XVIII). Conditions for prayer are stated (VII) and the problem of performing prayers during warfare when they are probably most needed, is worked out (XV). Manslaughter and murder come up in XIII. We are told to obey constituted authority (VIII), and to strive to please God (X). Lackeys or 'Yesmen" are described in XX, while the Jews are mentioned in XXII.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
(I)* Mankind, heed your Lord Who has created you from a single soul, and created its mate from it, and propagated so many men and women from them both. Heed God through Whom you hold one another responsible, as well as any ties of kinship. God is Watching over you.
Orphans and Marriage
* Give orphans their property and do not substitute something bad for something good nor swallow up their wealth along with your own wealth. It would be a great outrage. * If you are afraid you will not deal fairly with orphans, then marry off such women as may seem good to you, in pairs, or three or four [at a time]. If you [still] fear you will not act justly, then [marry] one woman [only] or someone your right hand controls. That is more likely to keep you from committing an injustice. * Give women their marriage portions with no strings attached. If they themselves waive some of it for you, then consume it at leisure and with good cheer.
Inheritance
** Do not give the feebleminded your property which God has granted you for [their] support; provide for them out of it, and clothe them and address them decently. * Test orphans as soon as they reach a marriageable age. If you are sure of their maturity, then turn their property over to them; do not use it up extravagantly, over-anxious lest they should grow up. Anyone who is rich should restrain himself, while anyone who is poor may live off it in decency. Whenever you hand their property over to them, have it witnessed for them. God suffices as a Reckoner!
* Men shall have a portion of whatever parents and near relatives leave, while women should have a portion of whatever parents and near relatives leave; no matter how small nor how large it is, a portion is stipulated. * When near relatives, orphans and paupers are present at the probate, provide for them out of it and speak politely to them. * Let anyone act cautiously just as they themselves would fear to leave helpless offspring behind; let them heed God and speak in a proper manner.
** Those who live off orphans' property without having any right to do so will only suck up fire into their bellies, and they will (eventually) roast in a blaze!
Inheritance (cont'd)
(II)* God instructs you concerning your children: a son should have a share equivalent to that of two daughters. If the women [left behind] are more than two, then two-thirds of whatever he leaves belongs to them; yet if there is only one, then she has half. Both his parents shall each receive a sixth of whatever he may leave, if he had a son. If he had no son, and both his parents inherit from him, then his mother receives a third. If he has siblings, then his mother will have a sixth, once the will or any [outstanding] debt has been settled. You do not know whether your parents or your children are closer to you in usefulness, as an obligation [laid down] by God, for God is Aware, Wise.
* You will have half of anything your wives leave, provided they have no child. If they should leave a child, then you will have a fourth of whatever they may leave, once the will has been settled or any [outstanding] debt; while they [your widows] will have a fourth of anything you leave provided you have left no child. Should you have a child, then they will have an eighth of anything you leave, after settling any legacy or debt. If either a man or a woman bequeaths anything to more distant kin while he still has a brother or sister, then each one of them will have a sixth. If there are more than that, then they should be partners in a third after settling any legacy or debt, yet without causing any hardship. It is an instruction from God; God is Aware, Lenient.
God's Limits
* These are God's limits. Anyone who obeys God and His messenger will be admitted to gardens through which rivers flow, to live there for ever. That will be the supreme Achievement! * Anyone who disobeys God and His messenger and oversteps His limits, will be shown into a Fire to live there for ever; he will have humiliating torment.
(III)** Should any of your women commit some sexual offence, collect evidence about them from four [persons] among yourselves. If they so testify, then confine the women to their houses until death claims them or God grants them some other way out. * If two of you should indulge in it, trounce them both. If they repent and reform, then ostracize them both. God is Relenting, Merciful.
Repentance
* Repentance holds with God only for those who do evil out of ignorance, then repent shortly after; those God turns to. God is Aware,Wise.
* Repentance is not for those who perform evil deeds until one of them says: "I have just now repented!", just as death faces him. Nor is it for those who die while they are disbelievers; for those We reserved painful torment.
Marriage and Divorce
* You who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit anything from women against their will; do not hinder them from remarrying so that you may make off with part of what you have given them, unless they indulge in flagrant sexual misconduct. Treat them politely; even if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike something in which God has placed much good. ** If you want to exchange one wife for another, and have given one of them a large sum of money, do not hold back any of it. Would you withhold it through slander and open sin? How can you hold it back when you have had intercourse with each other, and they have made a solemn agreement with you? * Do not marry any women whom your fathers have already married, unless this is a thing of the past; it is a shocking act and disgusting, and the worst possible way.
(IV)* Forbidden to you [in marriage] are your mothers, your [own] daughters, your sisters, your aunts on your father's side as well as your aunts on your mother's side, and your brother's and your sister's daughter your foster mothers and your foster sisters, your mothers-in-law and step daughters who are under your guardianship [since their mothers are] wives of yours with whom you have consummated marriage (however if you have not consummated it with them, it will not be held against you), and the wives of your sons who are your own flesh-and-blood; nor may you bring two sisters together [under one roof] unless this is a thing of the past. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
PART FIVE
Marriage (cont'd)
(IV cont'd) * Nor [should you marry] any [already] married women, except the ones under your control. [Such is] God's legislation as it applies to you. Anything beyond that is lawful for you, provided you court them by means of your wealth, marrying them properly, rather than taking them on as mistresses. Since you have thereby sought enjoyment with them, give them their marriage portions as is stipulated. Yet it will not be held against you should you come to other terms about it even after what has been stipulated. God is Aware, Wi