النساء
An Nisa
Verses
176
Revelation
Madani
Period
Early Madinan
Surah No.
4 / 114
An-Nisa is one of the primary legislative surahs, focusing extensively on the rights of women, family law, inheritance, and social justice. It was revealed in the aftermath of the Battle of Uhud when many Muslim men were martyred, leaving widows and orphans in need of protection. The surah regulates marriage, divorce, treatment of orphans, and the distribution of wealth.
أسباب النزول
This surah was revealed largely in the period between the battles of Uhud and Al-Ahzab (approximately 625-627 CE). Verse 3 regarding polygamy was revealed partly in the context of caring for the many widows left after Uhud. Verse 11 on inheritance was revealed when the widow of Sa'd ibn Rabi complained that her husband's brother had taken all the wealth, leaving her daughters with nothing.
“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.”
This verse establishes the common human origin and equal dignity of all people before Allah, forming the moral foundation for the surah's many social laws.
“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.”
Revealed to address disputes arising in the community. This verse establishes the hierarchy of authority in Islam and the mechanism for resolving disagreements.
Ibn Masud said: "The most comprehensive verse in the Quran regarding rulings on what is lawful and unlawful is verse 23 of An-Nisa, which lists the prohibited degrees of marriage."