Introduction and importance of Surah An-Nisa'
Surah An-Nisa, translated as “The Women”, is the 4th chapter of the Qur'an and is one of the major Medinan revelations focused on structuring the emerging Muslim community. It was revealed after the Hijrah and covers a period roughly from the end of the 3rd year to the 5th year after Hijrah, in a context marked by deep social and political reorganization in Madinah.
A significant part of the surah is tied to the aftermath of the Battle of Uhud, which led to the death of many Companions and raised crucial questions about the rights of orphans, the laws of inheritance, and the protection of grieving families. In this context, An-Nisâ' lays down the foundations of comprehensive social justice by regulating the status of women, children, and vulnerable members of society.
For those who want to deepen their understanding, Surah An-Nisa is not just a legal text, but a spiritual guide that connects every rule to Taqwa, to consciousness of Allah, and to the believer's moral responsibility. This is why it is a central surah for anyone who wants to understand law, ethics, and family structure in Islam.
The foundations of social justice
Protecting orphans
The protection of orphans is one of the main themes of Surah An-Nisa, which emphasizes both financial and moral responsibility towards children who have lost their family support. The opening verses warn against any kind of misappropriation and command that their wealth be managed fairly, without wasting it or mixing it with that of the guardian.
- Safeguarding the property entrusted to guardians and not handing it over to those who are not yet capable of managing it, until they reach maturity.
- Providing for orphans' needs – food, clothing, dignity – by using their assets in a reasonable way or helping them from one's own means.
- Speaking to orphans with kindness and respect, remembering that their vulnerability is a test for the entire community.
This strong focus on the rights of orphans shows that justice in Islam is not abstract; it starts with protecting those who cannot defend themselves. Betraying this trust, unjustly consuming the property of orphans, and abusing authority are presented as serious sins that expose a person to Allah's punishment.
Reforming women's rights
The protection of women in Islam is the other major pillar of the surah, which profoundly reforms pre-Islamic practices related to marriage, dowry, and inheritance. Before Islam, women were often treated as inheritable property and deprived of patrimonial rights, while only men inherited.
- The surah reaffirms the legitimacy of the mahr (dowry) as a gift offered to the wife, which she fully owns and which no one can take back from her unjustly.
- The rules of marriage forbid treating women as part of an inheritance to be “collected” after a relative's death and condemn any form of coercion designed to strip them of their wealth.
- Marital rights are organized on a basis of fairness: the husband's responsibility for financial support, respect for the dignity of the wife, and the pursuit of harmony within the home.
By establishing these principles, Surah An-Nisa presents a vision in which women are full legal subjects, not just social objects. This reform makes the surah a key reference for any reflection on gender justice and the laws of inheritance in Islam.
Key legal and ethical themes
Inheritance laws (Al-Mawarith): precise divine guidance
The verses of Surah An-Nisa dealing with the laws of inheritance – often referred to as Al-Mawarith – are among the most detailed in the Qur'an. They precisely define the share of each heir – parents, spouse, children, brothers and sisters – to prevent injustice and family disputes.
- The deceased's parents each receive a fixed share, most often one-sixth, depending on whether or not there are descendants.
- Children inherit according to a system in which “a male receives the share of two females,” within a framework where men bear the main financial responsibility for family expenses.
- The inheritance rulings are accompanied by strong warnings against those who transgress them, stressing that these are limits set by Allah.
This detailed structure reflects a divine precision that aims to reconcile fairness, family solidarity, and social stability. Far from being a mechanical division, the system of Al-Mawarith expresses Allah's will to protect the most vulnerable, particularly women and orphans, in a context where they were traditionally disadvantaged.
Marriage prohibitions and family structure
Surah An-Nisa also presents a detailed list of marital prohibitions, defining which close relatives are forbidden for marriage and which are allowed. These rules concern lineal ascendants and descendants, siblings, foster relations, and relations by marriage, in order to preserve modesty and family stability.
- Forbidding marriage to mothers, daughters, sisters, paternal and maternal aunts, nieces, as well as certain stepdaughters and mothers-in-law under specific conditions.
- Recognizing kinship through breastfeeding, which in several cases establishes the same restrictions as blood relations.
- Regulating polygamy, limiting it to four wives under strict conditions of justice, with a clear recommendation to marry only one if there is fear of being unjust.
At the same time, the surah emphasizes the husband's responsibility as head of the household, without ever granting him the right to act arbitrarily or abusively. The family structure described in An-Nisâ' is based on complementarity, protection, and mercy, making the family the primary space where social justice is put into practice.
Spirituality and daily practice
Taqwa as the core thread of the surah
Beyond its legal dimension, Surah An-Nisa is deeply marked by the call to Taqwa, piety and constant awareness of Allah's presence. All commands related to justice, and to the rights of women and orphans, are repeatedly tied to the fact that Allah sees, knows, and will judge every action.
- Believers are called to be truthful witnesses and to uphold justice even if it goes against themselves, their relatives, or their own interests.
- The fear of Allah must outweigh the fear of people, so that legal decisions are not shaped by social pressure or the pursuit of material gain.
- Taqwa turns the application of the law into an act of worship, rather than a purely formal compliance with rules.
This emphasis shows that the ultimate goal of An-Nisâ' is not only to organize society, but to form believers who are conscious and responsible. True justice can only exist when the believer's heart is rooted in piety and in the desire to earn Allah's pleasure.
Repentance and Allah's mercy
Despite the firmness of its verses, Surah An-Nisa always leaves the door open to repentance and to Allah's mercy. Even serious sins can be erased through sincere return to Allah, repair of the injustices committed, and real change in behavior.
- The verses speak of those who repent, correct their actions, and reform, and who then receive Allah's mercy, for He loves His servants who turn back to Him.
- Ethical and legal violations can become the starting point for deep spiritual awakening if the believer accepts to acknowledge their wrongs.
- Divine mercy is also seen in the fact that the Law itself aims to protect the believer's soul by keeping it away from oppression and corruption.
This balance between strict rules and mercy illustrates Islam's middle path: sin is not minimized, but it is never a dead end for the one who genuinely seeks forgiveness. Reflecting on these verses reminds us that justice without mercy becomes hardness, while mercy without justice turns into laxity.
Why regular listening transforms the believer
Regular listening to Surah An-Nisa helps believers gradually internalize its teachings and integrate them into their worldview, far beyond a purely intellectual reading. Both the ear and the heart become familiar with the verses on the rights of orphans, the protection of women in Islam, and the need for constant social justice.
- Attentive listening, or Sama', becomes a form of active meditation: every verse heard questions how the believer manages their family life, wealth, and responsibilities.
- Regularly returning to the recitation reminds us that the rulings of An-Nisâ' are not frozen in the past, but are directly relevant to the realities of today's Muslim families.
- Alternating between listening and reading, supported by a simplified Tafsir An-Nisa, strengthens the surah's presence in everyday life.
To fully benefit from this spiritual dimension, it is recommended to listen to Surah An-Nisa regularly, focusing on the meaning of the verses as much as on their beautiful recitation. The recitation of Surah 4 then becomes a mirror through which the believer evaluates their sincerity, sense of justice, and respect for others' rights.
Conclusion: the relevance of An-Nisa's teachings today
The teachings of Surah An-Nisa remain strikingly relevant in a world where women's rights, child protection, and social justice are still central issues. By laying out clear rules for marriage, inheritance, and family life, while constantly connecting them to Taqwa and repentance, the surah offers a model in which law and spirituality are never separated.
To go deeper into this surah and the other chapters of the Qur'an, it is helpful to explore the complete list of surahs of the Qur'an and to build a habit of listening to Surah An-Nisa with reflection. The goal is not only to know the rules, but to be transformed by them, until justice, compassion, and mercy become stable traits of the believer's heart.