4. SURAH AN NISA
Justice and Fairness
Allah commands us to uphold justice and treat others fairly, even when doing so is difficult. In Surah An-Nisa, Allah reminds us that justice must not be influenced by our personal feelings, family relationships or wealth. We must strive to stand for what is right, even when it goes against our own interests. This reminds us that being a believer is not only about worshipping Allah, but also about how we treat other people.
Allah says:
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.” (Quran 4:135)
Protecting the Rights of Women and Orphans
Surah An-Nisa places great emphasis on protecting the rights of those who may be vulnerable or mistreated. Allah commands us to treat women fairly, give people their rightful inheritance and protect the wealth of orphans. These teachings remind us that every person has rights that must be respected. We must never use our strength, position or wealth to take advantage of others. Instead, we should be mindful that Allah sees how we treat those who may not have the power to defend themselves.
Allah says:
“And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective for the good.” (Quran 4:2)
Family Ties and Responsibility
Allah reminds us of the importance of family relationships and our responsibilities towards one another. Surah An-Nisa begins by calling upon humanity to be mindful of their Lord, who created them from a single soul, and to respect the ties of kinship. This teaches us that our faith should be reflected in how we treat our parents, relatives, spouses and children. Family relationships can sometimes be difficult, but we should strive to act with kindness and fairness, seeking Allah's pleasure in the way we treat those around us.
Allah says:
“And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs.” (Quran 4:1)
Obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ
Surah An-Nisa reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah and that we must turn to His revelation and the teachings of His Messenger ﷺ. Our personal desires, opinions and preferences should not take precedence over what Allah has commanded. When we face disagreements or uncertainty, we should seek guidance from the Qur'an and the authentic teachings of the Prophet ﷺ. This reminds us that faith requires more than belief in our hearts; it also requires a willingness to follow Allah's guidance in our lives.
Allah says:
“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” (Qur'an 4:59)
Sincerity and the Danger of Hypocrisy
Surah An-Nisa discusses the behaviour of the hypocrites, who outwardly appeared to believe while concealing disbelief and acting against the truth. Their example reminds us of the importance of sincerity in our relationship with Allah. We should not allow our faith to become something we display to others while neglecting our duties when we are alone. Instead, we should strive to ensure that our words, intentions and actions reflect genuine belief. We should regularly examine our hearts, seek Allah's forgiveness and ask Him to keep us firm upon the truth.
Allah says:
“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire.” (Quran 4:145)
Trusting Allah and Seeking His Forgiveness
Throughout Surah An-Nisa, Allah reminds us of His mercy, justice and wisdom. He establishes clear guidance for our lives while reminding us that He knows our weaknesses and intentions. When we fall short, we should not become complacent about our mistakes or despair of Allah's mercy. Instead, we should acknowledge our shortcomings, repent sincerely and strive to correct our actions. We must remember that our ultimate success lies in seeking Allah's pleasure and returning to Him with sincere hearts.
Allah says:
“And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 4:110)