77 Page Notes

04 Surah An-Nisa

Page 77 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

4:1

4:2

4:3

4:4

4:5

4:6

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 77 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 77 of the Holy Quran contains the opening verses of Surah An-Nisa (4:1–6). This specific passage serves as the foundational text for Islamic social justice, human rights, marital laws, and the strict protection of orphans' financial and physical well-being.

To fully understand these verses, Islamic jurisprudence relies heavily on the Sunnah (prophetic traditions) and specific Hadiths that explain the context of revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul) and the practical application of these rules.

1. Surah An-Nisa, Verse 1: The Sanctuary of Marriage and Family

"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..."

The Hadith on the Khutbah al-Hajah

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) established this verse as a core pillar of the marriage contract. It is a highly emphasized Sunnah to recite this verse during the Khutbah al-Hajah (the sermon delivered before a wedding or serious address).

• The Tradition: Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught them the sermon of need (Khutbah al-Hajah), which includes the recitation of three specific verses of the Quran, leading with Surah An-Nisa, Verse 1, to remind the couple of their shared origin, mutual dependency, and accountability before God.

• Source: Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 2118), Sunan an-Nasa'i (Hadith 1404).

2. Surah An-Nisa, Verse 2: The Sanctity of Orphan Wealth

"And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs] and do not consume their property into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin."

The Hadith on the Seven Destructive Sins

This verse is directly backed by severe Prophetic warnings regarding the misappropriation of an orphan's wealth. Guardians in pre-Islamic Arabia would frequently swap their poor-quality livestock or ruined crops for the high-quality assets belonging to the orphans under their care.

• The Tradition: Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Avoid the seven destructive sins." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what are they?" Along with associating partners with Allah and taking a life unjustly, he explicitly listed: "...and consuming the wealth of an orphan."

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 2766), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 89).

3. Surah An-Nisa, Verse 3: The Context of Polygamy and Orphan Girls

"And if you fear that you will not be able to do justice with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be able to do justice, then [marry only] one..."

The Hadith of Aisha on Exploitative Guardians

This verse is frequently misunderstood in isolation. Its structural context relates explicitly to the protection of orphan girls.

• The Tradition: Urwah ibn al-Zubair asked his aunt Aisha (the Prophet's wife) about the meaning of this verse. Aisha explained:
  "O my nephew! This refers to an orphan girl who is under the guardianship of her caretaker, who is attracted to her wealth and beauty. He wishes to marry her without giving her a fair dowry (Mahr) that another man would naturally give her. Therefore, guardians were forbidden to marry these orphan girls unless they treated them justly by paying them their maximum dowry. Otherwise, they were commanded to marry other women of their choice outside of their guardianship."

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 4574), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 3018).

4. Surah An-Nisa, Verse 4: The Wife’s Right to Her Dowry (Mahr)

"And give the women [upon marriage] their dowry graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then consume it with wholesome appetite and pleasure."

The Sunnah of Easing and Honoring the Mahr

In pre-Islamic times, the dowry was often confiscated by the bride's father or guardian. This verse completely shifted the legal rights, making the Mahr the exclusive property of the woman. The Sunnah establishes that while it is an absolute right, it should not be made a financial barrier to marriage.

• The Tradition: Sahl bin Sa'd narrated that a woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) offering herself in marriage. When a companion asked to marry her instead, the Prophet asked what Mahr he could provide. The man had nothing, not even an iron ring. The Prophet (ﷺ) then said: "I marry her to you for what you know of the Quran [by teaching it to her]." This proves that the Mahr must be given directly to the woman, even if it is symbolic or educational in nature.

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 5121), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1425).

5. Surah An-Nisa, Verses 5 & 6: Testing Financial Competence Before Releasing Wealth

"And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness. And test the orphans [in their abilities] until they reach the age of marriage. Then if you perceive in them sound judgment, deliver to them their property..."

The Hadith on Financial Prudence and Stealing from Orphans

Verse 6 demands that guardians test an orphan's maturity (Rushd) before handing over their entire inheritance so they do not squander it. Furthermore, it addresses whether a poor guardian can charge a "management fee" for taking care of an orphan's wealth. The verse states: "And whoever [of the guardians] is rich, let him refrain. And whoever is poor, let him consume in a reasonable manner."

• The Tradition: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "I am poor, I have no wealth of my own, but I am the guardian of an orphan who has wealth." The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: "Consume from the wealth of your orphan reasonably, without being extravagant, without rushing to spend it before they grow up, and without using their wealth to build your own asset base."

• Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i (Hadith 3645), Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 2872).

Summary of Legal Principles Established in Page 77

By synthesizing these verses with the Sunnah, classical Islamic law extracts the following mandates:

1. Financial Independence of Women: The dowry is not a "bride price" paid to a father; it is financial security belonging solely to the wife.

2. Strict Financial Auditing: Guardians are strictly prohibited from mixing their personal bad debts or lower-quality business inventory with an orphan's pristine estate.

3. Maturity vs. Age: Reaching physical puberty (the age of marriage) is not enough to receive an inheritance; a guardian must dynamically test the youth to ensure they possess the intellectual and practical capacity to handle money.