78 Page Notes

04 Surah An-Nisa (continued)

Page 78 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

4:7

4:8

4:9

4:10

4:11

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 78 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 78 of the Holy Quran contains Surah An-Nisa (4:7–11). This exact segment is historically groundbreaking, as it marks the definitive transition from the tribal, patriarchal customs of pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah) to the comprehensive, divine legal framework of Islamic inheritance law (Ilm al-Fara'id).

To fully understand these verses, Islamic jurisprudence relies on specific Hadiths that capture the circumstances of revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul) and the Prophet's practical implementation of these sweeping reforms.

1. Verses 7 & 8: Overturning the Pre-Islamic Disinheritance of Women

"For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much—an obligatory share..."

The Historical Context: The Case of Aus bin Thabit

In pre-Islamic Arab society, inheritance was exclusively tied to military capability—only men who could ride horses, carry armor, and fight in battle were entitled to inherit wealth (Mutawalli, 2025). Women and minor children were not only completely barred from inheriting, but widows were frequently treated as pieces of property to be inherited themselves (Mutawalli, 2025). Verses 7 and 8 dismantled this custom by establishing a bilateral principle where both male and female lines hold distinct, individual legal rights to a deceased person’s estate (Nor Salam, 2023).

• The Tradition: According to classical commentators like Al-Khazin and Ibn Kathir, these verses were revealed following the death of an Ansari companion named Aus bin Thabit (Mutawalli, 2025). He passed away leaving behind his wife, Umm Kahhah, and three young daughters (Mutawalli, 2025). His male cousins, Suwaid and Arfajah, seized his entire estate, leaving the widow and daughters completely destitute (Mutawalli, 2025).

• When Umm Kahhah appealed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the cousins defended their actions by saying, "O Messenger of Allah, his daughters cannot ride horses, carry burdens, or combat enemies." In direct response to this exploitation, Allah revealed Verse 7, explicitly guaranteeing women and children an "obligatory share," regardless of their military capability (Mutawalli, 2025).

• Source Reference: Tafsir Al-Khazin and Tafsir Ibn Kathir (commentary on Surah An-Nisa 4:7–8).

2. Verse 9 & 10: Protecting Vulnerable Orphans from Economic Ruin

"And let those [executors and guardians] fear [injustice] as if they destined to leave behind weak offspring... Indeed, those who consume the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire, and they will be burned in a Blaze."

The Hadith on the Seven Deadly Sins

Following the battles of Badr and Uhud, the Muslim community was left with a massive influx of orphans. Verse 10 issued an incredibly severe warning against guardians who mismanaged or embezzled their young charges' financial resources.

• 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 (Shirk) and practicing sorcery, the Messenger of Allah explicitly included: "...and consuming the wealth of an orphan."

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

3. Verse 11: The Foundation of Islamic Inheritance Math (Al-Fara'id)

"Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half..."

The Revelation Context: The Daughters of Sa'd bin Al-Rabi'

While Verse 7 established the concept that women must inherit, Verse 11 details the exact mathematical calculations for children and parents. A specific, highly documented legal dispute brought before the Prophet prompted this specific revelation.

• The Tradition: Jabir bin Abdullah narrated:
  "The wife of Sa'd bin Al-Rabi' came with her two daughters to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, these are the daughters of Sa'd bin Al-Rabi'. Their father was martyred fighting alongside you at the Battle of Uhud, and now their uncle has taken all of his wealth, leaving nothing for them. They cannot be married without wealth.' The Prophet (ﷺ) responded, 'Allah will decide this matter.' Shortly after, the Verse of Inheritance (An-Nisa 4:11) was revealed."

• The Judgment (Sunnah): The Prophet (ﷺ) immediately sent for the uncle and enacted the newly revealed divine shares, commanding him: "Give the two daughters of Sa'd two-thirds, give their mother one-eighth, and whatever is left over belongs to you as the closest male relative."

• Source: Jami` at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2092), Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 2891), Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 2720).

The Sunnah Clarification on Why the Ratio is 2:1

The 2:1 ratio outlined in Verse 11 between sons and daughters is tied directly to the financial obligations mandated by the broader Sunnah. In the Islamic socioeconomic model, men bear absolute financial responsibility (Nafaqah) for providing housing, food, and maintenance for their wives, children, and dependent female relatives (Mutawalli, 2025). Conversely, any wealth an Islamic woman inherits, earns, or receives as a dowry (Mahr) is her exclusive property to save or invest; she is legally exempt from spending a single coin of it on household survival (Mutawalli, 2025).

References

• Mutawalli, I. (2025). Inheritance distribution between sons and daughters: A comparative study of Indonesia and Tunisia. Pranata Hukum, 20(1), 37–48. 

• Nor Salam. (2023). Criticism of the Islamic inheritance distribution system perspective of the principle of proportionality. Maqashid Jurnal Hukum Islam, 6(2), 16–24.