Daily Qur’an Reflections: (5) Nisa’ 4.24-147 – Responsibilities, Consequence of Obedience, and Reflecting on the Miraculous Qur’an

 In this series, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and Ustadh Tabraze Azam, SeekersHub Global Instructors, share a day by day overview of key themes of each section (juz’) of the Qur’an, over the month of Ramadan. This is covered nightly at IMO of Toronto, where SeekersHub Toronto (www.seekers.flywheelstaging.com) is conducting its Ramadan 2013 programming.

Day 5: Juz’ Five: Surat al-Nisa’ [4.24-147]

In today’s set of verses, we’ll be looking at four key themes: (1) fulfilling family responsibilities with excellence; (2) the rights of others; (3) the consequence of obedience; and (4) reflecting on the Qur’an and its miracle.

[1] Balanced Family Responsibility

“The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character. And the best of you are those best to their spouses, and I am the best of you to their wives,” said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

Good character shall be of the weightiest of things on the Day of Judgement, and in this verse, Allah is commanding husbands to be good to their wives. Why?

“Husbands should take good care of their wives, with [the bounties] God has given to some more than others and with what they spend out of their own money. Righteous wives are devout and guard what God would have them guard in their husbands’ absence…” [Qur’an, 4.34]

But we also find in this verse, an indication of righteous wives. It is a call to living the sunna in the most beautiful of ways and ensuring spousal harmony–lives of spiritual richness and marital happiness.

[2] Fulfilling the Rights of Others

Fulfilling the rights of others is an obligation, and has deep implications in our religion. People are inherently needy, and if wronged, may seek their rights on the Last Day — then being a handing over of your good deeds. “Give everyone who has a right their due right,” said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

“God commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners. And if you judge between people, to do so with justice: God’s instructions to you are excellent, for He hears and sees everything.” [Qur’an, 4.58]

Be of those who fulfill others’ rights, uphold justice in all your actions and dealings, and seek to live a life of upholding the Qur’anic commands in the way shown t us by the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace).

[3] Consequence of Obeying Allah and His Messenger

In this surah, we learn the tremendous consequence of true obeying of Allah and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):

“Whoever obeys God and the Messenger will be among those He has blessed: the messengers, the truthful, those who bear witness to the truth, and the righteous– what excellent companions these are!” [Qur’an, 4.69]

Obedience is here refers to consistency in fulfilling obligations, and upholding recommended matters–with excellence and sincerity.

[4] The Qur’anic Miracle and Reflection

The following verse tells us to reflect on the greatest miracle sent to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) — the Qur’an. It is a clear book of manifest guidance. Whoever follows it shall be guided, and whoever doesn’t will fall astray.

“Will they not reflection about this Qur’an? If it had been from anyone other than God, they would have found much inconsistency in it.” [Qur’an, 4.82]

Learn about the inimitability (i`jaz) of the Qur’an: the linguistic inimitability; its inimitable meanings; its inimitable guidance; its informing of matters past and future; its scientific miracles, and more.

Reflection (tadabbur) is to think deeply about meanings and their implications. Learn the meanings of the Qur’an. Fill your heart with marvel and awe at its meanings–and the Greatness of the One addressing you when you recite the Qur’an.

Faraz Rabbani and Tabraze Azam 

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