| | Linda “iLHam” Barto rendition of Surah Women(an-Nisa`)
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| 4:1 | | O Humanity, mind your duty to your Lord who created you from an individual and then, from him, created his mate. From those two, men and women came in numbers. Mind your duty to Allah by whom you are dependent on one another. [Mind your duty to] the wombs [ie, your family]. Truly, Allah is always watchful over you. |
| 4:2 | | Give the orphans their properties. Do not substitute poor quality for fine quality. Do not consume their properties along with your own. Truly, that would be a big sin. |
| 4:3 | | If you worry that you will not be able to treat orphans fairly, marry from among the [widowed or orphaned] women as appropriate for you. You may marry two, three, or four. If you worry that you will not be able to treat them fairly, then marry only one [free woman] or one of the [war widows or orphans] that you rightfully possess [as prisoners of war]. This will prevent you from being unjust. |
| 4:4 | | Give (brides) their dowries as gifts. If they, of their own accord, want to give some back to you, you may enjoy it with pleasure and good cheer. |
| 4:5 | | As for the mentally incompetent, do not give them properties entrusted to you. Use it to feed and clothe them. Speak to them words of kindness. |
| 4:6 | | Test the orphans [for responsibility] until they reach the age of marriage. If you find them responsible, give them their properties. Do not use it wastefully and quickly while they are growing up. If the guardian [of an orphan] is financially secure, he/she should claim no remuneration [for the orphan’s living expenses]. If the guardian is poor, let him/her be recompensed what is fair. When you release their properties to them, take witnesses in their presence. Allah is sufficient as an accountant. |
| 4:7 | | Men shall have a share in what parents and other relatives leave [after death]. Women shall have a share in what parents and other relatives leave. Whether it is a little or a lot, it is required. |
| 4:8 | | When relatives, orphans, and the poor are present at the distribution [of inheritance], provide from it something for them, and speak kindly to them. |
| 4:9 | | (The executors of an estate) should feel the same kind of concern as if they were leaving their own poor children behind. They should fear Allah and speak appropriately. |
| 4:10 | | Those who sinfully consume the properties of orphans swallow fire into their bellies. They will endure a blazing fire. |
| 4:11 | | Allah commands you in regards to [the inheritance of] your children. A male should get twice what a female gets. If there are only two or more daughters, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance [to be divided equally]. If there is only one [daughter], her share is half. For parents [left behind], they each get one-sixth of the inheritance if the deceased left children. If no children were left, and the parents are the heirs, the mother gets one-third. If the deceased left siblings, the mother gets one-sixth. In all cases, the distribution applies after [the deceased’s] bequests are made and debts are paid. You have no way of knowing whether your parents or your children will benefit most from you, so Allah gives this regulation. Truly, Allah is the All-knowing, the Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:12 | | You [husbands] shall inherit one-half of what your wives leave if they have left no children. If they have left children, then you will have one-fourth of what they leave. This is after bequests are made and debts are paid. (Your widows) shall have one-fourth of what you leave if you have left no children. If you have left children, then they will have one-eighth of what you leave. This is after bequests are made and debts are paid. If a man or woman has no parent or child, but has a brother or sister, each of two shall inherit one-sixth. If there are more than two, they will share one-third. This is after bequests are made and debts are paid. No harm should be done. Allah gives this regulation. Allah is the All-knowing, Most Tolerant. |
| 4:13 | | These are the regulations of Allah. Whoever obeys Allah and His messenger will be admitted to gardens with underground rivers, where they will live forever. That is the biggest achievement! |
| 4:14 | | As for whoever rebels against Allah and His messenger and transgresses beyond limits, (Allah) will force him/her into the fire where he/she will live continuously. He/she will have a humiliating punishment. |
| 4:15 | | Concerning any among the women who commit obscene acts, find four witnesses from among you. After they testify, confine (the guilty) to houses until death claims them or until Allah provides another way. |
| 4:16 | | If any two men among you are guilty of such [obscenity], punish them both. If they repent and amend, leave them alone. Allah is the Responsive, Most Merciful. |
| 4:17 | | Allah accepts the repentance of those who commit sins in ignorance and then quickly repent. Allah will respond to them with mercy. Allah is the All-knowing, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:18 | | Repentance will not be accepted from those who sin until they are dying and then say, “Now I truly repent.” [Repentance will not be accepted from] those who die as unbelievers. We have prepared a horrible punishment for these. |
| 4:19 | | O Believers, it is not legal for you to inherit women against their will. You may not restrain them in order to take back part of (any gifts) you have given them, unless they are obviously guilty of adultery. Treat them kindly. If you decide you don’t like them, it may be that, though you dislike something, Allah brings abundant good from it. |
| 4:20 | | If you decide to have one wife instead of another, do not take from the first wife any sum you have given her. Would you take it through an act of slander [eg, accusing her of adultery] and thus committing an obvious sin? |
| 4:21 | | How could you take away (a gift) after you had given yourselves to one another? She had already received a commitment from you. |
| 4:22 | | Do not marry women who were married to your fathers. An exception is made for whatever is in the past. Truly, it was a disgusting and hateful deed. It was a sinful practice. |
| 4:23 | | Forbidden to you [men for marriage] are your mothers; your daughters; your sisters; your paternal and maternal aunts; your siblings’ daughters; foster mothers who nursed you; foster sisters in relation to the nursing mothers; your mothers-in-law; your stepdaughters, for whom you are guardians, born to your wives with whom you have been intimate. No blame is on you for marrying (daughters) of wives with whom you have never been intimate. [Also forbidden are] the wives of your birth sons; and two sisters at the same time. An exception is made for whatever is in the past. Truly, Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 4:24 | | [Also forbidden are] all married women except those [prisoners of war] that you rightfully possess. This is the rule prescribed for you by Allah. Except for these exemptions, (all other women) are lawful for you. You must seek [marriage] with [gifts from] your properties. You must marry honorably without lust. Since you derive benefit from (your wives), give them their dowries as commanded. After a dowry is allotted, there is no blame on you if you mutually agree on a variation of it. Truly, Allah is the All-knowing, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:25 | | As for those of you financially unable to marry free, believing women, marry believers you rightfully possess [ie, prisoners of war]. Allah is most knowledgeable about your faith. You are each from the others [ie, partners in faith]. Marry them with their guardians’ permission. Kindly give them their dowries. They should be chaste –not immoral, taking lovers. After marriage, if they commit adultery, their punishment is half that for free women. This is allowed for those among you who fear committing sin, but it is better for you to practice self-restraint. Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 4:26 | | Allah intends to clarify for you and to guide you to the lifestyle of the (righteous people) who lived before you. [He intends] to accept your repentance. Allah is the All-knowing, the Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:27 | | Allah wants to respond to you in mercy. Those who follow their own desires want you to widely deviate [from what is right]. |
| 4:28 | | Allah wants to lighten your burdens, because humanity was created weak. |
| 4:29 | | O Believers, do not squander your collective resources in vain. Promote commerce with mutual good will. Do not destroy yourselves. Truly, Allah has been Most Merciful to you. |
| 4:30 | | As for whoever does that with hostility and malicious intent [eg, suicide bombing], We will cast him/her into the fire. That is easy for Allah. |
| 4:31 | | If you avoid the worst actions forbidden to you, We shall acquit you of all sin and admit you to a gate of great honor. |
| 4:32 | | Never covet the gifts that Allah has bestowed on some more freely than on others. Men are allotted what they earn, and women are allotted what they earn. Ask Allah of His bounty. Allah has full knowledge of all things. |
| 4:33 | | To everyone, We have appointed heirs of what is left by parents and close relatives. To those to whom you are rightfully pledged [ie, in marriage], give their share. Truly, Allah is Witness to everything. |
| 4:34 | | Men are protectors of women because Allah has blessed some more than others, and men invest of their earnings [in caring for their families]. Virtuous women, therefore, are devoutly obedient [to Allah] in discreetly guarding what Allah has entrusted to them. Concerning females of whom you suspect improper conduct, advise them, send them [each alone] to their rooms, and then leave them [as a last resort]. If they return to obedience [to Allah’s commands], do not seek retaliation against them. Allah is the Highest, the Greatest. |
| 4:35 | | If you fear disunity between a couple, choose an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family. If they want to make amends, Allah will cause their reunion. Truly, Allah is the All-knowing, All-aware. |
| 4:36 | | Worship Allah. Do not associate partners with Him. Honor your parents, relatives, orphans, those in need, close neighbors, unfamiliar neighbors, your close friend, the traveler, and those you rightfully own. Truly, Allah does not love those who are arrogant and boastful. |
| 4:37 | | [He does not love] those who are miserly and encourage others to be miserly, or those who conceal (the blessings) that Allah has given them from His bounty. We have prepared for unbelievers a humiliating punishment. |
| 4:38 | | Some people spend their wealth on others only to be seen by others. They do not believe in Allah or the last day. Whoever has made Satan a friend certainly has an evil friend. |
| 4:39 | | What would they lose if they did believe in Allah and the last day and spent [in charity] from what Allah has provided them? Allah is well aware of them. |
| 4:40 | | Truly, Allah does no injustice even to equal the weight of an atom. For every good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward. |
| 4:41 | | How will it go when We bring from every nation a witness? We will bring you [Prophet Muhammed] as a witness against (your contemporaries). |
| 4:42 | | On that day, the unbelievers who disobeyed the messenger will wish that the earth would swallow them. They will not be able to conceal anything from Allah. |
| 4:43 | | O Believers, do not approach the ritual prayers while you are intoxicated. Wait until you can understand what you are saying. Do not come in a state of ritual impurity, with an exception for when you are traveling. Wait until you have washed thoroughly. If you’ve been sick or on a trip, or if you’ve just been to the toilet, or if you’ve been involved in intimate touching, and you can’t find any water, resort to clean sand, and use it to rub your faces and hands. Allah blots out sins and forgives again and again. |
| 4:44 | | Have you seen those given a portion of the Book? They barter for error and hope that you lose your way. |
| 4:45 | | Allah knows best who are your enemies. Allah is sufficient for a friend. Allah is sufficient for a helper. |
| 4:46 | | A few of the Jews take words out of context. They say, “We hear and we disobey,” and, “Hear but do not listen,” and, “Listen to us.” They play tricks with their tongues, implying that the [Islamic] faith is false. It would have been better for them and appropriate if they had said, “We hear and we obey,” and “Listen, and have patience with us.” Allah has rejected them because of their unbelief. They do not believe except a few. |
| 4:47 | | O People of the Book, believe in (the Qur’an) We have revealed, which confirms (the message of the Bible) you already have. [Believe] before We alter faces and reputations or condemn them as We condemned the violators of the Sabbath. The command of Allah will be fulfilled. |
| 4:48 | | Truly, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him. He forgives anything else for whom He wills. The one who associates partners with Allah has certainly devised a hideous sin. |
| 4:49 | | Have you seen those who claim holiness for themselves? Nonsense! Allah purifies whom He pleases. They [whom He purifies] will not be wronged the width of a date seed fiber. |
| 4:50 | | See how (the hypocrites) invent lies about Allah. That is an obvious sin. |
| 4:51 | | Have you not seen how some of those who were given a portion of the Book now believe in superstition and idols? [Are you aware that] they say to the unbelievers, “These are more rightly guided to the way than the believers”? |
| 4:52 | | Allah has condemned them. You will find no helper for the one Allah has condemned. |
| 4:53 | | Do they have a share in Allah’s sovereignty? In that case, they would not give to humanity [anything equal in value to] a speck on a date seed. |
| 4:54 | | Are they jealous of other people because of Allah’s bounty bestowed on them? Truly, We gave the Book and wisdom to Abraham’s children. We granted them a mighty kingdom. |
| 4:55 | | Among them are believers and some who have rejected [the faith]. Hell is sufficient as a blazing fire. |
| 4:56 | | Truly, as for those who do not believe in Our signs, We will burn them in a fire. Every time their skins are roasted, We will give them new skins to keep them enduring the punishment. Truly, Allah is Victorious, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:57 | | As for those who believe and perform righteous deeds, We will admit them to an eternal home of gardens nourished by underground rivers. They will have pure, holy companions. We will admit them to deep, cool shade. |
| 4:58 | | Truly, Allah commands that you restore to their owners whatever has been entrusted to you. If you judge among people, judge fairly. Allah certainly advises you with what is excellent. Allah is All-hearing, All-seeing. |
| 4:59 | | O Believers, obey Allah and the messenger and those in authority [of leadership] over you. If you disagree about something, refer it to Allah and the messenger if you believe in Allah and the last day. That would be best and most appropriate for settling things. |
| 4:60 | | Have you not seen those who pretend to believe in the verses revealed to you and in what came to those before you? They prefer to go to false gods for judgment. They were certainly ordered to reject that. Satan’s desire is to mislead them far astray. |
| 4:61 | | When they are told, “Come to what Allah has revealed and to the messenger,” you will see the hypocrites turn away from you in disgust. |
| 4:62 | | How will it go for them when disaster strikes them because of the deeds in which their hands have invested? They will come to you swearing by Allah, “We wanted only goodwill and harmony.” |
| 4:63 | | Allah knows what is in their hearts, so separate from them. Admonish them, speaking to them a penetrating word about their souls. |
| 4:64 | | We never sent a messenger except that he should be obeyed according to Allah’s will. If (the sinners) had come to you and asked Allah’s forgiveness when they wronged themselves, and if the messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Responsive, Most Merciful. |
| 4:65 | | Never, considering your Lord, will they ever believe. First, they would insist on making you [the Prophet] their judge in all disputes among them. They would have to find, within themselves, no resistance against your decisions. They would have to accept them with full conviction. |
| 4:66 | | If We had ordered them to sacrifice their lives or leave their homes, very few of them would have done it. If they would have done as they were told, it would have been best for them and strengthened their faith. |
| 4:67 | | We would then have given them a great reward from Us. |
| 4:68 | | We would have guided them to the Straight Way. |
| 4:69 | | All who obey Allah and the messenger are among those upon whom Allah has bestowed His blessings. [These include] the prophets, the saints, the witnesses, and the righteous. What a wonderful partnership! |
| 4:70 | | That is the bounty from Allah. Allah is sufficient as the All-knowing. |
| 4:71 | | O Believers, take your precaution, and go forth either in units or as one army. |
| 4:72 | | Among you are certainly men who would lag behind. If a tragedy affects you, someone may say, “Truly, Allah did me a favor in my not being among them.” |
| 4:73 | | If victory from Allah becomes yours, he would certainly say –as if there had never been ties of affection between you and him, “Oh, I wish I had been with them! I would have made a fine thing of it.” |
| 4:74 | | Those who fight in the cause of Allah should be those who trade the life of this world for the eternal life. To him/her who fights for the sake of Allah –whether he/she is killed or wins victory— We shall soon give him/her a great reward. |
| 4:75 | | Why would you not fight, in the cause of Allah, for those who, being weak, are oppressed men, women, and children, who are crying, “Our Lord, rescue us from this society of oppressive people. Send, from You to us, someone who will protect. Send, from You to us, someone who will defend”? |
| 4:76 | | Believers fight for the sake of Allah. Unbelievers fight for the sake of evil. Fight against Satan’s advocates. Satan’s cunning is indeed feeble. |
| 4:77 | | Have you seen those who were told to refrain from fighting but to establish the ritual prayers and spend for the required charity? When the order to fight was given to them, many of them feared people as much as or more than they feared Allah. They said, “Our Lord, why order us to fight? How about postponing it a while longer.” Say, “The comfort of this world is scarce. The hereafter will be better for the one who is obedient. You will not be wronged as much as a date seed fiber.” |
| 4:78 | | Wherever you are, be sure that death will find you, even if you are in mighty, towering castles. If some good befalls (the idolaters), they say, “This is from Allah!” If a crisis comes, they say, “This is (the Prophet’s) fault!” Say, “All things are from Allah.” What is wrong with people that they scarcely understand a single thing? |
| 4:79 | | Whatever good happens to you is from Allah. Whatever evil happens is from your own soul. We have sent you [Prophet Muhammed] as a messenger for humanity. Allah is a sufficient witness. |
| 4:80 | | Whoever obeys the messenger obeys Allah. If anyone turns away, We have not sent you [Muhammed] to be a supervisor over them. |
| 4:81 | | They say, “We are obedient to you.” When they get out of your sight, however, some of them secretly plan at night something besides what you say. Allah records what they plan by night. Turn from them and trust in Allah. Allah is sufficient as a Trustee. |
| 4:82 | | Will they not ponder the Qur’an? If it had been from anyone besides Allah, they would have found many contradictions in it. |
| 4:83 | | When they get some news of safety or dread, they spread it. If they would refer it to the messenger and to those in positions of authority among them, those able to discern truth would have been able to recognize it. If not for the grace and mercy of Allah, most of you would certainly follow Satan. |
| 4:84 | | Fight in Allah’s cause. You are only responsible for yourself and to encourage the believers. Maybe Allah will restrain the fury of the unbelievers. Allah is most powerful and mightiest in punishment. |
| 4:85 | | One who participates in a good cause will share in its blessings. One who participates in an evil cause will be responsible for his/her part in it. Certainly, Allah is the custodian over everything. |
| 4:86 | | When you are met with a greeting, respond with an even friendlier greeting or the same good wishes. Allah is an accountant over everything. |
| 4:87 | | Allah! No god is there except Him. He will assemble you for the Day of Judgment, about which there is no doubt. And who can be more reliable than Allah in providing information? |
| 4:88 | | What is wrong with you? You have become divided in two about the hypocrites. Allah has allowed them to regress because of their guilt. Do you want to guide one whom Allah has allowed to stray? You will not be able to find a way for the one whom Allah has allowed to stray. |
| 4:89 | | (The hypocrites) would like to see you disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you would be like them. Do not choose them as allies until they act in the way of Allah. If they regress [becoming combatants], you must capture and execute them wherever you find them. Do not take allies or helpers from among them. |
| 4:90 | | Exceptions are those who seek refuge with a people bound to you by a treaty and those who come to you out of conviction against making war on you or their relatives. If Allah had willed, He could have empowered them over you so that they surely would have fought you. If they leave you alone and do not wage war against you and offer you peace, Allah does not allow you to harm them. |
| 4:91 | | You will find others who want to be safe from you and from their own relatives. Every time they are met with temptation, they yield to it. If they do not stop fighting you and offer you peace, restraining their hands, you must capture and execute them wherever you find them. In their case, We have provided you authority over them. |
| 4:92 | | A believer must never kill a believer. An allowance is made for an accidental killing. If one kills a believer by accident, he/she must free a believing slave and pay compensation to (the victim’s) family, unless (the family) charitably foregoes (the compensation). If the believing victim belonged to a people at war with you, [the perpetrator should only] free a believing slave. If (the victim) belonged to a people with whom you are bound by a treaty, [the perpetrator should] pay compensation to the family in addition to freeing a believing slave. One who cannot do either should fast for two consecutive months, seeking redemption from Allah. Allah is the All-knowing, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:93 | | If a person intentionally kills a believer, he/she will be punished in Hell, abiding there continuously. The wrath and condemnation of Allah are upon him/her. A horrible punishment is prepared for him/her. |
| 4:94 | | O Believers, when you travel for the cause of Allah, investigate carefully. Do not say to anyone who offers you [a greeting of] peace, “You are not a believer.” Do not seek perishable goods in this temporal life. Allah is in charge of abundant profits. You also were like that [materialistic] until Allah conferred His favor on you, so carefully investigate [a person’s true heart while he/she is in the midst of his/her spiritual journey]. Truly, Allah is greatly aware of all that you do. |
| 4:95 | | Believers who stay behind, except those with disabilities, are not equal to those who struggle in Allah’s way with their properties and bodies. Allah shows preference to those who struggle with their properties and bodies to those who stay behind. Allah has promised goodness to them all. Allah will give those who struggle a greater reward than those who stay will get. |
| 4:96 | | [Those who struggle will get] higher grades of quality as well as forgiveness and mercy. Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 4:97 | | When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, (the angels) ask, “How did you fare?” (The sinners) reply, “We were deprived while on the earth.” (The angels) ask, “Was Allah’s earth not spacious enough for you to migrate?” Such people will find their abode in Hell. What an evil refuge! |
| 4:98 | | Exempted are disadvantaged men, women, and children who have no means within their power or anything to direct their way. |
| 4:99 | | For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive. Allah is the Forgiver, the Most Forgiving. |
| 4:100 | | He/she who leaves his/her home in the cause of Allah will find in the earth many a refuge, wide and spacious. If he/she dies as a refugee away from home, for the sake of Allah and His messenger, his/her reward is certain with Allah. Allah is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 4:101 | | When you travel across the land, it is not wrong for you to shorten the ritual prayer if you are afraid that the unbelievers will assault you. Truly, the unbelievers are your sworn enemies. |
| 4:102 | | When you are with (the Muslims) and stand to lead them in ritual prayer, allow one part of them to stand with you, keeping their weapons with them. When they finish their prostrations, have them assume positions behind you. Allow the remaining part that hasn’t prayed to come forward to pray with you. They should be cautious and keep their weapons ready. The unbelievers would like for you to be negligent of your weapons and supplies so they could assault you in a single attack. It is okay for you to put away your weapons because of the problem of rain or because you are sick, but be cautious. Truly, Allah has prepared a horrible punishment for the unbelievers. |
| 4:103 | | After you have finished the ritual prayers, remember Allah while you are standing, sitting, and reclining. When you are free from danger, establish ritual prayer. Certainly, ritual prayer is prescribed for the believers for specific times. |
| 4:104 | | Do not be negligent in pursuit of the enemy. If you are suffering, they are also suffering the same hardship. You have hope from Allah, however, while they do not have such hope. Allah is the All-knowing, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:105 | | Certainly, We have bestowed upon you this Book in truth so you can judge among people by what Allah has taught you. Do not advocate on behalf of the deceitful. |
| 4:106 | | Seek Allah’s forgiveness. Truly, Allah is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 4:107 | | Do not advocate for those who deceive themselves. Truly, Allah does not love those who are corrupt and devious. |
| 4:108 | | They may hide from other people, but they cannot hide from Allah. He is with them when they plot by night, using words offensive to Him. Allah encompasses whatever they do. |
| 4:109 | | Here are you who want to advocate for them in the life of this world, but who will advocate for them before Allah on the Day of Resurrection? Who will be their defender? |
| 4:110 | | Whoever sins and wrongs his/her own soul, and then seeks Allah’s forgiveness will find Allah to be the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 4:111 | | Whoever commits a sin commits it only to the detriment of his/her own soul. Allah is the All-knowing, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:112 | | Someone could commit a crime or a sin, and then blame an innocent person for it. [Such a perpetrator] burdens him-/herself with, not only a blatant sin, but also slander. |
| 4:113 | | If it were not for Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, some of (the unbelievers) would have plotted to lead you astray. They will lead only themselves astray. They can do no harm at all to you. Allah has bestowed upon you the Book and wisdom and has taught you what you did not know. The grace of Allah is great upon you. |
| 4:114 | | No good is achieved in most of their secret counsels. An exception is for the purpose of planning an act or charity or kindness or reconciling people. Whoever does such as this is seeking Allah’s pleasure. Soon We will give him/her a big reward. |
| 4:115 | | Someone might argue with the messenger after ample guidance has been conveyed to him/her and follow a path other than the believers’ path. We shall leave him/her in what he/she has chosen and will allow him/her to suffer in Hell. What a dreadful destination! |
| 4:116 | | Allah does not forgive joining other gods with Him. He forgives whom He pleases of any other sins. One who joins other gods with Allah has strayed too far [to be forgiven, unless he/she repents and amends]. |
| 4:117 | | (The idolaters) abandon Him and call upon goddesses. They even call upon Satan, the relentless rebel. |
| 4:118 | | Allah condemned him, and (Satan) said, “I will take a certain portion of Your servants. |
| 4:119 | | I will mislead them, and I will stir in them desires. [In their superstitious folly,] I will order them to slit the ears of cattle. I will order them to change Allah’s creation.” Whoever forsakes Allah and trusts Satan for a friend certainly suffers a true loss. |
| 4:120 | | (Satan) makes promises and creates vain desires, but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception. |
| 4:121 | | (For his followers,) Hell will be their quarters, and they will be unable to escape. |
| 4:122 | | But those who believe and live righteously will be admitted to gardens [of Paradise], with underground rivers, and there they will live forever. Allah’s promise is true, and whose word can be more honest than Allah’s? |
| 4:123 | | Neither your own desires nor those of the people of the Book are valid. Whoever performs evil will be requited accordingly, and he/she will find no protector or helper other than Allah. |
| 4:124 | | If anyone –male or female— performs deeds of righteousness and has faith, he/she will enter Heaven, and not the least bit of injustice will be done. |
| 4:125 | | Who can be better in religion than one who submits his/her whole self to Allah, lives righteously, and follows the religion of Abraham, who was true in faith? Allah called Abraham His friend. |
| 4:126 | | To Allah belong all things of the skies and Earth, and Allah encompasses all things. |
| 4:127 | | They ask your instructions concerning women. Say, “Allah does instruct you about them, as recited to you in the Book. It concerns orphaned girls to whom you have not yet given what has been ordered for them even though you desire to marry them. It concerns helpless children and your duty to treat orphans fairly. Allah certainly has full knowledge of whatever good you do.” |
| 4:128 | | If a wife fears cruelty or desertion from her husband, the couple will not be blamed [for their marital problems] if they come to an amicable settlement. Such an agreement is best [for resolving a bad marriage]. Even though people are deeply influenced by greed, you should do the right thing and use self-discipline. Allah takes notice of what you do. |
| 4:129 | | [If you have more than one wife,] you will not be able to be completely fair with your wives no matter how much you want (fairness). Do not pay too much attention to one wife and ignore another. To do so would leave (the ignored wife) in the predicament of having but not having a husband. If you come to correct terms and revere Allah, then certainly Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 4:130 | | If (a husband and wife) separate, Allah will provide for each of them out of His abundance. Allah is Bountiful, All-wise. |
| 4:131 | | Unto Allah belongs everything of Heaven and Earth. We certainly directed those given the (Scriptures) before you as well as you [Muslims] to fear Allah. If you deny Him, truly unto Allah belongs everything of Heaven and Earth. Allah is Independent, Praiseworthy. |
| 4:132 | | Unto Allah belongs everything of Heaven and Earth. Allah is a sufficient Guardian. |
| 4:133 | | If He wanted, He could cause you, O Humanity, to disappear. He could make others. Allah is able to do that. |
| 4:134 | | One may desire the reward of this life. With Allah are the rewards of this life and the next life. Allah is All-hearing, All-seeing. |
| 4:135 | | O Believers, firmly stand for justice as witnesses for Allah, even if it means blaming yourselves, your parents, or other relatives. Whether they are rich or poor, Allah is best to care for them. Do not follow your own desires, lest you waver. If you distort or prevent [justice], truly Allah is well aware of what you do. |
| 4:136 | | O Believers, believe in Allah and His messenger [Prophet Muhammed] and in the Book sent to His messenger, and in the (Scriptures) sent previously. Anyone who denies Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the Day of Judgment has surely lost the way, straying afar. |
| 4:137 | | Certainly, those who believe, and then disbelieve, and then believe again, and then disbelieve, and then continually increase their doubts will not be forgiven by Allah. He will not guide them on the journey. |
| 4:138 | | To such hypocrites, give the good news that a dreadful penalty awaits them. |
| 4:139 | | As for those who seek friendship from unbelievers rather than believers, do they seek honor among them? Indeed, all honor is with Allah. |
| 4:140 | | He has already told you in the Book [what to do] whenever you hear the Scriptures of Allah being disrespected and ridiculed. You should not even sit with (the perpetrators) until they engage in a different conversation. They could negatively influence you. Allah will assemble all the hypocrites and the disbelievers into Hell. |
| 4:141 | | They wait to see what happens to you. When you have a victory from Allah, they say, “Were we not on your side?” When the unbelievers are successful, (the hypocrites) say [to them], “Did we not have an advantage over you, protecting you from the believers?” Allah will judge among you on the Day of Resurrection. Allah will never empower the unbelievers over the believers. |
| 4:142 | | The hypocrites certainly strive to deceive Allah, but He dupes them. When they stand for the ritual prayer, they are lazy about it. They want only to be seen by people. They are only a little mindful of Allah. |
| 4:143 | | They waver, being for neither one group nor another. If Allah leaves someone astray, he/she will never find the way. |
| 4:144 | | O Believers, do not trust, as allies, unbelievers instead of believers. Do you want to offer Allah testimony against yourselves? |
| 4:145 | | Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the fire. No helper can be found for them. |
| 4:146 | | An exception is made for those who repent, make amends, become faithful to Allah, and purify their faith in Allah’s sight. If so, they will be among the believers. Allah will grant the believers a valuable reward. |
| 4:147 | | What would Allah have to gain by your punishment if you are grateful and believe? Allah is Appreciative, the All-knowing. |
| 4:148 | | Allah does not tolerate public scandal, unless an injustice has been done [which must, for the sake of justice, be exposed]. Allah is All-hearing, the All-knowing. |
| 4:149 | | Whether a good deed is made public or is anonymous, or a bad deed is forgiven, truly Allah is the Forgiver, the Most Capable. |
| 4:150 | | Truly, some people reject Allah and His messengers. They create differences among Allah and His messengers. They say, “We believe in some [messengers] and reject others.” They want to take a middle ground. |
| 4:151 | | They truly are unbelievers. We have prepared a horrid punishment for the unbelievers. |
| 4:152 | | Some people believe in Allah and [all] His messengers. They do not distinguish one above another. We shall give their rewards. Allah is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 4:153 | | People of the Book ask you [O Muhammed] to cause a Book to descend from Heaven. They asked Moses for an even greater thing when they said, “Show us Allah unveiled.” They were dazed by thunder and lightning because of their offense. They worshiped the calf even after obvious signs had appeared to them. We forgave them, and We gave Moses evidence of authority. |
| 4:154 | | We raised the mountain [Mount Sinai] above them in witness of their covenant. We said to them, “Enter the gate with humility.” We commanded them, “Do not sin concerning the Sabbath. We made a solemn covenant with them. |
| 4:155 | | They broke their covenant. They rejected the signs of Allah. They unjustly killed the messengers. They said, “Our hearts are sealed.” Nonsense! Allah has sealed their hearts because of their blasphemy. Only a few believe. |
| 4:156 | | They rejected faith when they uttered against Mary a serious false charge. |
| 4:157 | | They also said that they killed Jesus the Messiah, son of Mary, Allah’s messenger. But they did not kill him or crucify him, although such was made apparent to them. Those who differ about this are full of doubts about it with no authentic knowledge, but only conjecture to follow. For certain, they did not kill him! |
| 4:158 | | Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. Allah is Victorious, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:159 | | Not one of the people of the Book is exempt from believing in him before his death. On the Day of Judgment, he will be a witness against them. |
| 4:160 | | Because of the disobedience of the Jews, We made some good things unlawful for them. These things had previously been lawful for them [before the Torah]. They [the wayward Jews] hindered many others from Allah’s way. |
| 4:161 | | They took usury, although they were forbidden to do that. They wrongfully consumed people’s property. We have prepared a terrible punishment for the unbelievers among them. |
| 4:162 | | Some among them are firm in knowledge. The believers believe in what is revealed to you [Prophet Muhammed] and in what was previously revealed [in Scriptures]. They establish ritual prayer and practice routine charity. They believe in Allah and in the last day. We will soon give them a great reward. |
| 4:163 | | We have sent to you [Prophet Muhammed] inspiration just as We sent it to Noah and the prophets after him. We sent inspiration to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the [Judaic] tribes, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. To David We gave the Psalms. |
| 4:164 | | We have already told you about some messengers but not about others. To Moses, Allah spoke directly. |
| 4:165 | | There were messengers who gave good news as well as warning that humanity, after arrival of the messengers, would have no claim against Allah. Allah is Victorious, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:166 | | Allah bears witness that what He has sent to you [Prophet Muhammed] He has sent from His knowledge. The angels also bear witness, although Allah is enough for a witness. |
| 4:167 | | Those who reject faith and obstruct the way of Allah have wandered far astray. |
| 4:168 | | Allah will not forgive those who reject faith and continue to sin. He will not guide them on a path. |
| 4:169 | | The exception is the path to Hell to dwell therein forever. This is easy for Allah! |
| 4:170 | | O Humanity, the Messenger has come to you with truth from Allah. It is best for you to believe. If you reject faith, to Allah belong all things of Heaven and Earth, and Allah is the All-knowing, Perfectly Wise. |
| 4:171 | | O People of the Book, do not commit excesses in your religion. Do not say things about Allah other than the truth. Jesus the Messiah, the son of Mary, was Allah’s messenger, His Word breathed into Mary, and a spirit emanating from Him. Believe in Allah and His messengers. Stop talking about “the Trinity”! That would be better for you. God is One God. Glory to Him! He is above begetting a child. To Him belong all things of Heaven and Earth. Allah is all you need to settle accounts. |
| 4:172 | | Messiah does not refuse to be Allah’s servant. Neither do the angels who are near [to God]. Those who do refuse to worship Him and are arrogant will be congregated before Him [to give account]. |
| 4:173 | | To those who believe and perform righteous deeds, Allah will grant them their earned rewards and will give them even more blessings. As for those who are scornful and arrogant, He will punish them with a grievous penalty. Beyond Allah, they will find no protector or savior. |
| 4:174 | | O Humanity, there has come to you undeniable evidence from your Lord, and We have sent unto you a guiding light [the revelations to and the ministry of Prophet Muhammed]. |
| 4:175 | | Those who believe in Allah and cling to Him will be shown His mercy and grace and be guided to Him along the Straight Way. |
| 4:176 | | They ask you to enlighten them. Say, “Allah directs you about the laws concerning those who leave no children as heirs. If a childless man dies, leaving a sister, she should have half the inheritance. If she dies childless [leaving her brother as her heir], he should have the same [half the inheritance]. If there are two sisters, they shall have two-thirds of the inheritance. If there are brothers and sisters, the men should have twice the share of the women. In this way, Allah clarifies for you so that you do not make mistakes. Allah has knowledge of all things.” |
