یَتٰمٰی
Appears 12 times in Quran
Derived Words (6)
Words derived from the stem "یَتٰمٰی".
- and orphans
- and the orphans
- the property of orphans
- the orphans
- towards the orphans
- concerning the orphans
- and show kindness to parents, and to kindred, and orphans
Occurrences in Quran
Found 12 verses containing "یَتٰمٰی".
وَاِذۡ اَخَذۡنَا مِیۡثٰقَ بَنِیۡۤ اِسۡرٰٓءِیۡلَ لَا تَعۡبُدُوۡنَ اِلَّا اللّٰہَ وَبِالۡوٰلِدَیۡنِ اِحۡسَانًا وَّذِی الۡقُرۡبٰی وَالۡیَتٰمٰی وَالۡمَسٰکِیۡنِ وَقُوۡلُوۡا لِلنَّاسِ حُسۡنًا وَّاَقِیۡمُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّکٰوۃَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّیۡتُمۡ اِلَّا قَلِیۡلًا مِّنۡکُمۡ وَاَنۡتُمۡ مُّعۡرِضُوۡنَ
عربی الفاظ میں ضمیر خطاب ہے۔ لیکن چونکہ استثناء میں بھی ’’تم‘‘ کا لفظ استعمال ہوا ہے۔ اردو میں دوسری دفعہ تم کا لفظ استعمال نہیں ہو سکتا۔ اس لئے ’’سب‘‘ کے لفظ سے ترجمہ کیا گیا ہے۔ تحت اللفظ ترجمہ اس طرح ہے۔ ’’تم میں سے چند ایک کے سوا (باقی) تم (سب) اعراض کرتے ہوئے پھر گئے۔‘‘
4:155; 5:13.
2:44, 111; 4:78; 6:73; 22:79; 24:57; 30:32.
The verse does not refer to any particular covenant but to a general covenant enjoining the Jews to give up the vices which were rife among them at that time and to lead a virtuous life (Exod. 20: 3-6, 12; Lev. 19: 17-18; Prov. 3: 27-28, 30; Deut. 6: 13 & 14: 29). In this verse, as everywhere else in the Qur’an, the sequence of words follows the natural order of importance of the works mentioned.
4:155; 5:13.
2:44; 4:78; 6:73; 22:79; 24:57; 30:32.
Important Words:
میثاق (a covenant). See 2:64.
Commentary:
After setting forth the attitude of the Israelites of the Holy Prophet’s time towards the Prophets of God and their own Scriptures, the Quran draws their attention to the teachings which they had been required to follow but which they ignored.
The verse under comment does not refer to any particular covenant, but to the vices which were rife among the Jews at the time and which were forbidden them in the Bible. Worship of any object other than God is repeatedly forbidden in the Jewish scriptures (Exod. 20:3-6). Again, kindness to parents is also among the injunctions (Exod. 20:12). Similarly, for the kind treatment of kinsmen, clear injunctions have been given (Lev. 19:17, 18; Exod. 21:9, and Prov. 3:27, 28). For care of orphans, an injunction is to be met with in Deut. 14:29. Sympathy for the poor is enjoined in Deut. 15:11. The injunction to deal gently with mankind is found in Prov. 3:30. The commandment to observe Prayer is given in Deut. 6:13. The injunction for alms-giving may be seen in Exod. 23:10, 11.
The Jews openly disregarded these clear injunctions. They set up equals to God, some believing in Ezra as the son of God, others taking the word of their divines as revelation and setting aside the dictates of the Holy Writ. Their treatment of their own kinsmen and others was cruel. Their attitude towards orphans and the indigent was unsympathetic. They were quite devoid of fellow feeling and were lax in worship and alms-giving. It should, however, be noted that God has not condemned the whole Jewish nation, but has made an exception in the case of the righteous few among them.
In this verse, as everywhere else in the Quran, the sequence of words follows the natural order of importance. The worship of the One God is mentioned first. Then mention is made of mankind, who have been divided into two classes: (1) those who deserve good treatment as a right; (2) those to whom kindness is shown as an act of charity. The first class is mentioned first, because in their case there is a sort of obligation, a debt to be paid. Those who are to be treated kindly out of charity are mentioned afterwards, the degree of need in each case determining the sequence. Last of all, acts of obedience to God are mentioned; and out of them the most important ones pertaining to the purification of the soul and the payment of religious taxes are selected; and these are placed after fellow feeling, because fellow feeling is the first step towards the moral elevation of man, who often feels impelled to it from within without reference to any law.
It is noteworthy that the injunctions that are found scattered in the Bible have been placed together in a most beautiful order in the Quran.
c
4:155; 5:13.
d
2:44, 111; 4:78; 6:73; 22:79; 24:57; 30:32.
1
عربی الفاظ میں ضمیر خطاب ہے۔ لیکن چونکہ استثناء میں بھی ’’تم‘‘ کا لفظ استعمال ہوا ہے۔ اردو میں دوسری دفعہ تم کا لفظ استعمال نہیں ہو سکتا۔ اس لئے ’’سب‘‘ کے لفظ سے ترجمہ کیا گیا ہے۔ تحت اللفظ ترجمہ اس طرح ہے۔ ’’تم میں سے چند ایک کے سوا (باقی) تم (سب) اعراض کرتے ہوئے پھر گئے۔‘‘
a
4:155; 5:13.
b
2:44; 4:78; 6:73; 22:79; 24:57; 30:32.
90
Important Words:
میثاق (a covenant). See 2:64.
Commentary:
After setting forth the attitude of the Israelites of the Holy Prophet’s time towards the Prophets of God and their own Scriptures, the Quran draws their attention to the teachings which they had been required to follow but which they ignored.
The verse under comment does not refer to any particular covenant, but to the vices which were rife among the Jews at the time and which were forbidden them in the Bible. Worship of any object other than God is repeatedly forbidden in the Jewish scriptures (Exod. 20:3-6). Again, kindness to parents is also among the injunctions (Exod. 20:12). Similarly, for the kind treatment of kinsmen, clear injunctions have been given (Lev. 19:17, 18; Exod. 21:9, and Prov. 3:27, 28). For care of orphans, an injunction is to be met with in Deut. 14:29. Sympathy for the poor is enjoined in Deut. 15:11. The injunction to deal gently with mankind is found in Prov. 3:30. The commandment to observe Prayer is given in Deut. 6:13. The injunction for alms-giving may be seen in Exod. 23:10, 11.
The Jews openly disregarded these clear injunctions. They set up equals to God, some believing in Ezra as the son of God, others taking the word of their divines as revelation and setting aside the dictates of the Holy Writ. Their treatment of their own kinsmen and others was cruel. Their attitude towards orphans and the indigent was unsympathetic. They were quite devoid of fellow feeling and were lax in worship and alms-giving. It should, however, be noted that God has not condemned the whole Jewish nation, but has made an exception in the case of the righteous few among them.
In this verse, as everywhere else in the Quran, the sequence of words follows the natural order of importance. The worship of the One God is mentioned first. Then mention is made of mankind, who have been divided into two classes: (1) those who deserve good treatment as a right; (2) those to whom kindness is shown as an act of charity. The first class is mentioned first, because in their case there is a sort of obligation, a debt to be paid. Those who are to be treated kindly out of charity are mentioned afterwards, the degree of need in each case determining the sequence. Last of all, acts of obedience to God are mentioned; and out of them the most important ones pertaining to the purification of the soul and the payment of religious taxes are selected; and these are placed after fellow feeling, because fellow feeling is the first step towards the moral elevation of man, who often feels impelled to it from within without reference to any law.
It is noteworthy that the injunctions that are found scattered in the Bible have been placed together in a most beautiful order in the Quran.
a
4:155; 5:13.
b
2:44, 111; 4:78; 6:73; 22:79; 24:57; 30:32.
116
The verse does not refer to any particular covenant but to a general covenant enjoining the Jews to give up the vices which were rife among them at that time and to lead a virtuous life (Exod. 20: 3-6, 12; Lev. 19: 17-18; Prov. 3: 27-28, 30; Deut. 6: 13 & 14: 29). In this verse, as everywhere else in the Qur’an, the sequence of words follows the natural order of importance of the works mentioned.
۞ لَّیۡسَ الۡبِرَّ اَنۡ تُوَلُّوۡا وُجُوۡہَکُمۡ قِبَلَ الۡمَشۡرِقِ وَالۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلٰکِنَّ الۡبِرَّ مَنۡ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَالۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَالۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ وَالۡکِتٰبِ وَالنَّبِیّٖنَ وَاٰتَی الۡمَالَ عَلٰی حُبِّہٖ ذَوِی الۡقُرۡبٰی وَالۡیَتٰمٰی وَالۡمَسٰکِیۡنَ وَابۡنَ السَّبِیۡلِ وَالسَّآئِلِیۡنَ وَفِی الرِّقَابِ وَاَقَامَ الصَّلٰوۃَ وَاٰتَی الزَّکٰوۃَ وَالۡمُوۡفُوۡنَ بِعَہۡدِہِمۡ اِذَا عٰہَدُوۡا ۖ وَالصّٰبِرِیۡنَ فِی الۡبَاۡسَآءِ وَالضَّرَّآءِ وَحِیۡنَ الۡبَاۡسِ ۗ اُولٰٓئِکَ الَّذِیۡنَ صَدَقُوۡا ۖ وَاُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡمُتَّقُوۡنَ
2:190.
76:9.
9:4; 13:21.
2:215; 6:43; 7:95.
49:16.
本节经文提出了伊斯兰教教义的要旨。它开始说到伊斯兰教的基本信念和教义。这些信念和教义是一切行动的来源和基础, 而人的行动的正直取决于这种正直性--------信仰安拉、信仰末日、信仰天使、信仰经典和众先知。接着还提到了一些关于人类行动更为重要的法令。
وَلٰکِنَّ الْبِرَّ میں بِرٌّ مصدر ہے اور عربی قاعدہ کے مطابق اس کے معنے بَآرٌّ یعنی نیک ہونے کے بھی ہو سکتے ہیں اس لئے ہم نے وہی ترجمہ کیا ہے۔
2:190.
76:9.
9:4; 13:21.
2:215; 6:43; 7:95.
49:16.
‘Ala Hubbi-hi means, for love of God; notwithstanding love of money.
Al-Ba’sa’ and al-Ba’s are both derived from Ba’usa and Ba’isa. i.e.; he was or became strong and valiant in war or fight; he was or became in a state of great want or poverty or distress. Al-Ba’sa’ means, might or strength in war or fight; war or fight; fear; harm, etc., ad-Darra’ is especially that evil or affliction which relates to one’s person as disease, etc., and al-Ba’sa’ is that which relates to property, as poverty, etc. (Lane).
The verse gives a gist of Islamic teaching. It begins with the basic Islamic beliefs and doctrines which are the source and basis of all actions and on the rightness of which depends the rightness of human actions—belief in God, in the Last Day, in angels, Revealed Books and Divine Prophets. After this some of the more important ordinances relating to man’s actions are mentioned.
2:190.
76:9.
9:4; 13:21.
2:215; 6:43; 7:95.
49:16.
Important Words:
البر (righteousness) is derived from بر. They say بر والدہ i.e. he obeyed his father or he behaved kindly and lovingly towards him. بر الله means, he obeyed God. بر فی قوله means, he spoke truthfully. برت الصلوة means, the Prayer was accepted. بر(birr) therefore, means: (1) a gift or favour; (2) obedience; (3) righteousness; (4) truthfulness (Aqrab); also (5) extensive goodness or goodness of a high order (Mufradat). And بر (barr) is one who does good to others. It is also one of the attributive names of God (Aqrab).
ابن السبیل (wayfarer) literally means, son of the road. The word signifies: (1) one who travels much (Lane); (2) a traveller or wayfarer who is far away from home, i.e. one who is on a long journey (Mufradat); (3) simply one on journey; (4) one whose way has been cut short to him, i.e. one who is stranded on the way (Aqrab).
الرقاب (captives) is the plural of رقبة (a captive or a slave) which is derived from رقب. They say رقبه i.e. he waited for or looked for him; he watched or guarded him; he was on his guard against him; he put a rope round his neck. رقبة means: (1) neck; (2) the hinder part thereof; (3) a person or being possessing a neck; (4) a slave or bondman or captive or prisoner, particularly a slave or captive who has contracted with his owner or custodian for his freedom. Thus the expression فی الرقاب would mean, in the ransoming of slaves or captives, etc. (Aqrab, Mufradat & Lane).
الباساء (poverty) and الباس (war) are both derived from بؤس orبئس i.e. (1) he was or became strong and valiant in war or fight; (2) he was or became in a state of great want or poverty or distress. الباساء means: (1), distress; (2) poverty; (3) hardship; (4) misfortune; (5) calamity; and (6) war. And البأس means (1) might or strength in war or fight; (2) courage, valour and prowess; (3) war or fight; (4) fear; (5) punishment or torment; and (6) harm or injury, as in لاباس به i.e. there is no harm in it (Lane & Aqrab). See also below.
الضراء (afflictions) is derived from ضر meaning, he caused him a loss or an injury. الضراء means: (1) vicissitudes of time; (2) hardship; (3) loss of life or property; (4) afflictions; and (5) famine (Aqrab). الضراء is especially that evil or affliction which relates to one’s person, as disease, etc. whereas البأساء is that which relates to property, as poverty, etc. (Lane).
Commentary:
The verse points to an important principle relating to form and spirit. Every commandment must have an outward form as well as an underlying spirit. What, however, is really meant is the underlying spirit and not the outward form which mostly serves as an outer shell for preserving the inner kernel. To illustrate this principle, the verse refers to the commandment relating to the turning of faces to a particular direction while offering Prayers. The verse points out that Islam has not directed the Faithful to face in a particular direction during Prayers, because it considers such an act to be of any intrinsic virtue. The fixing of a special direction is merely meant to bring about uniformity, whereas what really counts is the purpose underlying it, which is perfection of faith and deeds. The Quran, accordingly, proceeds to give in a nutshell the Islamic teachings about these two subjects.
The literal translation of the clauses ولکن البر من آمن is, "but righteousness is one who believes" which is obviously incomplete. So some words must be understood here. According to Sibawaih, a great authority on Arabic syntax, the rules of the Arabic language sometimes permit the omitting of a word for the sake of brevity or for laying special stress or for affording greater elasticity in speech. In accordance with this rule, the clause would read: ولکن البر من آمن i.e. "but righteousness is the righteousness of one who believes." Instances of such omissions of words are not lacking in the Arabic language (Sibawaih, i. 109).
According to yet another rule of the Arabic language, a مصدر (infinitive noun) is sometimes used in place of an اسم فاعل(active participle) in order to convey an intensified sense. Thus the word بر (righteousness) in the verse would mean بر الکامل i.e. "perfectly righteous or very righteous," and the clause would be translated as "perfectly righteous or very righteous is he who believes in Allah…"
The pronoun in the expression حبه (love of Him) may refer either to the word "Allah" in the previous clause, and in that case, the clause آتی المال علی حبه would mean, "spends his money for love of God". Or it may refer to the word مال(money). In this case, the clause would mean, "spends his money notwithstanding his love for money". Lastly, it may also refer to the noun implied in the verb آتی i.e. the act of spending. In this case the clause would mean "spends his money for the love of spending it". All these meanings are correct and may be applied. Indeed, it is one of the inimitable beauties of the Quranic diction that it chooses words and constructions that go to convey a variety of meanings in the shortest of expressions.
The verse affords another example of this kind in the expression ابن السبیل (son of the road). As explained under Important Words, this expression gives no less than four meanings and all are equally applicable here. So spending on ابن السبیل would signify (1) spending money in order to encourage travelling, which is a means of increasing knowledge and extending social relations; (2) helping such travellers as are on long journeys and are far away from home; (3) helping all wayfarers; and (4) helping such wayfarers and travellers as become stranded on the way. This is indeed a wonderful example of the combination of brevity and comprehensiveness. The verse also throws some light on the Islamic teaching about slavery. Islam prescribes it as a sign of true faith and perfect righteousness that money be spent on emancipating slaves. Nay, even such as are made captives from among those who attack Muslims with a view to annihilating them, are to be shown mercy and granted freedom out of money supplied by Muslims. For the discussion of Islamic teachings about slavery see 24:34.
The word الصابرین (the patient) in this verse is in the accusative case, while, according to the common rules of Arabic grammar, it should be in the nominative case like the preceding word الموفون (those who fulfil). The change is not without purpose and has been made to put emphasis on the word. According to Abu ‘Ali, a well-known authority on Arabic syntax, when a sentence contains a number of nouns of praise or dispraise, it is considered idiomatic to vary their grammatical inflection (Muhit, part ii). This is done to intensify the meaning.
As pointed out in the beginning, this verse gives a gist of the teachings of Islam. It begins with the fundamental Islamic beliefs and doctrines which are the source and basis of all actions and on the rectitude of which depends the rectitude of' one’s actions. The most fundamental of these is belief in God Who is the central point of all faith. Second in importance is belief in the Last Day or the Day of Judgement, upon a real understanding of which depends the direction of man’s actions in this life. Then follows belief in angels who serve as a sort of intermediaries between God and His creation. Then there are Divine Scriptures embodying God’s revelation which point out the way to the attainment of His pleasure and the purification of man’s soul. Lastly are Prophets who are the recipients of God’s revelations, communicating to man the will of God and serving as models to be followed and imitated by him. These five objects of faith have been mentioned here in their natural order and not necessarily in order of importance.
After stating the fundamental objects of faith, the verse proceeds to mention some of the more important ordinances relating to man’s actions. Pride of place is given to charity which a man gives not as a duty imposed on him, but as prompted by love, solicitude and sympathy for his kinsmen and fellow beings or out of love for common humanity. Next come the commandments regarding Prayer and Zakah which help to establish a true connection between God and man on the one hand and regulate relations between man and man on the other. Finally are laid down the two bulwarks of character and morality, i.e. (1) the redemption of promises and pledges; and (2) the displaying of fortitude, patience and steadfastness in time of distress, the first-mentioned forming one of the bases of international morality and the latter the means of its perfection.
b
2:190.
c
76:9.
d
9:4; 13:21.
e
2:215; 6:43; 7:95.
f
49:16.
114
本节经文提出了伊斯兰教教义的要旨。它开始说到伊斯兰教的基本信念和教义。这些信念和教义是一切行动的来源和基础, 而人的行动的正直取决于这种正直性--------信仰安拉、信仰末日、信仰天使、信仰经典和众先知。接着还提到了一些关于人类行动更为重要的法令。
1
وَلٰکِنَّ الْبِرَّ میں بِرٌّ مصدر ہے اور عربی قاعدہ کے مطابق اس کے معنے بَآرٌّ یعنی نیک ہونے کے بھی ہو سکتے ہیں اس لئے ہم نے وہی ترجمہ کیا ہے۔
b
2:190.
c
76:9.
d
9:4; 13:21.
e
2:215; 6:43; 7:95.
f
49:16.
184
Important Words:
البر (righteousness) is derived from بر. They say بر والدہ i.e. he obeyed his father or he behaved kindly and lovingly towards him. بر الله means, he obeyed God. بر فی قوله means, he spoke truthfully. برت الصلوة means, the Prayer was accepted. بر(birr) therefore, means: (1) a gift or favour; (2) obedience; (3) righteousness; (4) truthfulness (Aqrab); also (5) extensive goodness or goodness of a high order (Mufradat). And بر (barr) is one who does good to others. It is also one of the attributive names of God (Aqrab).
ابن السبیل (wayfarer) literally means, son of the road. The word signifies: (1) one who travels much (Lane); (2) a traveller or wayfarer who is far away from home, i.e. one who is on a long journey (Mufradat); (3) simply one on journey; (4) one whose way has been cut short to him, i.e. one who is stranded on the way (Aqrab).
الرقاب (captives) is the plural of رقبة (a captive or a slave) which is derived from رقب. They say رقبه i.e. he waited for or looked for him; he watched or guarded him; he was on his guard against him; he put a rope round his neck. رقبة means: (1) neck; (2) the hinder part thereof; (3) a person or being possessing a neck; (4) a slave or bondman or captive or prisoner, particularly a slave or captive who has contracted with his owner or custodian for his freedom. Thus the expression فی الرقاب would mean, in the ransoming of slaves or captives, etc. (Aqrab, Mufradat & Lane).
الباساء (poverty) and الباس (war) are both derived from بؤس orبئس i.e. (1) he was or became strong and valiant in war or fight; (2) he was or became in a state of great want or poverty or distress. الباساء means: (1), distress; (2) poverty; (3) hardship; (4) misfortune; (5) calamity; and (6) war. And البأس means (1) might or strength in war or fight; (2) courage, valour and prowess; (3) war or fight; (4) fear; (5) punishment or torment; and (6) harm or injury, as in لاباس به i.e. there is no harm in it (Lane & Aqrab). See also below.
الضراء (afflictions) is derived from ضر meaning, he caused him a loss or an injury. الضراء means: (1) vicissitudes of time; (2) hardship; (3) loss of life or property; (4) afflictions; and (5) famine (Aqrab). الضراء is especially that evil or affliction which relates to one’s person, as disease, etc. whereas البأساء is that which relates to property, as poverty, etc. (Lane).
Commentary:
The verse points to an important principle relating to form and spirit. Every commandment must have an outward form as well as an underlying spirit. What, however, is really meant is the underlying spirit and not the outward form which mostly serves as an outer shell for preserving the inner kernel. To illustrate this principle, the verse refers to the commandment relating to the turning of faces to a particular direction while offering Prayers. The verse points out that Islam has not directed the Faithful to face in a particular direction during Prayers, because it considers such an act to be of any intrinsic virtue. The fixing of a special direction is merely meant to bring about uniformity, whereas what really counts is the purpose underlying it, which is perfection of faith and deeds. The Quran, accordingly, proceeds to give in a nutshell the Islamic teachings about these two subjects.
The literal translation of the clauses ولکن البر من آمن is, "but righteousness is one who believes" which is obviously incomplete. So some words must be understood here. According to Sibawaih, a great authority on Arabic syntax, the rules of the Arabic language sometimes permit the omitting of a word for the sake of brevity or for laying special stress or for affording greater elasticity in speech. In accordance with this rule, the clause would read: ولکن البر من آمن i.e. "but righteousness is the righteousness of one who believes." Instances of such omissions of words are not lacking in the Arabic language (Sibawaih, i. 109).
According to yet another rule of the Arabic language, a مصدر (infinitive noun) is sometimes used in place of an اسم فاعل(active participle) in order to convey an intensified sense. Thus the word بر (righteousness) in the verse would mean بر الکامل i.e. "perfectly righteous or very righteous," and the clause would be translated as "perfectly righteous or very righteous is he who believes in Allah…"
The pronoun in the expression حبه (love of Him) may refer either to the word "Allah" in the previous clause, and in that case, the clause آتی المال علی حبه would mean, "spends his money for love of God". Or it may refer to the word مال(money). In this case, the clause would mean, "spends his money notwithstanding his love for money". Lastly, it may also refer to the noun implied in the verb آتی i.e. the act of spending. In this case the clause would mean "spends his money for the love of spending it". All these meanings are correct and may be applied. Indeed, it is one of the inimitable beauties of the Quranic diction that it chooses words and constructions that go to convey a variety of meanings in the shortest of expressions.
The verse affords another example of this kind in the expression ابن السبیل (son of the road). As explained under Important Words, this expression gives no less than four meanings and all are equally applicable here. So spending on ابن السبیل would signify (1) spending money in order to encourage travelling, which is a means of increasing knowledge and extending social relations; (2) helping such travellers as are on long journeys and are far away from home; (3) helping all wayfarers; and (4) helping such wayfarers and travellers as become stranded on the way. This is indeed a wonderful example of the combination of brevity and comprehensiveness. The verse also throws some light on the Islamic teaching about slavery. Islam prescribes it as a sign of true faith and perfect righteousness that money be spent on emancipating slaves. Nay, even such as are made captives from among those who attack Muslims with a view to annihilating them, are to be shown mercy and granted freedom out of money supplied by Muslims. For the discussion of Islamic teachings about slavery see 24:34.
The word الصابرین (the patient) in this verse is in the accusative case, while, according to the common rules of Arabic grammar, it should be in the nominative case like the preceding word الموفون (those who fulfil). The change is not without purpose and has been made to put emphasis on the word. According to Abu ‘Ali, a well-known authority on Arabic syntax, when a sentence contains a number of nouns of praise or dispraise, it is considered idiomatic to vary their grammatical inflection (Muhit, part ii). This is done to intensify the meaning.
As pointed out in the beginning, this verse gives a gist of the teachings of Islam. It begins with the fundamental Islamic beliefs and doctrines which are the source and basis of all actions and on the rectitude of which depends the rectitude of' one’s actions. The most fundamental of these is belief in God Who is the central point of all faith. Second in importance is belief in the Last Day or the Day of Judgement, upon a real understanding of which depends the direction of man’s actions in this life. Then follows belief in angels who serve as a sort of intermediaries between God and His creation. Then there are Divine Scriptures embodying God’s revelation which point out the way to the attainment of His pleasure and the purification of man’s soul. Lastly are Prophets who are the recipients of God’s revelations, communicating to man the will of God and serving as models to be followed and imitated by him. These five objects of faith have been mentioned here in their natural order and not necessarily in order of importance.
After stating the fundamental objects of faith, the verse proceeds to mention some of the more important ordinances relating to man’s actions. Pride of place is given to charity which a man gives not as a duty imposed on him, but as prompted by love, solicitude and sympathy for his kinsmen and fellow beings or out of love for common humanity. Next come the commandments regarding Prayer and Zakah which help to establish a true connection between God and man on the one hand and regulate relations between man and man on the other. Finally are laid down the two bulwarks of character and morality, i.e. (1) the redemption of promises and pledges; and (2) the displaying of fortitude, patience and steadfastness in time of distress, the first-mentioned forming one of the bases of international morality and the latter the means of its perfection.
a
2:190.
b
76:9.
c
9:4; 13:21.
d
2:215; 6:43; 7:95.
e
49:16.
202
‘Ala Hubbi-hi means, for love of God; notwithstanding love of money.
202A
Al-Ba’sa’ and al-Ba’s are both derived from Ba’usa and Ba’isa. i.e.; he was or became strong and valiant in war or fight; he was or became in a state of great want or poverty or distress. Al-Ba’sa’ means, might or strength in war or fight; war or fight; fear; harm, etc., ad-Darra’ is especially that evil or affliction which relates to one’s person as disease, etc., and al-Ba’sa’ is that which relates to property, as poverty, etc. (Lane).
203
The verse gives a gist of Islamic teaching. It begins with the basic Islamic beliefs and doctrines which are the source and basis of all actions and on the rightness of which depends the rightness of human actions—belief in God, in the Last Day, in angels, Revealed Books and Divine Prophets. After this some of the more important ordinances relating to man’s actions are mentioned.
یَسۡـَٔلُوۡنَکَ مَاذَا یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ ۖ قُلۡ مَاۤ اَنۡفَقۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ خَیۡرٍ فَلِلۡوٰلِدَیۡنِ وَالۡاَقۡرَبِیۡنَ وَالۡیَتٰمٰی وَالۡمَسٰکِیۡنِ وَابۡنِ السَّبِیۡلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفۡعَلُوۡا مِنۡ خَیۡرٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ بِہٖ عَلِیۡمٌ
معترض اعتراض کرتے ہیں کہ سوال کچھ ہے اور جواب کچھ ہے۔ پوچھا تو یہ گیا ہے کہ کیا خرچ کریں اور جواب یہ دیا جاتا ہے کہ جو کچھ بھی مال میں سے خرچ کرو وہ فلاں فلاں کو دو۔ اس کا جواب یہ ہے کہ یہ اعتراض قلتِ تدبر کی وجہ سے ہے۔ سوال کا جواب آیت میں موجود ہے۔ جب فرماتا ہے کہ جو کچھ بھی اچھے مال سے خرچ کرو تو اس میں سائل کا جواب مکمل آگیا ہے۔ اول یہ کہ کوئی حد بندی نہیں‘ جتنے کی توفیق ہو اتنا خرچ کرو۔ دوم یہ کہ اس امر کا لحاظ رکھو کہ جو خرچ کرو وہ طیّب مال ہو۔ جو لوگ حرام کماتے ہیں اور اس میں سے خدا کی راہ میں خرچ کرکے سمجھتے ہیں کہ ہم نے گویا اپنے گناہ کا کفار کر دیا وہ غلطی پر ہیں۔ خ
2:178; 4:37.
The verse signifies that whatever is spent should have been honestly acquired. What is spent must be good also in the sense that it should be acceptable to the receiver and should satisfy his need and that the object on which it is spent is also worthy and laudable.
2:178; 4:37.
Important Words:
خیر (good and abundant wealth). See 2:181.
اقربین (near relatives) is the plural of اقرب (derived from قریب) meaning, one nearer; a near relative (Aqrab).
Commentary:
When the Companions of the Holy Prophet were told that they could not win the pleasure of God and enter Heaven unless they were made to pass through sufferings and afflictions like those that had gone before, they at once signified their readiness to part with their wealth and property in the cause of God and asked the Holy Prophet to let them know what they should spend in order to win the pleasure of God and attain spiritual progress. They did not wait for the threatened trials to actually overtake them, but were prepared to make every kind of sacrifice in advance. They simply wanted to be told what form their sacrifice should take.
In reply to their eager question, God’s reply also indicates a sort of eagerness, as if He meant to impart to the Faithful the relevant commandment in its entirety, without waiting for any further question on their part; for whereas their question related only "what" they should spend, God’s answer goes a step further, describing also "on whom" the money is to be spent. As to the question, what is to be spent should be (1) well-acquired and (2) abundant. In moments of great national need, there can be no hope of success unless people spend freely and generously. But as free and generous expenditure carries with it the danger of weak people resorting to acquiring wealth by unfair means, therefore the condition about the money being "good" has been added.
As to the other part of the anticipated question, i.e. on whom should the money be spent, the Quran says that money should be spent on parents and near relatives (lit. near ones) and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. The five classes include all such persons as generally stand in need of help. The two first-mentioned classes include relatives, neighbours and friends who go to form the group that immediately surrounds a man and must claim his first attention, owning to personal relationship or personal contact. Then follow two classes that deserve help owing to their particular circumstance, orphans being without anyone to support them and the needy without any means of support. Lastly comes the wayfarer, whose claim consists in his being a stranger with no friend, no relative and no supporter. By pointing out these five classes as deserving of help, the Quran desires to hint that unless the entire community, including those who come to stay with them temporarily, is prepared to fight in the cause of Allah and unless the well-to-do classes help the weaker ones in their preparation for the national struggle, Muslims cannot present a united front nor can their efforts bring about the desired result. Each and every person must gird up his loins to contribute his fullest possible share, and those who cannot do so for want of means must receive help from others who can afford such help.
d
2:178; 4:37.
157
本节经文的意思是, 凡花费掉的, 应被真正得到。所花费掉的, 也必定是有益的。这所谓有益那就是对接受者来说是可接受的、并应满足他的需要, 而所花费的宗旨也要有价值且值得称赞。
3
معترض اعتراض کرتے ہیں کہ سوال کچھ ہے اور جواب کچھ ہے۔ پوچھا تو یہ گیا ہے کہ کیا خرچ کریں اور جواب یہ دیا جاتا ہے کہ جو کچھ بھی مال میں سے خرچ کرو وہ فلاں فلاں کو دو۔ اس کا جواب یہ ہے کہ یہ اعتراض قلتِ تدبر کی وجہ سے ہے۔ سوال کا جواب آیت میں موجود ہے۔ جب فرماتا ہے کہ جو کچھ بھی اچھے مال سے خرچ کرو تو اس میں سائل کا جواب مکمل آگیا ہے۔ اول یہ کہ کوئی حد بندی نہیں‘ جتنے کی توفیق ہو اتنا خرچ کرو۔ دوم یہ کہ اس امر کا لحاظ رکھو کہ جو خرچ کرو وہ طیّب مال ہو۔ جو لوگ حرام کماتے ہیں اور اس میں سے خدا کی راہ میں خرچ کرکے سمجھتے ہیں کہ ہم نے گویا اپنے گناہ کا کفار کر دیا وہ غلطی پر ہیں۔ خ
a
2:178; 4:37.
222
Important Words:
خیر (good and abundant wealth). See 2:181.
اقربین (near relatives) is the plural of اقرب (derived from قریب) meaning, one nearer; a near relative (Aqrab).
Commentary:
When the Companions of the Holy Prophet were told that they could not win the pleasure of God and enter Heaven unless they were made to pass through sufferings and afflictions like those that had gone before, they at once signified their readiness to part with their wealth and property in the cause of God and asked the Holy Prophet to let them know what they should spend in order to win the pleasure of God and attain spiritual progress. They did not wait for the threatened trials to actually overtake them, but were prepared to make every kind of sacrifice in advance. They simply wanted to be told what form their sacrifice should take.
In reply to their eager question, God’s reply also indicates a sort of eagerness, as if He meant to impart to the Faithful the relevant commandment in its entirety, without waiting for any further question on their part; for whereas their question related only "what" they should spend, God’s answer goes a step further, describing also "on whom" the money is to be spent. As to the question, what is to be spent should be (1) well-acquired and (2) abundant. In moments of great national need, there can be no hope of success unless people spend freely and generously. But as free and generous expenditure carries with it the danger of weak people resorting to acquiring wealth by unfair means, therefore the condition about the money being "good" has been added.
As to the other part of the anticipated question, i.e. on whom should the money be spent, the Quran says that money should be spent on parents and near relatives (lit. near ones) and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. The five classes include all such persons as generally stand in need of help. The two first-mentioned classes include relatives, neighbours and friends who go to form the group that immediately surrounds a man and must claim his first attention, owning to personal relationship or personal contact. Then follow two classes that deserve help owing to their particular circumstance, orphans being without anyone to support them and the needy without any means of support. Lastly comes the wayfarer, whose claim consists in his being a stranger with no friend, no relative and no supporter. By pointing out these five classes as deserving of help, the Quran desires to hint that unless the entire community, including those who come to stay with them temporarily, is prepared to fight in the cause of Allah and unless the well-to-do classes help the weaker ones in their preparation for the national struggle, Muslims cannot present a united front nor can their efforts bring about the desired result. Each and every person must gird up his loins to contribute his fullest possible share, and those who cannot do so for want of means must receive help from others who can afford such help.
d
2:178; 4:37.
258
The verse signifies that whatever is spent should have been honestly acquired. What is spent must be good also in the sense that it should be acceptable to the receiver and should satisfy his need and that the object on which it is spent is also worthy and laudable.
فِی الدُّنۡیَا وَالۡاٰخِرَۃِ ۗ وَیَسۡـَٔلُوۡنَکَ عَنِ الۡیَتٰمٰی ۖ قُلۡ اِصۡلَاحٌ لَّہُمۡ خَیۡرٌ ۖ وَّاِنۡ تُخَالِطُوۡہُمۡ فَاِخۡوٰنُکُمۡ ۚ وَاللّٰہُ یَعۡلَمُ الۡمُفۡسِدَ مِنَ الۡمُصۡلِحِ ۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ اللّٰہُ لَاَعۡنَتَکُمۡ ۚ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَزِیۡزٌ حَکِیۡمٌ
یَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ کے الفاظ ایسے ہیں کہ میرے نزدیک ان کا ایسا ترجمہ کرنا جو لفظی بھی ہو اور اس کے اردو میں کوئی معنے بھی ہو جاتے ہوں ناممکن ہے۔ بہرحال میں اس میں کامیاب نہیں ہو سکا کیونکہ دونوں زبانوں کے محاورات کا فرق اس مشکل کو حل نہیں ہونے دیتا۔ مولوی نذیر احمد صاحب دہلوی نے اس کا ترجمہ ’’بگاڑنے والے کو سنوارنے والے سے (الگ) پہچانتا ہے‘‘ کیا ہے۔ شاہ رفیع الدین صاحب نے اس کا ترجمہ ’’اور اللہ جانتا ہے بگاڑنے والے کو سنوارنے والے سے‘‘ کیا ہے۔ لفظی لحاظ سے یہ ترجمے کتنی ہی محنت سے کیے گئے ہوں اس میں شک نہیں کہ اردو میں اصل مفہوم ادا نہیں
4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.
The bringing up of orphans is a very delicate affair and also an important social duty. Orphans should be brought up in a manner most conducive to their physical, moral and spiritual welfare. They should be treated as members of the family—the exhortation being contained in the words, "they are your brethren."
4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.
Important Words:
الیتامی (orphans) is the plural of یتیم which is derived from یتم meaning he fell short of a thing, feeling weak and tired; he lost his father in childhood. Thus یتیم is one whose father has died and who has not yet attained the age of puberty, which, according to Islamic jurisprudence, is 18 years. The word یتیم is also used about a thing which is without equal (Aqrab & Mufradat).
تخالطوھم (intermix with them) is derived from خلط. They say خلط الشیء بالشیء i.e. he mixed up one thing with the other. خالطهmeans, he mixed or mingled or associated with him; he mixed or joined with him in his affairs; he became co-partner with him. خالط قلبه ھم means, anxiety pervaded his heart (Aqrab & Lane).
اعنتکم (put you to hardship) is derived from عنت which means, he fell into difficulty or hardship. اعنته means, he put him to hardship; he burdened him with a task that was beyond his power (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The opening words of this verse apparently seem to be misplaced, for they are connected not with the following words of the verse in which they are placed, but with the concluding words of the previous one. The complete sentence, therefore, should read like this, "thus Allah makes His commandments clear to you that you may reflect upon this world and the next". If read like this, the clause would mean that God has refrained from issuing a definite commandment with regard to war expenditure and has simply ordered you to retain such portion of your possessions as you may require for your worldly needs and spend the balance in the cause of religion so that you may be trained to think over and judge the comparative value of this world and the next and act accordingly. The words, "upon this world and the next" have been separated from the preceding words to provide a pause with the object of impressing the importance of the matter on the mind of the listener or reader.
As Quranic verses follow a natural order––an order prompted and followed by the innermost nature of the addressee––this verse follows in the wake of the verses dealing with war. As the war leaves behind orphans, this verse lays down basic instructions as to how they should be treated and looked after. Muslims are told that the bringing up of orphans is a very delicate affair and an important social duty. Orphans should be brought up in the manner most conducive to their greatest good, i.e. their physical, moral and spiritual welfare. They should be treated as members of the family; and their property properly looked after and steps taken to augment it. The words, and if you intermix with them, they are your brethren, signify not only permission but exhortation. The exhortation lies in the word "brethren" which is meant to point to Muslims to allow orphans to live as members of their family, this being not only wise and humane but also based on considerations of convenience. If orphans had been directed to be kept aloof and their property managed on a strictly legal basis, it would have, in most cases, entailed a good deal of unnecessary inconvenience and trouble for both parties concerned.
The words, Allah knows the mischief-maker from the reformer, serve as a stern warning to the guardians of orphans. Anything they do is sure to come to the knowledge of God. Nay, God knows even the hidden things of the human heart. So they should beware of playing the part of mischief-makers in the garb of reformers.
God’s attributes of "Powerful" and "Wise" placed at the end of the verse contain a general admonition to guardians of orphans to be very careful about their dealings with them. They should not delude themselves with the idea that, being weak and not yet possessed of proper understanding, the orphans are entirely at their mercy and that they can treat them as they like. For, if orphans are not strong and wise, God certainly is, and He would call them to account if they behaved unkindly or dishonestly towards these helpless and friendless creatures of His. By mentioning God’s attributes of "Powerful" and "Wise" the Quran also means to exhort Muslims to look after orphans in such a way and give them such good education and training as should help them to grow strong and wise and become useful members of the community.
a
4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.
164
抚育孤儿是一件非常难以处理的事情, 而也是一项重要的社会责任。孤儿们应以最有益于他们的身体、道德和精神健康的方式加以抚育。他们应当得到家庭成员般的待遇--------这一规劝包含在 “他们是你们的兄弟” 这句话中。
1
یَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ کے الفاظ ایسے ہیں کہ میرے نزدیک ان کا ایسا ترجمہ کرنا جو لفظی بھی ہو اور اس کے اردو میں کوئی معنے بھی ہو جاتے ہوں ناممکن ہے۔ بہرحال میں اس میں کامیاب نہیں ہو سکا کیونکہ دونوں زبانوں کے محاورات کا فرق اس مشکل کو حل نہیں ہونے دیتا۔ مولوی نذیر احمد صاحب دہلوی نے اس کا ترجمہ ’’بگاڑنے والے کو سنوارنے والے سے (الگ) پہچانتا ہے‘‘ کیا ہے۔ شاہ رفیع الدین صاحب نے اس کا ترجمہ ’’اور اللہ جانتا ہے بگاڑنے والے کو سنوارنے والے سے‘‘ کیا ہے۔ لفظی لحاظ سے یہ ترجمے کتنی ہی محنت سے کیے گئے ہوں اس میں شک نہیں کہ اردو میں اصل مفہوم ادا نہیں
a
4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.
227
Important Words:
الیتامی (orphans) is the plural of یتیم which is derived from یتم meaning he fell short of a thing, feeling weak and tired; he lost his father in childhood. Thus یتیم is one whose father has died and who has not yet attained the age of puberty, which, according to Islamic jurisprudence, is 18 years. The word یتیم is also used about a thing which is without equal (Aqrab & Mufradat).
تخالطوھم (intermix with them) is derived from خلط. They say خلط الشیء بالشیء i.e. he mixed up one thing with the other. خالطهmeans, he mixed or mingled or associated with him; he mixed or joined with him in his affairs; he became co-partner with him. خالط قلبه ھم means, anxiety pervaded his heart (Aqrab & Lane).
اعنتکم (put you to hardship) is derived from عنت which means, he fell into difficulty or hardship. اعنته means, he put him to hardship; he burdened him with a task that was beyond his power (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The opening words of this verse apparently seem to be misplaced, for they are connected not with the following words of the verse in which they are placed, but with the concluding words of the previous one. The complete sentence, therefore, should read like this, "thus Allah makes His commandments clear to you that you may reflect upon this world and the next". If read like this, the clause would mean that God has refrained from issuing a definite commandment with regard to war expenditure and has simply ordered you to retain such portion of your possessions as you may require for your worldly needs and spend the balance in the cause of religion so that you may be trained to think over and judge the comparative value of this world and the next and act accordingly. The words, "upon this world and the next" have been separated from the preceding words to provide a pause with the object of impressing the importance of the matter on the mind of the listener or reader.
As Quranic verses follow a natural order––an order prompted and followed by the innermost nature of the addressee––this verse follows in the wake of the verses dealing with war. As the war leaves behind orphans, this verse lays down basic instructions as to how they should be treated and looked after. Muslims are told that the bringing up of orphans is a very delicate affair and an important social duty. Orphans should be brought up in the manner most conducive to their greatest good, i.e. their physical, moral and spiritual welfare. They should be treated as members of the family; and their property properly looked after and steps taken to augment it. The words, and if you intermix with them, they are your brethren, signify not only permission but exhortation. The exhortation lies in the word "brethren" which is meant to point to Muslims to allow orphans to live as members of their family, this being not only wise and humane but also based on considerations of convenience. If orphans had been directed to be kept aloof and their property managed on a strictly legal basis, it would have, in most cases, entailed a good deal of unnecessary inconvenience and trouble for both parties concerned.
The words, Allah knows the mischief-maker from the reformer, serve as a stern warning to the guardians of orphans. Anything they do is sure to come to the knowledge of God. Nay, God knows even the hidden things of the human heart. So they should beware of playing the part of mischief-makers in the garb of reformers.
God’s attributes of "Powerful" and "Wise" placed at the end of the verse contain a general admonition to guardians of orphans to be very careful about their dealings with them. They should not delude themselves with the idea that, being weak and not yet possessed of proper understanding, the orphans are entirely at their mercy and that they can treat them as they like. For, if orphans are not strong and wise, God certainly is, and He would call them to account if they behaved unkindly or dishonestly towards these helpless and friendless creatures of His. By mentioning God’s attributes of "Powerful" and "Wise" the Quran also means to exhort Muslims to look after orphans in such a way and give them such good education and training as should help them to grow strong and wise and become useful members of the community.
a
4:128; 89:18; 93:10; 107:3.
266
The bringing up of orphans is a very delicate affair and also an important social duty. Orphans should be brought up in a manner most conducive to their physical, moral and spiritual welfare. They should be treated as members of the family—the exhortation being contained in the words, "they are your brethren."
وَابۡتَلُوا الۡیَتٰمٰی حَتّٰۤی اِذَا بَلَغُوا النِّکَاحَ فَاِنۡ اٰنَسۡتُمۡ مِّنۡہُمۡ رُشۡدًا فَادۡفَعُوۡۤا اِلَیۡہِمۡ اَمۡوٰلَہُمۡ ۖ وَلَا تَاۡکُلُوۡہَاۤ اِسۡرَافًا وَّبِدَارًا اَنۡ یَّکۡبَرُوۡا ۚ وَمَنۡ کَانَ غَنِیًّا فَلۡیَسۡتَعۡفِفۡ ۖ وَمَنۡ کَانَ فَقِیۡرًا فَلۡیَاۡکُلۡ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ ۚ فَاِذَا دَفَعۡتُمۡ اِلَیۡہِمۡ اَمۡوٰلَہُمۡ فَاَشۡہِدُوۡا عَلَیۡہِمۡ ۚ وَکَفٰی بِاللّٰہِ حَسِیۡبًا
Under no circumstances should the property of the orphans be made over to them before they attain puberty and are so mature of intellect as to take care of and properly manage it.
The verse also warns guardians not to squander away in haste the money of their wards before they are old enough to take charge of it. The guardian, if he is poor, is, however, allowed a reasonable wage, which should be in proportion to the amount of work he does and to the value of the ward’s property.
The property should be handed over to the wards in the presence of reliable witnesses as the word "presence" hints.
Commentary:
Guardians of orphans are enjoined to continue to test them so that if, after having reached the age of puberty, which according to some authorities is 18 years, and according to others 21, they are found to be capable of taking charge of their property, it should be handed over to them. But in no circumstances is it to be made over to them before puberty is attained and before they are so mature of intellect as to take care of and manage their property. If even at the mature age of 18 or 21, they are found to be incapable of managing their property, it may be withheld from them for a further period, with the sanction of the State.
The verse also warns guardians not to squander away in haste the money of their wards before they are old enough to take charge of it. The guardian is, however, allowed a reasonable wage, if he is poor, which should be in proportion to the amount of work he does and to the value of the ward’s property.
But if the guardian is a person of ample means, he should take nothing out of the orphan’s property. In that case, his should be a labour of love, done in hope of reward from God. This verse is not a repetition, but an explanation of 4:3 which contains a prohibitory injunction for such guardians as possess sufficient income with the addition that it allows a certain remuneration for guardians of meagre means.
The words, when you deliver to them their property, then take witnesses in their presence, have been added as a safeguard against all possible frauds as well as misunderstanding. The property should be handed over to the wards in the presence of reliable witnesses when both the wards and the witnesses are present, as the word "presence" hints.
The verse ends with a stern warning in the words, Allah is sufficient as a Reckoner. So all concerned should fear the All-Seeing and All-Knowing God. Indeed, the fear of being called to account before God is the only true basis of all righteousness and the real and most effective preventive against sin and iniquity. One should fear not only the punishment of God, but also losing His love and mercy.
489
Commentary:
Guardians of orphans are enjoined to continue to test them so that if, after having reached the age of puberty, which according to some authorities is 18 years, and according to others 21, they are found to be capable of taking charge of their property, it should be handed over to them. But in no circumstances is it to be made over to them before puberty is attained and before they are so mature of intellect as to take care of and manage their property. If even at the mature age of 18 or 21, they are found to be incapable of managing their property, it may be withheld from them for a further period, with the sanction of the State.
The verse also warns guardians not to squander away in haste the money of their wards before they are old enough to take charge of it. The guardian is, however, allowed a reasonable wage, if he is poor, which should be in proportion to the amount of work he does and to the value of the ward’s property.
But if the guardian is a person of ample means, he should take nothing out of the orphan’s property. In that case, his should be a labour of love, done in hope of reward from God. This verse is not a repetition, but an explanation of 4:3 which contains a prohibitory injunction for such guardians as possess sufficient income with the addition that it allows a certain remuneration for guardians of meagre means.
The words, when you deliver to them their property, then take witnesses in their presence, have been added as a safeguard against all possible frauds as well as misunderstanding. The property should be handed over to the wards in the presence of reliable witnesses when both the wards and the witnesses are present, as the word "presence" hints.
The verse ends with a stern warning in the words, Allah is sufficient as a Reckoner. So all concerned should fear the All-Seeing and All-Knowing God. Indeed, the fear of being called to account before God is the only true basis of all righteousness and the real and most effective preventive against sin and iniquity. One should fear not only the punishment of God, but also losing His love and mercy.
567
Under no circumstances should the property of the orphans be made over to them before they attain puberty and are so mature of intellect as to take care of and properly manage it.
568
The verse also warns guardians not to squander away in haste the money of their wards before they are old enough to take charge of it. The guardian, if he is poor, is, however, allowed a reasonable wage, which should be in proportion to the amount of work he does and to the value of the ward’s property.
569
The property should be handed over to the wards in the presence of reliable witnesses as the word "presence" hints.
وَاِذَا حَضَرَ الۡقِسۡمَۃَ اُولُوا الۡقُرۡبٰی وَالۡیَتٰمٰی وَالۡمَسٰکِیۡنُ فَارۡزُقُوۡہُمۡ مِّنۡہُ وَقُوۡلُوۡا لَہُمۡ قَوۡلًا مَّعۡرُوۡفًا
此处 “其他亲属、孤儿和穷人” 指远亲、孤儿和穷人。由于他们不是死者的合法继承人, 无权接受他的财产。虽然此节经文没有规定给予他们合法的继承权, 但是劝勉穆斯林在订立遗嘱分配财产时, 给他们留出一部分财产。
By the words, other relations and orphans and the poor, are here meant those distant relatives and orphans and poor persons, who, being not included among the deceased’s legal heirs, are not entitled to receive any part of his property as of right. The verse, though not giving a legal right of inheritance to them, exhorts Muslims, while making a will about the division of their property, to set apart a portion of it for them.
La-hum may also mean, in their favour.
Commentary:
The Surah began by enjoining men and women to treat one another with kindness. Next, it exhorted believers to take care of orphans, for these matters have an important bearing upon social order. The present verse treats of yet another social subject of importance.
By the words, relations and orphans and the poor, are here meant those distant relatives, and those orphans and poor persons who, being not among the testator’s lawful heirs, are not entitled to receive any part of his property as of right. The verse, though not giving a legal right of inheritance to them, exhorts all true Muslims, while making a will about the division of their property, to set apart a portion of it for orphans and the poor and such distant relatives as are entitled to no legal share. A testator, however, can leave by will not more than one-third of his property to other than his lawful heirs (Bukhari ch. on Wasaya).
According to Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn Musayyib, Ibn Sa‘id and Abu Ja‘far, the time referred to in the verse is when a person is about to make his will regarding the division of his property (Muhit). If nothing can be spared out of the property for this class of people, the testator should at least state in the will that they should be treated with kindness and he himself should also say kind words to them. The injunction laid down in the verse does not concern orphans particularly, but forms a part of the law of inheritance in general. As death leaves behind orphans, therefore, injunctions pertaining to orphans have been coupled with those pertaining to the disposal of a deceased person’s property.
313
此处 “其他亲属、孤儿和穷人” 指远亲、孤儿和穷人。由于他们不是死者的合法继承人, 无权接受他的财产。虽然此节经文没有规定给予他们合法的继承权, 但是劝勉穆斯林在订立遗嘱分配财产时, 给他们留出一部分财产。
491
Commentary:
The Surah began by enjoining men and women to treat one another with kindness. Next, it exhorted believers to take care of orphans, for these matters have an important bearing upon social order. The present verse treats of yet another social subject of importance.
By the words, relations and orphans and the poor, are here meant those distant relatives, and those orphans and poor persons who, being not among the testator’s lawful heirs, are not entitled to receive any part of his property as of right. The verse, though not giving a legal right of inheritance to them, exhorts all true Muslims, while making a will about the division of their property, to set apart a portion of it for orphans and the poor and such distant relatives as are entitled to no legal share. A testator, however, can leave by will not more than one-third of his property to other than his lawful heirs (Bukhari ch. on Wasaya).
According to Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn Musayyib, Ibn Sa‘id and Abu Ja‘far, the time referred to in the verse is when a person is about to make his will regarding the division of his property (Muhit). If nothing can be spared out of the property for this class of people, the testator should at least state in the will that they should be treated with kindness and he himself should also say kind words to them. The injunction laid down in the verse does not concern orphans particularly, but forms a part of the law of inheritance in general. As death leaves behind orphans, therefore, injunctions pertaining to orphans have been coupled with those pertaining to the disposal of a deceased person’s property.
571
By the words, other relations and orphans and the poor, are here meant those distant relatives and orphans and poor persons, who, being not included among the deceased’s legal heirs, are not entitled to receive any part of his property as of right. The verse, though not giving a legal right of inheritance to them, exhorts Muslims, while making a will about the division of their property, to set apart a portion of it for them.
571A
La-hum may also mean, in their favour.
وَاِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ اَلَّا تُقۡسِطُوۡا فِی الۡیَتٰمٰی فَانۡکِحُوۡا مَا طَابَ لَکُمۡ مِّنَ النِّسَآءِ مَثۡنٰی وَثُلٰثَ وَرُبٰعَ ۖ فَاِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ اَلَّا تَعۡدِلُوۡا فَوٰحِدَۃً اَوۡ مَا مَلَکَتۡ اَیۡمٰنُکُمۡ ۚ ذٰلِکَ اَدۡنٰۤی اَلَّا تَعُوۡلُوا
4:130.
此节经文很重要。因为在一定条件下, 这儿允许一夫多妻。伊斯兰教允许 (虽然它肯定不会命令和鼓励) 一个男于同时可娶一至四个妻子。因为给予这种许可是与孤儿问题有关的, 所以应该在关心那个备受忽视的社会阶层的问题的基础上看待这种许可。在某些情况下, 只有按照环境的迫切需要从受监护的女性孤儿或其他女子中娶一个或超过一个妻子, 孤儿的权利才能得到保护。虽然这节经文所提到的一夫多妻与孤儿问题有关, 但是这种婚姻也可能由其它情况而引起, 如通过这种婚姻来纠正一些社会和道德上的弊病。如果只考虑这种婚姻本身的目的, 同意这种婚姻不仅是无可非议的, 而且在某种情况下, 是可取的, 甚至是十分必要的。在这种情况下, 不利用这种婚姻制度对个人与社会的利益, 无疑是有害的。根据 «古兰经», 婚姻的目的有四点: (1) 防止身体上、精神上以及道德上的疾病; (2:188; 4:25); (2) 安定精神, 得到爱侣 (30:22); (3) 生育子女; (4) 扩大亲戚的范围 (4:2)。有时候, 娶一个妻子就不能实现一个或全部上述婚姻目的。例如, 一个人的妻子永久病残, 或患上传染病时, 如果他不另娶妻子, 那么, 婚姻的目的就要受挫。实际上他毫无办法, 要么, 另订合法婚约, 要么, 因未能幸运地阻止情欲的侵袭而过着不道德的生活。一个患病的妻子也成不了幸福的伴侣, 因为不论她给丈夫如何有价值的关怀和同情, 但是她与她的丈夫在一起不能在各方面去安定丈夫的精神。同样, 如果妻子碰巧不能生育, 又没有一夫多妻制, 那么, 丈夫子嗣名留的这一完全正常自然要求就不能实现。正是为了满足这种迫切的需要, 伊斯兰教允许一夫多妻制度。如果出于上述任何一个情况, 丈夫与其第一个妻子离婚, 这是对他的一种耻辱。事实上, 一夫多妻的婚姻目的在某种程度上与一夫一妻婚姻目的是一样的。在一夫一妻制婚姻不能实现其中的一个或所有目的时, 一夫多妻婚姻就十分必要了。而且, 尽管他已有一个深深地爱着的妻子, 并也已达到了婚姻目的。但也有其他一些理由使某男子必须另娶一个或多个妻子, 那些理由是: (a) 保护孤儿; (b) 使可以结婚的寡妇得到丈夫; (c) 为缺少男子的家庭或社团增补男子。从注释的这节经文中, 我们清楚地看到, 采取一夫多妻制特别是为了将未受人保护的孤儿置于某人的保护之下。此节经文的含意是: 像这些需要受人保护的孤儿的母亲最好与保护人结婚, 这祥, 那保护人与这些孤儿的关系就更加直接与亲密, 比在其他情况下更关心他们的福利, 使寡妇们能得到丈夫 (24:33) 是制定一夫多妻制的另一个目的。在穆圣时代, 穆斯林迫于长期的战争。许多人在战争中死去, 留下了没有近亲照顾的寡妇和孤儿。妇女在数量上大为超过男子以及人数非常多的无人照顾的孤儿--------这是战争不可避免的结果--------鼓励一夫多妻以防止穆斯林社会的道德堕落。最近的两次世界大战证明伊斯兰教的这种婚姻制度是有用的。大战撇下了数量非常众多没有丈夫的年轻妇女。确实, 由于两次大战造成男子惊人的死亡, 使西方国家的妇女人数大大超过了男子, 这是目前西方社会道德败坏的原因, 它正在腐蚀西方社会的机体。除了使年轻的寡妇能得到丈夫外, 一夫多妻制的目的还在于应付战后发生的严重形势。战后除了各方面都在衰退外, 国家的男子人数急剧减少到使国家有可能灭亡的危险。人口出生率下降是民族衰亡的重要原因, 只有一夫多妻制能有效地改善这种情况。这种婚姻制度并非如人们所误解的那样, 是为了情欲的发泄。它的本质是需要男子和妇女作出牺牲, 这种牺牲要求个人的一时感情服从社会和国家的更大的利益。
مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُكُمْ (Ma Malakat Aimanukum) 这一用语的一般意义是女战俘。她们没有被赎出, 被俘后在穆斯林的拘留和看管之下。因为她们参加战争想摧毁伊斯兰教, 因此理应剥夺她们的自由。在 «古兰经» 中用这一名称, 而不大用 عِبَادْ (‘Ibad, 奴隶) 和 اِمَاء (Ima’, 女奴隶), 为的要指出这种占有是公正和合法的。مِلْكُ يَمِيْن (Milku Yamin) 的意思是 “完全和正义的占有” (لِسَانْ, Lisan)。它包括奴隶和女奴隶两种意思。究竟在句中这一用语用在特定的地方意指什么, 须视上下文而定。关于 “他们自己所掌握的” 一语, 有许多误解: 这句话什么意思, 他们自己所掌握的人有什么权利和地位。伊斯兰教毫不含糊地谴责奴隶制。因此, 剥夺一个人 (他或她) 的自由是一种道德上的罪过。除非他或她参加战争来摧毁伊斯兰教或一个伊斯兰国家, 当然要剥夺他们的自由。买卖奴隶也是一种很严重的罪过。伊斯兰教的教导在这点上是十分清楚、毫不含糊和反复强调的, 按照这一教导, 假如有人使另一个人做他的奴隶, 他就对安拉和人类犯了严重的罪行 {الْبَيْع بُخارِی، كِتَابُ--------Bukhari, Kitabul-Bai‘ & دَاؤُد--------Da’ud, 由 فَتْحُ الْبَارِی--------Fathul-Bari摘录}。值得注意的是, 伊斯兰教在世界上开始建立的时候, 奴隶制是人类
*社会制度中的一个组成部分, 每个国家都有大量的奴隶。因此, 把一种已经紧密交织在整个人类社会组织之中的制度一下子抹掉而不严重伤害它的道德风气, 这是行不通, 甚至是不明智的。因此, 伊斯兰教力求逐渐地但有效而坚定地废除奴隶制。«古兰经» 制订了以下几条有效的法规以迅速而完善的废除奴隶制: (1) 只能在正规战以后抓战俘; (2) 在战争结束后不能扣留战俘不放, 但是 (3) 作为一种恩惠的表示, 或者可以用交换战俘的方式来释放战俘 (47:5)。但是, 那些由于不适合以上那些条例而得不到自由的不幸的人们, 或者应该留在他们的穆斯林主人那里的人, 可以和他们的主人书写一个赎身合同 (24:34)。这样的话, 如果一个女人在上述性质的情况下作了战俘, 丧失了自由, 成为 مِلْكُ يَمِيْن (Milku Yamin), 她不能在交换战俘中获释, 政府的困境也不许可其以恩惠的表示而立即释放她, 她的政府或人们也不来赎买她, 她也不寻求和主人书立合同来买她的自由, 那么, 为
了道德起见, 他的主人在没有她事先同意的情况下娶了她, 有什么可以反对或有意见的呢? 至于没有和一个女战俘或奴隶结婚而发生性关系, 这在 «古兰经» 任何一节经文中也没有说过可以这么做。«古兰经» 不仅认为没有正式结婚是不可以把女战俘当妻子对待, 而且有清楚而确定的命令, 这些战俘像自由的妇女一样, 必须结了婚才能作为妻子。其中惟一的区别是社会地位的暂时的差别。由于她们参加反对伊斯兰教的战争而丧失了婚前同意的权利, 因此和她们结婚不必考虑像对自由妇女那样去徵求她们事先的同意。因此 مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُكُمْ (Ma Malakat Aimanukum) 这一用语意指女战俘。按照 «古兰经», 无论如何也不会支持这样的看法, 说伊斯兰教批准非法同居。除了这节经文外, 至少还有其它四节经文以清楚而明确的条文制定了女战俘不应常处于不结婚状态中 (2:222; 4:4; 4:26; 24:33)。穆圣在这点也是态度非常鲜明的, 据记载他曾经说过, “如果某一个人有一个年幼的女奴隶, 他给她以正当的教育, 并用适当方式把她扶养成人, 然后解放并娶她为妻, 对他来说, 这是双重的报答” (الْعِلْم بُخَارِی، كِتَابُ Bukhari, Kitabul-‘Ilm)。穆圣这一说法的意思是, 如果一个穆斯林想要娶女奴隶为妻, 他必须先解放她, 然后娶她。穆圣自己的做法与这一训律十分符合。他的两个妻子朱伟里亚 (جُوَيْرِيَة, Juwairiyah) 和萨菲亚 (صَفِيَّة, Safiyyah) 就是作为战俘而来到他那里的。她们是他的 مِلْكُ يَمِيْن (Milku Yamin)。但他按照伊斯兰教的律令娶了她们。他也娶了 مَارِيَة (Mariyah), 她是埃及国王送给他的, 她享有像穆圣其他妻子那样的自由的地位。她戴上头盖, 并也被视为 “穆民之母”。«古兰经» 说得很清楚, 有关婚姻的律令适用于 “你们自己所掌握的 (奴婢)” 就像适用于 “穆圣姑父母、舅父母和姨父母的女儿” 那样。她们两个人都是结婚后才作为妻子的。以上所说的三类妇女都是通过结婚对穆圣才是合法的 (33:51)。还有, “禁止你们娶已婚的妇女, 除非你们具有所有权的,” (4:25) 这节经文连同上一节经文都述及到, 如果一个男人娶这种女人 (其中包括已婚的女人), 那是不合法的。但这里有个例外, 在宗教战争中被俘的那些已婚妇女宁愿留在穆斯林那里, 是可以同她们的主人结婚的。她们不愿回到以前丈夫那里去的这一事实被认为等于解除了她们过去的婚约。
这方面, 顺便还有一点值得注意, 不准许同一个女奴隶在禁止范围内的这样一些女亲属 (相应于一个自由妇女的那些亲属) 结婚。例如: 奴隶妻子的母亲、姐妹、女儿等是不能结婚的。要进一步讲清楚的是, 由于启示那个时候的环境, «古兰经» 必须区别两种妇女的社会地位。那种区别用 زَوْج (Zauj, 娶自由的妇女) 和 مِلْكُ يَمِيْن (Milku Yamin, 娶奴隶奴女) 等词来表达。前者意味着夫妻间是平等的, 而后者意味着妻子的地位要差一些。不过, 那是暂时的。«古兰经» 和穆圣极力劝告, 必须先给女奴隶完全的自由和地位, 然后娶她们。穆圣就是这样做的。此外, 伊斯兰教不准许在一般战争中俘虏妇女作为奴隶。未徵得一个女奴隶的事先同意而和她结婚, 只是在以下的情况下才可以: 敌对国先发动反对伊斯兰教的宗教战争, 想消灭伊斯兰教, 并在剑尖下强迫穆斯林放弃他们的宗教, 然后把他们的俘虏--------男的或女的--------作为奴隶对待, 就像在穆圣时代他们做的那样。那时, 敌人抓去穆斯林妇女作为俘虏并把他们当作奴隶看待。伊斯兰教的命令只是一种报复措施, 就其真实的性质来说, 它的时间是短暂的。它也具有保护被俘妇女德行的意义。现在那些条件已不复存在。现在没有宗教战争, 因此没有战俘被当作奴隶或女奴看待。
یعنی یتیم عورتوں سے ایک سے زیادہ شادیاں کرنی اچھی نہیں۔ کیونکہ بے انصافی کا ڈر ہے۔ ہاں ان کے سوا دوسری عورتوں سے دو دو‘ تین تین‘ چار چار سے نکاح کر سکتے ہو کیونکہ ان کے ولی ان کے حقوق کا مطالبہ کرنے والے موجود ہیں۔
یعنی اس طریق پر عمل کرکے تم ظلم اور گناہ کے خطرہ سے بہت حد تک محفوظ ہو جاؤ گے۔
4:130.
The verse is important inasmuch as it permits polygamy under certain circumstances. Islam allows (though it certainly does not enjoin or encourage) a man to have more than one wife up to four at a time. As this permission has been given in connection with the subject of orphans, it should be taken primarily to be based on the question of the care of that much-neglected class of society. There are cases when the interests of orphans can only be protected by marrying one or more wives from among the female wards or from other women as the exigencies of circumstances may require. Though the verse mentions polygamy in connection with the subject of orphans, yet other situations may arise when it may become a necessary remedy for some social or moral evils. If only the objects of marriage itself are considered, the permission appears to be not only justifiable but in some cases desirable and even necessary; nay, in such cases it may become positively injurious to the best interests of individuals and of the com
The expression, Ma Malakat Aimanukum, generally signifies, women prisoners of war who are not ransomed and who are in the custody and control of their Muslim captors because they had taken part in a war which was waged to destroy Islam and thus had legitimately deprived themselves of their freedom. The term has been used in the Qur’an in preference to ‘Ibad and Ima’ (slaves and bondwomen) to point to a just and rightful possession, the expression Milku Yamin signifying full and rightful possession (Lisan). It includes both slaves and bondwomen, and it is only the context which determines what the expression signifies in a particular place. Much misunderstanding prevails as to what the expression "their right hands possess" signifies, and what are the rights and status of the persons to whom it applies. Islam has condemned slavery in unequivocal terms. According to it, it is a mortal sin to deprive a person of his or her liberty, unless, of course, he or she renders himself
Ta‘ulu (do injustice) is derived from ‘Ala which means; (1) he had a large family; (2) he supported the family; (3) he was or became poor; (4) he acted wrongfully; or deviated from the right course (Lane).
4:130.
Important Words:
طاب (as may be agreeable). طاب الشیء means, the thing was or became pleasing, delightful, agreeable or delicious. طابت به نفسی means, my mind or my soul became pleased and satisfied with it. طاب العیش لفلان means, life became pleasant and free from cares for such a one. طاب عن الشیء نفسا means, he willingly parted with the thing (Aqrab & Lane).
مثنی (two) is derived from ثنی. They say ثناہ i.e. he doubled it or folded it; or he turned one part of it upon another. ثنیsignifies the repetition of a thing, doing it one time after another, or a thing or affair done twice. مثنی means اثنان اثنان i.e. two and two; two and two together; or two at a time and two at a time. Similarly, ثلاث means, three and three; three and three together; or three at a time and three at a time; and so is the meaning of رباع (Lane & Aqrab). The expression مثنی و ثلاث و رباع would thus mean, two at a time, or three at a time, or four at a time.
تعولوا (do injustice) is derived from عال which means:(1) he had a family or a large family; (2) he sustained and supported the family; (3) he was or became poor; (4) he acted unjustly and wrongfully, or he deviated from the right course.
Commentary:
The verse is important inasmuch as it permits polygamy under special circumstances. Islam allows (though it certainly does not enjoin) a man to have more than one wife up to four at a time. As the permission concerning polygamy has been given in connection with the subject of orphans, it should be taken to be primarily based on the question of the care of that much-neglected class of society. There are cases when the interests of orphans can best be protected by marrying one or more wives from among the female wards or from other women as the exigencies of circumstances may require. This can generally happen in one of the following cases:
(1) A man has a number of orphans, including girls, to look after. He is unmarried and there is danger of his falling into temptation. In this case he should marry one or more girls, as the case may be, from among his wards and thus protect himself from falling into sin or from betraying his trust and acting wrongfully towards his wards.
(2) He is married, but his wife fails to treat the orphans properly. He may in such a case also marry one of his female wards so that they may have a good and separate home of their own.
(3) Some of his younger relations, e.g., brothers or sisters, become orphans, and he finds that he or his existing wife cannot properly look after them. In such an eventuality, he may marry a suitable woman of mature age who may treat them like a mother. It is on record that in similar circumstances Jabir, a young man and one of the Holy Prophet’s distinguished Companions, married a widow of mature age and when the Prophet asked him why he had not married a young girl, Jabir replied that he had done so that his wife might look after his brothers and sisters who were left orphans by the death of his father. The Holy Prophet was much pleased at this act of Jabir and prayed for him (Bukhari, ch. on Buyu‘).
(4) If a person is afraid that the orphans under his care being strangers to him, he may not treat them as kindly as he should do, he may establish direct relationship with them by marrying one of the female wards.
(5) If a person has a large number of orphans under his care and he finds that he cannot do full justice to them without marrying more wives than one, he is permitted to do so to the limit of four.
The words, two or three or four, signify that the last number marks the utmost limit. It is related that after this verse was revealed, the Holy Prophet asked those of his Companions who had more than four wives to keep any four of them they liked and divorce the rest, so that the number might not exceed four (Tirmidhi, ch. on Nikah).
A general note on polygamy is appropriate here. Though the verse mentions polygamy in connection with the subject of orphans, yet other situations may also arise in which polygamy may become a necessary remedy for many social or moral evils.
If only the objects of marriage be considered, the permission of the Quran to its followers to wed more wives than one, appears to be not only justifiable but in some cases desirable and even necessary; nay, in such cases it may become positively injurious to the best interests of individuals and of the community not to take advantage of this permission. According to the Quran, the objects of marriage are four, i.e. (1) protection against physical, moral and spiritual maladies; (2) peace of mind and the availability of a loving companion; (3) procreation of children; and (4) widening of the circle of relationship.
With respect to the first-mentioned object, the Quran says: "And allowed to you are those beyond that, (i.e. the cases mentioned in the earlier verses) that you seek them by means of your property—marrying them properly (and guarding yourselves against animal passions) and not committing fornication (and not indulging in unrestricted gratification) (4:25). The word محصنین occurring in the verse quoted above is derived from احصان which means, to seek protection from the attacks of an enemy by entering into a fort. Thus Islam regards marriage as a sort of fort, or a means of protection against moral and spiritual diseases. With respect to this object the Quran further says: They (your wives) are a garment for you and you are a garment for them (2:188). Now, the dress of a person serves a threefold purpose: (1) It protects him against the inclemency of weather; (2) it serves as an embellishment and adornment; and (3) it covers one’s private parts and any defects that may be in one’s physical formation. With respect to the second object the Quran says: And of His Signs is this, that He has created wives for you from among yourselves that you may find peace of mind in them and He has engendered love and tenderness between you (30:22). About the third object it says: Your wives are a tilth for you so approach your tilth when and how you like (2:224).
Now every one can easily conceive that one or all of the above-mentioned four objects of marriage, i.e. (1) protection against physical, moral and spiritual diseases; (2) procreation and propagation of the human race: (3) company of a life-long and loving companion and (4) widening of the circle of relationship are, sometimes, not realized in the case of one wife only. It is a hard fact which cannot be denied that there are persons whose sexual instinct is too strong to be satisfied with one wife. This is a physical necessity inherent in man and it is playing with fire to make light of this, the most powerful of all physical instincts. The only sane and proper course open to a man whose sexual powers are abnormally strong is to marry another, if one wife does not satisfy him. Such cases may be rare, but you cannot ignore their existence altogether. And a perfect religious system, as Islam claims to be, has to provide for the physical and spiritual requirements of all sorts of people. Again, if the wife of a person becomes a permanent invalid or suffers from a contagious disease, the object of marriage is certainly defeated if such a person does not marry another wife. Indeed, no course is left to him but either to contract another lawful marriage or, failing successfully to combat the attacks of his passions, to lead a dissolute life. And an ailing wife cannot make a good companion either, because, however worthy of regard and com- passion she may be, her company cannot give peace of mind to her husband in all respects. In the third instance, if the wife of a person happens to be barren, the natural and perfectly legitimate desire of the husband to have an issue to succeed him and perpetuate his name remains unfulfilled in the absence of a polygamous marriage. It is to meet the requirements of all such persons that Islam has allowed the contraction of plural matrimonial relations. If, however, in any of these cases a husband divorces his first wife, it would be a shame and disgrace for him. For instance, in the case of an invalid wife it would mean that he lived with her as long as she was whole and deserted her at a time when she most needed his protection. The only honourable course in such a case would be to look after the diseased wife tenderly and marry another woman who may fulfil the functions of a wife.
It will thus be seen that the objects of a polygamous marriage are, to a certain extent, the same as those of a monogamous marriage. When one or all of those objects are not realized by a monogamous marriage, a polygamous marriage becomes a necessity and is allowed. There are, however, other reasons which may also render it necessary for a person to have one or more wives in addition to the one whom he dearly loves and who also fulfils the objects of marriage. Those reasons are: (a) to protect orphans; (b) to provide husbands for marriageable widows and (c) to supplement the decreasing manhood of a family or community.
It is manifestly clear from the verse under comment in which permission is given to marry more wives than one that polygamy is resorted to particularly with a view to taking under one’s protection orphans left unprotected. The verse clearly states: If you fear that you will not be fair in dealing with orphans (under your protection), then marry of women as may be agreeable to you, two or three or four; and if you fear you will not deal justly (between your wives) then marry only one. The words hint that the mother of such orphans as are left in the guardianship of a person should preferably be married by him so that he should become directly related to, and more intimately connected with, them and thus become more interested in their welfare than he otherwise could be.
Again, the Quran says: And marry widows from among you (24:33). To provide husbands for widows is thus another object which the institution of polygamy fulfils. Muslims were perpetually engaged in fighting in the time of the Holy Prophet. Many fell in wars and left behind widows and orphans without near relations to look after them. The preponderance of women over men and an exceptionally large number of orphans with no one to look after them, which is the inevitable result of war, necessitated that to save the Muslim society from moral degeneration, polygamous marriages should be encouraged. The last World War also vindicated this useful institution of Islam. It left an abnormally large number of young women without husbands. Indeed, the great preponderance of females over males in the west, due to the appalling loss of manhood caused by the War, is responsible for the present awful laxity of morals which is eating into the vitals of western society. Young girls fail to get suitable husbands. But natural passions must be satisfied. The result is dissolution and depravity. In view of the moral depravity prevailing in many countries, who has the hardihood to deny the wisdom of the Islamic institution of polygamy? Many indescribable moral and physical evils have arisen in the west as the result of this preponderance of women over men, the only proper remedy for which is polygamy.
The institution of polygamy is also intended to meet the serious situation that follows in the wake of a war, when, besides other aspects of decline, the manhood of a nation becomes so depleted as to threaten national destruction. The fall of birth-rate, which is a potent cause of the decay of a people and from which some Western countries are badly suffering, can be effectively remedied only by resorting to polygamy. The West will never recover from the terrible moral and social diseases from which it is suffering as well as from the appalling numerical decline facing certain countries and communities unless, setting aside all false notions and false sentiments, it submits to the Islamic injunctions about polygamy. It is a sacrifice demanded of men and women alike—a sacrifice in which personal and passing sentiments are required to be partly ignored for the wider and permanent interests of whole communities and countries.
a
4:130.
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此节经文很重要。因为在一定条件下, 这儿允许一夫多妻。伊斯兰教允许 (虽然它肯定不会命令和鼓励) 一个男于同时可娶一至四个妻子。因为给予这种许可是与孤儿问题有关的, 所以应该在关心那个备受忽视的社会阶层的问题的基础上看待这种许可。在某些情况下, 只有按照环境的迫切需要从受监护的女性孤儿或其他女子中娶一个或超过一个妻子, 孤儿的权利才能得到保护。虽然这节经文所提到的一夫多妻与孤儿问题有关, 但是这种婚姻也可能由其它情况而引起, 如通过这种婚姻来纠正一些社会和道德上的弊病。如果只考虑这种婚姻本身的目的, 同意这种婚姻不仅是无可非议的, 而且在某种情况下, 是可取的, 甚至是十分必要的。在这种情况下, 不利用这种婚姻制度对个人与社会的利益, 无疑是有害的。根据 «古兰经», 婚姻的目的有四点: (1) 防止身体上、精神上以及道德上的疾病; (2:188; 4:25); (2) 安定精神, 得到爱侣 (30:22); (3) 生育子女; (4) 扩大亲戚的范围 (4:2)。有时候, 娶一个妻子就不能实现一个或全部上述婚姻目的。例如, 一个人的妻子永久病残, 或患上传染病时, 如果他不另娶妻子, 那么, 婚姻的目的就要受挫。实际上他毫无办法, 要么, 另订合法婚约, 要么, 因未能幸运地阻止情欲的侵袭而过着不道德的生活。一个患病的妻子也成不了幸福的伴侣, 因为不论她给丈夫如何有价值的关怀和同情, 但是她与她的丈夫在一起不能在各方面去安定丈夫的精神。同样, 如果妻子碰巧不能生育, 又没有一夫多妻制, 那么, 丈夫子嗣名留的这一完全正常自然要求就不能实现。正是为了满足这种迫切的需要, 伊斯兰教允许一夫多妻制度。如果出于上述任何一个情况, 丈夫与其第一个妻子离婚, 这是对他的一种耻辱。事实上, 一夫多妻的婚姻目的在某种程度上与一夫一妻婚姻目的是一样的。在一夫一妻制婚姻不能实现其中的一个或所有目的时, 一夫多妻婚姻就十分必要了。而且, 尽管他已有一个深深地爱着的妻子, 并也已达到了婚姻目的。但也有其他一些理由使某男子必须另娶一个或多个妻子, 那些理由是: (a) 保护孤儿; (b) 使可以结婚的寡妇得到丈夫; (c) 为缺少男子的家庭或社团增补男子。从注释的这节经文中, 我们清楚地看到, 采取一夫多妻制特别是为了将未受人保护的孤儿置于某人的保护之下。此节经文的含意是: 像这些需要受人保护的孤儿的母亲最好与保护人结婚, 这祥, 那保护人与这些孤儿的关系就更加直接与亲密, 比在其他情况下更关心他们的福利, 使寡妇们能得到丈夫 (24:33) 是制定一夫多妻制的另一个目的。在穆圣时代, 穆斯林迫于长期的战争。许多人在战争中死去, 留下了没有近亲照顾的寡妇和孤儿。妇女在数量上大为超过男子以及人数非常多的无人照顾的孤儿--------这是战争不可避免的结果--------鼓励一夫多妻以防止穆斯林社会的道德堕落。最近的两次世界大战证明伊斯兰教的这种婚姻制度是有用的。大战撇下了数量非常众多没有丈夫的年轻妇女。确实, 由于两次大战造成男子惊人的死亡, 使西方国家的妇女人数大大超过了男子, 这是目前西方社会道德败坏的原因, 它正在腐蚀西方社会的机体。除了使年轻的寡妇能得到丈夫外, 一夫多妻制的目的还在于应付战后发生的严重形势。战后除了各方面都在衰退外, 国家的男子人数急剧减少到使国家有可能灭亡的危险。人口出生率下降是民族衰亡的重要原因, 只有一夫多妻制能有效地改善这种情况。这种婚姻制度并非如人们所误解的那样, 是为了情欲的发泄。它的本质是需要男子和妇女作出牺牲, 这种牺牲要求个人的一时感情服从社会和国家的更大的利益。
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مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُكُمْ (Ma Malakat Aimanukum) 这一用语的一般意义是女战俘。她们没有被赎出, 被俘后在穆斯林的拘留和看管之下。因为她们参加战争想摧毁伊斯兰教, 因此理应剥夺她们的自由。在 «古兰经» 中用这一名称, 而不大用 عِبَادْ (‘Ibad, 奴隶) 和 اِمَاء (Ima’, 女奴隶), 为的要指出这种占有是公正和合法的。مِلْكُ يَمِيْن (Milku Yamin) 的意思是 “完全和正义的占有” (لِسَانْ, Lisan)。它包括奴隶和女奴隶两种意思。究竟在句中这一用语用在特定的地方意指什么, 须视上下文而定。关于 “他们自己所掌握的” 一语, 有许多误解: 这句话什么意思, 他们自己所掌握的人有什么权利和地位。伊斯兰教毫不含糊地谴责奴隶制。因此, 剥夺一个人 (他或她) 的自由是一种道德上的罪过。除非他或她参加战争来摧毁伊斯兰教或一个伊斯兰国家, 当然要剥夺他们的自由。买卖奴隶也是一种很严重的罪过。伊斯兰教的教导在这点上是十分清楚、毫不含糊和反复强调的, 按照这一教导, 假如有人使另一个人做他的奴隶, 他就对安拉和人类犯了严重的罪行 {الْبَيْع بُخارِی، كِتَابُ--------Bukhari, Kitabul-Bai‘ & دَاؤُد--------Da’ud, 由 فَتْحُ الْبَارِی--------Fathul-Bari摘录}。值得注意的是, 伊斯兰教在世界上开始建立的时候, 奴隶制是人类
*社会制度中的一个组成部分, 每个国家都有大量的奴隶。因此, 把一种已经紧密交织在整个人类社会组织之中的制度一下子抹掉而不严重伤害它的道德风气, 这是行不通, 甚至是不明智的。因此, 伊斯兰教力求逐渐地但有效而坚定地废除奴隶制。«古兰经» 制订了以下几条有效的法规以迅速而完善的废除奴隶制: (1) 只能在正规战以后抓战俘; (2) 在战争结束后不能扣留战俘不放, 但是 (3) 作为一种恩惠的表示, 或者可以用交换战俘的方式来释放战俘 (47:5)。但是, 那些由于不适合以上那些条例而得不到自由的不幸的人们, 或者应该留在他们的穆斯林主人那里的人, 可以和他们的主人书写一个赎身合同 (24:34)。这样的话, 如果一个女人在上述性质的情况下作了战俘, 丧失了自由, 成为 مِلْكُ يَمِيْن (Milku Yamin), 她不能在交换战俘中获释, 政府的困境也不许可其以恩惠的表示而立即释放她, 她的政府或人们也不来赎买她, 她也不寻求和主人书立合同来买她的自由, 那么, 为
了道德起见, 他的主人在没有她事先同意的情况下娶了她, 有什么可以反对或有意见的呢? 至于没有和一个女战俘或奴隶结婚而发生性关系, 这在 «古兰经» 任何一节经文中也没有说过可以这么做。«古兰经» 不仅认为没有正式结婚是不可以把女战俘当妻子对待, 而且有清楚而确定的命令, 这些战俘像自由的妇女一样, 必须结了婚才能作为妻子。其中惟一的区别是社会地位的暂时的差别。由于她们参加反对伊斯兰教的战争而丧失了婚前同意的权利, 因此和她们结婚不必考虑像对自由妇女那样去徵求她们事先的同意。因此 مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُكُمْ (Ma Malakat Aimanukum) 这一用语意指女战俘。按照 «古兰经», 无论如何也不会支持这样的看法, 说伊斯兰教批准非法同居。除了这节经文外, 至少还有其它四节经文以清楚而明确的条文制定了女战俘不应常处于不结婚状态中 (2:222; 4:4; 4:26; 24:33)。穆圣在这点也是态度非常鲜明的, 据记载他曾经说过, “如果某一个人有一个年幼的女奴隶, 他给她以正当的教育, 并用适当方式把她扶养成人, 然后解放并娶她为妻, 对他来说, 这是双重的报答” (الْعِلْم بُخَارِی، كِتَابُ Bukhari, Kitabul-‘Ilm)。穆圣这一说法的意思是, 如果一个穆斯林想要娶女奴隶为妻, 他必须先解放她, 然后娶她。穆圣自己的做法与这一训律十分符合。他的两个妻子朱伟里亚 (جُوَيْرِيَة, Juwairiyah) 和萨菲亚 (صَفِيَّة, Safiyyah) 就是作为战俘而来到他那里的。她们是他的 مِلْكُ يَمِيْن (Milku Yamin)。但他按照伊斯兰教的律令娶了她们。他也娶了 مَارِيَة (Mariyah), 她是埃及国王送给他的, 她享有像穆圣其他妻子那样的自由的地位。她戴上头盖, 并也被视为 “穆民之母”。«古兰经» 说得很清楚, 有关婚姻的律令适用于 “你们自己所掌握的 (奴婢)” 就像适用于 “穆圣姑父母、舅父母和姨父母的女儿” 那样。她们两个人都是结婚后才作为妻子的。以上所说的三类妇女都是通过结婚对穆圣才是合法的 (33:51)。还有, “禁止你们娶已婚的妇女, 除非你们具有所有权的,” (4:25) 这节经文连同上一节经文都述及到, 如果一个男人娶这种女人 (其中包括已婚的女人), 那是不合法的。但这里有个例外, 在宗教战争中被俘的那些已婚妇女宁愿留在穆斯林那里, 是可以同她们的主人结婚的。她们不愿回到以前丈夫那里去的这一事实被认为等于解除了她们过去的婚约。
这方面, 顺便还有一点值得注意, 不准许同一个女奴隶在禁止范围内的这样一些女亲属 (相应于一个自由妇女的那些亲属) 结婚。例如: 奴隶妻子的母亲、姐妹、女儿等是不能结婚的。要进一步讲清楚的是, 由于启示那个时候的环境, «古兰经» 必须区别两种妇女的社会地位。那种区别用 زَوْج (Zauj, 娶自由的妇女) 和 مِلْكُ يَمِيْن (Milku Yamin, 娶奴隶奴女) 等词来表达。前者意味着夫妻间是平等的, 而后者意味着妻子的地位要差一些。不过, 那是暂时的。«古兰经» 和穆圣极力劝告, 必须先给女奴隶完全的自由和地位, 然后娶她们。穆圣就是这样做的。此外, 伊斯兰教不准许在一般战争中俘虏妇女作为奴隶。未徵得一个女奴隶的事先同意而和她结婚, 只是在以下的情况下才可以: 敌对国先发动反对伊斯兰教的宗教战争, 想消灭伊斯兰教, 并在剑尖下强迫穆斯林放弃他们的宗教, 然后把他们的俘虏--------男的或女的--------作为奴隶对待, 就像在穆圣时代他们做的那样。那时, 敌人抓去穆斯林妇女作为俘虏并把他们当作奴隶看待。伊斯兰教的命令只是一种报复措施, 就其真实的性质来说, 它的时间是短暂的。它也具有保护被俘妇女德行的意义。现在那些条件已不复存在。现在没有宗教战争, 因此没有战俘被当作奴隶或女奴看待。
2
یعنی یتیم عورتوں سے ایک سے زیادہ شادیاں کرنی اچھی نہیں۔ کیونکہ بے انصافی کا ڈر ہے۔ ہاں ان کے سوا دوسری عورتوں سے دو دو‘ تین تین‘ چار چار سے نکاح کر سکتے ہو کیونکہ ان کے ولی ان کے حقوق کا مطالبہ کرنے والے موجود ہیں۔
3
یعنی اس طریق پر عمل کرکے تم ظلم اور گناہ کے خطرہ سے بہت حد تک محفوظ ہو جاؤ گے۔
b
4:130.
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Important Words:
طاب (as may be agreeable). طاب الشیء means, the thing was or became pleasing, delightful, agreeable or delicious. طابت به نفسی means, my mind or my soul became pleased and satisfied with it. طاب العیش لفلان means, life became pleasant and free from cares for such a one. طاب عن الشیء نفسا means, he willingly parted with the thing (Aqrab & Lane).
مثنی (two) is derived from ثنی. They say ثناہ i.e. he doubled it or folded it; or he turned one part of it upon another. ثنیsignifies the repetition of a thing, doing it one time after another, or a thing or affair done twice. مثنی means اثنان اثنان i.e. two and two; two and two together; or two at a time and two at a time. Similarly, ثلاث means, three and three; three and three together; or three at a time and three at a time; and so is the meaning of رباع (Lane & Aqrab). The expression مثنی و ثلاث و رباع would thus mean, two at a time, or three at a time, or four at a time.
تعولوا (do injustice) is derived from عال which means:(1) he had a family or a large family; (2) he sustained and supported the family; (3) he was or became poor; (4) he acted unjustly and wrongfully, or he deviated from the right course.
Commentary:
The verse is important inasmuch as it permits polygamy under special circumstances. Islam allows (though it certainly does not enjoin) a man to have more than one wife up to four at a time. As the permission concerning polygamy has been given in connection with the subject of orphans, it should be taken to be primarily based on the question of the care of that much-neglected class of society. There are cases when the interests of orphans can best be protected by marrying one or more wives from among the female wards or from other women as the exigencies of circumstances may require. This can generally happen in one of the following cases:
(1) A man has a number of orphans, including girls, to look after. He is unmarried and there is danger of his falling into temptation. In this case he should marry one or more girls, as the case may be, from among his wards and thus protect himself from falling into sin or from betraying his trust and acting wrongfully towards his wards.
(2) He is married, but his wife fails to treat the orphans properly. He may in such a case also marry one of his female wards so that they may have a good and separate home of their own.
(3) Some of his younger relations, e.g., brothers or sisters, become orphans, and he finds that he or his existing wife cannot properly look after them. In such an eventuality, he may marry a suitable woman of mature age who may treat them like a mother. It is on record that in similar circumstances Jabir, a young man and one of the Holy Prophet’s distinguished Companions, married a widow of mature age and when the Prophet asked him why he had not married a young girl, Jabir replied that he had done so that his wife might look after his brothers and sisters who were left orphans by the death of his father. The Holy Prophet was much pleased at this act of Jabir and prayed for him (Bukhari, ch. on Buyu‘).
(4) If a person is afraid that the orphans under his care being strangers to him, he may not treat them as kindly as he should do, he may establish direct relationship with them by marrying one of the female wards.
(5) If a person has a large number of orphans under his care and he finds that he cannot do full justice to them without marrying more wives than one, he is permitted to do so to the limit of four.
The words, two or three or four, signify that the last number marks the utmost limit. It is related that after this verse was revealed, the Holy Prophet asked those of his Companions who had more than four wives to keep any four of them they liked and divorce the rest, so that the number might not exceed four (Tirmidhi, ch. on Nikah).
A general note on polygamy is appropriate here. Though the verse mentions polygamy in connection with the subject of orphans, yet other situations may also arise in which polygamy may become a necessary remedy for many social or moral evils.
If only the objects of marriage be considered, the permission of the Quran to its followers to wed more wives than one, appears to be not only justifiable but in some cases desirable and even necessary; nay, in such cases it may become positively injurious to the best interests of individuals and of the community not to take advantage of this permission. According to the Quran, the objects of marriage are four, i.e. (1) protection against physical, moral and spiritual maladies; (2) peace of mind and the availability of a loving companion; (3) procreation of children; and (4) widening of the circle of relationship.
With respect to the first-mentioned object, the Quran says: "And allowed to you are those beyond that, (i.e. the cases mentioned in the earlier verses) that you seek them by means of your property—marrying them properly (and guarding yourselves against animal passions) and not committing fornication (and not indulging in unrestricted gratification) (4:25). The word محصنین occurring in the verse quoted above is derived from احصان which means, to seek protection from the attacks of an enemy by entering into a fort. Thus Islam regards marriage as a sort of fort, or a means of protection against moral and spiritual diseases. With respect to this object the Quran further says: They (your wives) are a garment for you and you are a garment for them (2:188). Now, the dress of a person serves a threefold purpose: (1) It protects him against the inclemency of weather; (2) it serves as an embellishment and adornment; and (3) it covers one’s private parts and any defects that may be in one’s physical formation. With respect to the second object the Quran says: And of His Signs is this, that He has created wives for you from among yourselves that you may find peace of mind in them and He has engendered love and tenderness between you (30:22). About the third object it says: Your wives are a tilth for you so approach your tilth when and how you like (2:224).
Now every one can easily conceive that one or all of the above-mentioned four objects of marriage, i.e. (1) protection against physical, moral and spiritual diseases; (2) procreation and propagation of the human race: (3) company of a life-long and loving companion and (4) widening of the circle of relationship are, sometimes, not realized in the case of one wife only. It is a hard fact which cannot be denied that there are persons whose sexual instinct is too strong to be satisfied with one wife. This is a physical necessity inherent in man and it is playing with fire to make light of this, the most powerful of all physical instincts. The only sane and proper course open to a man whose sexual powers are abnormally strong is to marry another, if one wife does not satisfy him. Such cases may be rare, but you cannot ignore their existence altogether. And a perfect religious system, as Islam claims to be, has to provide for the physical and spiritual requirements of all sorts of people. Again, if the wife of a person becomes a permanent invalid or suffers from a contagious disease, the object of marriage is certainly defeated if such a person does not marry another wife. Indeed, no course is left to him but either to contract another lawful marriage or, failing successfully to combat the attacks of his passions, to lead a dissolute life. And an ailing wife cannot make a good companion either, because, however worthy of regard and com- passion she may be, her company cannot give peace of mind to her husband in all respects. In the third instance, if the wife of a person happens to be barren, the natural and perfectly legitimate desire of the husband to have an issue to succeed him and perpetuate his name remains unfulfilled in the absence of a polygamous marriage. It is to meet the requirements of all such persons that Islam has allowed the contraction of plural matrimonial relations. If, however, in any of these cases a husband divorces his first wife, it would be a shame and disgrace for him. For instance, in the case of an invalid wife it would mean that he lived with her as long as she was whole and deserted her at a time when she most needed his protection. The only honourable course in such a case would be to look after the diseased wife tenderly and marry another woman who may fulfil the functions of a wife.
It will thus be seen that the objects of a polygamous marriage are, to a certain extent, the same as those of a monogamous marriage. When one or all of those objects are not realized by a monogamous marriage, a polygamous marriage becomes a necessity and is allowed. There are, however, other reasons which may also render it necessary for a person to have one or more wives in addition to the one whom he dearly loves and who also fulfils the objects of marriage. Those reasons are: (a) to protect orphans; (b) to provide husbands for marriageable widows and (c) to supplement the decreasing manhood of a family or community.
It is manifestly clear from the verse under comment in which permission is given to marry more wives than one that polygamy is resorted to particularly with a view to taking under one’s protection orphans left unprotected. The verse clearly states: If you fear that you will not be fair in dealing with orphans (under your protection), then marry of women as may be agreeable to you, two or three or four; and if you fear you will not deal justly (between your wives) then marry only one. The words hint that the mother of such orphans as are left in the guardianship of a person should preferably be married by him so that he should become directly related to, and more intimately connected with, them and thus become more interested in their welfare than he otherwise could be.
Again, the Quran says: And marry widows from among you (24:33). To provide husbands for widows is thus another object which the institution of polygamy fulfils. Muslims were perpetually engaged in fighting in the time of the Holy Prophet. Many fell in wars and left behind widows and orphans without near relations to look after them. The preponderance of women over men and an exceptionally large number of orphans with no one to look after them, which is the inevitable result of war, necessitated that to save the Muslim society from moral degeneration, polygamous marriages should be encouraged. The last World War also vindicated this useful institution of Islam. It left an abnormally large number of young women without husbands. Indeed, the great preponderance of females over males in the west, due to the appalling loss of manhood caused by the War, is responsible for the present awful laxity of morals which is eating into the vitals of western society. Young girls fail to get suitable husbands. But natural passions must be satisfied. The result is dissolution and depravity. In view of the moral depravity prevailing in many countries, who has the hardihood to deny the wisdom of the Islamic institution of polygamy? Many indescribable moral and physical evils have arisen in the west as the result of this preponderance of women over men, the only proper remedy for which is polygamy.
The institution of polygamy is also intended to meet the serious situation that follows in the wake of a war, when, besides other aspects of decline, the manhood of a nation becomes so depleted as to threaten national destruction. The fall of birth-rate, which is a potent cause of the decay of a people and from which some Western countries are badly suffering, can be effectively remedied only by resorting to polygamy. The West will never recover from the terrible moral and social diseases from which it is suffering as well as from the appalling numerical decline facing certain countries and communities unless, setting aside all false notions and false sentiments, it submits to the Islamic injunctions about polygamy. It is a sacrifice demanded of men and women alike—a sacrifice in which personal and passing sentiments are required to be partly ignored for the wider and permanent interests of whole communities and countries.
b
4:130.
560
The verse is important inasmuch as it permits polygamy under certain circumstances. Islam allows (though it certainly does not enjoin or encourage) a man to have more than one wife up to four at a time. As this permission has been given in connection with the subject of orphans, it should be taken primarily to be based on the question of the care of that much-neglected class of society. There are cases when the interests of orphans can only be protected by marrying one or more wives from among the female wards or from other women as the exigencies of circumstances may require. Though the verse mentions polygamy in connection with the subject of orphans, yet other situations may arise when it may become a necessary remedy for some social or moral evils. If only the objects of marriage itself are considered, the permission appears to be not only justifiable but in some cases desirable and even necessary; nay, in such cases it may become positively injurious to the best interests of individuals and of the com
561
The expression, Ma Malakat Aimanukum, generally signifies, women prisoners of war who are not ransomed and who are in the custody and control of their Muslim captors because they had taken part in a war which was waged to destroy Islam and thus had legitimately deprived themselves of their freedom. The term has been used in the Qur’an in preference to ‘Ibad and Ima’ (slaves and bondwomen) to point to a just and rightful possession, the expression Milku Yamin signifying full and rightful possession (Lisan). It includes both slaves and bondwomen, and it is only the context which determines what the expression signifies in a particular place. Much misunderstanding prevails as to what the expression "their right hands possess" signifies, and what are the rights and status of the persons to whom it applies. Islam has condemned slavery in unequivocal terms. According to it, it is a mortal sin to deprive a person of his or her liberty, unless, of course, he or she renders himself
562
Ta‘ulu (do injustice) is derived from ‘Ala which means; (1) he had a large family; (2) he supported the family; (3) he was or became poor; (4) he acted wrongfully; or deviated from the right course (Lane).
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَاۡکُلُوۡنَ اَمۡوٰلَ الۡیَتٰمٰی ظُلۡمًا اِنَّمَا یَاۡکُلُوۡنَ فِیۡ بُطُوۡنِہِمۡ نَارًا ۖ وَّسَیَصۡلَوۡنَ سَعِیۡرًا
4:3.
See 4:3.
See 4:3.
Important Words:
یصلون (burn) is derived from صلی. They say صلی اللحم i.e. he roasted the meat. صلی الشیء means, he threw the thing into the fire to be burned. صلی النار means, he felt the burning heat of the fire, or he entered the fire and was burnt (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The words, into their bellies, in the clause, (they) only swallow fire into their bellies, though seemingly superfluous are not really so. They have been added to point out that the fire which they swallow will, as it were, become a part of their bodies and continue as a constant source of burning.
a
4:3.
a
See 4:3.
493
Important Words:
یصلون (burn) is derived from صلی. They say صلی اللحم i.e. he roasted the meat. صلی الشیء means, he threw the thing into the fire to be burned. صلی النار means, he felt the burning heat of the fire, or he entered the fire and was burnt (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The words, into their bellies, in the clause, (they) only swallow fire into their bellies, though seemingly superfluous are not really so. They have been added to point out that the fire which they swallow will, as it were, become a part of their bodies and continue as a constant source of burning.
a
See 4:3.
۞ وَاعۡبُدُوا اللّٰہَ وَلَا تُشۡرِکُوۡا بِہٖ شَیۡـًٔا ۖ وَّبِالۡوٰلِدَیۡنِ اِحۡسٰنًا وَّبِذِی الۡقُرۡبٰی وَالۡیَتٰمٰی وَالۡمَسٰکِیۡنِ وَالۡجَارِ ذِی الۡقُرۡبٰی وَالۡجَارِ الۡجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالۡجَنۡۢبِ وَابۡنِ السَّبِیۡلِ وَمَا مَلَکَتۡ اَیۡمٰنُکُمۡ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یُحِبُّ مَنۡ کَانَ مُخۡتَالًا فَخُوۡرًا
6:152; 7:34; 17:24, 25; 23:60.
6:152; 7:34; 17:24, 25; 23:60.
After having enjoined in the preceding verses that one should be kind to one’s wife, in the present verse the Qur’an directs a Muslim to make his kindness so comprehensive as to include in its scope the whole of mankind, from parents, who are the nearest, to strangers who are the farthest removed.
Slaves, bondwomen, servants, subordinates.
6:152; 7:34; 17:24; 23:60.
Important Words:
جار الجنب (neighbour that is a stranger) is a compound word made up of جار (neighbour) and جنب (stranger or one distant). The compound word thus means, a neighbour who is not from one’s own tribe or community; a distant neighbour (Aqrab & Mufradat).
صاحب بالجنب (companion by your side) is also a compound word made up of صاحب (companion) and جنب (one’s side). The compound word thus means, the immediate neighbour or the near neighbour; or simply companion or co-worker or colleague (Aqrab, Lisan & Mufradat).
Commentary:
After laying down in the preceding verses that one should be kind to one’s wife, in the present verse the Quran enjoins a Muslim to make his kindness so comprehensive as to include in its scope the whole of mankind, from parents who are the nearest, to strangers who are the farthest removed.
The Arabic expression rendered as, neighbour that is a kinsman, may also mean: (1) the neighbour that lives near; (2) the neighbour that is kindly.
Similarly, the words, neighbour that is a stranger, may also include: (1) the neighbour that lives at a distance; (2) the neighbour that is not kindly.
The expression, companion by your side, may mean:(1) wife or husband; (2) comrade on a journey; (3) fellow-partner in a trade or a co-worker; (4) associate; (5) immediate neighbour.
The words, those whom your right hands possess, may refer to slaves, bondwomen, servants and even subordinates.
A person who does not carry out the Divine commandments contained in this verse is condemned as "proud and boastful" because, instead of doing good to others and being kind to them, he looks down upon them and behaves arrogantly. The very act of abstaining from being kind to one’s fellow beings, whether relations or neighbours or strangers, is an act of pride condemned by Islam.
b
6:152; 7:34; 17:24, 25; 23:60.
b
6:152; 7:34; 17:24; 23:60.
514
Important Words:
جار الجنب (neighbour that is a stranger) is a compound word made up of جار (neighbour) and جنب (stranger or one distant). The compound word thus means, a neighbour who is not from one’s own tribe or community; a distant neighbour (Aqrab & Mufradat).
صاحب بالجنب (companion by your side) is also a compound word made up of صاحب (companion) and جنب (one’s side). The compound word thus means, the immediate neighbour or the near neighbour; or simply companion or co-worker or colleague (Aqrab, Lisan & Mufradat).
Commentary:
After laying down in the preceding verses that one should be kind to one’s wife, in the present verse the Quran enjoins a Muslim to make his kindness so comprehensive as to include in its scope the whole of mankind, from parents who are the nearest, to strangers who are the farthest removed.
The Arabic expression rendered as, neighbour that is a kinsman, may also mean: (1) the neighbour that lives near; (2) the neighbour that is kindly.
Similarly, the words, neighbour that is a stranger, may also include: (1) the neighbour that lives at a distance; (2) the neighbour that is not kindly.
The expression, companion by your side, may mean:(1) wife or husband; (2) comrade on a journey; (3) fellow-partner in a trade or a co-worker; (4) associate; (5) immediate neighbour.
The words, those whom your right hands possess, may refer to slaves, bondwomen, servants and even subordinates.
A person who does not carry out the Divine commandments contained in this verse is condemned as "proud and boastful" because, instead of doing good to others and being kind to them, he looks down upon them and behaves arrogantly. The very act of abstaining from being kind to one’s fellow beings, whether relations or neighbours or strangers, is an act of pride condemned by Islam.
b
6:152; 7:34; 17:24, 25; 23:60.
604
After having enjoined in the preceding verses that one should be kind to one’s wife, in the present verse the Qur’an directs a Muslim to make his kindness so comprehensive as to include in its scope the whole of mankind, from parents, who are the nearest, to strangers who are the farthest removed.
605
Slaves, bondwomen, servants, subordinates.
وَیَسۡتَفۡتُوۡنَکَ فِی النِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ اللّٰہُ یُفۡتِیۡکُمۡ فِیۡہِنَّ وَمَا یُتۡلٰی عَلَیۡکُمۡ فِی الۡکِتٰبِ فِیۡ یَتٰمَی النِّسَآءِ الّٰتِیۡ لَا تُؤۡتُوۡنَہُنَّ مَا کُتِبَ لَہُنَّ وَتَرۡغَبُوۡنَ اَنۡ تَنۡکِحُوۡہُنَّ وَالۡمُسۡتَضۡعَفِیۡنَ مِنَ الۡوِلۡدٰنِ وَاَنۡ تَقُوۡمُوۡا لِلۡیَتٰمٰی بِالۡقِسۡطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفۡعَلُوۡا مِنۡ خَیۡرٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ کَانَ بِہٖ عَلِیۡمًا
4:4.
یعنی سورۂ نساء آیت ۴ میں۔
مقرر کردہ حق سے یہ مراد ہے کہ ان کے مہر نہیں دیتے۔
کمزور بچیوں سے مراد یتیم لڑکیاں ہیں۔ کیونکہ وہ خود اپنے حق نہیں لے سکتیں۔
یہاں وِلْدَان کا لفظ ہے جو وَلَدٌ کی جمع ہے اور لڑکے اور لڑکی دونوں پر بولا جاتا ہے۔ لیکن عبارت کے مضمون سے ظاہر ہے کہ یہاں لڑکیاں مراد ہیں۔ کیونکہ انہی سے نکاح کا امکان ہے۔
4:4.
The "decision" is referred to in the following three verses.
The allusion in the words, that which is recited to you in the Book, is to the 4th verse of the present Surah. It was prohibited to Muslims to marry those orphan girls whose rights they could not adequately safeguard. ‘Umar, the Second Caliph would not allow the guardians of wealthy and handsome orphan girls to marry them and would insist on other and better husbands being found for them. The verse signifies that some instructions about women have already been given in the Qur’an and that other instructions follow.
Walad which is singular of Wildan is used both for a boy and a girl, but here Wildan signifies girls, marriage with whom is mentioned here.
4:4.
Important Words:
یستفتونك (they seek of thee the decision of the Law) and یفتیکم (gives you His decision) are both derived from فتو or فتی i.e.he was or became youthful, or he was in the prime of life. فتا الرجل means, he surpassed the man in فتوة i.e. in generosity. افتاه فی الامر means, he made known or explained to him the decision of the Shari‘ah respecting the matter; or he gave him an answer stating the decision of the Law respecting a question. استفتیت الفقیه فی الامر means, I asked or sought of the jurist or the lawyer or the learned man the decision of the Shari‘ah respecting the matter. فتوی therefore means, an explanation or notification or pronouncement of the decision of the Law in some dubious or difficult matter given by a jurist or a lawyer or a man learned in religious Law. استفتاء means, asking or seeking of a jurist or a lawyer or a learned man the decision of the Law (Shari‘ah) in a certain dubious or difficult matter (Lane & Aqrab). The expression إفتا rendered in the verse as gives you the decision, is also sometimes used in the sense of permitting or giving permission, as in the well-known hadith الاثم ماحك فی صدرك وان افتاك الناس i.e. a sin is that which pricks in thy mind even if people should say that it is permissible (Lisan). In this case the Quranic clause الله یفتیکم rendered as, Allah gives you His decision, may also be translated as "Allah gives you permission".
Commentary:
The verse which has been differently translated is considered to be a rather difficult one. The decision spoken of in the clause, Allah gives you His decision, refers to what follows in the succeeding verses, i.e. 4:129-131.
The allusion in the words, that which is recited to you in the Book, is to verse 4:4 in the beginning of the present Surah. It was prohibited to Muslims to marry those orphan girls whose rights they could not adequately discharge. ‘Umar, the Holy Prophet’s Second Successor, would not allow the guardians of wealthy and handsome orphan girls to marry them but would insist on better husbands being found for them. On the other hand, if they were not so wealthy or handsome, he recommended them to their guardians for marriage so that, being acquainted with their defects and weaknesses, they might overlook their shortcomings and deal kindly with them. For further instructions about good treatment of orphans; see 4: 6, 7.
Generally speaking the clause, Allah gives you His decision regarding them (women) and so does that which is recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls, means that some instructions about women have already been given in the Quran and other instructions follow.
g
4:4.
3
یعنی سورۂ نساء آیت ۴ میں۔
4
مقرر کردہ حق سے یہ مراد ہے کہ ان کے مہر نہیں دیتے۔
5
کمزور بچیوں سے مراد یتیم لڑکیاں ہیں۔ کیونکہ وہ خود اپنے حق نہیں لے سکتیں۔
6
یہاں وِلْدَان کا لفظ ہے جو وَلَدٌ کی جمع ہے اور لڑکے اور لڑکی دونوں پر بولا جاتا ہے۔ لیکن عبارت کے مضمون سے ظاہر ہے کہ یہاں لڑکیاں مراد ہیں۔ کیونکہ انہی سے نکاح کا امکان ہے۔
a
4:4.
593
Important Words:
یستفتونك (they seek of thee the decision of the Law) and یفتیکم (gives you His decision) are both derived from فتو or فتی i.e.he was or became youthful, or he was in the prime of life. فتا الرجل means, he surpassed the man in فتوة i.e. in generosity. افتاه فی الامر means, he made known or explained to him the decision of the Shari‘ah respecting the matter; or he gave him an answer stating the decision of the Law respecting a question. استفتیت الفقیه فی الامر means, I asked or sought of the jurist or the lawyer or the learned man the decision of the Shari‘ah respecting the matter. فتوی therefore means, an explanation or notification or pronouncement of the decision of the Law in some dubious or difficult matter given by a jurist or a lawyer or a man learned in religious Law. استفتاء means, asking or seeking of a jurist or a lawyer or a learned man the decision of the Law (Shari‘ah) in a certain dubious or difficult matter (Lane & Aqrab). The expression إفتا rendered in the verse as gives you the decision, is also sometimes used in the sense of permitting or giving permission, as in the well-known hadith الاثم ماحك فی صدرك وان افتاك الناس i.e. a sin is that which pricks in thy mind even if people should say that it is permissible (Lisan). In this case the Quranic clause الله یفتیکم rendered as, Allah gives you His decision, may also be translated as "Allah gives you permission".
Commentary:
The verse which has been differently translated is considered to be a rather difficult one. The decision spoken of in the clause, Allah gives you His decision, refers to what follows in the succeeding verses, i.e. 4:129-131.
The allusion in the words, that which is recited to you in the Book, is to verse 4:4 in the beginning of the present Surah. It was prohibited to Muslims to marry those orphan girls whose rights they could not adequately discharge. ‘Umar, the Holy Prophet’s Second Successor, would not allow the guardians of wealthy and handsome orphan girls to marry them but would insist on better husbands being found for them. On the other hand, if they were not so wealthy or handsome, he recommended them to their guardians for marriage so that, being acquainted with their defects and weaknesses, they might overlook their shortcomings and deal kindly with them. For further instructions about good treatment of orphans; see 4: 6, 7.
Generally speaking the clause, Allah gives you His decision regarding them (women) and so does that which is recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls, means that some instructions about women have already been given in the Quran and other instructions follow.
a
4:4.
676
The "decision" is referred to in the following three verses.
677
The allusion in the words, that which is recited to you in the Book, is to the 4th verse of the present Surah. It was prohibited to Muslims to marry those orphan girls whose rights they could not adequately safeguard. ‘Umar, the Second Caliph would not allow the guardians of wealthy and handsome orphan girls to marry them and would insist on other and better husbands being found for them. The verse signifies that some instructions about women have already been given in the Qur’an and that other instructions follow.
677A
Walad which is singular of Wildan is used both for a boy and a girl, but here Wildan signifies girls, marriage with whom is mentioned here.