07-27-2012, 09:09 PM
The Fourth Taraaweeh
This discussion begins with the last quarter of the fourth para (beginning of
Surah Nisaa), and concludes with the end of the fifth para (verse 147 of Surah
Nisaa).
This part of Surah Aal Imraan discusses both the Battles of Badr
as well as the Battle of Uhud. During the Battle of Badr the
Muslims were only 313 in number and did not even have
sufficient arms to fight with. On the other hand, the Mushrikeen
were over a thousand and were armed to the teeth. However,
Allaah sent thousands of angels to assist the Muslim army and
they convincingly vanquished the enemy. This battle was a
prelude to all the subsequent battle fought.
Consequently, to avenge their defeat at Badr the Mushrikeen of
Makkah mustered a large force to attack Madinah the following
year. The two armies locked in combat near Mount Uhud. The
Muslims were on the brink of victory when a mishap on the part
of some Muslims lost the battle to the kuffaar. Instead of
remaining at their posts as instructed, they left their posts to
gather the booty. As a result of this, the tide of victory was
converted into a bitter defeat which also left a serious injury on
Rasululllaah (sallAllaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam)’s face. The
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Munafiqeen (hypocrites) also plotted against the Muslims and
made every effort to cause discord within the ranks of the
Muslims. In this part of the Surah, Allaah points out the
weaknesses of the Muslims and details corrective measures to
check these.
Allaah also mentions the people who misinterpret the verses of
the Qur'aan to meet their own ends. Such people are warned
about a terrible punishment from Allaah. Allaah also forbids the
Mu'mineen from taking the kuffaar as their confidantes.
Allaah emphatically prohibits false oaths and miserliness. Allaah
also declares that a person’s family and wealth are a trial for him
and should not be regarded as the criteria for salvation. Salvation
can only be attained only by fostering fear of Allaah and
abstinence from sin. The Mu'min sincerely believes in the
Qur'aan, begs Allaah in all sincerity and does not seek payment
from people for reciting the Qur'aan. The rewards for the pious
Mu'mineen are established with their Rabb, where they will
definitely receive it.
Allaah exhorts the Mu'mineen to remain steadfast on the
battlefield when confronted by the enemy and not to falter in
their tracks. Allaah also praises the gentle temperament and
excellent character of Rasululllaah (sallAllaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam)
towards the spread of Islam.
The following guidance for social reformation is given:
1. Allaah strictly prohibits unlawful earnings and extorting
money and property from others. For example, Allaah enjoins
people to fully restore the wealth and property belonging to
orphans. Allaah also cautions the guardians of orphans
against substituting the good provisions of the orphans with
their inferior ones.
2. Allaah also makes it clear that a man is limited to only four
wives at a time. Allaah also tells man that he should rather
have only one wife if he fears that he would be unable to deal
justly with them all. Due and amicable payment of dowry is
emphasised in Surah Nisaa along with the specific shares of
inheritance to be received by heirs. Of course, Allaah clarifies before dissolving any estate.
3. To purge society of the filth of adultery and fornication,
Allaah has ordained that when four upright persons testify to
witnessing any of these acts, those found guilty must be
severely punished. Allaah also emphasises the importance of
Taubah (repentance), which will be accepted only when it is
sincerely done before a person’s dying moments.
END OF 4TH PARA – START OF 5TH PARA.
4. The laws pertaining to marriage and dowry are discussed.
Allaah enumerates all those women whom a person cannot
marry, as well as those whom he is allowed to marry. Allaah
also states that the stipulated dowry may be increased or
decreased after marriage with the mutual consent of the
couple.
While it is permissible to take a profit from a mutually agreed
contract of sale, extortion and oppression are forbidden in all
circumstances. Jahannam will be the punishment for committing
these grave sins. When a person abstains from major sins and
carries out good deeds, his minor sins are forgiven.
Allaah also says that a wife may be disciplined if she is
disobedient and cannot be controlled. However, it is a grave sin
to search for her faults so that she can be disciplined. If discord
creeps into marriage and the couple cannot reconcile by
themselves, an arbiter should be appointed to mediate in the
matter.
Furthermore, Allaah states that a humiliating punishment will
seize people who are miserly and ungrateful. With regard to the
laws of salaah, Allaah mentions that salaah may not be
performed in a state of impurity and in a state of intoxication. It
is a major sin to perform salaah in any of these conditions. If
water is not available for wudhu or for a bath, a person may
purify himself for salaah by making Tayammum.
Allaah exhorts Muslims to return the trusts that others place in
their possession, and that they should abstain from oppression
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and treachery. Allaah also commands the Mu'mineen to wage
jihaad; impresses on their minds that martyrdom is an exalted
position and states that fear for death is an act of cowardice for a
Muslim.
Man is told in this part of Surah Nisaa that testimony should be
given truthfully and in unambiguous terms even though it may
have adverse repercussions on oneself or on one’s family
members. Another statement of extreme importance is the verse
where Allaah declares that although He may forgive any sin, He
will never forgive the act of shirk.
END OF 5TH PARA – START OF 6TH PARA.