Summary of the fourth juz of the Quran
by Mufti Elias
via the Ramadan Quran Reading Program
Recap of Juz 4
The Christians were just as opposed to Islâm as the Jews were. Therefore, Allâh instructed Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam to issue a challenge of Mubâhala to them. The term 'Mubâhala' is a challenge between two opposing factions where each gathers his family members and they collectively invoke Allâh's punishment on the opposite faction saying, "O Allâh! Curse the party of us that is false and lying."However, the group of Christians whom Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam challenged shrank in fear from the challenge.
This part of Sûrah Âl Imrân discusses both the Battle 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 Mushrikîn were over a thousand and were armed to the teeth.
However, Allâh sent thousands of angels to assist the Muslim army and they convincingly vanquished the enemy. This battle was the first battle that the Muslims fought.
To avenge their defeat at Badr, the Mushrikîn of Makkah mustered 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 dispute between some Muslims resulted in their defeat.
Instead of remaining at their posts as instructed, they left their posts to gather the booty. As a result of this, victory was turned into bitter defeat and Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam sustained a serious injury to his face.
The Munâfiqîn [hypocrites] also plotted against the Muslims and made every effort to cause discord within the ranks of the Muslims. In this part of Sûrah Nisâ, Allâh points out the weaknesses of the Muslims and provides corrective measures to remedy them.
Allâh also mentions the people who misinterpret the verses of the Qur'ân to meet their own ends. Such people are warned about a terrible punishment from Allâh. Allâh also forbids the Mu'minîn from taking the Kuffâr as their confidantes.
Allâh emphatically prohibits false oaths and miserliness. Allâh also declares that a person's family and wealth are tests for him and should not be regarded as the criteria for salvation.
Salvation can be attained only by developing Taqwa. The Mu'min sincerely believes in the Qur'ân, begs Allâh for his needs in all sincerity and does not seek payment from people for reciting the Qur'ân. The rewards for the pious Mu'minîn are secure with their Rabb in the Âkhirâh, where they will definitely receive it.
Allâh exhorts the Mu'minîn to remain steadfast on the battlefield when confronted by the enemy and not to falter in their tracks. Allâh also praises the gentle temperament and excellent character of Rasulullâh towards the Muslims, a factor that contributed greatly towards the spread of Islâm.
The following guidance for social reformation is given:
1. Allâh strictly prohibits unlawful earnings and extorting money and property from others. For example, Allâh enjoins people to fully restore the wealth and property belonging to orphans. Allâh also cautions the guardians of orphans against substituting the good possessions of the orphans with their inferior ones.
2. Allâh makes it clear that a man is limited to only four wives at a time. Allâh 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 this Sûrah along with the specific shares of inheritance that heirs are to receive. Of course, Allâh clarifies that the settlement of debts is of paramount importance before dissolving any estate.
3. To purge society of the filth of adultery and fornication, Allâh has ordained that when four upright persons testify to witnessing any of these acts, those found guilty must be severely punished. Allâh 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 Fourth Juz
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