وَلِكُلٍّ جَعَلۡنَا مَوَالِىَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الۡوَلِدٰنِ وَالۡاَقۡرَبُوۡنَؕ وَالَّذِيۡنَ عَقَدَتۡ اَيۡمَانُكُمۡ فَاٰتُوۡهُمۡ نَصِيۡبَهُمۡؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ شَهِيۡدًا
Word By Word —
Word By Word —
Walikullin jaAAalna mawaliyamimma taraka alwalidani wal-aqraboonawallatheena AAaqadat aymanukum faatoohumnaseebahum inna Allaha kana AAalakulli shay-in shaheeda
What Does Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 33 Mean? - Common Questions & Answers
Explore the meaning, interpretation, and Islamic explanation of Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 33 from the Holy Quran. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this verse, its context, and significance in Islamic teachings.
❓What does 'mawali' mean in the context of Islamic inheritance law?
In Islamic inheritance law, 'mawālī' (plural of mawlā) refers to appointed heirs, relatives, or those entitled to inherit property left by parents and close family members. Ibn Abbas and classical scholars explain that Arabs use 'mawlā' to refer to cousins and extended family members who have inheritance rights. The term emphasizes that Allah has divinely designated specific relatives as rightful heirs according to His wisdom, ensuring inheritance flows through natural family bloodlines rather than artificial relationships. The verse establishes that every person has divinely appointed relatives (children, parents, siblings, etc.) who will inherit their wealth according to Islamic law, creating an automatic system of wealth distribution that prevents excessive accumulation in single families while maintaining family financial security across generations.
❓What were the brotherhood pledges mentioned in this verse?
The brotherhood pledges (alladhīna 'aqadat aymānukum) referenced in this verse included several types of mutual agreements common in early Islamic society: (1) The Prophet's ﷺ brotherhood arrangement between emigrants (Muhājirūn) and helpers (Anṣār) in Madinah, where each emigrant was paired with an Ansari brother; (2) Pre-Islamic tribal alliances where non-Arabs would ally with Arab families for protection and mutual support; (3) Agreements between individuals to inherit from each other in absence of blood relatives; (4) Liberation-based relationships where freed slaves maintained inheritance ties with their former masters. Initially, these relationships included inheritance rights, but this verse clarified that while such pledges should be honored through support, cooperation, and assistance, actual inheritance must follow blood relationships as divinely ordained in Islamic law.
❓How did this verse affect the relationship between emigrants and Ansar?
This verse fundamentally transformed the relationship between emigrants (Muhājirūn) and helpers (Anṣār) by transitioning from inheritance-based brotherhood to support-based brotherhood. Initially, the Prophet ﷺ established formal brotherhood where emigrants would inherit from their Ansari brothers rather than their blood relatives who remained in Mecca, providing crucial financial security for displaced emigrants. However, as the Muslim community stabilized and Islamic law developed, this verse revealed that inheritance should follow natural family relationships as divinely ordained. Ibn Abbas explained that this ended inheritance between emigrant-Ansari brothers while maintaining their obligation to support, advise, and assist each other. The verse allowed for voluntary bequests (waṣiyyah) to honor these relationships while preserving the integrity of family-based inheritance. This change reflected the maturation of Islamic society where wealth could flow naturally through families while maintaining community solidarity through other means.
❓What does 'give them their share' mean for those with pledges?
The command 'give them their share' (fa'ātūhum naṣībahum) for those with pledges refers to fulfilling non-inheritance obligations to those with whom believers have established mutual agreements. According to Ibn Abbas and classical scholars, this includes: (1) Providing mutual support, assistance, and protection as originally agreed; (2) Offering counsel, advice, and friendship that maintains the spirit of brotherhood; (3) Including them in voluntary bequests (waṣiyyah) up to one-third of estate if desired; (4) Ensuring their welfare and helping during times of need; (5) Honoring the emotional and social bonds while respecting inheritance boundaries. The phrase emphasizes that ending inheritance rights doesn't mean abandoning responsibilities to those with established relationships. Islamic law encourages maintaining these bonds through charity, support, and voluntary giving while preserving the integrity of family-based inheritance distribution ordained by Allah.
❓Why does the verse emphasize that Allah is witness to everything?
The conclusion 'Indeed Allah is ever, over all things, a Witness' (inna Allāha kāna 'alā kulli shay'in shahīdan) serves several crucial purposes in this inheritance context: (1) Divine oversight - Allah observes all inheritance distributions and ensures justice for rightful heirs; (2) Accountability - Both compliance with inheritance law and fulfillment of pledge obligations are under divine scrutiny; (3) Warning against manipulation - Those who attempt to circumvent Islamic inheritance law through false pledges or schemes face divine consequences; (4) Comfort for the faithful - Those who honestly follow these guidelines can trust that Allah witnesses their sincerity and will reward their obedience; (5) Authority validation - This emphasizes that inheritance law isn't merely human legislation but divine command that Allah Himself oversees. The phrase reminds believers that all financial dealings, whether formal inheritance or voluntary support of pledge partners, occur under Allah's perfect knowledge and will be judged accordingly on the Day of Judgment.
❓How does this verse relate to modern inheritance practices?
This verse provides timeless guidance for modern inheritance practices by establishing several key principles: (1) Family-based inheritance - Wealth should primarily flow through blood relationships as divinely ordained, preventing arbitrary redistribution that could destabilize family security; (2) Legal documentation - Just as early pledges required formal agreements, modern inheritance should involve proper legal documentation following Islamic law; (3) Honoring commitments - While inheritance follows family lines, voluntary commitments to non-family members should be honored through charitable giving, trusts, or bequests within legal limits; (4) Community responsibility - The verse supports maintaining relationships with non-family members who have been significant in one's life, encouraging modern Muslims to include worthy causes and individuals in their charitable planning; (5) Divine oversight - All inheritance decisions should be made with consciousness that Allah witnesses our fairness and justice. Modern Muslims can apply this by following Islamic inheritance law while using voluntary charitable giving to support causes and individuals important to them.
❓What wisdom lies behind the Islamic inheritance system established in this verse?
The Islamic inheritance system reflects profound divine wisdom through several mechanisms: (1) Wealth circulation - Automatic distribution through generations prevents excessive accumulation while ensuring family financial security; (2) Social stability - Family-based inheritance strengthens kinship bonds and family responsibility rather than allowing wealth to concentrate in artificial relationships; (3) Natural justice - Blood relatives who shared emotional, financial, and social responsibilities with the deceased receive priority, reflecting natural human bonds; (4) Economic balance - Regular redistribution through inheritance creates ongoing wealth circulation that benefits society overall; (5) Spiritual protection - Following divine guidance in inheritance matters protects families from disputes that often arise from arbitrary distribution decisions; (6) Community cohesion - While prioritizing family, the system allows voluntary support for broader community members through charitable mechanisms; (7) Gender equity - The system ensures both men and women receive inheritance rights according to their family responsibilities and roles. This comprehensive approach balances individual family needs with broader social welfare while maintaining divine justice and mercy.
❓How should Muslims today understand and apply the concept of appointed heirs?
Muslims today should understand appointed heirs (mawālī) as divinely designated family members who automatically inherit according to Islamic law, requiring several practical applications: (1) Islamic will preparation - Ensure inheritance documents comply with Islamic law while allowing for voluntary bequests to non-heirs up to one-third of estate; (2) Family education - Teach family members about their inheritance rights and responsibilities to prevent disputes and misunderstandings; (3) Legal compliance - Work with knowledgeable Islamic scholars and legal professionals to navigate local laws while maintaining Islamic principles; (4) Relationship maintenance - Honor family bonds that form the basis of inheritance rights through ongoing care, support, and communication; (5) Charitable planning - Use voluntary charitable giving during lifetime and through bequests to support non-family members and causes while respecting inheritance boundaries; (6) Spiritual awareness - Approach inheritance matters with consciousness that Allah has appointed these heirs according to His wisdom and justice. Modern Muslims should view this system as divine mercy that protects family welfare while providing flexibility for broader charitable impact.
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