(One hundred and seventy-six verses in total; revealed in Medina)

This surah deals with certain rights of women that were unheard of at the time—the right to inherit, the right to just treatment within and outside of marriage, and societal responsibility toward widows and orphans. Conflicts whereby many men were killed, a situation not uncommon even in our contemporary world where large-scale conflicts persist, resulted in many widows and orphans. This surah also deals with issues of faith, deception by hypocrites, and the nature of relationship and conflicts with people of Jewish faith in Medina in the early days of Islam, primarily in the fourth year of immigration by the Prophet to Medina …

In the name of God, the most Merciful and the Instiller of Mercy [toward His creatures]

O mankind, be mindful of your responsibility to God who created you from a single living being out of which He also created his mate, and from these two beings spread out all men and women. Keep your duty to God …

And give to the bride her marriage portion [i.e., dowry] in the spirit of a gift. But if they give up a portion of that out of their own will, then consume it together with joy and pleasure …

Whatever parents and near relatives leave behind, man will have a share in the inheritance and so will woman; however little or however much—each an appointed share. During the distribution of inheritance, if relatives, orphans, and needy people are present, give them something out of it and treat them gently. Any one of you …

Grossly immoral and immodest conduct by your women should be verified by four direct witnesses. Should there be such witnesses, then confine such women to their homes [for their own safety and to restrain them but not against their will]—until death comes or God opens a way [to their repentance]. Both parties [men and women] who are guilty shall be punished in a similar manner; but if they repent and mend their ways, then …

Forbidden for a man to marry—(1) his mothers, (2) his daughters, (3) his sisters, (4) his maternal and paternal aunts, (5) his brother’s daughters, (6) his sister’s daughters, (7) his foster mothers, (8) his foster sisters, (9) mothers of his wives, (10) stepdaughters he is in charge of from wives with whom he consummated …

O People of Faith, do not consume one another’s property and possessions through illegal means, nor even by means of trade based on mutual consent. Do not destroy one another. Know that God is ever merciful to you! Anyone who does such things with enmity and evil intent, We will punish with Fire, a task easy for God to …

Men are responsible for care of women, as God has allocated His bounty differently among them, and men should spend their resources for such care. Righteous women are devoted [to God and family] and protect familial privacy and intimacy, which God asks them to guard. If you have reason to fear persistent discord and …

Serve God, and do not assign divinity to anyone else. Be good to (1) your parents, (2) close relatives, (3) orphans, (4) the needy, (5) neighbors you know, (6) neighbors who are alien to you, (7) companions, (8) strangers in your travel, and (9) those in your control [who depend on you for livelihood and dignity].247 God does not love anyone who is self-conceited, acts boastfully, is not only miserly by himself or herself but also …

O People of Faith, do not attempt to perform prayer if you are under the influence of an intoxicant. Wait until you are aware of what you are saying; similarly, wait until you bathe if you are under obligation to bathe after sexual intimacy, unless you are traveling. If you are sick or on a journey, have satisfied a call of nature, or have …

Have you encountered those who, having received their portion of the revelations, still believe in superstitions, do evil worshipping, and practice sorcery? They even say to those who disbelieve that they are better guided than those who believe! It is these people that God rejects, and whomever God rejects will not …

God commands you to convey the trust [that God has given] to those deserving of it and when you judge between people, that you exercise justice. Indeed, God asks you to do what is most excellent; God is ever Hearing …

Are you aware of those who on the surface assert they believe in the Qur’an and earlier revelations? But in reality, they are more inclined to evil ways; whereas, God has strict command to avoid the devil, whose only mission is to lead people astray, far away from truth. When you call people: Come to what God has revealed ….

Death will overcome you wherever you are, even on top of a lofty tower. When good things happen to them, they say, “It is from God.” But when a misfortune or evil touches them, they blame the Prophet [and the faithful]. Say to them, “All is from God.” What possessed these people that they make no effort to comprehend anything they are told? Whatever good comes to you, it is from God, and whatever misfortune falls on you, it is the result of …

When a matter pertaining to security or threat comes to light, they [those who were hypocrites] spread it. Instead, they should have referred it to the Prophet and those in charge of governance, who could search out the truth and would know what to make of it. Had it not been that God had His grace and mercy on you, all of …

Why do you disagree among yourselves about the hypocrites? God has made them to return to disbelief as a consequence of what they have done. Do you wish to guide them when God has left them in their evil state? Whoever God leaves in such a state, you cannot find a way out for them. They wish that you also disbelieved …

It is inconceivable that a person of faith [in God] will kill another person of faith [in God], except by mistake. Such a slayer will free a believing slave and pay indemnity to the family of the slain, unless the family forgoes such as an act of charity. If the slain person is from a hostile tribe and is a believer, then freeing a believing …

Believers who are passive—except those who are disabled—cannot be equal to those who actively strive for faith and justice in God’s way with their possessions and their own lives. God excels those who strive for faith and justice in God’s way, with their possessions and their lives, to a degree much higher than those who are …

When you go forth [at times of conflict], there is no failing on your part if you shorten your prayer, if you fear that those who persistently deny the truth will cause you harm. Surely those who persistently deny the truth are a manifest adversary to you. When you [a prophet or a leader] are among them and lead them …

We have revealed the book [the Qur’an] to you with truth so that you may judge between people in light of what God has taught you. Therefore, do not plead the case of people who are dishonest to their trust, but continue to ask for their forgiveness; God is Ever Forgiving and Merciful! And do not argue on behalf of those …