SeerahBook
All surahs

4. An-Nisa

Medinan
4:10

Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire

Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj (The Night Journey and Ascension)

During the Mi'raj, the Prophet ﷺ reported seeing this exact punishment -- people with camel-like noses eating fire that emerged from their bodies -- identified as those who devoured orphans' wealth, mirroring this ayah's warning that such wealth becomes fire in their bellies.

4:29

Do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allah is ever Merciful to you.

The Sariyya of Dhat al-Salasil

Cited by Amr ibn al-As as grounds for performing tayammum instead of a life-threatening cold-weather ghusl.

4:37

Surely, Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful, those who are stingy, promote stinginess among people, and withhold Allah's bounties.

Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf Discourages the Ansar from Paying Zakat

Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf's words in the post -- discouraging others from giving in charity -- match this ayah's description of those who are stingy and "enjoin stinginess upon people."

4:43

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَىٰ

Don't come close to the salah when you are drunk...

Revelation Prohibiting Prayer While Intoxicated (Qur'an 4:43)

Revealed after a drunk sahabi led the prayer and made serious recitation mistakes.

4:50

انظُرْ كَيْفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ ۖ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

See how they fabricate lies against Allah — this alone is a blatant sin.

Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf's Alliance with Abu Sufyan

This is the specific asbab al-nuzul: classical tafsir (e.g. Ibn Kathir) records Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf's words to the Quraysh -- quoted in the post -- as the occasion for this ayah's revelation, condemning those who call disbelievers "more rightly guided" than the believers.

4:51

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هَٰؤُلَاءِ أَهْدَىٰ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا

Have you [O Prophet] not seen those who were given a portion of the Scriptures yet believe in jibt and taghut and reassure the disbelievers that they are better guided than the believers?

The Battle of Khandaq (Ahzab)+1 more

Revealed exposing the Banu Nadir's telling the Quraysh that they were "more rightly guided" than the Prophet ﷺ and the believers, during the formation of the Ahzab.

4:58

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا

Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners.

Conquest of Makkah

This is a well-known asbab al-nuzul: this ayah on returning trusts to those entitled to them was revealed regarding this exact moment -- the Prophet ﷺ returning the Ka'bah's key to Uthman ibn Talha rather than keeping it.

4:69

What honorable company!

The Siege and Judgment of the Banu Qurayza

Invoked in closing reflection on Sa'd ibn Mu'adh RA's role in the judgment.

4:71

Take your precautions

The Battle of Uhud

Cited for the principle of taking precaution, illustrated by the Prophet ﷺ wearing two suits of armor to Uhud.

4:88

Why are you [believers] divided into two groups regarding the hypocrites while Allah allowed them to regress [to disbelief] because of their misdeeds?

The Battle of Uhud

Allah's reprimand to the Muslims for disputing over how to treat the hypocrites who withdrew before Uhud.

4:94

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ أَلْقَىٰ إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ اللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

O believers! When you struggle in the cause of Allah, be sure of who you fight. And do not say to those who offer you [greetings of] peace, "You are no believer!" -- seeking a fleeting worldly gain. Instead, Allah has infinite bounties [in store]. You were initially like them, then Allah blessed you [with Islam]. So be sure! Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

The Killing of Amir ibn al-Adbat al-Ashja'i

Revealed rebuking the killing of Amir ibn al-Adbat al-Ashja'i after he offered the greeting of salam.

4:97

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ظَالِمِي أَنفُسِهِمْ قَالُوا فِيمَ كُنتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا كُنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ قَالُوا أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَا ۚ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا

Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves — [the angels] will say, "In what [condition] were you?" They will say, "We were oppressed in the land." The angels will say, "Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?" For those, their refuge is Hell — and evil it is as a destination.

Death of Junda' ibn Damura

The general command whose exception ([4:98-99]) was revealed for Junda' ibn Damura.

4:98

إِلَّا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا

Except for those who are genuinely weak of the men, women, and children, that they cannot find a way out, nor find a passage.

Death of Junda' ibn Damura

Revealed excusing the genuinely weak, in connection with the case of Junda' ibn Damura.

4:99

فَأُولَٰئِكَ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا

For these people, perhaps Allah will pardon them. And Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Forgiving.

Death of Junda' ibn Damura

Revealed excusing the genuinely weak, in connection with the case of Junda' ibn Damura.

4:102

وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا فَلْيَكُونُوا مِن وَرَائِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَائِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا فَلْيُصَلُّوا مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ ۗ وَدَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُم مَّيْلَةً وَاحِدَةً ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَن تَضَعُوا أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ ۖ وَخُذُوا حِذْرَكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا

When you [O Prophet] are [campaigning] with them and you lead them in prayer, let one group of them pray with you — while armed. When they prostrate themselves, let the other group stand guard behind them. Then the group that has not yet prayed will join you in prayer — and let them be vigilant and armed. The disbelievers would wish to see you neglect your weapons and belongings, so they could launch a sweeping assault on you. But there is no blame if you lay aside your weapons when overcome by heavy rain or illness — but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared a humiliating punishment for the disbelievers.

Ghazwa Dhat al-Riqa+1 more

The procedure of Salat al-Khawf was revealed during this expedition.

4:128

وَإِنِ ٱمْرَأَةٌ خَافَتْ مِنۢ بَعْلِهَا نُشُوزًا أَوْ إِعْرَاضًۭا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يُصْلِحَا بَيْنَهُمَا صُلْحًۭا

If a woman fears indifference or neglect from her husband, there is no blame on either of them if they seek [fair] settlement, which is best.

Sawda bint Zam'a RA Gifts Her Night to Aisha RA

Said to have been revealed regarding Sawda bint Zam'a RA gifting her night with the Prophet ﷺ to Aisha RA.