سُوْرَةُ النِّسَآءِ
Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 1
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءً ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا ﴿1﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwâ (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All-Watcher over you.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا
yāayyuhā
O
ٱلنَّاسُ
l-nāsu
mankind
ٱتَّقُوا۟
ittaqū
Fear
رَبَّكُمُ
rabbakumu
your Lord
ٱلَّذِى
alladhī
the One Who
خَلَقَكُم
khalaqakum
created you
مِّن
min
from
نَّفْسٍۢ
nafsin
a soul
وَٰحِدَةٍۢ
wāḥidatin
single
وَخَلَقَ
wakhalaqa
and created
مِنْهَا
min'hā
from it
زَوْجَهَا
zawjahā
its mate
وَبَثَّ
wabatha
and dispersed
مِنْهُمَا
min'humā
from both of them
رِجَالًۭا
rijālan
men
كَثِيرًۭا
kathīran
many
وَنِسَآءًۭ ۚ
wanisāan
and women
وَٱتَّقُوا۟
wa-ittaqū
And fear
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
ٱلَّذِى
alladhī
(through) Whom
تَسَآءَلُونَ
tasāalūna
you ask
بِهِۦ
bihi
[with it]
وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ
wal-arḥāma
and the wombs
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
كَانَ
kāna
is
عَلَيْكُمْ
ʿalaykum
over you
رَقِيبًۭا
raqīban
Ever-Watchful
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
Surah An-Nisa is Madinan. It is narrated from Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah An-Nisa were revealed at a time when I had come to the house of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) after my marriage. [ بخاری، فضائل القرآن، باب تألیف القرآن : ۴۹۹۳ ] This Surah is named Surah An-Nisa because of the issues related to women mentioned in it.
(Ayah 1) ➊ {خَلَقَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّفْسٍ وَّاحِدَةٍ:} That is, the entire human race is from the progeny of Adam (peace be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “(On the Day of Resurrection) people will go to Adam (peace be upon him) and say, O Adam! You are the father of mankind, Allah created you with His own hands.” [ بخاری، أحادیث الأنبیاء، باب قول اللہ تعالٰی : «و لقد أرسلنا …» : ۳۳۴۰، عن أبی ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] The purpose of mentioning ‘created from a single soul’ is also to draw attention to the fact that all of you are the children of one person; even if there is no other relationship, is this relationship not enough? Just consider this and keep helping your weak ones.
➋ {وَ خَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا:} The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Woman was created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its upper part. So if you try to straighten it, you will break it, and if you benefit from her, you will benefit from her while there is crookedness in her.” [ بخاری، أحادیث الأنبیاء، باب خلق آدم و ذریتہ : ۳۳۳۱، ۵۱۸۴، عن أبی ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] In some narrations it is mentioned: [وَ كَسْرُهَا طَلاَقُهَا ] “And breaking her is divorcing her.” [ مسلم، الرضاع، باب الوصیۃ بالنساء : 715/59 بعد ح : ۱۴۶۶۔ بخاری : ۵۱۸۴ ] From the verse of the Qur’an, it is understood that Hawwa (peace be upon her) was created from Adam (peace be upon him). From the hadith, it is established that she was created from a rib; the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not explain its exact nature. Some people interpret this to mean that there is always some crookedness in a woman, hence she is likened to a rib, but the clear words of the Qur’an that his wife was created from Adam, when combined with the hadith, prove that she was created from a rib. Yes, her crookedness is also correct in its own place.
➌ {تَسَآءَلُوْنَ بِهٖ وَ الْاَرْحَامَ:} That is, fear Allah by whose name you ask one another. { ”وَ الْاَرْحَامَ“ } Its conjunction is with the word {’’ اللّٰهَ ‘‘}, that is, {’’وَاتَّقُوا الْأَرْحَامَ‘‘} that you should avoid severing ties and mistreating relatives. To read { ”الْاَرْحَامَ“ } with a kasrah on the meem is incorrect and not correct according to the rules of grammar, though in terms of meaning it is correct, i.e., the relationship by whose name you ask one another. (Qurtubi) Shawkani (may Allah have mercy on him) says that all scholars of Shariah and language agree that {”الْاَرْحَامَ“} includes all relationships, both mahram and non-mahram. Severing ties of kinship is greatly condemned in the Qur’an and Hadith. See Surah Muhammad (22, 23). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The one who severs the ties of kinship will not enter Paradise.” [ بخاری، الأدب، باب إثم القاطع : ۵۹۸۴، عن جبیر بن مطعم رضی اللہ عنہ ] And he said: “Whoever wishes that his provision be expanded and his footsteps be prolonged, let him maintain his ties of kinship.” [ بخاری، الأدب، باب فضل صلۃ الرحم… : ۵۹۸۳، عن أبی أیوب الأنصاری رضی اللہ عنہ ]
➍ {رَقِيْبًا:} The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.” [ بخاری، الإیمان، باب سؤال جبریل النبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم : ۵۰ ۔ مسلم : ۸، عن أبی ہریرۃ و عمر رضی اللہ عنہما ]
(Ayah 1) ➊ {خَلَقَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّفْسٍ وَّاحِدَةٍ:} That is, the entire human race is from the progeny of Adam (peace be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “(On the Day of Resurrection) people will go to Adam (peace be upon him) and say, O Adam! You are the father of mankind, Allah created you with His own hands.” [ بخاری، أحادیث الأنبیاء، باب قول اللہ تعالٰی : «و لقد أرسلنا …» : ۳۳۴۰، عن أبی ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] The purpose of mentioning ‘created from a single soul’ is also to draw attention to the fact that all of you are the children of one person; even if there is no other relationship, is this relationship not enough? Just consider this and keep helping your weak ones.
➋ {وَ خَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا:} The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Woman was created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its upper part. So if you try to straighten it, you will break it, and if you benefit from her, you will benefit from her while there is crookedness in her.” [ بخاری، أحادیث الأنبیاء، باب خلق آدم و ذریتہ : ۳۳۳۱، ۵۱۸۴، عن أبی ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] In some narrations it is mentioned: [وَ كَسْرُهَا طَلاَقُهَا ] “And breaking her is divorcing her.” [ مسلم، الرضاع، باب الوصیۃ بالنساء : 715/59 بعد ح : ۱۴۶۶۔ بخاری : ۵۱۸۴ ] From the verse of the Qur’an, it is understood that Hawwa (peace be upon her) was created from Adam (peace be upon him). From the hadith, it is established that she was created from a rib; the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not explain its exact nature. Some people interpret this to mean that there is always some crookedness in a woman, hence she is likened to a rib, but the clear words of the Qur’an that his wife was created from Adam, when combined with the hadith, prove that she was created from a rib. Yes, her crookedness is also correct in its own place.
➌ {تَسَآءَلُوْنَ بِهٖ وَ الْاَرْحَامَ:} That is, fear Allah by whose name you ask one another. { ”وَ الْاَرْحَامَ“ } Its conjunction is with the word {’’ اللّٰهَ ‘‘}, that is, {’’وَاتَّقُوا الْأَرْحَامَ‘‘} that you should avoid severing ties and mistreating relatives. To read { ”الْاَرْحَامَ“ } with a kasrah on the meem is incorrect and not correct according to the rules of grammar, though in terms of meaning it is correct, i.e., the relationship by whose name you ask one another. (Qurtubi) Shawkani (may Allah have mercy on him) says that all scholars of Shariah and language agree that {”الْاَرْحَامَ“} includes all relationships, both mahram and non-mahram. Severing ties of kinship is greatly condemned in the Qur’an and Hadith. See Surah Muhammad (22, 23). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The one who severs the ties of kinship will not enter Paradise.” [ بخاری، الأدب، باب إثم القاطع : ۵۹۸۴، عن جبیر بن مطعم رضی اللہ عنہ ] And he said: “Whoever wishes that his provision be expanded and his footsteps be prolonged, let him maintain his ties of kinship.” [ بخاری، الأدب، باب فضل صلۃ الرحم… : ۵۹۸۳، عن أبی أیوب الأنصاری رضی اللہ عنہ ]
➍ {رَقِيْبًا:} The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.” [ بخاری، الإیمان، باب سؤال جبریل النبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم : ۵۰ ۔ مسلم : ۸، عن أبی ہریرۃ و عمر رضی اللہ عنہما ]
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
O people! Fear your Lord, Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its spouse, and from both of them spread many men and women. Fear Allah, in Whose name you ask one another, and beware of severing ties of kinship. Surely, Allah is ever watching over you.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
1. O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul [1], and from it He created its mate, and from the two He spread many men [2] and women throughout the world. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another for your rights, and fear Allah concerning the ties of kinship [3]. Surely, Allah is ever watching over you.
[1] By "one soul" is meant Abu al-Bashar Adam. From him, his wife Sayyidah Hawwaؑ was created. Thus, Sayyiduna Abu Hurairahؓ says that the Prophetﷺ said: "Accept my advice and continue to treat women well. For woman was created from a rib, and the upper part of the rib is crooked. If you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. Therefore, accept my advice and treat them kindly."
[بخاری: کتاب بدء الخلق، باب : __QUR_0__ ]
[2] The reason for beginning this surah with this verse is probably because most of this surah consists of family and social laws. Also, from this verse it is understood that, on a human level, all people are equal to one another. Therefore, it is necessary to treat everyone with kindness.
[3]
Emphasis and Virtue of Maintaining Family Ties:
Treating close relatives in the best manner is a great act of goodness, and spoiling, damaging, or breaking these relationships is a major sin. In this regard, consider a few hadiths:
1. The Messenger of Allahﷺ said that "Rahm (kinship) is derived from Rahman (the Most Merciful). Allah Almighty said to Rahm: 'Whoever joins you, I will join him, and whoever cuts you off, I will cut him off.'"
[بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب من وصل وصلہ اللہ]
2.
The Prescription for Abundance in Sustenance:
The Prophetﷺ also said: "Whoever wishes that his sustenance be expanded and his life be prolonged, he should maintain family ties."
[بخاری، کتاب الادب۔ باب من بسط لہ فی الرزق/مسلم کتاب البر والصلۃ۔ باب صلۃ الرحم]
3. The Prophetﷺ also said: "The one who severs family ties will not enter Paradise."
[بخاری، کتاب الادب۔ باب إثم القاطع مسلم کتاب البر والصلہ۔ باب صلۃ الرحم و تحریم قطیعتھا]
4. The Prophetﷺ also said: When Allah Almighty finished the creation of the creatures, Rahm (kinship) said, "(O Allah), this is the time to seek Your protection from severing ties." Allah Almighty said: "Yes! Are you not pleased that I will join the one who joins you and sever the one who severs you?" Rahm said: "Yes, O my Lord!" Allah Almighty said: "This is granted to you." The Prophetﷺ said: "If you wish, recite this verse as proof:"
﴿فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ اِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ اَنْ تُفْسِدُوْا فِي الْاَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوْٓا اَرْحَامَكُمْ﴾ [سوره محمد، آيت: 22]
[بخاري و مسلم۔ حواله ايضاً]
5. The Prophetﷺ said: "The one who maintains ties as a return for kindness is not the true maintainer of ties, but the true maintainer is the one who, when his ties are severed, he still maintains them."
[بخاری۔ کتاب الادب۔ باب لیس الواصل بالمکافیئ]
6. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairahؓ says that a man said: "I have some relatives. I maintain ties with them, but they sever ties with me. I treat them well, but they treat me badly. I am patient with them, but they behave ignorantly towards me." The Prophetﷺ said: "If it is as you say, then it is as if you are putting hot ashes in their mouths. And as long as you remain in this state, there will always be a helper from Allah against them on your behalf."
[مسلم، کتاب البرو الصلہ۔ باب صلۃ الرحم وتحریم قطیعتھا]
7. Sayyidah Asmaؓ says that during the time when you had a truce (with the Quraysh), my mother came to me and she was disinclined towards Islam. I asked the Prophetﷺ, 'Can I maintain ties with her?' The Prophetﷺ said: 'Yes.'
[بخاری۔ کتاب الادب۔ باب صلۃ المراۃ أمھا ولھا زوج]
8. Sayyiduna Abu Ayyubؓ says that a man asked the Prophetﷺ: "O Messenger of Allahﷺ! Tell me an action that will take me to Paradise." The Prophetﷺ said: "Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, establish prayer, give zakat, and maintain family ties."
[بخاری۔ کتاب الادب۔ باب فضل صلۃ الرحم]
9. The Prophetﷺ said: "No sin is more deserving than rebellion and severing family ties that Allah should punish it quickly in this world, and at the same time keep a punishment stored for it in the Hereafter."
[ترمذی۔ ابواب صفۃ القیامۃ]
[1] By "one soul" is meant Abu al-Bashar Adam. From him, his wife Sayyidah Hawwaؑ was created. Thus, Sayyiduna Abu Hurairahؓ says that the Prophetﷺ said: "Accept my advice and continue to treat women well. For woman was created from a rib, and the upper part of the rib is crooked. If you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. Therefore, accept my advice and treat them kindly."
[بخاری: کتاب بدء الخلق، باب : __QUR_0__ ]
[2] The reason for beginning this surah with this verse is probably because most of this surah consists of family and social laws. Also, from this verse it is understood that, on a human level, all people are equal to one another. Therefore, it is necessary to treat everyone with kindness.
[3]
Emphasis and Virtue of Maintaining Family Ties:
Treating close relatives in the best manner is a great act of goodness, and spoiling, damaging, or breaking these relationships is a major sin. In this regard, consider a few hadiths:
1. The Messenger of Allahﷺ said that "Rahm (kinship) is derived from Rahman (the Most Merciful). Allah Almighty said to Rahm: 'Whoever joins you, I will join him, and whoever cuts you off, I will cut him off.'"
[بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب من وصل وصلہ اللہ]
2.
The Prescription for Abundance in Sustenance:
The Prophetﷺ also said: "Whoever wishes that his sustenance be expanded and his life be prolonged, he should maintain family ties."
[بخاری، کتاب الادب۔ باب من بسط لہ فی الرزق/مسلم کتاب البر والصلۃ۔ باب صلۃ الرحم]
3. The Prophetﷺ also said: "The one who severs family ties will not enter Paradise."
[بخاری، کتاب الادب۔ باب إثم القاطع مسلم کتاب البر والصلہ۔ باب صلۃ الرحم و تحریم قطیعتھا]
4. The Prophetﷺ also said: When Allah Almighty finished the creation of the creatures, Rahm (kinship) said, "(O Allah), this is the time to seek Your protection from severing ties." Allah Almighty said: "Yes! Are you not pleased that I will join the one who joins you and sever the one who severs you?" Rahm said: "Yes, O my Lord!" Allah Almighty said: "This is granted to you." The Prophetﷺ said: "If you wish, recite this verse as proof:"
﴿فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ اِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ اَنْ تُفْسِدُوْا فِي الْاَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوْٓا اَرْحَامَكُمْ﴾ [سوره محمد، آيت: 22]
[بخاري و مسلم۔ حواله ايضاً]
5. The Prophetﷺ said: "The one who maintains ties as a return for kindness is not the true maintainer of ties, but the true maintainer is the one who, when his ties are severed, he still maintains them."
[بخاری۔ کتاب الادب۔ باب لیس الواصل بالمکافیئ]
6. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairahؓ says that a man said: "I have some relatives. I maintain ties with them, but they sever ties with me. I treat them well, but they treat me badly. I am patient with them, but they behave ignorantly towards me." The Prophetﷺ said: "If it is as you say, then it is as if you are putting hot ashes in their mouths. And as long as you remain in this state, there will always be a helper from Allah against them on your behalf."
[مسلم، کتاب البرو الصلہ۔ باب صلۃ الرحم وتحریم قطیعتھا]
7. Sayyidah Asmaؓ says that during the time when you had a truce (with the Quraysh), my mother came to me and she was disinclined towards Islam. I asked the Prophetﷺ, 'Can I maintain ties with her?' The Prophetﷺ said: 'Yes.'
[بخاری۔ کتاب الادب۔ باب صلۃ المراۃ أمھا ولھا زوج]
8. Sayyiduna Abu Ayyubؓ says that a man asked the Prophetﷺ: "O Messenger of Allahﷺ! Tell me an action that will take me to Paradise." The Prophetﷺ said: "Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, establish prayer, give zakat, and maintain family ties."
[بخاری۔ کتاب الادب۔ باب فضل صلۃ الرحم]
9. The Prophetﷺ said: "No sin is more deserving than rebellion and severing family ties that Allah should punish it quickly in this world, and at the same time keep a punishment stored for it in the Hereafter."
[ترمذی۔ ابواب صفۃ القیامۃ]
