Sura-4 [Al Nissa Medina 92]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:
وَإِنْ
خِفْتُمْ
شِقَاقَ
بَيْنِهِمَا
فَابْعَثُواْ
حَكَمًا
مِّنْ
أَهْلِهِ...
4:35. If ye fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other from hers;
C549. An excellent plan for settling family disputes, without too much publicity or mud-throwing, or resort to the chicaneries of the law.
The Latin countries recognise this plan in their legal systems. It is a pity that Muslims do not resort to it universally, as they should.
The arbiters from each family would know the idiosyncrasies of both parties, and would be able, with Allah's help to effect a real reconciliation.
... وَحَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهَا إِن يُرِيدَا إِصْلاَحًا يُوَفِّقِ اللّهُ بَيْنَهُمَا...
if they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation:
... إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا خَبِيرًا ﴿٣٥﴾
for Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.
وَإِنِ
امْرَأَةٌ
خَافَتْ
مِن
بَعْلِهَا
نُشُوزًا
أَوْ
إِعْرَاضًا
فَلاَ
جُنَاْحَ
عَلَيْهِمَا
أَن
يُصْلِحَا
بَيْنَهُمَا
صُلْحًا
...
4:128. If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves;
... وَالصُّلْحُ خَيْرٌ وَأُحْضِرَتِ الأَنفُسُ الشُّحَّ ...
and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed.
C638. To protect the woman's economic interests, various rules are prescribed for dower in marriage. But the sanctity of marriage itself is greater than any economic interests.
Divorce is, of all things permitted, most hateful to Allah. Therefore if a breach between husband and wife can be prevented by some economic consideration, it is better to make that concession than to imperil the future of the wife, the children, and probably the husband also.
Such concessions are permissible, in view of the love of wealth ingrained in unregenerate man, but a recommendation is made that we should practice self-restraint, and do what we can to come to an amicable settlement without any economic sacrifice on the part of the woman.
... وَإِن تُحْسِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا ﴿١٢٨﴾
But if ye do good and practice self-restraint, Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
وَلَن
تَسْتَطِيعُواْ
أَن
تَعْدِلُواْ
بَيْنَ
النِّسَاء
وَلَوْ
حَرَصْتُمْ...
4:129. Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women, even if it is your ardent desire:
... فَلاَ تَمِيلُواْ كُلَّ الْمَيْلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَالْمُعَلَّقَةِ...
but turn not away (from a woman) altogether so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air).
C639. In this material world there are two principle causes of division between man and wife,
- money and
- "the other woman" or "the other man".
Money was dealt with in the last verse. Here is the case of "the other woman". Legally more than one wife (up to four) are permissible on the condition that the man can be fair and just to all.
But this is a condition almost impossible to fulfil. If, in the hope that he might be able to fulfil it, a man puts himself in that impossible position, it is only right to insist that he should not discard one but at least fulfil all the outward duties that are incumbent on him in respect of her.
... وَإِن تُصْلِحُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿١٢٩﴾
If ye come to a friendly understanding and practice self-restraint, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
وَإِن
يَتَفَرَّقَا
يُغْنِ
اللّهُ
كُلاًّ
مِّن
سَعَتِهِ...
4:130. But if they disagree (and must part), Allah will provide abundance for all from His all-reaching bounty:
... وَكَانَ اللّهُ وَاسِعًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١٣٠﴾
for Allah is He that careth for all and is Wise.
Asad’s Version:
4: 35 And if you have reason to fear t hat a breach might occur between a [married] couple, appoint an arbiter from among his people and an arbiter from among her people; if they both want to set things aright, God may bring about their reconciliation. Behold, God is indeed all-knowing, aware.
Other versions:
Yusuf Ali If ye fear a breach between them twain appoint (two) arbiters one from his family and the other from hers; if they wish for peace Allah will cause their reconciliation: for Allah hath full knowledge and is acquainted with all things.
Pickthall And if ye fear a breech between them twain (the man and wife), appoint an arbiter from his folk and an arbiter from her folk. If they desire amendment Allah will make them of one mind. Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Aware.
Yuksel If you fear a split between them, then send a judge from his family and a judge from hers. If they want to reconcile, then God will bring them together. God is Knowledgeable, Ever-aware.*
Transliteration Wa in khiftum syiqa_qa bainihima_ fab'asu_ hakamam min ahlihi wa hakamam min ahliha_, iy yurida_ isla_hay yuwaffiqilla_hu bainahuma_, innalla_ha ka_na 'liman khabira_(n).
[[ Ali’s note - 549 An excellent plan for settling family disputes, without too much publicity or mud-throwing, or resort to the chicaneries of the law. The Latin countries recognize this plan in their legal systems. It is a pity that Muslims do not resort to it universally, as they should. The arbiters from each family would know the idiosyncrasies of both parties, and would be able, with Allah's help to effect a real reconciliation. (4.35) ]]
4: 128
Asad And if a woman has reason to fear ill-treatment from her husband, or that he might turn away from her, it shall not be wrong for the two to set things peacefully to rights between themselves: for peace is best, and selfishness is ever-present in human souls. But if you do good and are conscious of Him – behold, God is indeed aware of all that you do.
Yusuf Ali If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practice self-restraint Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
Pickthall If a woman fear ill treatment from her husband, or desertion, it is no sin for them twain if they make terms of peace between themselves. Peace is better. But greed hath been made present in the minds (of men). If ye do good and keep from evil, Lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.
Transliteration Wa inimra'atun kha_fat mim ba';iha_ nusyu_zan au i'ra_dan fala_ juna_ha 'alaihima_ ay yusliha_ bainahuma_ sulha_(n), was sulhu khair(un), wa uhdiratil anfususy syuhh(a), wa in tuhsinu_ wa tattaqu_ fa innalla_ha ka_na bima_ ta'malu_na khabira_(n).
[[ Ali’s note - 638 To protect the woman's economic interests, various rules are prescribed for dower in marriage. But the sanctity of marriage itself is greater than any economic interests. Divorce is, of all things permitted, most hateful to Allah. Therefore if a breach between husband and wife can be prevented by some economic consideration, it is better to make that concession than to imperil the future of the wife, the children, and probably the husband also. Such concessions are permissible, in view of the love of wealth ingrained in unregenerate man, but a recommendation is made that we should practice self-restraint, and do what we can to come to an amicable settlement without any economic sacrifice on the part of the woman. (4.128) ]]
4: 129
Asad And it will not be within your power to treat your wives with equal fairness, however much you may desire it [note 147]: and so, do not allow yourselves to include towards one to the exclusion of the other, leaving her in a state, as it were, of having and not having a husband [note 148]. But if you put things to rights and are conscious of Him – behold, God is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
Yusuf Ali Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women even if it is your ardent desire: but turn not away (from a woman) altogether so as to leave her (as it were) hanging (in the air). If ye come to a friendly understanding and practice self-restraint Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
Pickthall Ye will not be able to deal equally between (your) wives, however much ye wish (to do so): But turn not altogether away (from one), leaving her as in suspense. If ye do good and keep from evil, lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
Transliteration Wa lan tastati'u_ an ta'dilu_ bainan nisa_'i wa lau harastum fala_ tamilu_ kullal maili fatazaru_ha_ kal mu'allaqah(ti), wa in tuslihu_ wa tattaqu_ fa innalla_ha ka_na gafu_rar rahima_(n).
[[ Ruby’s notes – I think what is conveyed is that a man cannot love or like all his wives equally, it is natural to have different degrees of inclinations. However, a man must treat them equally and his behavior must be fair and equitable. This would be done as a duty towards God. However, if one thinks it would be difficult for him to behave that way, he should not marry more than one. This is I think an recommendation for monogamy. Polygamy is accepted in Islam in consideration of the predisposition or nature of man and woman and particular situations where it justifies it or necessities it, however, in other majority of situations a man should stay away from practicing polygamy in marriage because that would put him is a spot to commit injustice and unfairness to other human beings. The Quran is alluding to this serious problem of polygamy. Therefore, I think the Quran is recommending monogamy. ]]
[[ Ali’s note -
639 In this material world there are two principle causes of division between man and wife, money and "the other woman" or "the other man". Money was dealt with in the last verse. Here is the case of "the other woman". Legally more than one wife (up to four) are permissible on the condition that the man can be fair and just to all. (4.129)]]
[[ Asad’s note 147 – This refers to case where a man has more than one wife – a permission which is conditional upon his determination and ability to “treat them with equal fairness”, as laid down in verse 3 of this surah. since a man who is fully conscious of his moral responsibility might feel that he is committing a sin if he loves one of his wives more than the other (or others), the above verse provides a “judicial enlightenment” on this point by making it clear that feelings are beyond a human being’s control: in other words, that the required equality of treatment relates only to outward behavior towards and practical dealings with one’s wives. However, in view of the fact that a man’s behavior towards another person is, in the long run, almost inevitably influenced by what he feels about that person, the above passage - read in conjunction with verse3, and especially its concluding sentence – imposes a moral restriction on plural marriages.
148 - ..implying thereby an exlusion of the toehr form all affection – “leaving her, as it were, in suspense (ka’l mu'allaqah)”….. ]]
4: 130
Asad And if husband and wife do separate, God shall provide for each of them out of His abundance (Asad) : For God is He that care for all and is Wise.
Yusuf Ali But if they disagree (and must part) Allah will provide abundance for all from His all-reaching bounty: for Allah is He that care for all and is Wise.
Pickthall But if they separate, Allah will compensate each out of His abundance. Allah is ever All Embracing, All Knowing.
Transliteration Wa iy yatafarraqa_ yugnilla_hu kullam min sa'atih(i), wa ka_nalla_hu wa_si'an hakima_(n).