Quran Garden

Did you know that at the time of our beloved Muhammad, friends –who are not blood relatives- would inherit from each other.  We will explain that and much more in today’s tafsir of Aya 33 of Surah An-Nisaa.           

Session 596

Chapter 4

Verse 33

We have appointed heirs for everything that parents and close relatives leave behind, including those with whom you have made a solemn covenant, give them their due share. God is indeed a witness over everything. (Chapter 4:Verse 33)

We start with the phrase, “We have appointed heirs for everything that parents and close relatives leave behind”  The word “heirs” is translated from the Arabic “الموالي” the plural of “مولى.”  Before the verses of inheritance were evealed, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, established brotherhood between the Ansar –the residents of Madina- and the Muhajirun –the immigrants who fled perscution in Mecca-, so they would support one another and ultimelty inherit from each other through this brotherhood.  

There was also another form of brotherhood called “مولى المناصرة” (the ally of support), which meant that two individuals would rely on each other saying, “I am your brother, and you are my brother. My war is your war, my peace is your peace, my blood is your blood, you inherit from me, and I inherit from you, you pay my blood-money, and I pay yours.”  Thus, such individuals, along with the family, had a share in the wealth of the deceased.  

God clarifies: For every person, every man, woman, and child, Allah appointed family heirs who inherit from what the deceased leaves behind; the division of shares is crystal clear.  The allies of support also have a portion of the inheritance.  So, beware of saying, “No, you are not family, so you get nothing!” you must give them their promised share, which was stipulated as one-sixth.

But dose this ruling remain in our time? No, it was nullified when Allah later revealed the following Aya,

And those who believed afterwards and migrated, and fought alongside with you, they belong to you; but the blood relatives are more entitled to inherit from one another in the Book of God. Indeed God has knowledge of all things. (Chapter 8:Verse 75)

The verse understudy stresses that the current brotherhood mush be respected.  The phrase, “We have appointed heirs for everything that parents and close relatives leave behind, including those with whom you have made a solemn covenant, give them their due share” is a warning against saying, “They are gone, so we will not give their ally anything.” No, what the deceased had agreed to and swore oaths upon must be upheald by the heirs.  Allah remind you: “God is indeed a witness over everything.”  He is Witness to the brotherhood, the promises, and, most importantly, a Witness to whether you fulfill it or not after the person’s death.

Join us next week as we discuss a controversial Aya that causes much trouble in society and marriage that sometimes reaches the level of spousal abuse!  If you value the Islamic knowledge you gain here, please take a moment to subscribe to our channel and share QuranGarden with your family and friends.  Download the QuranGarden app and leave us a positive review.  God bless.