Christian
Churches of God
No. Q058
Commentary on the Koran: Surah 58
“The Woman that Disputes”
(Edition 1.0 20180423-20180423)
The Surah concerns divorce and the revelations of divorce both here and
in Surah 33 which was revealed after this Surah which comes from the Fourth or
Fifth Year of the Hijrah in 625 or 626 CE as does Surah 33.
Christian
Churches of God
E-mail: secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright
© 2018 Wade Cox and Alan Brach)
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Commentary on the Koran: Surah 58 “The Woman that Disputes”
Pickthall Translation; Bible
Quotes are from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
Introduction
Al-Mujadilah “She who
Disputeth” takes its name from a word in verse 1.
A Woman had come to the
Prophet with a specific complaint that her husband had put her away for no just
cause and employing an old pagan formula,
saying that “her back was for him as the back of his mother” and she
disputed with the Prophet because he would take no action until the revelation
was given to him in this Surah. There is a brief reference to this method of
getting rid of wives in Surah 33:4. Therefore this Surah must have preceded
Surah 33 as the Musliman saw it. The Prophet and church ruled that wives could
not be put away for a lie and that no one could be as a mother except the ones
that gave them birth or was an actual mother to them as a wife of their father
(1Cor. 5:5).
The Surah is revealed
in the same year as Surah 33 in the Fourth or Fifth year of the Hijrah in 625
to 626 CE.
58.1. Allah hath heard the saying of her that disputeth with thee
(Muhammad) concerning her husband, and complaineth unto Allah. And Allah
heareth your colloquy. Lo! Allah is Hearer, Knower.
58.2. Such of you as put away your wives (by saying they are as their
mothers) - They are not their mothers; none are their mothers except those who
gave them birth - they indeed utter an ill word and a lie. And lo! Allah is
Forgiving, Merciful.
58.3.
Those who put away their wives (by saying they are as their mothers) and
afterward would go back on that which they have said, (the penalty) in that
case (is) the freeing of a slave before they touch one another. Unto this ye
are exhorted; and Allah is Informed of what ye do.
[The verses are
referred to in Surah 33:4]
58.4. And
he who findeth not (the wherewithal), let him fast for two successive months
before they touch one another; and for him who is unable to do so (the penance
is) the feeding of sixty needy ones. This, that ye may put trust in Allah and
His messenger. Such are the limits (imposed by Allah); and for disbelievers is
a painful doom.
58.5. Lo!
those who oppose Allah and His messenger will be abased even as those before
them were abased; and We have sent down clear tokens, and for disbelievers is a
shameful doom
58.6. On the day when Allah will raise them all together and inform
them of what they did. Allah hath kept account of it while they forgot it. And
Allah is Witness over all things.
Psalm 94:9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He
who formed the eye, does he not see?
Daniel 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him.
Ephesians 5:28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their
own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
1Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way,
showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you
of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
1Corinthians 7:3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and
likewise the wife to her husband.
Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on
the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries
a divorced woman commits adultery.
To put away your wife who is an heir with you of the grace of life by saying
she is to you as her mother is utterly disgusting when she has been faithful to
you. Verses 3 to 4 above state the expiatory actions that need to be taken by
the husband before he can look forward to his conjugal rights from his wife.
James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
Psalm 138:6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty
he knows from afar.
Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of
heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk
in pride he is able to humble.
Even Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by his creator.
Refer to Romans 1:19-20 in Commentary
on the Koran: Surah 16 (No. Q016) at ayat 3, and Revelation 20:12 in Commentary on the
Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017) at ayat 15.
During the Second Resurrection
all of humanity who opposed God in their physical lives will be raised to face the
record of their deeds and they will be reeducated. The veils over their hearts
and minds will be lifted and they will be brought to right knowledge and understanding.
58.7. Hast thou not seen that Allah knoweth all that is in the heavens
and all that is in the earth? There is
no secret conference of three but He is their fourth, nor of five but He is
their sixth, nor of less than that or more but He is with them wheresoever they
may be; and afterward, on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what
they did. Lo! Allah is Knower of all things.
58.8. Hast
thou not observed those who were forbidden conspiracy and afterward returned to
that which they had been forbidden, and (now) conspire together for crime and
wrongdoing and disobedience toward the messenger? And when they come unto thee
they greet thee with a greeting wherewith Allah greeteth thee not, and say
within themselves: Why should Allah punish us for what we say? Hell will
suffice them; they will feel the heat thereof - a hapless journey's end!
See Ecclesiastes 12:14 in Commentary on
the Koran: Surah 47 (No. Q047) at ayat 30.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything
secret that will not be known and come to light.
Isaiah 29:15 Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are
in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”
Jeremiah 23:24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see
him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.
Psalm 21:11 Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief,
they will not succeed.
Psalm 105:15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”
Refer to Commentary on the
Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017) for Revelation 20:15 at ayat 15 and 2Corinthians
5:10 at ayat 36.
58.9. O
ye who believe! When ye conspire together, conspire not together for crime and
wrongdoing and disobedience toward the messenger, but conspire together for
righteousness and piety, and keep your duty toward Allah, unto whom ye will be
gathered.
See Ecclesiastes 12:13 in Commentary on the
Koran: Surah 46 (No. Q046) at ayat 12.
Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to
purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good
works.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good
works,
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of
you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to
serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13and
to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you
today for your good?
Refer to Ecclesiastes 12:7 in Commentary on the
Koran: Surah 19 (No. Q019) at ayat 40 and Micah 6:8 in Commentary on Koran:
Surah 30 (No. Q030) at ayat 31.
58.10. Lo! Conspiracy is only of the
devil, that he may vex those who believe; but he can harm them not at all
unless by Allah's leave. In Allah let believers put their trust.
See Psalm 105:15 at ayat 58.8 above.
1Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Job 1:12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand.
Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the
presence of the LORD.
Satan is only allowed to do what God permits.
Psalm 9:10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O
LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
58.11. O ye who believe! when it is
said unto you, Make room! in assemblies, then make room; Allah will make way
for you (hereafter). And when it is said, Come up higher! go up higher; Allah
will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high
ranks. Allah is Informed of what ye do.
James 2:3-4 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and
say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand
over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4have you not then made
distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Proverbs 25:7 For better is it that it be said unto
thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of
the prince, whom thine eyes have seen. (ERV)
Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so
that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you
will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
1Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that
at the proper time he may exalt you,
1John 3:20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart,
and he knows everything.
Refer to Revelation 20:6 in Commentary
on the Koran: Surah 44 (No. Q044) at ayat 57.
58.12. O
ye who believe! When ye hold conference with the messenger, offer an alms
before your conference. That is better and purer for you. But if ye cannot find
(the wherewithal) then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
58.13.
Fear ye to offer alms before your conference? Then, when ye do it not and Allah
hath forgiven you, establish worship and pay the poor-due and obey Allah and
His messenger. And Allah is Aware of what ye do.
See Daniel 9:9 at ayat 58.6 above.
Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we
must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself
said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for
such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
2Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord
may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you.
Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and
supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making
supplication for all the saints,
John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and
truth.
Deuteronomy 26:12-13 When you have finished paying all the tithe of your
produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the
Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat
within your towns and be filled, 13then you shall say before the
LORD your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and
moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the
widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not
transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.
See 1John 3:20 at ayat 58.11 above.
See also Ecclesiastes 12:13 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 46 (No. Q046) at ayat 12.
58.14. Hast thou not seen those who take for friends a folk with whom
Allah is wroth? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear a false
oath knowingly.
58.15.
Allah hath prepared for them a dreadful doom. Evil indeed is that which they
are wont to do.
58.16.
They make a shelter of their oaths and turn (men) from the way of Allah; so
theirs will be a shameful doom.
58.17. Their wealth and their children will avail them naught against Allah.
Such are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein.
58.18. On the day when Allah will raise them all together, then will they
swear unto Him as they (now) swear unto you, and they will fancy that they have
some standing. Lo! is it not they who are the liars?
58.19. The
devil hath engrossed them and so hath caused them to forget remembrance of
Allah. They are the devil's party. Lo! is it not the devil's party who will be
the losers?
58.20. Lo!
those who oppose Allah and His messenger, they will be among the lowest.
58.21.
Allah hath decreed: Lo! I verily shall conquer, I and My messengers. Lo! Allah
is Strong, Almighty.
58.22. Thou wilt not find folk who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving
those who oppose Allah and His messenger, even though they be their fathers or
their sons or their brethren or their clan. As for such, He hath written faith
upon their hearts and hath strengthened them with a Spirit from Him, and He
will bring them into Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will
abide. Allah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him.
They are Allah's party. Lo! is it not Allah's party who are the successful?
See Psalm 21:11 at ayat 58.8 above. Also Proverbs
21:30 at ayat 47.1 and Jeremiah 9:23 in
ayat 47.13 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 47
(No. Q047).
Refer to Revelation
20:11-15 in Commentary on the
Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017) at ayat 15.
Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does
not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
2Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of
the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory
of Christ, who is the image of God.
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your
father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in
the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his
own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Psalm 49:6-8 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of
their riches? 7Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the
price of his life, 8for the ransom of their life is costly and can
never suffice,
Job 5:12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve
no success,
Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor
angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left
house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake
and for the gospel, 30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this
time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with
persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
1Samuel 12:24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.
For consider what great things he has done for you.
Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens
to be rich will not go unpunished.
2Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard
you against the evil one.
See Romans 1:18 at ayat 45.17 and James 4:4 at ayat
45.20 in Surah 45.
Refer to Psalm 147:5 in Commentary
on the Koran: Surah 33 (No. Q033) at ayat 2, and Revelation 20:6 Commentary on the
Koran: Surah 44 (No. Q044) at ayat 57.
Divorce except for adultery or violence is not permitted
q