The 4th Page of the Quran: A Blueprint for Justice in Surah An-Nisa

Beginning a new chapter in the Quran is always a significant moment. After the foundational beliefs and stories of the initial surahs, turning to page 4 introduces you to Surah An-Nisa, "The Women." This page marks a pivotal shift, moving from core principles to their practical application in building a righteous and compassionate community. For the modern reader, it is a powerful entry point into Islam's social vision.

This article provides a detailed exploration of this page, including its direct verses in English, to uncover the timeless wisdom it holds for creating a just society.

The Gateway to Social Legislation: Context of Page 4

In the standard Madani Mus'haf, the fourth page encompasses the beginning of Surah An-Nisa, from Verse 1 to a segment of Verse 23. Revealed in Medina after the Muslim community was established, this surah serves as a constitutional framework. The title, "The Women," immediately signals a central theme: the reformation of society through the protection and elevation of those who were most vulnerable.

A Thematic Journey Through the Verses: Translation and Meaning

Let's navigate the key passages on this page, exploring their translation and the profound concepts they introduce.

1. The Universal Call to Consciousness and Shared Origin

The surah opens not just to Muslims, but to all of humanity, with a powerful reminder of our common roots:

"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"
"O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer." (Quran 4:1)

This verse establishes the fundamental equality of all human beings. By stating that we all originate from a single soul (Nafs), it dismantles any basis for racial, tribal, or gender superiority. The call to "fear Allah" (Taqwa) is linked to respecting the ties of kinship (Arham), making God-consciousness the foundation of social ethics.

2. The Mandate for Protecting the Vulnerable

Immediately after establishing human equality, the Quran zeroes in on the most vulnerable members of society: orphans.

"وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَبَدَّلُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ بِٱلطَّيِّبِ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حُوبًا كَبِيرًا"
"And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin." (Quran 4:2)

In a pre-Islamic society where guardians often usurped orphaned children's inheritance, this was a revolutionary decree. It establishes a divine legal principle: the wealth of the vulnerable is a sacred trust. The strong language—"a great sin" (Hubdan Kabiran)—leaves no room for ambiguity, creating a social welfare system rooted in moral and legal accountability.

3. Regulating Marriage with the Cornerstone of Justice

The context of this revelation is crucial. Following the Battle of Uhud, where many Muslim men were martyred, the community faced a crisis of widows and orphans without protectors. The Quran provided a regulated solution:

"وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟"
"And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]." (Quran 4:3)

This verse is often cited in discussions on polygyny. The critical, often overlooked, element is the conditional "if you fear you will not be just." The primary objective was to ensure care for widows and orphans within the family structure of that era. By making absolute justice a strict prerequisite, the verse does not encourage multiple marriages; it severely restricts them. It effectively establishes monogamy as the norm for anyone who cannot guarantee perfect fairness, a standard the Quran itself later suggests is nearly impossible to achieve (4:129).

4. Establishing Women's Financial Independence

Directly following the discussion on marriage is a verse that grants women a clear economic right:

"وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ صَدُقَـٰتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً ۚ فَإِن طِبْنَ لَكُمْ عَن شَىْءٍ مِّنْهُ نَفْسًا فَكُلُوهُ هَنِيٓـًٔا مَّرِيٓـًٔا"
"And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease." (Quran 4:4)

This verse mandates the "Mahr," a bridal gift given by the husband to the wife. It is her exclusive property, a financial security and a symbol of respect, not a dowry paid to her family. This was a radical empowerment in a society where women were themselves considered inheritable property. The verse acknowledges her agency, stating that only if she willingly gives part of it back can it be accepted.

5. Defining the Moral Fabric of Society

The page continues with instructions on managing wealth for those who are weak-minded and then delves into the intricate laws of inheritance, ensuring a fair distribution among family members. It culminates in a detailed list of those whom one is forbidden to marry (Mahram).

"حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمْ أُمَّهَـٰتُكُمْ وَبَنَاتُكُمْ وَأَخَوَٰتُكُمْ وَعَمَّـٰتُكُمْ وَخَـٰلَـٰتُكُمْ..."
"Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters..." (Quran 4:23, excerpt)

This list is not merely a set of restrictions; it is the divine blueprint for a healthy, incest-free family structure. By clearly defining marital prohibitions, the Quran protects lineage, strengthens familial bonds beyond the immediate household, and fosters a wider, morally secure social network.

The Enduring Relevance of Page 4

The fourth page of the Quran is a masterclass in social engineering through divine guidance. It begins with the universal—our shared humanity—and moves to the specific, outlining laws that protect orphans, empower women, and structure family life with justice and clarity.

For the contemporary reader, these verses are far from archaic. They speak directly to ongoing global conversations about wealth inequality, the rights of women and children, and the importance of strong, ethical family units. They demonstrate that in Islam, faith is inseparable from social action, and that true piety is reflected in how we treat the most vulnerable among us.

By starting Surah An-Nisa with these powerful decrees, the Quran challenges every generation to build a society where dignity, justice, and compassion are not just ideals, but living realities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main subject of Surah An-Nisa?
A: Surah An-Nisa is a Medinian chapter that functions as a primary source of Islamic social legislation. It comprehensively addresses laws of inheritance, marriage, family structure, and the rights of women, orphans, and the vulnerable, all within the framework of building a just community.

Q: Is the 4th page the same in all printings of the Quran?
A: The standard 15-line "Madani" Mus'haf, used by most of the world, has consistent pagination. Page 4 will always contain the opening verses of Surah An-Nisa (1 to part of 23). Digital versions or prints with different line counts may vary slightly, but the content remains the same.

Q: Why is the condition of justice in Verse 4:3 so important?
A: The condition is the core ruling of the verse. It transforms polygyny from an unrestricted practice into a heavily regulated exception, contingent upon absolute fairness. This highlights the Quran's objective of reform and justice, making monogamy the practical and ethical standard for the vast majority of situations.