What Is the Interpretation of the Verse: “Treat Them Fairly.” [Quran, 4:19]?


Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

What is the interpretation of the verse: “Treat them fairly.” [Quran, 4:19]?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

Al-Ma‘ruf (Fairly)

It refers to everything that sound and pure human nature is inclined to, and which is neither rejected by Sacred Law, custom, nor a sense of morality.

Allah’s command, “Treat them fairly.” [Quran, 4:19], was revealed in response to how women were mistreated in the pre-Islamic period of ignorance. Back then, men would often treat women harshly, using rough words and causing harm to them.

“Treat them fairly,” means to treat women with kind words, good deeds, and fairness in matters like financial support and time spent together.

Men and Women Have Similar Rights

A husband should not frown at her without reason, nor should he be harsh or display favoritism toward another. Women, by nature, are sensitive and emotional beings, and they desire from men the same love and care that men seek from them. Allah (Most High) said:

“Women have rights similar to those of men equitably.” [Quran, 2:228]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said:

“The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.” [Tirmidhi]

Summary

In conclusion, the purpose of Allah’s command to treat women well is to create an atmosphere of happiness, calm, stability, and a joyful life for both spouses, which in turn promotes the well-being of the entire family. [See: Zuhayli, al-Tafsir al-Munir]

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa

Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.

He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.

He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.

Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.