Surah An-Nisa 4:1
سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ · Medinan · Verse 1 of 176
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍۢ وَٰحِدَةٍۢ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًۭا كَثِيرًۭا وَنِسَآءًۭ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًۭا
Translation
People, be mindful of your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and from it created its mate, and from the pair of them spread countless men and women far and wide; be mindful of God, in whose name you make requests of one another. Beware of severing the ties of kinship: God is always watching over you.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a profound call, grounding all that follows in our fundamental relationship with Allah and with one another. Let us approach it with a humble heart, seeking to be shaped by its wisdom.
A Universal Call to Mindfulness
The verse begins with "يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ" (Ya ayyuhan-nas), meaning "O humankind." This address is remarkably inclusive, speaking to all people, regardless of their beliefs or background. It reminds us that the message isn't just for a select few, but for every soul. Allah, the speaker, immediately commands "اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ" (ittaqu Rabbakum), which means "be mindful of your Lord," or "fear your Lord." This mindfulness, known as *taqwa*, encompasses both fearing Allah's displeasure and seeking His pleasure by obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions.
Our Common Origin
Why should we be mindful of Him? The verse explains: "الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ" (alladhee khalaqakum min nafsin wahidah), "who created you from a single soul." Scholars agree this "single soul" is our father, Adam, peace be upon him. This highlights a universal truth: all humanity shares a common origin. From this single soul, Allah "وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا" (wa khalaqa minha zawjaha), "and created from it its mate," referring to Hawa (Eve) from Adam. This creation from a part of Adam underscores Allah's unique power and the deep connection between man and woman. Then, from both of them, Allah "وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً" (wa baththa minhuma rijalan katheeran wa nisaa), "and dispersed from them many men and women." The word "بَثَّ" (baththa) implies scattering or spreading widely, signifying the vast numbers of descendants who populated the earth. This shared ancestry should foster a sense of unity, humility, and mutual compassion among all people, reminding us that we are all brothers and sisters.
Mindful of Allah, Mindful of Kinship
The command to *taqwa* is repeated, but with a slight, profound shift: "وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ" (wattaqu Allaha alladhee tasaa'aloona bihi wal-arham), meaning "and be mindful of Allah by whom you ask one another, and of the wombs/kinship." The first call to *taqwa* used "ربكم" (your Lord), emphasizing Allah's nurturing and benevolent role, encouraging us through gratitude. The second call uses "الله" (Allah), highlighting His majesty and awe, serving as a reminder of His power and authority when setting laws.
"تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ" (tasaa'aloona bihi) refers to how people invoke Allah's name in their daily interactions, such as when making requests or taking oaths ("I ask you by Allah"). This shows how Allah's greatness is acknowledged even in human affairs. Coupled with this is "وَالْأَرْحَامَ" (wal-arham), meaning "and the ties of kinship." Most scholars interpret this as a command to be mindful of kinship ties, to uphold them and not sever them. Some readings and interpretations also indicate that just as people invoke Allah's name, they also used to invoke kinship ties in their appeals. In both cases, the Quran elevates the importance of respecting Allah's name and maintaining strong family bonds.
Allah is Ever Watching
The verse concludes with a powerful reminder: "إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا" (Inna Allaha kana alaikum Raqeeba), "Indeed, Allah is ever, over you, an Observer." The word "رَقِيبًا" (Raqeeb) means an Ever-Watchful Guardian. It conveys that Allah is constantly aware of all our actions, thoughts, and intentions, whether public or private. This knowledge should instill both hope in His mercy and a healthy fear of His justice, prompting us to live with conscious awareness of His presence. This attribute of being *Raqeeb* underlines the gravity of the commands to *taqwa*, urging us to uphold our duties to Him and to humanity.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Nisa 4:1 is discussed in 24 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- Women (Nisa') (key verse)
- Kinship (Rahim)
- Mankind (Nas)
- Marriage (Nikah)
- Reconciliation (Silm)
- Prophet Adam
- The Family (Usrah)
- Reconciliation (Islah)
- Motherhood (Umumah)
- Man (Insan)
- Manliness (Rujulah)
- Mercy (Rahmah)
- Sonship (Bunuwwah)
- Adoption (Tabanni)
- Piety (Taqwa)
- Creation (Khalq)
- Understanding (Fiqh)
- The Heart (Qalb)
- The Self (Nafs)
- Unity (Wahdah)
- Responsibility (Mas'uliyyah)
- Reproach (Itab)
- Social Relations (Alaqat Ijtima'iyyah)
- Racism (Unsariyyah)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Nisa 4:1 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.