The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, has illuminated the path to salvation throughout the winding course of human history, and with its luminous verses, has addressed the reform of social distortions and injustices. One of these verses, verse 127 of Surah An-Nis, shines like a brilliant gem, emphasising justice and equity in the treatment of vulnerable groups. This treatise, through reflection on this noble verse and scholarly lectures, examines the condition of women, orphans, and the elderly within the context of history and society, and presents these concepts in an elegant, scientific, and coherent manner. The aim is not only to elucidate the Quranic meanings but also to invite contemplation on the human and divine values which, like a pure stream, vitalise human communities.
Throughout history, two groups have persistently been trapped in the straits of oppression and injustice: women and orphans. These two segments, like birds with broken wings, were deprived of their fundamental rights in previous societies. Women, who in pre-Islamic cultures were regarded as worthless commodities, and orphans, whose defenselessness made them vulnerable to exploitation, were caught in a cycle of deprivation. The Holy Quran, by the revelation of verses such as verse 127 of Surah An-Nis, like a sun shining in darkness, endeavoured to rectify these injustices.
This deprivation stemmed from unjust social structures that labelled women as weak and assigned their inheritance to be half that of men, and their blood money to be only a fraction of that of men. This inequality was rooted not only in material rights but also in social perceptions of women. The Holy Quran took a significant step towards correcting these distortions by legislating laws regarding inheritance and womens rights, although cultural and social obstacles posed challenges to the full realisation of these reforms.
In contemporary times, a third vulnerable group has been added: the elderly. This group, once pillars of family stability, sometimes now find themselves defenseless against the greed of their own children. Reports indicate an increase in the number of elderly in welfare centres; elders who, due to illness, old age, or poverty, have been cast out of their homes or had their assets plundered. This situation, like a thorn in the foot of society, reflects the severance of family bonds and the violation of ethical values.
The Holy Quran, by emphasising benevolence towards parents, condemns such injustice. In a noble verse it states:
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا
And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. (Quran 17:23)
This verse, like a clear mirror, reminds children of their duty to respect and support their parents, and condemns any form of disrespect or injustice towards them.
Women, orphans, and the elderly are like three branches of a robust tree, in need of support and justice. The Holy Quran, with its luminous verses, like a compassionate gardener, endeavours to nurture these branches. This section, by looking at the historical background of these groups, highlighted the necessity of reforming social structures and emphasised the role of the Holy Quran in this path.
Verse 127 of Surah An-Nis, like a precious jewel in the shell of the Holy Quran, elucidates the rights of orphaned women, vulnerable children, and the necessity of justice in dealing with orphans:
وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِي النِّسَاءِ ۖ قُلِ اللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ فِي يَتَامَى النِّسَاءِ اللَّاتِي لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَنْ تَنْكِحُوهُنَّ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الْوِلْدَانِ وَأَنْ تَقُومُوا لِلْيَتَامَىٰ بِالْقِسْطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِ عَلِيمًا
And they ask you about women. Say, God gives you judgement concerning them and what is recited to you in the Book concerning orphaned women to whom you do not give what is decreed for them, and [concerning] those whom you desire to marry, and the weak among children, and that you maintain justice towards orphans. And whatever good you do, indeed God is ever Knowing of it.
This verse, like a lighthouse, guides just behaviour towards vulnerable groups and emphasises the necessity of equity and benevolence.
The noble verse, with a decisive tone, conveys the divine ruling in response to inquiries about women. This ruling addresses not only the rights of orphaned women but also the vulnerable children and the necessity of justice in dealings with orphans. The phrase وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِي النِّسَاءِ (They ask you about women) indicates the importance of womens issues in that society, prompting questioners to seek divine guidance. The divine response flows like a clear river on three axes: the rights of orphaned women, the support of vulnerable children, and justice in dealings with orphans.
The phrase اللَّاتِي لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ refers to the deprivation of orphaned women from their rights, such as their dower. This deprivation, coupled with the greed to marry them for their beauty or wealth, signifies compounded injustice. Likewise, the phrase وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الْوِلْدَانِ refers to vulnerable orphans deprived of protection due to their helplessness. The core of the verdict lies in the phrase وَأَنْ تَقُومُوا لِلْيَتَامَىٰ بِالْقِسْطِ, which makes just treatment of orphans obligatory.
Justice, like a precise scale, measures fairness in dealings with orphans. This concept has two key aspects: first, preserving the mother-child bond, such that marrying the orphans mother entails accepting responsibility for her child. Second, safeguarding the orphans assets to protect them from plunder and misuse. These principles, like steadfast pillars, constitute the foundations of social justice within the Quranic system.
The Holy Quran emphasises the protection of orphans property in another verse:
وَآتُوا الْيَتَامَىٰ أَمْوَالَهُمْ
And give the orphans their property. (Quran 4:2)
This verse, like a vigilant guardian, safeguards the material rights of orphans and forbids any infringement upon their possessions.
Verse 127 of Surah An-Nis, like a clear mirror, reflects the Quranic justice in support of orphaned women and vulnerable children. This verse, by emphasising justice, not only highlights a rational ruling but also, with its novelty amid pre-Islamic ignorance, opens a new path towards equity and benevolence. Analysis of this verse reveals the profound perspective of the Holy Quran in reforming social distortions.
Verse 127 of Surah An-Nis, according to some religious scholars, emphasises rational judgments more than presenting a novel religious verdict. Justice, like a
