Page 44 - The Mercy of Believers

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THE MERCY OF BELIEVERS

Not inheriting women against their will

You who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit
women by force. Nor may you treat them harshly so
that you can make off with part of what you have
given them, unless they commit an act of flagrant in-
decency. Live together with them correctly and cour-
teously… (Surat an-Nisa': 19)
Allah warns believers against inheriting women
against their will, except in situations in which women
commit an explicit indecency. Never exerting any pres-
sure on women, believing men allow women to make use
of their possessions in any way they please after divorce.
However, we must bear in mind that, being so scrupu-
lous comes from observing Qur'anic morality. Due to be-
lievers' adherence to Qur'anic principles firmly based on
the fear of Allah, there is no diminution of the mercy
shown by them to women, no matter what the circum-
stances. Indeed, even in an environment where there is no
one to bear witness to their conduct, their compassionate
attitude never alters. Aware that Allah witnesses every
deed they do, believers commit themselves to never
swerving from moral perfection.
In the Qur'an, there are numerous other verses about
the measures that secure the protection of women with
compassion and the prevention of their suffering. All
these explicitly reveal how Qur'anic morality encourages
the showing of mercy to women and how believers com-
mit themselves to displaying this noble attitude.