Mufti Menk – Issues raised in Surah Nisaa

			Bismillah al Rahman al Rahim In the name of Allah subhanho wa Taala the Most Gracious the Most
Merciful Alhamdulillah indeed All praise is due to Allah subhanho wa Taala preys upon all conditions
the difficulties we go through are nothing for Allah subhanho wa Taala to resolve May he resolve
them May He grant us ease. May He open our doors no matter what we are suffering, no matter what we
may be, may be going through, we ask Allah Subhana Allah to Allah to grant us ease in that and to
overcome for us these problems, issues and difficulties still we say Alhamdulillah Allah Callaghan,
we praise Allah upon all conditions are Salatu was Salam ala rasulillah Allah Allah He was happy as
		

			human we send blessings and salutations upon Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, his household,
his companions, those who struggled over the centuries for the dean to be preserved for it to come
to us today such that we are sitting in the house of Allah subhanho wa Taala. With this Dean, may we
appreciate the effort by sending blessings upon them and may we be from among those who fulfill the
right of this Deen to learn it, preserve it, take it seriously put it into practice and convey it to
others so that the maker alone can be worshipped May Allah subhanho wa Taala strengthen every one of
us. I mean, my beloved brothers and sisters, a beautiful evening from amongst the blessing Eve's of
		

			the month of Ramadan, we feel the softening of the heart, the calmness within this beautiful house
of Allah subhanho wa Taala just after we have engaged in so much in terms of worshiping Allah
subhanho wa Taala Surely if we can engage in that which is voluntary, for the sake of Allah, it
should strengthen us regarding that which is compulsory for the sake of Allah subhanho wa Taala.
That is a point that we need to ponder over and reflect and do something about. We read Surah Nisa
this evening, which is the chapter named after women. Allah subhanho wa Taala says so many things in
the surah but I want to start off with something that might surprise you. He speaks about the
		

			prohibition of suicide. While a taboo for Sakuma in law, how can I become rahima? Don't ever commit
suicide? Allah says, what not to do. Do not kill yourselves for Indeed, Allah is most merciful upon
you. In the next verse, he actually says those who do that shall be cast into hellfire.
		

			May Allah grant us a deep understanding. Today we are searching for contentment. The difficulty is
we are searching for it in the disobedience of Allah. As a result, we become discontent. We are
people who lost even the little that we've had, because while searching for happiness, we are
looking for it in money in material items. We're looking for it in illicit relationships. We're
looking for it in intoxicants in gambling in drugs, we will never ever find contentment except
through the owner of contentment, who is your maker and mine? Is that you will Jalan if you worship
Him, you will find that happiness, the one who believes the one who disbelieves Allah says something
		

			in the same surah which is amazing. He says, We both will suffer the believer and the disbeliever
they shall both go through difficult times. They shall both be in pain. But Allah says we want you
to know what Jonah mean Allah.
		

			Joe, the difference is you have hope in Allah, what they don't have. Number one is, your belief will
make it easy for you to go through the difficulties. It brings you closer to Allah don't we agree my
brothers and sisters, those who are in greater hardship, in most cases their hearts are softened
towards Allah subhanho wa Taala and many times when life is very easy and everything is flowing, we
find ourselves distinct from the Almighty. So the almighty taps us and tells us you know, I need you
to come closer to me if this is going to be the only way that you're going to come closer to me so
be it and suddenly you have a difficulty or hardship you turn to Allah you are found in the masjid
		

			brother, sister What happened? And you say I'm going through hardship Allahu Akbar, that was the
mercy of Allah. So Allah says, We have hope. Even if we don't get what we want in this world, we
still have hope that all the supplications we've engaged in the data that we've made will result in
our entry into Jenna because do our alone is an act of worship. Do our
		

			On its own when you supplicate and call out to Allah on its own, it is confirming the greatness of
your maker. That's why you are calling out to Allah. So even if you don't get what you want, keep on
asking, you will have hope in one of two things either Allah will give you what you are asking or
Allah will keep it for you in the hereafter in a bigger way. And when you see the beauty of what you
shall receive in the Hereafter, you will be from among those who really thanks Allah for not having
given you what you wanted earlier, because that which you will receive later is going to be
everlasting. Match and if you ask Allah for goodness in this world, you get it. How long will it
		

			last? Maximum? If you're lucky, say bonus Capetown, 100 years Mashallah.
		

			But Subhana Allah beyond that will that goodness last then forever and ever and ever you need
another goodness. So in the dunya here we are taught whenever you ask for goodness in this world, do
not forget the Hereafter, it is the hereafter that is actually abaca meaning it is going to be it is
everlasting. We heard this verse in Surah. Allah tonight which was recited by the Imam in Salah to
return
		

			well as hirato
		

			Allah says, You all tend to love that which is immediate in terms of this world, we want you to know
the Hereafter is better and it is everlasting. Wow. So when you are working work for goodness in
this world, it does not mean that you are religious. So you you cannot afford to look at the best of
cars and homes. If Allah has blessed you with that wealth and it's Hillel. Alhamdulillah you're
paying your soccer you're giving your charity and so on. You are allowed to have good things in this
world and ask Allah for goodness, but not at the expense of the hereafter. We don't do Haram. When
we do Haram. You know what happens? They comes a stage when we become suicidal. I've had many cases
		

			of people who ask for help because they are suicidal when you dig a little bit deep. A lot of them.
The reasoning would be connected to sin. We are far from Allah, involved in sin, a life of
disobedience. Where do we expect that happiness? So Allah subhanho wa Taala says no matter what,
turn back to Allah, no matter what you've done, have opened the mercy of Allah keep asking have that
hope. There are so many of us who are trying to achieve something and we cannot achieve it nowadays.
To find the job is not so easy anymore. keep on looking, keep on trying, the day you give up is the
day all hope is lost. But in the eyes of Allah, for as long as you do not give up. Allah never gives
		

			up Subhana Allah, you want to keep going, Allah will keep going. Imagine this is a verse of Surah
Nisa, who would have expected it, another very interesting verse that comes up in the same surah we
have a difficulty all of us here our brothers and sisters, those who are outside who are not even
Muslim, our brothers and sisters in humanity, we tend to forget this at times, we tend to think they
are our enemies. No they are not. They are our brothers and sisters in humanity. Many of us have
family members who are not Muslim, they are still your family members. Many of us have parents who
are not Muslim, they are still your parents, you still need to fulfill their rights Be kind to them
		

			understand that the ultimate judge is Allah Your duty is to convey goodness to them in the best
possible way. So Allah subhanahu wa tada addresses this matter in a unique way in more than one
verse of this beautiful surah. But an interesting verse was regarding the wars that were taking
place, and the people who were traveling on earth when they saw someone who said a Salam aleikum to
them. They started doubting their hearts. Why is this person greeting me? They're not Muslim.
		

			Allah says or either
		

			be Yeah,
		

			man whoo Eva bada boom, Fiesta beanie,
		

			boo Neiman Rocco, eco como Santa malas Mina, you who believe when you go out in the cause of the
Almighty on earth and you are traveling, then you must authenticate thoroughly. And don't ever say
to someone who greets you with Salaam that you're not alone. You're not alone. Many brothers and
sisters Don't we have the disease today? small thing, a person nevermind Salaam they are eating the
Shahada. We are taught that if there is one sign what is the sign? They are saying a Salam aleikum
to you there is nothing to negate it openly. You cannot say this person is not a Muslim. They've
greeted you with Salam you take it at face value. May Allah subhanho wa Taala grant us an
		

			understanding the disease we face today. People are saying the Shahada La ilaha illa Allah
		

			Muhammad Rasulullah Salallahu salam, we say this one is a cafe. This one is a facet. This one is a
fragile. This one is a machinic. This one is a mole head and all of the people are going to
jahannam. Within Why did Allah make Jenna
		

			who's going to be there? Just you.
		

			It is something to think about. You hear these people say those ones are going to the fire. Those
ones are saying these ones are going to the fire. A third party says both of you are going to go to
the fire. And the fourth one says no, no, no, all of you are going to go to the fire.
		

			Well Subhana Allah, may Allah subhanho wa Taala forgive us.
		

			Who's going to be in general we will be surprised. We will be surprised when we enter Jannah
brothers and sisters work towards gender work towards love. It's a religion of love. And goodness
Surah Nisa speaks about the family unit and how important it is to work with one another when we
have problems Allah says in Surah Nisa was soon
		

			no matter what to work your matters out and solve your problem is way better for you than to break a
relationship.
		

			That's in Surah Nisa, many of us are quick to break a relationship even its without its with our own
spouses, with our family members, without community members with people in the same Masjid. I recall
a brother telling me I no longer drive in this direction I go to a machine that's two kilometers
away. I said Why? He says this one uncle day that I have a problem with. I said brother in the other
Masjid soon you'll have a problem with two uncles because it's two miles away. Subhan Allah that's
not how we operate. greet each other genuinely you have a problem make an effort to resolve with
Surah Nisa says La Jolla, Rafi Kathy
		

			11 lamb and Mr. Ravi sada cotton
		

			in Islam.
		

			There is no goodness in the private meetings that we have in order to strive to achieve something
unless it is encouraging something charitable. You know, it's not easy to give. Many of us have, the
more we get, the less we give. can I prove it to you?
		

			can I prove it to you Subhana Allah, those who earn 1000 rands when they give they give 100 grands
20 rands, 50, rands work out the percentage and those who have 100 million, how much do they give?
It's become a small figure percentage wise, why? They're excuses. My money is tied up when we don't
want to tie be tied up in our graves one day, and in the hereafter. You see all the palaces of
everyone, what's going on here? Well, your palace is all tied up, isn't it? So panela you need to do
something about it. My brothers and sisters, you cannot keep on thinking that I'm going to amass and
amass you're going to go to Allah the winners are those who have spent in the cause. That's why the
		

			Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him says, Those who have the greatest reward for the charities are
those who give while they're fearing that they might lose out themselves or get into poverty, but
they have hope that Allah will never do that for them.
		

			That's the best charity. So learn to give this is a month of Ramadan, isn't it a month of charity,
Allah He my brothers and sisters, don't hesitate. Don't just give out the zakka You know, when we
have Salah, we have the forum and on top of that we have sooner and nothing. When we have charities
we have the soccer and on top of that we have sadaqat and that which is voluntary, we need to give
out more more than what just Allah has asked us for. I can't just work two and a half percent of my
savings etc. and say like this is for us. That's it and I'm not going to give more. We have to give
more because when you give more, you are now proving that you are the one who has a feeling for
		

			others. The minute you have this compassion towards others, you're a true movement. Do you know why?
Because can Allahu Allah de Makana II Allah continues to assist the worship for as long as that
worship continues to assist another.
		

			So Han Allah Subhana Allah, you want the help of Allah, you have a problem, quickest way of solving
the problem go and help others in the bigger problem.
		

			You will realize how small your matter is the suicidal issue we spoke about earlier will become such
that you look at yourself and say I can't believe I was suicide. Look at these people. They are
living so happily, and they have less than me Subhana Allah, they have less than me. Today we took
we take a look at the wars that are taking place across the globe. The minimum we can do is reach
out to them through our law and through a charitable token token to say those who are working to
bring them food and drink clothing and accommodation. Let us at least contribute in that direction.
May Allah subhanho wa Taala grant us acceptance so Allah says those meetings we all have. What are
		

			they for? When you have a meeting, everyone is giving it a lot of importance you close
		

			Your dogs and you want to discuss something, mostly it's to do with money. Allah says the goodness
of those meetings will only be reaped by those who are discussing charity, charitable deeds. That's
why I diverted a little bit to speak about charity.
		

			And then
		

			maruf means goodness, some form of goodness that we are doing. We are encouraging something really
good amongst each other. So we have a meeting to encourage goodness, not for myself for each other.
Remember, you want to do good. A lot of the times another person has to be involved because you're
going to be doing good to someone Subhan Allah, by doing good to someone, you're actually doing good
to yourself. If I want to earn genital fair dose, there are
		

			two primary ways of achieving it and many other ways but two primary ways what are they? The koala
has no Loki, I developed my relation with Allah and I develop my relationship with the rest of the
creatures of the same Allah. One is known as consciousness of Allah. The other one is known as the
height of goodness in character and conduct, which would include include being charitable, being
kind, being respectful, uttering words that are beautiful. That's how I get Jenna.
		

			In this month of Ramadan, I want every one of us to make a promise.
		

			Starting with myself, all the vulgar, hurtful and abusive words we utter, we will cut them We
promise a law that is that a good enough promise? Are we promising Allah?
		

			That was not loud enough, I think some of them are still thinking. All those ifs and B's that I
attend. That's the reality. We pepper our speech with dirty words and we are meaning and it's the
month of Ramadan, and we cannot promise a lot to cut it out. You will achieve so much of respect as
a human being when you speak respectfully. That's all Allah promises that to you. You cut it out so
much. So the Hadith actually warns us
		

			about something that a lot of us are guilty of including myself, and that is slang.
		

			To stay away from slang, slang, speak proper language, no matter what language you speak, but speak
a proper language. You know, I thought about it very hard when I learned this hadith at the end of
Ricardo Salah him. And I thought about it I said, How come the prophets of Salaam is speaking about
slang to avoid slang. And I came to a conclusion some years later, that those who speak with good
words they are respected. So Islam is telling you, when you use kind, good respectful words
automatically, you're going to lead a life where everyone looks at you with respect. They're not
going to talk to you with cheap language, they know this person respects himself. So we must respect
		

			him to this sister respects herself, we must respect her too. But when your language is cheap, what
happens you drop yourself down the value of your own person becomes lower because cheap language. So
then I thank Allah and I still thank Allah and I've always thanked Allah. And I've always said Oh
Allah strengthen us to use beautiful language when we speak so that people can respect us and we
respect them as well. So that is a point that I would like everyone to promise. We become more
conscious of what we take out of our mouths, our wives, our husbands they deserve the most beautiful
language our parents, no matter how much you disagree with them, even your in laws deserve kind
		

			speech. Can you believe it? Subhana Allah
		

			May Allah subhanho wa Taala forgive us I was just checking if you guys were awake, you know, after a
long taraweeh Mashallah even your in laws deserve kind speech will lie, and it will solve a lot of
matters. Let's learn to respect one another, trust one another. Now we get to the crux of Surah
Nisa, I've spoken about it in this question. Many times Subhan Allah, Allah subhanho wa Taala
commences the surah with a warning for all of us to say fear Allah, be conscious of Allah. When
Allah says fear Allah, he doesn't want you to become scared. That's not the meaning of the term
fear. What he means is become conscious of the fact that there is heaven and * and work in the
		

			direction that you protect yourself from hellfire. That's the true meaning of taqwa and touch Allah
vena cava by another Billa he will try to create between you and the punishment of the Almighty a
barrier. So in short, we say fear Allah but it's actually fear the punishment of Allah
		

			because Allah is the most beloved, we should be loving Allah. We should be close to Allah we should
have hope in Allah all the names he uses when we read the Quran Rahmani Raheem, Rahim, etc, etc. all
the time we hear most Gracious most Merciful most forgiving beneficence etc, etc. These are the
lovely Names of Allah. So I love Allah and I want my children my family members, the oma to love
Allah. So I'm not scared but I am concerned because I fear the punishment of Allah.
		

			subhanho wa Taala there is a subtle difference there may Allah subhanahu wa taala protect us from
his wrath, his anger and punishment. So Allah says at the beginning of the surah and this verse is
repeated when people are getting married, you will hear Yeah.
		

			Soon Taco Bell como la de la la Cancun mean seeing
		

			what comes after that? Can we say
		

			a lot of you know it, many of you have forgotten the day you are married some Hana love forgotten.
There was a verse read all people be conscious of your job who created you from a single source,
single soul, and from it, its partner, and from the two of them cause the multitude of male and
female to spread across the entire globe and earth Sofia, he,
		

			Allah whose name you use to swear an oath, and be conscious of your family members, your relatives,
those whom you are connected to through the wombs, because Allah is the one who chose those rooms. I
didn't choose the womb that I was going to be in Allah chosen. So Allah warns us, that verse is
asking us to respect women.
		

			14 138 39 years back the hegira happened.
		

			These verses revealed.
		

			At a time when people used to abuse their women, I'd like to think that today we are getting back to
a new type of abuse.
		

			May Allah make us conscious of the fact
		

			that we have rights to fulfill people ask, well, who is higher? Isn't a man supposed to be higher
than a woman? It's a question a lot of people ask, you haven't understood, you haven't understood.
		

			We are equal in terms of closeness to the almighty as human beings we are equal in terms of
spirituality. Allah has physically created us different so we honor the difference of the physical
nature by taking into consideration and understanding the values that Allah has asked us to instill
within us regarding the opposite * both ways. So a man has a role to play, a woman has a role to
play, certain things are overlapping certain things, one cannot do the other one can and vice versa,
such as bearing a child, and so on so many things. I don't even need to mention them you would know.
But we cannot say she's lower. How can you say she's lower? In what way to Allah she might be
		

			higher. How many of us have heard of a Manhattan woman in a Chateau de la Juana? I asked you who is
higher you owe her. She's a woman. Subhan Allah way beyond. So it's your relationship with the
almighty that makes you higher than the other. Don't ever think that one is lower than the other in
terms of their access to the Almighty and their closeness. The closeness they could achieve. Perhaps
they may be even closer than you and I
		

			may Allah make it easy for us. But indeed, men are supposed to look after their family members.
They're supposed to look after
		

			their women. They're supposed to take care of a lot of what is required within the family. It's
something Allah placed on your shoulders. May Allah make it easy for us that was allowed amin Masha
Allah, may Allah may really make it easy for us then Mashallah, Mashallah. So my brothers and
sisters, the Surah Nisa commences in this way, it continues, where Allah says, Don't cheat your
women.
		

			Don't cheat your women, in what way? So Allah tells you, you know, when someone passes away his
wealth, the wealth needs to be distributed in a specific way. Don't cheat them don't undervalue the
buildings and don't hide the estate. They might be vulnerable at times because of orphans because of
them being orphaned,
		

			or whatever other reason, they may not be directly involved in that business, but you need to know
fulfill that right don't cheat them. I'd rather give them something that they're happy with that
they know is correct, than to cheat them and face the wrath of Allah subhanho wa Taala. That's why
Allah says those who have cheated in inheritance
		

			and they have shortchanged their women. Allah says, You defeated Luna on didn t ha, wha hoo, boo.
		

			It's very severe. Allah says that person will be entering Hellfire for a long time, you know,
holiday actually means forever. But then for Syrian say that it's either because you have turned
away from Allah completely by oppressing them or by cheating in inheritance or it's it means you
will be there for a very long time. May Allah subhanahu wa taala not make that happened to us. My
brothers and sisters, everyone loves wealth. Everyone loves nice things, but I repeat, not at the
expense of your link with your maker.
		

			You will never enjoy. Look at those who have won. And I actually went in to do a study, you can
actually Google it, it's quite easy. Those who've won lotteries have millions 90% of them suicidal,
go and read.
		

			I promise you, not a joke. 90% of them suicidal. Many of them did commit that suicide, read about
it, but they want 90 million 100,000,500 million 20 million, 2 million 5 million fingers that if we
were to hear them, we would just think they're Zimbabwean dollars.
		

			My brothers and sisters May Allah subhanahu wa taala grant us the ability to respect one another and
Allah says clearly in the Quran, you will fulfill each other's rights, like I said, mentioned is
made of the values of the family unit. And Allah says when you have a problem, don't seek divorce.
No, your first step is to solve the problem. And to try again and again. And if really there is
nothing that will be done about it, then you can consider divorce as a blessing. And when divorce
happens, Allah says don't become ugly. Don't start your mudslinging. Imagine all these verses and
Surah Nisa, what a
		

			Raka you've Nila.
		

			Sati. Allah says, ultimately at the end when you've tried to solve your matters more than once and
you haven't managed at the end, if you were then to divorce, Allah will bless both parties with
goodness, for as long as they're both good. Someone asks you You know what? I want to marry your ex
wife? How was she?
		

			What?
		

			The Sahaba the Allah who asked that question. In fact, the Sahaba of the allow us to go and say you
know what? I was married to her. We were two different people, but I think she'll get along with
you. Try saying that to someone here today.
		

			I don't know. May Allah forgive us? Sha Tina tied up, we might break the shackles and decide to
return that won't happen in Sharla that won't happen. May Allah subhanho wa Taala protect us but I'm
showing you how they respected each other they were married Allah says How could you talk bad about
each other when you undressed in front of each other which means they knew everything about you.
It's your duty Amana trust, to look after that you can say you know what, we didn't get along good
person we didn't get along. You really have something to say look, I'd be a bit careful. But anyway,
Subhan Allah, may Allah make it easy for us? May Allah make it easy. If there was something really
		

			nasty, like drugs, like something really bad, it's your duty to respectfully say, look, we have this
problem, but I hope that it is resolved and inshallah if it's working with you let it happen.
Because you're not allowed to lie either. But we are talking about unnecessary mudslinging. People
come in and throw as much as they want. And another very big disaster. Allah makes mention about
this as well. When you are separating a law will provide for you on condition that you are good. And
the law says if you want to solve the problem, both parties want to resolve a matter, it will be
resolved. We have a disease today. small thing happens divorce, I went out, make an effort one year,
		

			two year what one year, you made one week is more than enough.
		

			Subhan Allah we are becoming so fragile, that we don't even want to make an effort regarding our
relationships. That's why the world is in chaos. Because when the family unit is chaotic, the
children they are doubting their own identity. I met a child saying I don't know if I'm male or
female. I said How come he says, You know, I really don't understand. We got to the bottom of it.
The mother and father fighting like cats and dogs in front of the children and everything was
happening, vulgar, immoral, abusive, x rated all in front of the kids, that child is too young to
know all about this. Your duty is to protect the child. Why did you bring the child into this earth?
		

			May Allah forgive us? Why did you get married if you don't have time for your spouse, my friends
were my friends, football, but football, bring the ball home Subhana Allah, Allah subhanho wa Taala
grant us goodness,
		

			might score a few goals.
		

			My brothers and sisters, it's a fact happiness in the home is something we should openly discuss.
Because we are facing a problem a challenge. We should not be ashamed of addressing this matter. So
the winners the champions from amongst us, the Prophet sallallahu Sallam says
		

			eurocom eurocom li li
		

			li the best form amongst you are those who are best to their wives.
		

			And I am the best from amongst you to mine. That's what he says sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. When I
set this hadith to some young people who are married, you know what point they picked up. People
pick up what they want. What did I say? The best from amongst you are those who are best to their
wives. This year. I'm waiting for the S at the end. Then we will
		

			See what happens?
		

			May Allah forgive us? You can't even manage one. And you're busy thinking of the s plural. Today
when I was coming through my friends were telling me what are you going to talk about? I said, Well,
we're reading Surah Nisa, I've been given 29 minutes and 60 seconds, in other words, 30 minutes, but
Subhan Allah.
		

			They said, Why don't you talk about polygamy?
		

			Why don't you talk about polygamy?
		

			My brothers and sisters sort your life out. You know, it's like talking about building a huge
building, but you don't have $5 in your pocket. First, get the $5 Subhana Allah first understand
there are so many things. It's a topic that really, it is there in the Sharia, we know how it is
discussed in the Quran, nothing is going to ever change from the Quranic teaching. It's not from me
or from you. It's there. No one can deny what is there, but how can you decide to promote things in
a way
		

			that the marriages or the houses will be destroyed and children will be lost? Because people don't
know that we need to work on something we have to start off with. I can't open five branches when I
haven't yet opened one properly. So Hannah law, I can't have my business expand when the first one
is running on a loss. I hope you've understood what I've said. May Allah help us concentrate on our
families. Remember, the winner is not he or she
		

			who the whole world looks at and says Wow, what a lovely person, but the one whom your spouse looks
at and appreciates. And in order to get that appreciation, you are going to have to work very, very
hard. You're going to have to work very very hard. So Surah Nisa, you and I know it's very long. You
know when you sit and open the chapter of women you read it you read it takes more than 30 minutes.
So my time is clocked my brothers and sisters May Allah bless you all. I really hope and pray that
the dose we have had today. Really it will help us to become better people more conscious of how we
treat our women and inshallah more conscious the women become of how to treat the men to me Allah
		

			subhanho wa Taala grant agenda to those of Guru kolyada masala Allahu wa Sallim wa barik ala nabina
Muhammad Subhan Allah Subhana Allah to Allah Allah, Allah and Mr. Furukawa to Buddha