There are three main themes of this Surah:
1. Establishment of the new Islamic social order after removing the pre-Islamic Jahiliyah system.
Instructions are given to stabilize the family structure, which is the nucleus of a strong community. Some of the topics that fall under this theme are:
Various rules of marriage, including the restriction on the number of wives; rights of husbands & wives; and Mahram relations –relatives that are prohibited for marriage.
Other guidelines for building a strong Islamic community mentioned in this Surah include rights of orphans, the commandment about arbitration in family disputes, laws of inheritance, reforming the economic system, & the prohibition of drinking. The foundation of criminal laws is laid down also.
Another topic is purity, both internal and external. The rules of wudu & ghusl are mentioned, as to what breaks your wudu or state of purity. Allah also grants permission to make Tayammum in circumstances when clean water is not available. Permission to perform Salat-ul-Qasr or shortening prayers in traveling is also mentioned.
The other main themes are:
- Answers to the oppositions of Mushrik Arabs as well as neighboring Jews and Christians AND
-
Da'wah of Islam to new people. The moral and religious condition of the People of the Book is reviewed to guide the Muslims, and a warning is given to refrain from following their footsteps. The distinctive features of hypocrisy and true faith are clearly marked for easy identification between the two. The setback in the Battle of Uhud had enabled the pagan Arab tribes, the neighboring Jews, and the hypocrites in Madinah to threaten the Muslims from all sides. At this crucial stage, Allah’s grace filled the Muslims with courage and gave them the necessary instructions. In order to counteract the rumors that were being spread by the hypocrites, they were asked to make a thorough inquiry about their accuracy and then inform the appropriate leadership. The superiority of Islamic morality and culture is established over that of the Jews, Christians, and Pagans, but on the other hand their incorrect religious concepts, immorality, and evil actions are criticized to prepare the ground for inviting them to the Right Way.
Some topics covered in detail under these last two themes are:
- The one who disputes the decision of the Prophet is not a believer, that the obedience of the Rasool is in fact the obedience of Allah (SWT).
- Allah’s command to respond to greetings with better greetings. (Elaborate)
- Decree of Allah (SWT) that he will never forgive a Mushrik.
- Allah’s commandment to be firm for justice and bear true witness.
- Allah’s commandment to boycott un-Islamic meetings.
- The fact that hypocrites will be in the lowest depth of hellfire.
- Jesus was a prophet of Allah, and was neither killed nor crucified.
- Stop saying “Trinity.” Allah is the One & Only God.
- Allah (SWT) says that the Qur’an carries the same message that was sent to all the prophets, and then some of those prophets names are mentioned.
