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Family Law

أحكام الأسرة

Islamic Family Law, known as *Aḥkām al-Usra*, embodies the divine wisdom guiding the structure and dynamics of the family unit, which is seen as the bedrock of Muslim society. These injunctions gracefully cover the spectrum of family life, from the sacred covenant of marriage and its dissolution to the profound responsibilities of child-rearing and the equitable distribution of inheritance. The Quran beautifully articulates the mutual rights and duties within a household, aiming to foster justice, compassion, and harmony for all members. For instance, in matters of child-rearing, the Quran provides tender guidance, advising that [mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years] and stipulating a father's provision, all while emphasizing that [no mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child]. Moreover, it thoughtfully defines respectful interactions and boundaries, such as the instruction to [ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts], reflecting a broader principle of modesty. It also clarifies relationships where intimate covering is not required, indicating [no blame upon women concerning their fathers or their sons or their brothers], thereby establishing the important concept of *mahram*. These laws collectively work to ensure that familial bonds are upheld with dignity, equity, and a deep sense of mutual care, safeguarding the well-being of individuals and the community.

Quran 4 verses

وَٱلْوَٰلِدَٰتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلَٰدَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ ٱلرَّضَاعَةَ وَعَلَى ٱلْمَوْلُودِ لَهُۥ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا لَا تُضَآرَّ وَٰلِدَةٌۢ بِوَلَدِهَا وَلَا مَوْلُودٌ لَّهُۥ بِوَلَدِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلْوَارِثِ مِثْلُ ذَٰلِكَ فَإِنْ أَرَادَا فِصَالًا عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنْهُمَا وَتَشَاوُرٍ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا وَإِنْ أَرَدتُّمْ أَن تَسْتَرْضِعُوٓا۟ أَوْلَٰدَكُمْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا سَلَّمْتُم مَّآ ءَاتَيْتُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

Walwaa lidaatu yurdi'na awlaada hunna hawlaini kaamilaini liman araada ai yutimmar radaa'ah; wa 'alalmawloodi lahoo rizuhunna wa kiswatuhunna bilma'roof; laatukallafu nafsun illaa wus'ahaa; laa tudaaarra waalidatum biwaladihaa wa laa mawloodul lahoo biwaladih; wa 'alal waarisi mislu zaalik; fa in araadaa Fisaalan 'an taraadim minhumaa wa tashaawurin falaa junaaha 'alaimaa; wa in arattum an tastardi'ooo awlaadakum falaa junaaha 'alaikum izaa sallamtum maaa aataitum bilma'roof; wattaqul laaha wa'lamooo annal laaha bimaa ta'maloona baseer

Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.

اور مائیں اپنے بچوں کو پورے دو سال دودھ پلائیں یہ (حکم) اس شخص کے لئے ہے جو پوری مدت تک دودھ پلوانا چاہے۔ اور دودھ پلانے والی ماؤں کا کھانا اور کپڑا دستور کے مطابق باپ کے ذمے ہوگا۔ کسی شخص کو اس کی طاقت سے زیادہ تکلیف نہیں دی جاتی (تو یاد رکھو کہ) نہ تو ماں کو اس کے بچے کے سبب نقصان پہنچایا جائے اور نہ باپ کو اس کی اولاد کی وجہ سے نقصان پہنچایا جائے اور اسی طرح (نان نفقہ) بچے کے وارث کے ذمے ہے۔ اور اگر دونوں (یعنی ماں باپ) آپس کی رضامندی اور صلاح سے بچے کا دودھ چھڑانا چاہیں تو ان پر کچھ گناہ نہیں۔ اور اگر تم اپنی اولاد کو دودھ پلوانا چاہو تو تم پر کچھ گناہ نہیں بشرطیکہ تم دودھ پلانے والیوں کو دستور کے مطابق ان کا حق جو تم نے دینا کیا تھا دے دو اور خدا سے ڈرتے رہو اور جان رکھو کہ جو کچھ تم کرتے ہو خدا اس کو دیکھ رہا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The injunctions of suckling the children by the mothers This verse contains injunctions relating to rada` ah (رضاعۃ) or the suckling of children. It will be recalled that in verses appearing earlier and later than this, the injunctions of talaq (divorce) have been taken up. In between, there appear ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Mothers shall suckle their children for two full years kāmilayn ‘two full ones’ is an adjective for emphasis; this is for such as desire to fulfil the suckling and this is the maximum length of time. It is for the father to provide food for them the mothers and clothe them during the suckling if the...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Suckling Period is only Two Years This is a direction from Allah to the mothers to suckle their infants through the complete term of suckling, which is two years. Hence, suckling after two years is not included in this address. Allah said: لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ (...who desire t...

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَدْخُلُوا۟ بُيُوتَ ٱلنَّبِىِّ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَٰظِرِينَ إِنَىٰهُ وَلَٰكِنْ إِذَا دُعِيتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوا۟ فَإِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ وَلَا مُسْتَـْٔنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِى ٱلنَّبِىَّ فَيَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَٰعًا فَسْـَٔلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَآءِ حِجَابٍ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُؤْذُوا۟ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَن تَنكِحُوٓا۟ أَزْوَٰجَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمًا

Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tadkhuloo bu yootan Nabiyyi ilaaa ai yu'zana lakum ilaa ta'aamin ghaira naazireena inaahu wa laakin izaa du'eetum fadkhuloo fa izaa ta'imtum fantashiroo wa laa mustaaniseena lihadees; inna zaalikum kaana yu'zin Nabiyya fa yastahyee minkum wallaahu laa yastahyee minal haqq; wa izaa sa altumoohunna mataa'an fas'aloohunna minw waraaa'i hijaab; zaalikum atharu liquloobikum wa quloobihinn; wa maa kaana lakum an tu'zoo Rasoolal laahi wa laaa an tankihooo azwaajahoo mim ba'diheee abadaa; inna zaalikum kaana 'indal laahi 'azeema

O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.

مومنو پیغمبر کے گھروں میں نہ جایا کرو مگر اس صورت میں کہ تم کو کھانے کے لئے اجازت دی جائے اور اس کے پکنے کا انتظار بھی نہ کرنا پڑے۔ لیکن جب تمہاری دعوت کی جائے تو جاؤ اور جب کھانا کھاچکو تو چل دو اور باتوں میں جی لگا کر نہ بیٹھ رہو۔ یہ بات پیغمبر کو ایذا دیتی ہے۔ اور وہ تم سے شرم کرتے ہیں (اور کہتے نہیں ہیں) لیکن خدا سچی بات کے کہنے سے شرم نہیں کرتا۔ اور جب پیغمبروں کی بیویوں سے کوئی سامان مانگو تو پردے کے باہر مانگو۔ یہ تمہارے اور ان کے دونوں کے دلوں کے لئے بہت پاکیزگی کی بات ہے۔ اور تم کو یہ شایاں نہیں کہ پیغمبر خدا کو تکلیف دو اور نہ یہ کہ ان کی بیویوں سے کبھی ان کے بعد نکاح کرو۔ بےشک یہ خدا کے نزدیک بڑا (گناہ کا کام) ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary These verses have laid down some etiquettes and rules of Islamic social behavior. The reason for mentioning them in the context of the previous verses is that these rules were initially revealed for the Holy Prophet's ﷺ household and his wives, although their applicability is not specific...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: O you who believe do not enter the Prophet’s houses unless permission is granted you to enter by invitation to share a meal and so you enter without waiting for the right moment for when it is ready ināhu a verbal noun from anā ya’nī. But when you are invited enter and when you have had your meal di...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Etiquette of entering the Houses of the Prophet and the Command of Hijab This is the Ayah of Hijab, which includes several legislative rulings and points of etiquette. This is one of the cases where the revelation confirmed the opinion of `Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, as i...

لَّا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِنَّ فِىٓ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ وَلَآ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ وَلَآ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ وَلَآ أَبْنَآءِ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ وَلَآ أَبْنَآءِ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ وَلَا نِسَآئِهِنَّ وَلَا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُنَّ وَٱتَّقِينَ ٱللَّهَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدًا

Laa junaaha 'alaihinna feee aabaaa'ihinna wa laaa abnaaa'ihinna wa laaa ikhwaanihinnna wa laaa abnaaa'i ikhwaanihinna wa laaa abnaaa'i akhawaatihinna wa laa nisaaa'i hinna wa laa Maa malakat aimaanuhunn; wattaqeenal laah; innal laaha kaana 'alaa kulli shai'in Shaheedaa

There is no blame upon women concerning their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons or their women or those their right hands possess. And fear Allah. Indeed Allah is ever, over all things, Witness.

عورتوں پر اپنے باپوں سے (پردہ نہ کرنے میں) کچھ گناہ نہیں اور نہ اپنے بیٹوں سے اور نہ اپنے بھائیوں سے اور نہ اپنے بھتیجوں سے اور نہ اپنے بھانجوں سے نہ اپنی (قسم کی) عورتوں سے اور نہ لونڈیوں سے۔ اور (اے عورتو) خدا سے ڈرتی رہو۔ بےشک خدا ہر چیز سے واقف ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: إِن تُبْدُوا شَيْئًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا (If you disclose any thing, or conceal it, Allah is All-Knowing about everything - 33:54). It has been repeated again in this verse that Allah Ta’ ala knows even the intents and thoughts hidden in the hearts. So wheth...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: They the Prophet’s wives would not be at fault with regard to socialising with their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons or their own believing women or what their right hands own of slavegirls or male servants in seeing them or conversing with them...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Relatives before Whom a Woman does not need to observe Hijab When Allah commands women to observe Hijab in front of men to whom they are not related, He explains who are the relatives before whom they do not need to observe Hijab. This is like the exceptions stated in Surat An-Nur, where Allah says:...

إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ

Illaa 'alaaa azwaajihim aw maa malakat aymaanuhum fainnahum ghairu maloomeen

Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed -

مگر اپنی بیویوں یا لونڈیوں سے کہ (ان کے پاس جانے پر) انہیں کچھ ملامت نہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Rates of Zakah are Specified by Allah وَالَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَّعْلُومٌ (and those in whose riches there is a specified right...70:24). This verse shows that the quantifications of Zakah have been fixed by Allah. The details are recorded in authentic ahadith. These quantifications, whet...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: except from their wives and those whom their right hands own in the way of slavegirls for in that case they are not blameworthy;
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Man is Impatient Allah informs about man and his inclination to corrupt his behavior. Allah says, إِنَّ الإِنسَـنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعاً (Verily, man was created very impatient;) Then, Allah explains this statement by saying, إِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ جَزُوعاً (Apprehensive when evil touches him;) meaning, w...

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