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Surah An-Nisa, Verse 128

سورة النساء، الآية ١٢٨

4:128 Juz 5 Hizb 10 Page 99 of the mushaf Medinan surah

Text of verse 4:128

وَإِنِ ٱمْرَأَةٌ خَافَتْ مِنۢ بَعْلِهَا نُشُوزًا أَوْ إِعْرَاضًا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يُصْلِحَا بَيْنَهُمَا صُلْحًا وَٱلصُّلْحُ خَيْرٌ وَأُحْضِرَتِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ ٱلشُّحَّ وَإِن تُحْسِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا ۝١٢٨

Transliteration

wa-ini im'ra-atun khāfat min baʿlihā nushūzan aw iʿ'rāḍan falā junāḥa ʿalayhimā an yuṣ'liḥā baynahumā ṣul'ḥan wal-ṣul'ḥu khayrun wa-uḥ'ḍirati l-anfusu l-shuḥa wa-in tuḥ'sinū watattaqū fa-inna l-laha kāna bimā taʿmalūna khabīran

Translation

And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess.220 But if you do good and fear Allāh - then indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.

Notes

[220] i.e., holding on to self-interests.

Translation in another language
Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary Read in the surah

Verse 128 of Surah An-Nisa (4:128), a Medinan surah, is in juz 5, on page 99 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 72 reciters.

Listen to verse 128 of Surah An-Nisa

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Tafsir of verse 128

Al-Mukhtasar

If a woman fears that her husband will ignore her and lose interest in her, there is no sin in them reaching a compromise where the woman gives up some of the rights due to her, such as maintenance and accommodation. In such a case, reconciliation is better than divorce. Souls have been naturally created with greed and miserliness, and will not be keen to give up any right. The couple should, therefore, deal with this characteristic by training the soul to be forgiving and generous. If you do good in your affairs and are mindful of Allah, by fulfilling His instructions and avoiding His prohibitions, then Allah knows what you do. Nothing is hidden from Him and He will reward you accordingly.

Tafsir of the whole Surah An-Nisa

Other translations of verse 128

If a woman fears ill-treatment or indifference on her husband’s part, there is no blame on them to reach an amicable reconciliation between themselves, for reconciliation is best90, even though human souls are prone to avarice. If you do good and fear Allah, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

Notes

[90] This is better than breaking up.

And if a woman fears cruelty or desertion on her husband’s part, there is no sin on them both if they make terms of peace between themselves; and making peace is better. And human inner-selves are swayed by greed. But if you do good and keep away from evil, verily, Allâh is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.

If a woman feareth ill treatment from her husband, or desertion, it is no sin for them twain if they make terms of peace between themselves. Peace is better. But greed hath been made present in the minds (of men). If ye do good and keep from evil, lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.

If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practise self-restraint, Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

And if a woman fears ill usage or desertion on the part of her husband, there is no blame on them, if they effect a reconciliation between them, and reconciliation is better, and avarice has been made to be present in the (people's) minds; and if you do good (to others) and guard (against evil), then surely Allah is aware of what you do.

And in case a woman fears non- compliance or veering away in her husband, then there is no fault in both of them if they make a righteous reconciliation between them; (Literally: that they reconcile a reconcile a reconciliation) and reconciliation is most charitable; and avarice is made ever present to selves (i.e., persons). And in case you do fair (deeds) and are pious (to Allah), then Allah has been Ever-Cognizant of whatever you do.

Verse 128 word by word

  1. وَإِنِ wa-ini And if
  2. ٱمْرَأَةٌ im'ra-atun a woman م ر أ
  3. خَافَتْ khāfat fears خ و ف
  4. مِنۢ min from
  5. بَعْلِهَا baʿlihā her husband ب ع ل
  6. نُشُوزًا nushūzan ill-conduct ن ش ز
  7. أَوْ aw or
  8. إِعْرَاضًا iʿ'rāḍan desertion ع ر ض
  9. فَلَا falā then (there is) no
  10. جُنَاحَ junāḥa sin ج ن ح
  11. عَلَيْهِمَآ ʿalayhimā on both of them
  12. أَن an that
  13. يُصْلِحَا yuṣ'liḥā they make terms of peace ص ل ح
  14. بَيْنَهُمَا baynahumā between themselves ب ي ن
  15. صُلْحًا ṣul'ḥan a reconciliation ص ل ح
  16. وَٱلصُّلْحُ wal-ṣul'ḥu and [the] reconciliation ص ل ح
  17. خَيْرٌ khayrun (is) best خ ي ر
  18. وَأُحْضِرَتِ wa-uḥ'ḍirati And are swayed ح ض ر
  19. ٱلْأَنفُسُ l-anfusu the souls ن ف س
  20. ٱلشُّحَّ l-shuḥa (by) greed ش ح ح
  21. وَإِن wa-in But if
  22. تُحْسِنُوا۟ tuḥ'sinū you do good ح س ن
  23. وَتَتَّقُوا۟ watattaqū and fear (Allah) و ق ي
  24. فَإِنَّ fa-inna then indeed
  25. ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
  26. كَانَ kāna is ك و ن
  27. بِمَا bimā of what
  28. تَعْمَلُونَ taʿmalūna you do ع م ل
  29. خَبِيرًا khabīran All-Aware خ ب ر

Hadiths that cite this verse

Authentic Sahih al-Bukhari 2450

Regarding the explanation of the following verse:-- "If a wife fears Cruelty or desertion On her husband's part." (4.128) A man may dislike his wife and intend to divorce her, so she says to him, "I give up my rights, so do not divorce me." The above verse was revealed concerning such a case.

الرَّجُلُ تَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الْمَرْأَةُ، لَيْسَ بِمُسْتَكْثِرٍ مِنْهَا، يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُفَارِقَهَا، فَتَقُولُ أَجْعَلُكَ مِنْ شَأْنِي فِي حِلٍّ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 1 other version

Authentic Sahih al-Bukhari 2694

The following Verse: If a woman fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part (i.e. the husband notices something unpleasant about his wife, such as old age or the like, and wants to divorce her, but she asks him to keep her and provide for her as he wishes). (4.128) "There is no blame on them…

هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يَرَى مِنِ امْرَأَتِهِ مَا لاَ يُعْجِبُهُ، كِبَرًا أَوْ غَيْرَهُ، فَيُرِيدُ فِرَاقَهَا فَتَقُولُ أَمْسِكْنِي، وَاقْسِمْ لِي مَا شِئْتَ‏.‏ قَالَتْ فَلاَ بَأْسَ إِذَا تَرَاضَيَا‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Sahih al-Bukhari 4601

Regarding the Verse:--"If a woman fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part." (4.128) It is about a man who has a woman (wife) and he does not like her and wants to divorce her but she says to him, "I make you free as regards myself." So this Verse was revealed in this connection.

الرَّجُلُ تَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الْمَرْأَةُ لَيْسَ بِمُسْتَكْثِرٍ مِنْهَا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُفَارِقَهَا فَتَقُولُ أَجْعَلُكَ مِنْ شَأْنِي فِي حِلٍّ‏.‏ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ فِي ذَلِكَ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 1 other version

Authentic Sahih al-Bukhari 5206

regarding the Verse: 'If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part ...') (4.128) It concerns the woman whose husband does not want to keep her with him any longer, but wants to divorce her and marry some other lady, so she says to him: 'Keep me and do not divorce me, and then marry…

الْمَرْأَةُ تَكُونُ عِنْدَ الرَّجُلِ، لاَ يَسْتَكْثِرُ مِنْهَا فَيُرِيدُ طَلاَقَهَا، وَيَتَزَوَّجُ غَيْرَهَا، تَقُولُ لَهُ أَمْسِكْنِي وَلاَ تُطَلِّقْنِي، ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجْ غَيْرِي، فَأَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِنَ النَّفَقَةِ…

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Sahih Muslim 3021a

" And if a woman has reason to fear ill-treatment from her husband or that he might turn away from her" (iv. 128) that it was revealed in case of a woman who had long association with a person (as his wife) and now he intends to divorce her and she says: Do not divorce me, but retain me (as wife in…

أُنْزِلَتْ فِي الْمَرْأَةِ تَكُونُ عِنْدَ الرَّجُلِ فَتَطُولُ صُحْبَتُهَا فَيُرِيدُ طَلاَقَهَا فَتَقُولُ لاَ تُطَلِّقْنِي وَأَمْسِكْنِي وَأَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِنِّي ‏.‏ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Sahih Muslim 3021b

" And if a woman has reason to fear ill-treatment from her husband or that he might turn away from her" that it was revealed in case of a woman who lived with a person and perhaps he does not want to prolong (his relationship with her) whereas she has had sexual relationship with him (and as a…

نَزَلَتْ فِي الْمَرْأَةِ تَكُونُ عِنْدَ الرَّجُلِ فَلَعَلَّهُ أَنْ لاَ يَسْتَكْثِرَ مِنْهَا وَتَكُونُ لَهَا صُحْبَةٌ وَوَلَدٌ فَتَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُفَارِقَهَا فَتَقُولُ لَهُ أَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِنْ شَأْنِي ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Other hadiths (2)

Verses related to verse 128

Verses with similar wording

They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.

  • Al-Ahzab 33:2

    وَٱتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

    And follow that which is revealed to you from your Lord. Indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.

  • An-Nisa 4:135

    يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

    O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allāh, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allāh is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.

  • An-Nisa 4:94

    يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا۟ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَنْ أَلْقَىٰٓ إِلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَٰمَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

    O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allāh, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace, "You are not a believer," aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allāh are many acquisitions. You [yourselves] were like that before; then Allāh conferred His favor [i.e., guidance] upon you, so investigate. Indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.

  • An-Nisa 4:129

    وَلَن تَسْتَطِيعُوٓا۟ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ بَيْنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْ فَلَا تَمِيلُوا۟ كُلَّ ٱلْمَيْلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَٱلْمُعَلَّقَةِ وَإِن تُصْلِحُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

    And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging. And if you amend [your affairs] and fear Allāh - then indeed, Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.

  • Al-Baqarah 2:230

    فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا تَحِلُّ لَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدُ حَتَّىٰ تَنكِحَ زَوْجًا غَيْرَهُۥ فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يَتَرَاجَعَآ إِن ظَنَّآ أَن يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ يُبَيِّنُهَا لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ

    And if he has divorced her [for the third time], then she is not lawful to him afterward until [after] she marries a husband other than him. And if he [i.e., the latter husband] divorces her [or dies], there is no blame upon them [i.e., the woman and her former husband] for returning to each other if they think that they can keep [within] the limits of Allāh. These are the limits of Allāh, which He makes clear to a people who know [i.e.,understand].

All similar verses of Surah An-Nisa

The name of Allah in this verse

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