Sura IV., entitled "Women," from the large portion of it devoted to
the treatment of wives, and the relations of the sexes. There are also
ordinances on the law of inheritance, and general precepts, social and
political. The friendship of the idolatrous Meccans is to be shunned. There are
likewise animadversions against the Jews.
Sura LVIII. A short chapter on divorce and other social questions. The
"disaffected" are blamed for taking the part of the Jews.
Sura LXV. A very short chapter on divorce, and connected subjects, with some
religious admonitions.
Sura LXIII. A short chapter containing menaces against Abdallah ibn Obey for
his treasonable language on the expedition against the Bani Mustalick.(A.H. 5).
Sura XXIV. contains the vindication of Ayesha in reference to her
misadventure (A.H. 5), with the law of evidence for conjugal unfaithfulness, and
miscellaneous injunctions, social and religious.
Sura XXXIII. Composed of several portions spread over the year A.H. 5. The
earliest are those sanctioning the marriage of the Prophet with Zeinab, wife of
his adopted son, which preceded the expedition against the Bani Mustalick by
about half a year; then there are various passages on the conjugal relations of
Mahomet. The remainder is devoted to the siege of Medîna, and the fall of the
Bani Coreitza, events occurring some four months after the above campaign.
Sura LVII. contains strenuous injunctions to fight and contribute towards the
expenses of war, and thus obtain a special merit by joining the cause before
victory was finally declared. The disaffected are warned, and Christians are
also mentioned in kindly terms.
Sura LXI. A short chapter, like the preceding. "Verily, the Lord loveth
such as fight in His cause, drawn up in line like unto a well-compacted
building." Speedy victory is promised.
The remaining Suras belong exclusively to the last five years of the
Prophet's life.
Sura XLVIII. refers to the truce of Hodeibia (A.H. 6), and the prospect of
victory and spoil to be obtained elsewhere (fulfilled shortly after at Kheibar).