A verse in this sūrah was revealed after soldiers almost followed ‘Abdallāh ibn Ḥudhāfa’s (“hoo-THAH-fah’s”) joking orders to jump into a fire. In the ḥadīths, Muḥammad said that a controversial verse in this sūrah was revealed when “I wanted one thing, but God wanted another.” Scholars like Asma Barlas and amina wadud (“wah-DOOD”) argue that translations of that verse in this sūrah misuse modern meanings of the root [read slowly] ḍaad-raa-baa (“dod-reh-beh”) to justify violence. This sūrah mandates loyalty to secular authorities dubbed ’ulū’l-’amr (“oo-LOOL-AH-merr”) and requires payments called mahr concerning the title group. This sūrah contains a verse often interpreted as allowing “lightly striking” the title people if chastisement and “abandoning the bed” fail. For 10 points, name this fourth sūrah, which underpins many patriarchal practices. ■END■
ANSWER: Sūrat al-Nisā’ (“an-niss-SEH”) [or Surah of the Women; accept synonyms; accept Fourth Sūrah until read; accept wives, brides, fiancées, or equivalents] (The first sentence concerns the ulu’l-amr verse. The ḥadīths state that Muḥammad originally wanted to ban corporal punishment of wives but was explicitly overridden by God.)
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= Average correct buzz position