Surah 33 (Al-Ahzãb), Verses 1-20 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection is from Surah 33, Al-Ahzãb or the Confederates, verses 1-20. These verses claim that neither wives nor sons become your mothers nor real sons, the Prophet’s wives are like the believers’ mothers, and blood relations have greater claims than others in the Book of God. Next, it discusses the Battle of the Trench, the attitudes of Hypocrites during that time, and the punishment for those who discourage others from participating in the fight against the unbelievers.

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Verses

Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

O Prophet! Fear Allah and do not obey the unbelievers and the hypocrites: certainly Allah is aware and wise.[1] Follow that which is revealed to you from your Lord: for Allah is aware of what you do.[2] Put your trust in Allah: for Allah is your all-sufficient protector.[3] 33:[1-3]

Allah has not put two hearts in a person’s body: nor does He regard your wives whom you divorce through Zihãr (divorcing a wife saying: from now on you are as my mother, depriving her conjugal rights yet keeping her like a slave nor letting her marry anyone else) as your mothers: nor does He regard your adopted sons as your sons. These are mere words which you utter with your mouths; but Allah declares the Truth and guides you to the Right Way.[4] Name your adopted sons after their fathers; that is more just in the sight of Allah, and if you don’t know who their fathers are, then call them as your brothers in faith and your friends. There is no blame on you for an unintentional mistake, but you will be held responsible for what you do with the intention of your hearts; Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.[5] 33:[4-5]

The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves and his wives are as their mothers. Blood relatives have a greater claim on one another than the other believers and the Muhãjirin (early Muslims who migrated from Makkah to Madinah) according to the Book of Allah: although you are permitted to some good (through leaving bequests) for your friends . This has been written in the Book of Allah.[6] O Muhammad, remember the Covenant which We took from all the Prophets – from you as well as from Nüh, Ibrãhïm, Musa and Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam – We took that solemn Covenant from all of them,[7] so that He may question the truthful concerning the Truth (that they were entrusted with): as for the unbelievers, He has prepared a painful punishment.[8] 33:[6-8]

O believers! Remember the favor of Allah, which he bestowed on you, when you were attacked by your enemy’s army (during the battle of Trench/Confederates) and We unleashed against them violent winds and invisible forces. Allah saw all that you were doing.[9] When the enemy attacked you from above and from below; when your eyes were petrified due to fear and your hearts leaped up to your throats, and you began to entertain all sorts of doubts about Allah,[10] there, the believers were put to test; and were shaken with tremendous shaking.[11] 33:[9-11]

Remember, when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts there was a disease were openly saying: “Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion!”[12] And a party of them said: “O people of Yathrib (Madinah)! You cannot stand the attack much longer. Go back to your city.” And yet another party of them sought leave of the Prophet saying: “In fact our houses are insecure,” whereas they were not insecure. They intended nothing but to run away from the battlefront.[13] Had the city been entered from all sides, and had they been incited to sedition, they would have had little hesitation to become partners in it.[14] Even though they had made covenant with Allah not to show their backs, and the covenant with Allah must surely be answered for.[15] 33:[12-15]

Tell them: “Running away will not do you any good, and if you are running away from death or being killed, you would enjoy this life only for a little while.”[16] Ask them: “Who can protect you from Allah if He intends to harm you or who can prevent Him if He intends to show you mercy?” They will find none besides Allah to protect or help them.[17] Allah is well aware of those among you who hold others back and those who say to their brethren: “Join us,” and seldom take part in the fighting themselves.[18] They are ever reluctant to assist you. Whenever they are in danger, they look towards you with their eyes rolling as though they were at the point of death, but when they are out of danger, they will come to greet you with their sharp tongues in greed for gain. Such people have no faith. Allah has made all their deeds null and void, and this is easy for Allah.[19] They thought that the confederates would never withdraw. Indeed, if the confederates should come again, they would wish to be among the Bedouins and seek news about you from a safe distance; and if they happened to be with you, they would take but a little part in the fighting.[20] 33:[16-20]

Ameen.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.