As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 33, Al-Ahzãb or the Confederates, verses 35-52. These verses teach that it is not befitting for believers to have an option in what has been decided by God and his Messenger. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is not a father to the men but a Messenger and Seal of the Prophethood and sent as a bearer of good news and a spreader of light. Lastly, information about divorce without a waiting period, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) marrying more than 4 wives and a restriction on this exception.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Surely the Muslim men and the Muslim women, the believing men and the believing women, the devout men and the devout women, the truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and the charitable women, the fasting men and the fasting women, the men who guard their chastity and the women who guard their chastity, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember Allah much – for all those, Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.[35] It is not fitting for a believing man or a believing woman to have an option in their affairs when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger; and whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed strayed into a clearly wrong path.[36] 33:[35-36]
O Prophet, remember when you said to the one (Zaid, Prophet’s adopted son) whom Allah as well as you had favored: “Keep your wife in wedlock and fear Allah.” You sought to hide in your heart what Allah intended to reveal; you were afraid of the people whereas it would have been more appropriate to fear Allah. So when Zaid divorced his wife, We gave her to you in marriage, so that there remains no hindrance for the believers to wed the wives of their adopted sons if they divorced them. And Allah’s Command had to be carried out.[37] There can be no blame attached to the Prophet for doing what is sanctioned for him by Allah. Such has been the way of Allah with those who have gone before; and the decrees of Allah are preordained.[38] Those who are charged with the mission of conveying the message of Allah are to fear Him, they are supposed to fear none but Allah; for Allah is sufficient to settle their account.[39] Muhammad is not the father of any of your men (he is not going to leave any male heirs). He is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. Allah has the knowledge of all things.[40] 33:[37-40]
O believers! Remember Allah as a frequent remembrance,[41] and glorify Him morning and evening.[42] It is He Who sends His blessings on you (believers) and so do His angels, that He may bring you out of darkness into light, for He is Merciful to the believers.[43] On the Day of their meeting with Him, their greeting shall be: “Salaam (peace)!”: and He has prepared for them a generous reward.[44] O Prophet! Surely We have sent you as a witness, as a bearer of good news and as a Warner,[45] and to call the people towards Allah by His leave and a lamp spreading light (guidance).[46] Give good news to the believers that they shall have great blessings from Allah.[47] Do not obey the unbelievers and the hypocrites, disregard their annoyances and put your trust in Allah; for Allah is sufficient as a disposer of affairs.[48] 33:[41-48]
O believers! If you marry believing women and divorce them before the marriage is consummated, you are not required to observe the Iddat (waiting period) which you should count for them, so give them some present and relieve them gracefully.[49] O Prophet! We have made lawful to you the wives to whom you have given their dowers; and those ladies whom your right hands possess (from the prisoners of war) whom Allah has assigned to you; and the daughters of your paternal uncles and aunts, and the daughters of your maternal uncles and aunts, who have migrated with you; and the believing woman who gave herself to the Prophet if the Prophet desires to marry her – this permission is only for you and not for the other believers; We know what restrictions We have imposed on the other believers concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess. We have granted you this privilege as an exception so that no blame may be attached to you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.[50] You may put off any of your wives you please and take to your bed any of them you please, and there is no blame on you if you call back any of them you had temporarily set aside. This is most proper, so that their eyes may be cooled and they may not grieve, and that they will remain satisfied with what you give them. O believers! Allah knows all that is in your hearts; for Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.[51] It shall be unlawful for you, O Muhammad, to marry more women after this or to change your present wives with other women, though their beauty may be pleasing to you, however those ladies whom your right hands possess are an exception. Allah takes cognizance of all things.[52] 33:[49-52]
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.