Al-Ahzab: 34

Ayah

Word by Word

وَٱذۡكُرۡنَ

And remember

مَا

what

يُتۡلَىٰ

is recited

فِي

بُيُوتِكُنَّ

your houses

مِنۡ

ءَايَٰتِ

(the) Verses

ٱللَّهِ

(of) Allah

وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةِۚ

and the wisdom

إِنَّ

Indeed

ٱللَّهَ

Allah

كَانَ

لَطِيفًا

All-Subtle

خَبِيرًا

All-Aware

Translation

And recite what is rehearsed to you in your homes, of the Signs of Allah and His Wisdom: for Allah understands the finest mysteries and is well-acquainted (with them).

Tafsir

Giving the Wives of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم the Choice

Here Allah commands His Messenger to give his wives the choice of separating from him so that they may go to someone else with whom they can find what they want of the life of this world and its attractions, or of patiently bearing the straitened circumstances with the Prophet for which they will have a great reward with Allah.

They chose Allah and His Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter, may Allah be pleased with them. Then Allah gave them the best both of this world and of the Hereafter.

Al-Bukhari narrated from A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, the wife of the Prophet that the Messenger of Allah came to her when Allah commanded him to give his wives the choice. She said,

The Messenger of Allah started with me, and said,

إِنِّي ذَاكِرٌ لَكِ أَمۡرًا فَلَ عَلَيۡكِ أَنۡ تَسۡتَعۡجِلِي حَتۡى تَسۡتَأۡمِرِي أَبَوَيۡك

I am going to tell you about something and you do not have to hasten to respond until you consult your parents.

He knew that my parents would never tell me to leave him.

Then he said:

إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ

(Allah says) and he recited the two Ayat:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لاَِّزۡوَاجِكَ إِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدۡنَ الۡحَيَاةَ الدُّنۡيَا وَزِينَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيۡنَ أُمَتِّعۡكُنَّ وَأُسَرِّحۡكُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلًا

وَإِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدۡنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الاۡإخِرَةَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلۡمُحۡسِنَاتِ مِنكُنَّ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمًا

O Prophet! Say to your wives:If you desire the life of this world, and its glitter, then come! I will make a provision for you and set you free in a handsome manner.'

But if you desire Allah and His Messenger, and the Home of the Hereafter, then verily, Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you an enormous reward.

I said to him,

Concerning what do I need to consult my parents I choose Allah and His Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter.

He also narrated it without a chain of narrators, and added,

She said, then all the wives of the Prophet did the same as I.

Imam Ahmad recorded that A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

The Messenger of Allah gave us the choice, and we chose him, so giving us that choice was not regarded as divorce.

It was recorded by (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) from the Hadith of Al-A`mash.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, came to ask permission to see the Messenger of Allah and the people were sitting at his door, and the Prophet was sitting, but he did not give him permission.

Then Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, came and asked permission to see him, but he did not give him permission.

Then he gave Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, permission, and they entered. The Prophet was sitting with his wives around him, and he was silent.

Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, `I will tell the Prophet something to make him smile.'

Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, `O Messenger of Allah, if only you had seen the daughter of Zayd -- the wife of Umar -- asking me to spend on her just now; I broke her neck!'

The Messenger of Allah smiled so broadly that his molars could be seen, and he said,

هُنَّ حَوۡلِي يَسۡأَلۡنَنِي النَّفَقَة

(They are around me asking me to spend on them).

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, got up to deal with A'ishah; and Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, got up to deal with Hafsah, and both of them were saying, `You are asking the Prophet for that which he does not have!'

But the Messenger of Allah stopped them, and they (his wives) said, `By Allah, after this we will not ask the Messenger of Allah for anything that he does not have.'

Then Allah revealed the Ayah telling him to give them the choice, and he started with A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her.

He said,

إِنِّي أَذۡكُرُ لَكِ أَمۡرًا مَا أُحِبُّ أَنۡ تَعۡجَلِي فِيهِ حَتَّى تَسۡتَأۡمِرِي أَبَوَيۡك

I am going to tell you something, and I would like you not to hasten to respond until you consult your parents.

She said, `What is it.'

He recited to her:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لاَِّزۡوَاجِكَ

(O Prophet! Say to your wives)...

A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, `Do I need to consult my parents concerning you I choose Allah and His Messenger, but I ask you not to tell of my choice to your other wives.'

He said:

إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى لَمۡ يَبۡعَثۡنِي مُعَنِّفًا وَلَكِنۡ بَعَثَنِي مُعَلِّمًا مُيَسِّرًا لَا تَسۡأَلُنِي امۡرَأَةٌ مِنۡهُنَّ عَمَّا اخۡتَرۡتِ إِلاَّ أَخۡبَرۡتُهَا

Allah did not send me to be harsh, but He sent me to teach in a gentle and easy manner. If any of them asks me what your decision was, I will tell her.

This was also recorded by Muslim, but not Al-Bukhari; An-Nasa'i also recorded it.

Ikrimah said:At that time he was married to nine women, five of them were from Quraysh --

A'ishah,

Hafsah.

Umm Habibah,

Sawdah and

Umm Salamah, (may Allah be pleased with them).

And he was also married to

Safiyyah bint Huyay An-Nadariyyah,

Maymunah bint Al-Harith Al-Hilaliyyah,

Zaynab bint Jahsh Al-Asadiyyah and

Juwayriyyah bint Al-Harith Al-Mustalaqiyyah, (may Allah be pleased with all of them).

The Wives of the Prophet are not like Other Women

Allah says;

يَا نِسَاء النَّبِيِّ مَن يَأۡتِ مِنكُنَّ بِفَاحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ يُضَاعَفۡ لَهَا الۡعَذَابُ ضِعۡفَيۡنِ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرًا

O wives of the Prophet! Whoever of you commits an open Fahishah, the torment for her will be doubled, and that is ever easy for Allah.

This Ayah is addressed to the wives of the Prophet who chose Allah and His Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter, and remained married to the Messenger of Allah. Thus it was befitting that there should be rulings which applied only to them, and not to other women, in the event that any of them should commit open Fahishah.

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

This means Nushuz (rebellion) and a bad attitude.

Whatever the case, this is a conditional phrase and it does not imply that what is referred to would actually happen. This is like the Ayat:

وَلَقَدۡ أُوۡحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكَ لَيِنۡ أَشۡرَكۡتَ لَيَحۡبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ

And indeed it has been revealed to you, as it was to those before you:If you join others in worship with Allah, surely your deeds will be in vain. (39:65)

وَلَوۡ أَشۡرَكُواۡ لَحَبِطَ عَنۡهُمۡ مَّا كَانُواۡ يَعۡمَلُونَ

But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them. (6:88)

قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـنِ وَلَدٌ فَأَنَاۡ أَوَّلُ الۡعَـبِدِينَ

Say:If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of (Allah's) worshippers. (43:81)

لَّوۡ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَداً لاَّصۡطَفَى مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَأءُ سُبۡحَـنَهُ هُوَ اللَّهُ الۡوَحِدُ الۡقَهَّارُ

Had Allah willed to take a son, He could have chosen whom He willed out of those whom He created. But glory be to Him! He is Allah, the One, the Irresistible. (39:4)

Because their status is so high, it is appropriate to state that the sin, if they were to commit it, would be so much worse, so as to protect them and their Hijab.

Allah says:

مَن يَأۡتِ مِنكُنَّ بِفَاحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ يُضَاعَفۡ لَهَا الۡعَذَابُ ضِعۡفَيۡنِ

Whoever of you commits an open Fahishah, the torment for her will be doubled,

Malik narrated from Zayd bin Aslam:

يُضَاعَفۡ لَهَا الۡعَذَابُ ضِعۡفَيۡنِ

(the torment for her will be doubled),

In this world and the next.

Something similar was narrated from Ibn Abi Najih, from Mujahid.

وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرًا

and that is ever easy for Allah.

it is very easy indeed.

Then Allah mentions His justice and His bounty, in the Ayah

وَمَن يَقۡنُتۡ مِنكُنَّ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ

And whosoever of you is obedient to Allah and His Messenger,

i.e., obeys Allah and His Messenger,

وَتَعۡمَلۡ صَالِحًا

and does righteous good deeds,

نُّوۡتِهَا أَجۡرَهَا مَرَّتَيۡنِ وَأَعۡتَدۡنَا لَهَا رِزۡقًا كَرِيمًا

We shall give her, her reward twice over, and We have prepared for her a noble provision.

i.e., in Paradise, for they will be in the dwellings of the Messenger of Allah in the highest reaches of `Illiyin, above the dwellings of all the people, in Al-Wasilah which is the closest of the dwellings of Paradise to the Throne

Enjoining certain Manners so that the Mothers of the Believers may be an Example; and the Prohibition of Tabarruj

Allah enjoined upon the wives of the Prophet;

يَا نِسَاء النَّبِيِّ لَسۡتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاء إِنِ اتَّقَيۡتُنَّ

O wives of the Prophet!

You are not like any other women. If you keep you have Taqwa,

These are the good manners which Allah enjoined upon the wives of the Prophet so that they would be an example for the women of the Ummah to follow. Allah said, addressing the wives of the Prophet that they should fear Allah as He commanded them, and that no other woman is like them or can be their equal in virtue and status.

Then Allah says:

فَلَ تَخۡضَعۡنَ بِالۡقَوۡلِ

then be not soft in speech,

As-Suddi and others said, this means, do not be gentle in speech when addressing men.

Allah says:

فَيَطۡمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلۡبِهِ مَرَضٌ

lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire,

means, something unclean.

وَقُلۡنَ قَوۡلاً مَّعۡرُوفًا

but speak in an honorable manner.

Ibn Zayd said:

Decent and honorable talk that is known to be good.

This means that she should address non-Mahram men in a manner in which there is no softness, i.e., a woman should not address a non-Mahram man in the same way that she addresses her husband

وَقَرۡنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ

And stay in your houses,

means, stay in your houses and do not come out except for a purpose.

One of the purposes mentioned in Shariah is prayer in the Masjid, so long as the conditions are fulfilled, as the Messenger of Allah said:

لَاا تَمۡنَعُوا إِمَاءَ اللهِ مَسَاجِدَ اللهِ وَلۡيَخۡرُجۡنَ وَهُنَّ تَفِلَات

Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from the Masjids of Allah, but have them go out without wearing fragrance.

According to another report:

وَبُيُوتُهُنَّ خَيۡرٌ لَهُن

even though their houses are better for them.

وَلَا تَبَرَّجۡنَ تَبَرُّجَ الۡجَاهِلِيَّةِ الاُۡولَى

and do not Tabarruj yourselves like the Tabarruj of the times of ignorance,

Mujahid said:

Women used to go out walking in front of men, and this was the Tabarruj of Jahiliyyah.

Qatadah said:

وَلَا تَبَرَّجۡنَ تَبَرُّجَ الۡجَاهِلِيَّةِ الاُۡولَى

(and do not Tabarruj yourselves like the Taburruj of the times of ignorance),

When they go out of their homes walking in a shameless and flirtatious manner, and Allah, may He be exalted, forbade that.

Muqatil bin Hayyan said:

Tabarruj is when a woman puts a Khimar on her head but does not tie it properly.

So her necklaces, earrings and neck, and all of that can be seen. This is Tabarruj, and Allah addresses all the women of the believers with regard to Tabarruj.

وَأَقِمۡنَ الصَّلَأةَ وَاتِينَ الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِعۡنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ

and perform the Salah, and give Zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger.

Allah first forbids them from evil, then He enjoins them to do good by establishing regular prayer, which means worshipping Allah alone with no partner or associate, and paying Zakah, which means doing good to other people.

وَأَطِعۡنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ

(and obey Allah and His Messenger). This is an instance of something specific being followed by something general.

The Wives of the Prophet are Members of His Household (Ahl Al-Bayt)

Allah says;

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذۡهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجۡسَ أَهۡلَ الۡبَيۡتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ تَطۡهِيرًا

Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs from you, O members of the family, and to purify you with a thorough purification.

This is a clear statement that the wives of the Prophet are included among the members of his family (Ahl Al-Bayt) here, because they are the reason why this Ayah was revealed, and the scholars are unanimously agreed that they were the reason for revelation in this case, whether this was the only reason for revelation or there was also another reason, which is the correct view.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Ikrimah used to call out in the marketplace:

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذۡهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجۡسَ أَهۡلَ الۡبَيۡتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ تَطۡهِيرًا

(Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs from you, O members of the family, and to purify you with a thorough purification).

This was revealed solely concerning the wives of the Prophet.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn Abbas said concerning the Ayah:

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذۡهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجۡسَ أَهۡلَ الۡبَيۡتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ تَطۡهِيرًا

(Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs from you, O members of the family),

It was revealed solely concerning the wives of the Prophet.

Ikrimah said:

Whoever disagrees with me that it was revealed solely concerning the wives of the Prophet, I am prepared to meet with him and pray and invoke the curse of Allah upon those who are lying.

So they alone were the reason for revelation, but others may be included by way of generalization.

Ibn Jarir narrated that Safiyyah bint Shaybah said:

A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said,

`The Prophet went out one morning wearing a striped cloak of black camel's hair. Al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him, came and he wrapped him in the cloak with him. Then Al-Hussein, may Allah be pleased with him, came and he wrapped him in the cloak with him. Then Fatima, may Allah be pleased with her, came and he wrapped her in the cloak with him. Then Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, came and he wrapped him in the cloak with him, then he said:

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذۡهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجۡسَ أَهۡلَ الۡبَيۡتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ تَطۡهِيرًا

(Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs from you, O members of the family, and to purify you with a thorough purification).

This was recorded by Muslim.

In his Sahih, Muslim recorded that Yazid bin Hayyan said:

Husayn bin Sabrah, Umar bin Muslim and I went to Zayd bin Arqam, may Allah be pleased with him, and when we had sat down with him, Husayn said:

`You are so fortunate, O Zayd! You ﷺ the Messenger of Allah and heard his speeches, and you went on military campaigns with him, and you prayed behind him. You are so fortunate, O Zayd! Tell us what you heard from the Messenger of Allah.'

He said, `O son of my brother, by Allah, I have grown old and it has been a long time, and I have forgotten some of the things that I used to know from the Messenger of Allah. Whatever I tell you, accept it, and whatever I do not tell you, do not worry about it.' Then he said,

`One day, the Messenger of Allah stood up to address us by the well of Khumm, between Makkah and Al-Madinah, and he praised Allah and thanked Him, and he preached and reminded us. Then he said:

أَمَّا بَعۡدُ أَلَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ يُوشِكُ أَنۡ يَأۡتِيَنِي رَسُولُ رَبِّي فَأُجِيبَ وَأَنَا تَارِكٌ فِيكُمۡ ثَقَلَيۡنِ أَوَّلُهُمَا كِتَابُ اللهِ تَعَالَى فِيهِ الۡهُدَى وَالنُّورُ فَخُذُوا بِكِتَابِ اللهِ وَاسۡتَمۡسِكُوا بِه

Thereafter! O people, I am merely a human being and soon the messenger of my Lord will come and I will answer him. I am leaving behind two things with you, the first of which is the Book of Allah in which is guidance and light, so seize the Book of Allah and hold fast to it.

He urged them to cling to the Book of Allah, then he said:

وَأَهۡلُ بَيۡتِي أُذَكِّرُكُمُ اللهَ فِي أَهۡلِ بَيۡتِي أُذَكِّرُكُمُ اللهَ فِي أَهۡلِ بَيۡتِي

And the members of my family (Ahl Al-Bayt):Remember Allah with regard to the members of my family, remember Allah with regard to the members of my family.

saying it three times.' Husayn said to him, `Who are the members of his family (Ahl Al-Bayt), O Zayd! Are not his wives members of his family?'

He said, `His wives are members of his family, but the members of his family are those who are not permitted to receive charity after he died.'

He said, `Who are they!'

He said, `They are the family of Ali, the family of Aqil, the family of Jafar and the family of Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them.'

He said, `Were all of these forbidden to receive charity after his death!'

He said, `Yes.'

This Commentary is from Zayd bin Arqam and is not Marfu`

The Command to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah

The one who ponders the meaning of the Qur'an will have no doubt that the wives of the Prophet are included among those who are referred to in the Ayah:

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذۡهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجۡسَ أَهۡلَ الۡبَيۡتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ تَطۡهِيرًا

(Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs from you, O members of the family, and to purify you with a thorough purification). The context clearly refers to them.

Allah then says

وَاذۡكُرۡنَ مَا يُتۡلَى فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنۡ ايَاتِ اللَّهِ وَالۡحِكۡمَةِ

And remember, that which is recited in your houses of the Ayat of Allah and Al-Hikmah.

meaning, `act in accordance with that of the Qur'an and Sunnah which Allah revealed to His Messenger in your houses.'

This was the view of Qatadah and others.

`And remember this blessing with which you alone of all the people have been favored, that the revelation comes down in your houses and not those of other people.'

A'ishah As-Siddiqah bint As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with them, was foremost among them with in this blessing and was the most fortunate, and the most favored with this mercy. For the revelation did not come to the Messenger of Allah in the bed of any of his wives except hers, as he stated. Some of the scholars, may Allah have mercy on them, said:

This was because he did not marry any other virgin besides her, and no man slept with her in her bed before him, may Allah be pleased with her.

So it was befitting that she should be singled out for this blessing and high status. But if his wives are members of his household, then this title is even more fitting for his own relatives.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Jamilah said:

Al-Hasan bin Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, was appointed as Khalifah when Ali was killed.

He said:

While he was praying, a man leapt on him and stabbed him with a dagger.

Hussein claimed that he heard that the one who stabbed him was a man from Banu Asad, and Al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him, was prostrating at the time.

He said, They claimed that he received the wound in his hip. He was ill as a result for many months, then he recovered. He ascended the Minbar and said:`O people of Iraq! Have Taqwa of Allah concerning us, for we are your leaders and your guests, and we are members of the family (Ahl Al-Bayt) concerning whom Allah said:

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذۡهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجۡسَ أَهۡلَ الۡبَيۡتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ تَطۡهِيرًا

(Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs from you, O members of the family, and to purify you with a thorough purification).' He kept saying this until there was no one left in the Masjid who was not weeping and sobbing.

Allah then says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا

Verily, Allah is Ever Most Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things.

means, `by His kindness towards you, you have reached this status, and by His knowledge of you and that you are qualified for that status, He has given this to you and singled you out for it.'

Ibn Jarir, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

And remember how Allah blessed you by causing the Ayat of Allah and Al-Hikmah to be recited in your houses, so give thanks to Allah for that and praise Him.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا

(Verily, Allah is Ever Most Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things).

means, `He is kind towards you, for He has caused the Ayat of Allah and Al-Hikmah to be recited in your houses,'

and Al-Hikmah means the Sunnah.

And He is Well-Acquainted with you means, `He chose you as wives for His Messenger.'

Qatadah said:

وَاذۡكُرۡنَ مَا يُتۡلَى فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنۡ ايَاتِ اللَّهِ وَالۡحِكۡمَةِ

(And remember, that which is recited in your houses of the Ayat of Allah and Al-Hikmah),

He is reminding them of His favor.

This was narrated by Ibn Jarir.

Atiyah Al-`Awfi commented on the Ayah:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا

(Verily, Allah is Ever Most Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things).

He knows when and where to reveal Al-Hikmah.

This was recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim, then he said:This was also narrated from Ar-Rabi` bin Anas from Qatadah.

The Reason for Revelation

Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, the wife of the Prophet said,

I said to the Prophet, `Why is it that we are not mentioned in the Qur'an as men are?'

Then one day without my realizing it, he was calling from the Minbar and I was combing my hair, so I tied my hair back then I went out to my chamber in my house, and I started listening out, and he was saying from the Minbar:

يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ

(O people! Verily Allah says):

إِنَّ الۡمُسۡلِمِينَ وَالۡمُسۡلِمَاتِ وَالۡمُوۡمِنِينَ وَالۡمُوۡمِنَاتِ

Verily, the Muslims:men and women, the believers:men and women...) to the end of the Ayah.

This was also recorded by An-Nasa'i and Ibn Jarir.

إِنَّ الۡمُسۡلِمِينَ وَالۡمُسۡلِمَاتِ وَالۡمُوۡمِنِينَ وَالۡمُوۡمِنَاتِ

Verily, the Muslims:men and women, the believers:men and women...

indicates that Iman is something other than Islam, and that it is more specific, because Allah says:

قَالَتِ الاٌّعۡرَابُ ءَامَنَّا قُل لَّمۡ تُوۡمِنُواۡ وَلَـكِن قُولُواۡ أَسۡلَمۡنَا وَلَمَّا يَدۡخُلِ الايمَـنُ فِى قُلُوبِكُمۡ

The Bedouins say:We believe.

Say:You believe not but you only say, `We have surrendered (in Islam),' for faith has not yet entered your hearts. (49:14)

In the Two Sahihs, it says:

لَاا يَزۡنِي الزَّانِي حِينَ يَزۡنِي وَهُوَ مُوۡمِن

The adulterer does not commit adultery at the time when he is a believer.

For it snatches away his Iman, although that does not mean he is a disbeliever, according to the consensus of the Muslims. This indicates that Iman is more specific than Islam, as we have stated at the beginning of our commentary on Al-Bukhari.

وَالۡقَانِتِينَ وَالۡقَانِتَاتِ

the Qanit:men and the women,

Al-Qunut means obedience during quite time.

أَمَّنۡ هُوَ قَانِتٌ ءَانَأءَ الَّيۡلِ سَـجِداً وَقَأيِماً يَحۡذَرُ الاٌّخِرَةَ وَيَرۡجُواۡ رَحۡمَةَ رَبِّهِ

Is one who is (Qanit) prostrating himself or standing in the middle of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord...) (39:9)

وَلَهُ مَن فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرۡضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَـنِتُونَ

To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are Uqnuti (Qanitun) to Him. (30:26)

يمَرۡيَمُ اقۡنُتِى لِرَبِّكِ وَاسۡجُدِى وَارۡكَعِى مَعَ الرَكِعِينَ

O Maryam! Uqnuti to your Lord and prostrate, and bow with Ar-Raki`in (those who bow). (3:43)

وَقُومُواۡ لِلَّهِ قَـنِتِينَ

And stand before Allah Qanitin. (2:238)

So, beyond Islam there is a higher level to be reached, which is Iman, and Qunut stems from them both.

وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ

the men and women who are truthful,

This refers to their speech, for truthfulness is a praiseworthy attribute. Some of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were never known to have lied even once, neither during Jahiliyyah nor in Islam. Truthfulness is a sign of faith, just as lying is a sign of hypocrisy. Whoever is truthful will be saved:

عَلَيۡكُمۡ بِالصِّدۡقِ فَإِنَّ الصِّدۡقَ يَهۡدِي إِلَى الۡبِرِّ وَإِنَّ الۡبِرَّ يَهۡدِي إِلَى الۡجَنَّةِ وَإِيَّاكُمۡ وَالۡكَذِبَ فَإِنَّ الۡكَذِبَ يَهۡدِي إِلَى الۡفُجُورِ وَإِنَّ الۡفُجُورَ يَهۡدِي إِلَى النَّارِ وَلَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَصۡدُقُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الصِّدۡقَ حَتَّى يُكۡتَبَ عِنۡدَ اللهِ صِدِّيقًا وَلَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَكۡذِبُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الۡكَذِبَ حَتَّى يُكۡتَبَ عِنۡدَ اللهِ كَذَّابًا

You have to be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise.

And beware of lying, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hell.

A man will keep telling the truth and striving to do so until he will be recorded with Allah as a truthful. And a man will keep telling lies and will persist in doing so until he will be recorded with Allah as a liar.

And there are many Hadiths on this topic.

وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ

the men and the women who are patient,

This is the attribute of those who are steadfast, which is patience in the face of adversity and knowing that what is decreed will inevitably come to pass. So, they face it with patience and steadfastness. Patience is the most difficult when disaster first strikes, then after that it becomes easier, and this is true steadfastness.

وَالۡخَاشِعِينَ وَالۡخَاشِعَاتِ

the Khashi`:men and the women,

Khushu` means serenity and tranquility, deliberation and dignity and humility. What motivates a person to be like this is the fear of Allah and the awareness that He is constantly watching, as mentioned in the Hadith:

اعۡبُدُ اللهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ فَإِنۡ لَمۡ تَكُنۡ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاك

Worship Allah as if you can see Him, for if you cannot see Him, He can see you.

وَالۡمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالۡمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ

the men and the women who give Sadaqat,

As-Sadaqah (charity) means doing good to people who are in need or who are weak and have no means of earning a living and none to financially support them. They give them from the excess of their wealth in obedience to Allah and as a good deed to His creation.

It was recorded in the Two Sahihs:

سَبۡعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمُ اللهُ فِي ظِلِّهِ يَوۡمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلاَّ ظِلُّهُ فَذَكَرَ مِنۡهُمۡ وَرَجُلٌ تَصَدَّقَ بِصَدَقَةٍ فَأَخۡفَاهَا حَتَّى لَاتَعۡلَمَ شِمَالُهُ مَا تُنۡفِقُ يَمِينُه

There are seven whom Allah will shade with His Shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade -- and among them he mentioned -- . ..a man who gave in charity and concealed it to the extent that his left hand did not know what his right hand was giving.

According to another Hadith:

وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطۡفِىءُ الۡخَطِييَةَ كَمَا يُطۡفِىءُ الۡمَاءُ النَّار

Sadaqah extinguishes bad deeds just as water extinguishes fire.

There are many Hadiths which encourage charitable giving;

this topic is discussed in detail elsewhere.

وَالصَّايِمِينَ وَالصَّايِمَاتِ

the men and the women who fast,

According to a Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah:

وَالصَّوۡمُ زَكَاةُ الۡبَدَن

Fasting is the Zakah of the body.

In other words, it purifies it and cleanses it of things that are bad in both physical and Shar`i terms.

Sa`id bin Jubayr said:

Whoever fasts Ramadan and three days of each month, is included in the Ayah,

وَالصَّايِمِينَ وَالصَّايِمَاتِ

(the men and the women who fast),

Fasting is also one of the greatest means of overcoming one's desires, as the Messenger of Allah said:

يَامَعۡشَرَ الشَّبَابِ مَنِ اسۡتَطَاعَ مِنۡكُمُ الۡبَاءَةَ فَلۡيَتَزَوَّجۡ فَإِنَّهُ أَغَضُّ لِلۡبَصَرِ وَأَحۡصَنُ لِلۡفَرۡجِ وَمَنۡ لَمۡ يَسۡتَطِعۡ فَعَلَيۡهِ بِالصَّوۡمِ فَإِنَّهُ لَهُ وِجَاء

O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is most effective in lowering the gaze and protecting the chastity. And whoever cannot get married, then let him fast, for it will be a protection for him.

It is quite apt that next should be mentioned:

وَالۡحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمۡ وَالۡحَافِظَاتِ

the men and the women who guard their chastity,

i.e., they protect their private parts from forbidden and sinful things, except for that which is permitted.

Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِفُرُوجِهِمۡ حَـفِظُونَ

إِلاَّ عَلَى أَزۡوَجِهِمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـنُهُمۡ فَإِنَّهُمۡ غَيۡرُ مَلُومِينَ

فَمَنِ ابۡتَغَى وَرَاءَ ذلِكَ فَأُوۡلَـيِكَ هُمُ الۡعَادُونَ

And those who guard their chastity. Except from their wives or the whom their right hands possess -- for they are not blameworthy. But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. (70:29-31)

وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ

and the men and the women who remember Allah much,

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah said:

إِذَا أَيۡقَظَ الرَّجُلُ امۡرَأَتَهُ مِنَ اللَّيۡلِ فَصَلَّيَا رَكۡعَتَيۡنِ كُتِبَا تِلۡكَ اللَّيۡلَةَ مِنَ الذَّاكِرِينَ اللهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَات

If a man wakes his wife at night and they pray two Rak`ahs, they will recorded that night as being among the men and the women who remember Allah much.

This was recorded by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah from the Hadith of Abu Sa`id and Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with them both, from the Prophet.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

The Messenger of Allah was walking along a road in Makkah, and he came to (the mountain of) Jumdan, and said,

هَذَا جُمۡدَانُ سِيرُوا فَقَدۡ سَبَقَ الۡمُفَرِّدُون

This is Jumdan, go ahead, for the Mufarridun have gone ahead. (The men and the women who remember Allah much).

Then he said,

اللَّهُمَّ اغۡفِرۡ لِلۡمُحَلِّقِين

O Allah, forgive those who shaved their hair.

They said, `And those who shortened.'

He said,

اللَّهُمَّ اغۡفِرۡ لِلۡمُحَلِّقِين

O Allah, forgive those who shaved their hair.

They said, `And those who shortened.'

وَالۡمُقَصِّرِين

And those who shortened.

This was recorded by Imam Ahmad with this chain of narration.

It was also recorded by Muslim, except for the last part of it.

أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةً وَأَجۡرًا عَظِيمًا

Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.

Here Allah tells us that for all of those mentioned in this Ayah, He has prepared for them forgiveness of their sins and a great reward, meaning, Paradise

The Reason for Revelation

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Barzah Al-Aslami said:

Julaybib was a man who used to enter upon women and joke with them. I said to my wife, `Do not let Julaybib enter upon you, for if he enters upon you I shall do such and such.'

If any of the Ansar had a single female relative, they would not arrange a marriage for her until they found out whether the Prophet wanted to marry her or not. The Prophet said to one of the Ansar:

زَوِّجۡنِي ابۡنَتَك

(Give me your daughter for marriage).

He said, `Yes, O Messenger of Allah, it would be an honor and a blessing.'

He said,

إِنِّي لَسۡتُ أُرِيدُهَا لِنَفۡسِي

(I do not want her for myself).

He said, `Then for whom, O Messenger of Allah?'

He said,

لِجُلَيۡبِيب

(For Julaybib).

He said, `O Messenger of Allah, let me consult her mother.'

So he went to the girl's mother and said, `The Messenger of Allah is proposing marriage for your daughter.'

She said, `Yes, it would be a pleasure.'

He said, `He is not proposing to marry her himself, he is proposing on behalf of Julaybib.'

She said, `What! Julaybib No, by Allah, we will not marry her to him.'

When he wanted to get up and go to the Messenger of Allah to tell him what the girl's mother had said, the girl asked, `Who is asking for my hand!'

So her mother told her, and she said, `Are you refusing to follow the command of the Messenger of Allah? Follow his command, for I will not come to any harm.'

So her father went to the Messenger of Allah and said, `Deal with her as you wish.' So he married her to Julaybib. Then the Messenger of Allah went out on one of his military campaigns, and after Allah had granted him victory, he said to his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them,

هَلۡ تَفۡقِدُونَ مِنۡ أَحَد

(See whether there is anybody missing),

They said, `We have lost so-and-so, and so-and-so.'

He said,

انۡظُرُوا هَلۡ تَفۡقِدُونَ مِنۡ أَحَد

(See if there is anybody missing).

They said, `No one.'

He said:

لَكِنَّنِي أَفۡقِدُ جُلَيۡبِيبًا

(But I see that Julaybib is missing).

He said:

فَاطۡلُبُوهُ فِي الۡقَتۡلَى

(Go and look for him among the dead).

So they looked for him, and found him beside seven of the enemy whom he had killed before he was himself killed.

They said, `O Messenger of Allah, here he is, beside seven of the enemy whom he had killed before he was himself killed.'

The Messenger of Allah came and stood beside him and said,

قَتَلَ سَبۡعَةً وَقَتَلُوهُ هَذَا مِنِّي وَأَنَا مِنۡه

He killed seven before he was himself killed. He belongs to me and I belong to him.

He said this two or three times, then the Messenger of Allah carried him in his arms and held him while his grave was dug, then he placed him in his grave. It was not mentioned that he washed him, may Allah be pleased with him.

Thabit, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

There was no widow among the Ansar who was more sought after for marriage than that girl.

Ishaq bin Abdullah bin Abi Talhah asked Thabit, Do you know how the Messenger of Allah prayed for that girl?

He told him:He said,

اللَّهُمَّ صُبَّ عَلَيۡهَا الۡخَيۡرَ صَبًّا وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ عَيۡشَهَا كَدًّا

O Allah, pour blessings upon her and do not make her life hard

And this is how it was; there was no widow among the Ansar who was more sought after for marriage than her.

This is how it was recorded by Imam Ahmad, in full.

Muslim and An-Nasa'i recorded the story of his death in Al-Fada'il.

Al-Hafiz Abu Umar bin Abd Al-Barr mentioned in Al-Isti`ab that when the girl said in her seclusion, `Are you refusing to follow the command of the Messenger of Allah ' -- This Ayah was revealed:

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُوۡمِنٍ وَلَا مُوۡمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمۡرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الۡخِيَرَةُ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِمۡ

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision.

It was narrated that Tawus asked Ibn Abbas about praying two Rak`ahs after `Asr and he told him not to do that. Ibn Abbas recited:

(It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision).

This Ayah is general in meaning and applies to all matters, i.e., if Allah and His Messenger decreed a matter, no one has the right to go against that, and no one has any choice or room for personal opinion in this case.

Allah says:

فَلَ وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُوۡمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُواۡ فِى أَنفُسِهِمۡ حَرَجاً مِّمَّا قَضَيۡتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواۡ تَسۡلِيماً

But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission. (4:65)

Hence the issue of going against it is addressed in such strong terms, as Allah says:

وَمَن يَعۡصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلَلاً مُّبِينًا

And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error.

This is like the Ayah:

فَلۡيَحۡذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَـلِفُونَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ أَوۡ يُصِيبَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

And let those who oppose the Messenger's commandment, beware, lest some Fitnah should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. (24:63)