Allah has not made for any man two hearts inside him, nor has he made your wives – whom you declare unlawful – your real mothers[1], nor has he made your adopted sons your real sons[2]. These are only words that you utter, but Allah speaks the truth and He guides to the right way.
Call these [adopted sons] by their fathers’ names; that is more equitable before Allah. But if you do not know their fathers, then they are your brothers in faith and your patronized associates. There is no blame on you if you make a mistake in that regard, but only for what your hearts intend. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than their own selves[3], and his wives are their mothers. And blood relatives are more entitled [to inheritance] than other believers and emigrants according to the Book of Allah unless you do good to your close associates [through bequest][4]. This is written in the Record[5].
And [remember] when We took from the prophets their covenant and from you [O Prophet], and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary; We took from them a solemn covenant
O you who believe, remember Allah’s favor upon you when [enemy] forces came against you[7], but We sent against them a violent wind and forces that you could not see[8]. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.
[Remember] when they came upon you from above you and from below you[9], and your eyes grew wild [in horror], and the hearts reached the throats, and you began to entertain various thoughts about Allah[10].
And [remember] when a group of them said, “O people of Yathrib[11], you cannot withstand [the enemy attack], so go back.” Another group of them asked the Prophet’s permission to leave, saying, “Our homes are exposed,” even though they were not exposed; they only wanted to flee.
If the enemy were to enter the town upon them[12] from all sides, and they were asked to abandon faith, they would have done it and would not have shown hesitation in it except a little.
Say, “Fleeing will never benefit you if you try to flee from death or killing, even then you will only be left to enjoy life except for a little while[13].”
Say, “Who is there that can protect you from Allah if He intends to harm you[14] or show you mercy?” They will not find besides Allah any protector or helper.
Allah knows well those among you who discourage others[15] and those [hypocrites] who say to their brothers, “Come and join us[16],” and they hardly take part in the battle[17].
They are niggardly[18] towards you. When danger comes, you see them looking at you with their eyes rolling like someone in the throes of death. But when danger is over, they slash you with sharp tongues, in greed for gains. Such people have not truly believed, so Allah will render their deeds worthless. That is easy for Allah.
They think that the Confederates have not yet gone[19]. If the Confederates were to come again, they would wish that they were away in the desert with Bedouins, asking for news of you. Even if they were among you, they would hardly take part in the fight.
When the believers saw the confederates, they said, “This is what Allah and His messenger had promised us[21], and Allah and His messenger have told the truth.” And it only increased them in faith and submission.
Among the believers there are men who have been true to their pledge to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge[22], and others are still waiting[23], and they have not changed in the least[24].
[It all happened] so that Allah may reward the truthful for their truthfulness, and punish the hypocrites if He wills, or accept their repentance. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Allah has repelled the disbelievers in their rage without gaining any good. And Allah spared the believers from fighting, and Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.
And He brought down those of the People of the Book[25] who supported them from their fortresses, and cast horror into their hearts: you killed some and took others as captives.
He also made you inherit their land, their homes and their wealth, and a land on which you have not yet set foot[26]. And Allah is Most Capable of all things.
O Prophet, tell your wives, “If you seek the life of this world and its embellishments, then come, I will give you provision and release you graciously.
But whoever among you devoutly obeys Allah and His Messenger and does righteous deeds, We will give her a double reward, and We have prepared for her an honorable provision.
O wives of the Prophet, you are not like any other women: if you fear Allah, do not be complaisant in your speech[27], lest those with sickness in their hearts should be moved with desire; but speak in an appropriate manner.
Stay in your homes and do not display your charms as was done in the former days of ignorance; establish prayer and give Zakah; and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah only intends to keep evil away from you, O members of the [Prophet’s] household, and to completely purify you.
Muslim men and women, believing men and women, obedient men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, and the men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember Allah much – Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.
It is not for a believing man or woman – when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter – to have any other choice in their matter[29]. Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has clearly gone astray.
And [remember, O Prophet] when you were saying to the one[30] who was favored by Allah[31] and favored by you[32], “Keep your wife and fear Allah.” You were concealing in your heart what Allah was going to reveal[33], and you were fearing people[34], while it was more fitting that you should fear Allah[35]. When Zayd no longer had desire for her, We gave her to you in marriage, so that there would be no restraint for the believers in marrying the ex-wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have desire for them. And Allah’s decree is bound to be fulfilled.
There is no blame on the Prophet concerning what Allah has made lawful for him[36]. Such was the way of Allah with those [prophets] who came before. And Allah’s command is a decree firmly determined,
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men[38], but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything.
It is He Who confers blessings upon you[39], and His angels pray for you, so that He may bring you out of the depths of darkness into the light. And He is Most Merciful to the believers.
Do not yield to the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and pay no heed to their annoyances. Put your trust in Allah, for Allah is sufficient as a Trustee of affairs.
O you who believe, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before the marriage is consummated[40], you have no reason to ask them to observe any waiting period[41], so give them compensation and release them in a pleasant manner.
O Prophet, We have made lawful for you[42] your wives whose dowries[43] you have paid; any bondwomen you may own from the captives whom Allah has bestowed upon you; daughters of your paternal uncle, daughters of your paternal aunts, daughters of your maternal uncle, daughters of your maternal aunts who have migrated with you; and a believing woman who offers herself to the Prophet [without dowry] if the Prophet wishes to marry her, [this is] exclusively for you, not for the rest of the believers. We know well what We have ordained for them concerning their marriages and the bondwomen they may own, so that there would be no discomfort for you. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful..
You [O Prophet] may postpone [the turn of] whoever you wish [of your wives], and you may share your time with whoever of them you wish[44], and there is no blame on you if you call back any of those whose turn you have set aside. That is more likely that they will be content and not distressed, and that they will be satisfied with what you give them all. Allah knows what is in your hearts, and Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.
It is not lawful for you [O Prophet] to marry more women henceforth, nor can you replace any of them with others, even if their beauty may please you, except those bondwomen whom you own. And Allah is ever Watchful over all things.
O you who believe, do not enter the houses of the Prophet unless you are given permission for a meal; not so early as to wait for the meal to be prepared. But if you are invited, then enter, and when you have eaten, then disperse, without lingering for conversation. Such [behavior] causes annoyance to the Prophet; he is too shy to express it to you, but Allah is not shy of [telling] the truth. And if you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a screen; that is purer for your hearts and their hearts. It is not lawful for you to cause annoyance to Allah’s Messenger, or to ever marry his wives after him, for that is indeed an enormous sin before Allah.
There is no blame on the Prophet’s wives [if they are seen unveiled] by their fathers[45], their sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons[46], their fellow [Muslim] women, and their slaves whom they own. And fear Allah [O Prophet’s wives], for Allah is Witness over all things.
Indeed, Allah sends His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O you who believe, invoke Allah’s blessings upon him and send him greetings of peace.
Those who offend Allah[47] and His Messenger[48] are cursed by Allah in this world and in the Hereafter, and He has prepared for them a humiliating punishment.
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters, and the believing women to draw their outer garments[50] over themselves; that is more likely that they will be known [as chaste women] and will not be harassed. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
If the hypocrites and those who have sickness in their hearts[51], and the rumormongers in Madinah do not desist, We will surely instruct you [O Prophet] to overpower them, then they will not remain in the city with you except for a short while.
Indeed, We offered the Trust[55] to the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, yet they refused[56] to bear it and were afraid of it. But man assumed it; he is indeed wrongful and ignorant[57].
[As a result of that] Allah will punish the hypocrite men and women, and the polytheist men and women, and Allah will accept the repentance of the believing men and women, for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful[58].
