al-Ahzab (The Clans, The Coalition, The Combined Forces, The Allies) at IslamAwakened.com

33:4 Allah has not placed two hearts in the bosom of any man, nor does He regard as your mothers those of your wives whom you desert by (Zihar) calling them as such, nor does He regard those whom you adopt as your children as your own (real) children. These are mere words that you speak; but Allah declares the truth and He guides to the (straight) path

33:5 Call them (- the adopted ones) after (the names of) their (real) fathers. This is more just and equitable in the sight of Allah. But if you do not know (the names of) their fathers then (they are) your brothers-in-faith and your friends or wards. And no blame shall lie on you with regard to any mistake you may have unintentionally made (before) in such a case. But (you are accountable for) that which you wilfully and premeditatingly do. And Allah is Great Protector, Ever Merciful

33:6 The Prophet has a better claim on the believers than (that) they even have on themselves. (Not only that) his wives are (as) mothers to them. (But in the matters of inheritance) the blood relations are nearer one to another (and more deserving to get the heritage) in (accordance with) the Law of Allah than the other believers (from among the Ansar) as well as the immigrants (-Muhajirs whom the Ansar took as brothers and united with themselves). Yet you can do an act of kindness (to do honourable favour) to your friends. This is also laid down in the Book of Law

33:7 And (recall the time) when We made a covenant with the Prophets and We made it with you, and with Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, son of Mary; and We made a solemn covenant with them

33:8 (The Lord did it) so that He may let the truthful give expression to their truthfulness (-whether they were true to their covenant). And (whereas He will reward the true believers); He has in store a woeful punishment for the disbelievers

33:9 Believers! remember how Allah favoured you when (the combined) forces (of the Quraish and their allies) came against you (in the Battle of Ahzab) and We sent against them (the forces of nature) a strong wind and hosts (of angels) that you could not see. And Allah is ever a close observer of your (painstaking efforts and toilsome) deeds

33:10 (Recall how He favoured you) when they (-your enemies) invaded you (at Madinah) from above you (from the highlands on the east) and from below you (-from the valley to the west) and when (your) eyes were dazed (in terror) and your hearts rose up to (your) throats while (some of) you entertained diverse thoughts about Allah

33:11 That was the time when the believers were put to hard trial and were violently shaken

33:12 (Recall the time,) when the hypocrites and those who carried a (spiritual) disease in their hearts said, `Allah and His Messenger only made us a false and delusive promise (of victory)

33:13 And (recall) when a party of them (also) said, `O people of Yathrib (- Madinah)! you can put up no stand (in the face of the enemy); you had better go back (to your homes or your old faith to save your lives). And a section of them asked the Prophet for leave saying, `Surely, our homes are lying exposed (to danger) whereas they were not actually lying exposed, but they only sought to flee (from the battlefield)

33:14 And if entry (of the enemy-forces) were effected (in the town of Madinah) against them from its diverse quarters and then they were incited to (treachery and) join in the disturbance (against the Companions) they would have readily gone for it. But (afterwards as it happened) they could not stay there (in their so called undefended houses) but a little while

33:15 And previous to that they had made a covenant with Allah that they would not turn (their) backs. And a covenant (made) with Allah will have to be answered for

33:16 Say, `It would be of no avail to you if you flee from death or the battlefield and in case you do, you will not (be allowed to) enjoy yourselves but for a short while

33:17 Who will save you from (the punishment of) Allah if it be His will to do you some harm or (who will withhold His favour from you) if it be His will to show you mercy? And they will not find apart from Allah a patron or a helper for them

33:18 Verily, Allah knows those of you who turn others away (from fighting in the cause of Allah), and (He knows) also those (of you) who say to their brethren, `Come to us (to follow the right course).' But they themselves seldom join the fight (in the cause of Allah)

33:19 They are niggardly (having no desire) to help you. But when danger is in sight you can see them looking towards you, their eyes rolling like (the eyes of) one who swoons due to (the agony of) death. But when (the time of) danger passes away they lash you (tauntingly) with the sharp (edges of their) tongues being niggardly of any good (coming to your way). These people have never, infact, believed (sincerely), so Allah has rendered void all their activities (against Islam). And (doing) that is always an easy thing for Allah

33:20 They (still) think that the (invading) confederates have not yet withdrawn. Should the confederates come (again) they would wish to be (desert dwellers) among the bedouins in the desert asking for news about you (whether you were safe or destroyed). And had they been among you they would not have fought (along with you), save a few

33:21 Certainly, you have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah for one who hopes (to meet) Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah again and again

33:22 And as soon as the believers saw (the troops of) the confederates they said, `This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us (about the defeat and discomfiture of the hosts of disbelievers and eventual victory of Islam); and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth. Look! this (entire episode) made them all the more faithful and obedient (to God)

33:23 There are some remarkable men among the believers who have been true to the covenant they made with Allah. There are some among them who fulfilled their vow (and fell martyrs). And there are others among them who are (still) waiting to fulfill. They have never changed (their minds, their conduct or stand they had taken) in the least

33:24 (The Muslims were granted victory in this battle) so that Allah may reward the truthful for their having been true (to their covenant) and that He may punish the hypocrites or turn to them in mercy whichever pleases Him. Allah is Great Protector (against faults), Ever Merciful

33:25 And Allah drove the disbelievers back (from Madinah and they turned back) with fire of rage (and full of spite for the Muslims); they gained no good. And Allah sufficed the believers in (their) fighting. Allah is Ever Powerful, All-Mighty

33:26 And He brought down from their strongholds those of the people of the Scripture (- the Jews of Madinah, the perfidious Banu Quraizah) who had backed them (-the invading enemies). He inspired awful terror into their hearts (so much so that) some of them you were able to slay and others you could take as captives

33:27 And He allowed you to inherit their land, their homes and their belongings. And He shall give you yet more lands (the land of Khaibar; and the land of the Persian and Roman Empires) on which you have not so far set your foot. And Allah is Possessor of prudential power over all that He will

33:28 O Prophet! say to your wives, `If you desire the present life and its beautiful things of adornment, come then, I will provide for you worldly provisions and allow you to depart in a handsome manner, a departing in kindliness

33:29 `But if you choose (the good will of) Allah and (of) this Messenger and (in this way prefer) the Abode of the Hereafter, then truly Allah has prepared a great reward for the doers of good among you.

33:30 O wives of the Prophet! if any of you be guilty of manifest improper conduct (-a conduct falling short of the highest standard of faith, as you are made an excellent model for others) you will receive punishment twice over. It is indeed easy for Allah (to double your punishment)

33:31 But whoever of you is obedient to Allah and His Messenger and does righteous deeds, We shall give her reward twice over and We have prepared for her an honourable provision

33:32 O wives of the Prophet! you are like no other women, if you would guard against evil, so be not soft in speech lest he who carries a disease in his heart should feel tempted, and you should speak decent words in a dignified tone

33:33 And remain in your houses with grace and dignity (you being the mothers of the believers will not be allowed to merry) and do not show yourselves off as (did the women) in the bygone days of ignorance (who displayed their finery), and observe Prayer, present the Zakat (- the purifying dues) regularly and obey Allah and His Messenger. Members of the house (of the Prophet of God)! verily, Allah desires to rid you of (all) uncleanliness and to purify you completely

33:34 And keep in mind the Messages of Allah and the (words of) wisdom which are recited in your homes. Verily, Benign is Allah, All-Aware

33:35 Verily, Allah has in store protection (from faults) and a great reward for the men and women who submit themselves (to the will of God), and for the men and women who believe, and for the men and women who are obedient to Allah, and for the men and women who are patiently persevering (in their faith and righteousness,) and for the men and women who are humble (before God) and for the men and women who give alms and for the men and women who fast and for the men and women who guard their chastity, and for the men and women who remember and glorify Allah (with all His praises) again and again

33:36 It does not behove a believing man or a believing woman to exercise an option in their affair after Allah and His Messenger have decided the matter. Indeed, he who disobeys Allah and His Messenger surely strays far away in clear error

33:37 And (recall the time) when you said to the man (- Zaid son of Harithah, a slave freed by the Prophet) on whom Allah had bestowed His favour and whom you also had favoured, `Keep your wife (- Zainab) to yourself (and do not divorce her) and take Allah as a shield. And you (O Zaid!) conceal (the cause of the failure of the marriage) in your mind, what Allah is going to bring to light (that the responsibility of the failure rests more upon Zaid than upon Zainab); and you are (also) afraid of the people whereas Allah has a better right that you should stand in awe of Him.' However when Zaid had done what he intended to do with her (- his wife and dissolved the marriage tie with her), We gave her (- the divorced lady) in marriage to you, so that the believers might incur no blame in (getting married to) the wives of their adopted sons after they had dissolved the marriage tie with them. Indeed, the decree of Allah is ever executed

33:38 No blame shall lie on the Prophet for (doing) that which Allah has made incumbent upon him. (Such indeed has been) the law of Allah with regard to those (Prophets) who have passed away. Indeed, the command of Allah is a decree that is made absolute

33:39 Those who deliver the Messages of Allah and who stand in awe of Him and stand in awe of none except Allah. And Sufficient is Allah to take account

33:40 Muhammad is no father to any man among you but (he is rather) the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. Indeed Allah has full knowledge of all things

33:41 Believers! remember Allah with much remembrance

33:42 And glorify Him morning and evening

33:43 It is He Who sends (His) blessings on you (and) His angels (pray for you) with the result that He brings you out of (all kinds) of utter darkness and leads you to light. And He is Ever Merciful to the believers

33:44 They will be greeted with peace the day they meet Him. And He has an honorous reward in store for them

33:45 Prophet! We have sent you to be a Witness, a Bearer of glad tidings and a Warner

33:46 And (We have sent you) to be a Summoner to Allah by His command and to serve as a bright sun which spreads light

33:47 And (Prophet!) give the believers glad tidings that there awaits them great grace from Allah

33:48 And do not follow the disbelievers and the hypocrites and overlook their insulting remarks and annoying ways, and put your trust in Allah, for Sufficient is Allah as a Disposer of affairs

33:49 Believers! when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have had access to them they are under no obligation to wait for `Iddat (- the prescribed period of waiting) that you count with regard to them (before they can marry). You had better give them some provision and send them away in a handsome manner

33:50 Prophet! We have made lawful to you, your wives whom you have paid their dowers and (similarly) those (wives) whom your right hand owns (after granting them freedom in lieu of their dower in marriage) from among those whom Allah has given you as gains of war. (And also lawful for the marriage were) the daughters of your paternal uncles and of your paternal aunts, and the daughters of your maternal uncles and of your maternal aunts as have emigrated with you. And (also has been made lawful to the Prophet) any other believing woman who offers herself to the Prophet (for marriage without claiming dower), provided the Prophet (too) desires to wed her. (This is a special permission of marrying more than four wives at a time) only for you to the exclusion of (other) believers in order that there may be no difficulty for you (in explaining the law to the believers). We know what We have enjoined on them (in the Qur'an) regarding their wives (from among the free women) and also about (their marrying of) those whom their right hands own, in order that there may be no difficulty for you (in explaining the law to them). And Allah is Great Protector, Ever Merciful

33:51 (Prophet!) You may put aside such of them (- your wives) as you like and you may keep with yourself such of them as you like. (Similarly) no blame shall lie on you if you take back such of them as you desire of those (wives) whom you have had put aside (in the matter) provisionally. It is more likely this should console them and relieve them of their grief; and make everyone of them well-pleased with what you have given them. And Allah knows best what lies hidden in your hearts. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Clement

33:52 (Prophet!) you are not allowed (to marry) other woman after this, nor to change them (- your present wives )for other wives however much you may admire their good qualities. Only those (will remain with you) whom your right hand owns (after your having properly and lawfully wedded them). Remember that Allah is Ever Watchful over everything

33:53 Believers! do not enter the houses of the Prophet unless permission (to enter) has been given you for a meal (with him). Moreover do not wait (there) for the meal time. Rather you should come when you are invited, and disperse when you have had your meal, (nor should you stay over) seeking to listen to (idle) conversation. Surely, this behaviour of yours causes inconvenience to the Prophet, and he (being considerate of your feelings) forbears from (saying anything to) you. But Allah forbears not from (saying) what is true. And when you ask the women for any commodity, ask them from behind a curtain. Such (a conduct) will better ensure the purity of your minds as well as theirs. And it is never proper for you to cause inconvenience to the Messenger of Allah, nor (is it proper for you) that you should ever marry his wives after him. Indeed (if you do so) it would be a grievous thing in the sight of Allah

33:54 (It makes little difference) whether you do a thing openly or conceal it. Allah has full knowledge of everything

33:55 No blame shall lie on the women (if they appear) before their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their brothers' sons or the sons of their sisters or the womenfolk of their own (category) or those whom their right hands own. And you (all womenfolk) take (each of you) Allah as a shield. Verily, Allah is Ever Witness over all things

33:56 Verily, Allah and His angels bless this Prophet. Believers! you (also) invoke Allah's blessings upon him and salute (him) with the salutation of peace

33:57 Verily, those who malign Allah and His Messenger (and are guilty of false accusation), Allah has condemned them in this world and in the next and He has prepared a humiliating punishment for them

33:58 And those who malign believing men and believing women for no fault of theirs, are guilty of false accusation and bear the burden of flagrant sin

33:59 Prophet! tell your wives, your daughters and women of the believers that (while going out of their houses) they should draw lower upon them the portions of their (loose) outer coverings from over their heads on to their bosoms (so as to veil therewith the arms, the neck, the hair and ornaments worn over them). This practice is more likely to help them to be distinguished (from other women who make a display of their beauty and ornamentation) and so saves them from trouble. Allah is Great Protector, Ever Merciful

33:60 If the hypocrites, those who carry a disease in their hearts and the scandal-mongers (who circulate false rumours to cause agitation) in the city, do not give over (their evil designs and stop their activities), We shall (one day) make you exercise authority over them, then they will not dwell long in this (city) with you (as your neighbours)

33:61 (They are) bereft of Allah's grace, and will be held wherever they are found and put to death

33:62 Such has been the way of Allah in the case of those who have gone before and you will find no change in the way of Allah

33:63 People ask you about this (promised) Hour (When the such people will be treated like that). Say, `Allah alone has the knowledge of it. And what shall make you know that the Hour may be near at hand

33:64 Allah has surely condemned the disbelievers and has a blazing Fire in store for them

33:65 They will live long in it. And they will find (therein) no patron nor helper

33:66 The day when their leaders are turned over and over into the Fire, they will say, `O would that we had obeyed Allah! would that we had obeyed the Messenger!

33:67 The people (in general) will say, `Our Lord! we obeyed our leaders and our great ones but they led us astray from (Your) path

33:68 `Our Lord! give them (their) punishment twice over (for their own evil deeds and for their misleading us), and deprive them totally of your grace

33:69 Believers! be not as those who maligned Moses. Indeed Allah absolved him of their allegations. And he (- Moses) is ever high- honored in the sight of Allah

33:70 Believers! take Allah as a shield and say the right thing in a straight forward words that hits the mark (and is devoid of hidden meanings)

33:71 He will set right your actions for you, and protect you against (the consequences of) your sins. And one who obeys Allah and His Messenger, has of course achieved a great achievement

33:72 Verily, We presented the trust (- Our injunctions and laws) to the heavens and the earth and the mountains and they refused to prove false to it, and they were struck with awe of it. On the other hand a human-being has proved false to it (by betraying the trust and violating the Divine commandments), for he could be unjust and is forgetful

33:73 With the result that Allah will punish the hypocritical men and hypocritical women and the polytheistic men and the polytheistic women (who proved false to the trust). Whereas He turns with grace and mercy to the believing men and the believing women. Indeed, Allah is Great Protector, Ever Merciful