Sura al-Ahzab
This article is an introduction to the Sura al-Ahzab; to read its text see text:Sura al-Ahzab.
Sūra al-Aḥzāb (Arabic: سورة الأحزاب) is thirty third sura of the Qur'an. It is a Madani sura, located in juz's twenty-first and twenty-second. Since a significant part of this sura is about the battle of Ahzab (also called Khandaq), this sura is named al-Ahzab. Sura al-Ahzab is about not following disbelievers and obeying God, some laws of the Age of Ignorance, duties of the wives of the Prophet (s), the story of the Prophet's (s) marriage with Zaynab bt. Jahsh and the issue of hijab.
| Sajda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sura Number | 33 |
| Juz' | 21 and 22 |
| Revelation | |
| Revelation Number | 90 |
| Makki/Madani | Madani |
| Information | |
| Verse Count | 73 |
| Word Count | 1037 |
| Letter Count | 5787\ |
Sura al-Ahzab has many famous verses, including a verse that calls the Prophet's (s) wives, "Ummahat al-Mu'minin", introduces the Prophet (s) as an exemplar, and the al-Tathir verse, the al-Khatamiyya verse, the Salawat verse and the al-Amana Verse. About the merits of the recitation of this sura, it is transmitted that if a person recites it, he will be safe from the punishment of the grave and that he will be with the Prophet (s) and his wives on the Day of Judgment.
Introduction
- Naming
This sura is named al-Ahzab, because a significant part of it is about the battle of Ahzab (also called the battle of Khandaq).[1] The word "al-ahzab" meaning "confederates" is mentioned twice in this sura.[2][3].
- Order and Place of Revelation
Sura al-Ahzab is a Madani sura and the ninetieth sura revealed to the Prophet (s). In the current order of compilation,[4] This is the third sura, located in juz's twenty-first and ywenty-second.
- Number of Verses and Other Features
Sura al-Ahzab has seventy-three verses, 1307 words, and 5787 letters. Regarding volume, it is among Mathani suras.[5]
Content
Sura al-Ahzab speaks about miscellaneous issues such as ideological issues, religious rulings, stories, historical examples, and especially the battle of Ahzab or Khandaq.[6] Some of the important issues mentioned in this sura, according to Tafsir-i Nimuna, are as follows:
- Obeying God and not following disbelievers
- Laws of the Age of Ignorance, such as Zihar and son adoption
- The battle of Ahzab and the miraculous victory of Muslims over disbelievers
- Duties of the Prophet's (s) wives
- The story of the Prophet's (s) marriage with Zaynab bt. Jahsh
| Duties of believers toward the Prophet (s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduction: verses: 1-3 The Prophet (s) should only obey God's order | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First duty: verses 4-8 Obeying the Prophet's (s) religious orders | Second duty: verses 9-27 Companionship of the Prophet (s) in fighting the enemies | Third duty: verses 28-35 Duties of the Prophet's (s) wives | Fourth duty: verses 36-40 Submission against the Prophet's (s) decisions | Fifth duty: verses 41-48 Servitude of God and accepting the good news of the Prophet (s) | Sixth duty: verses 49-52 Accepting the rulings in marriage specific to the Prophet (s) | Seventh duty: verses 53-55 Observing the Prophet's (s) privacy | Eighth duty: verses 56-62 Not harassing the Prophet (s) and the believers | Ending: verses 63-73 Following the Prophet (s) is the only way of salvation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First issue: verse 4 Not divorcing wives through Zihar | First issue: verses 9-11 Unseen helps in the battle of Ahzab | First duty: verses 28-29 Avoiding luxuriousness | First issue: verse 36 Not disobeying the order of God and the Prophet (s) | First issue: verses 41-44 Remember God a lot | First issue: verse 49 'Idda and dowry of divorced women | First issue: verse 53 Not entering the Prophet's (s) house without permission | First issue: verses 56-58 Punishment of harassing the Prophet (s) and the believers | First issue: verse 63 Proximity of the Day of Judgment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second issue: verses 4-5 Discrediting the law of son adoption | Second issue: verses 12-20 Measures of the hypocrites in the battle of Ahzab | Second duty: verses 30-31 Avoiding sins | Second issue: verse 37 The rule about the Prophet's (s) marriage with the wife of his adopted son | Second issue: verses 45-48 The Prophet's (s) good news for believers | Second issue: verse 50 The list of women the Prophet's (s) marriage with whom is permissible | Second issue: verse 53 Not staying at the Prophet's (s) house | Second issue: verse 59 The influence of observing hijab in avoiding the harassment of women | Second issue: verses 64-68 The consequence of disobeying the Prophet (s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third issue: verse 6 Respecting the Prophet's (s) wives | Third issue: verses 21-23 Determination of believers in the battle of Ahzab | Third duty: verse 32 Observing limits when dealing with non-mahrams | Third issue: verses 38-40 The Prophet (s) should only act upon his duty | Third issue: verse 51 The Prophet's (s) duty in observing the wives' turns | Third issue: verses 53-55 Observing the privacy of the Prophet's (s) wives | Third issue: verses 60-62 Warning those who spread rumors and harass the Prophet (s) | Third issue: verses 69-71 The fruit of obeying the Prophet (s) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth issue: verse 6 Continuing to observe the law of inheriting relatives | Fourth issue: verse 24 Believers' reward and punishment of hypocrites | Fourth duty: verses 33-34 Acting upon religious rulings | Fourth issue: verse 52 Prohibition of marriage for the Prophet (s) | Fourth issue: verses 72-73 Following the divine trust is the only way of salvation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: verses 7-8 The religion of the Prophet of Islam (s) is the religion of all prophets | Fifth issue: verses 25-27 Failure of disbelievers and their advocates in the battle of Ahzab | Result: verse 35 Reward of faithful men and women | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Famous Verses
Verse of Ummahat al-Mu'minin
| “ | "The Prophet is closer to the faithful than their own souls, and his wives are their mothers." | ” |
| — Qur'an, 33:6 | ||
Verse six of Sura al-Ahzab introduces the wives of the Prophet (s) as the mothers of believers. It is said that, by mentioning this issue, this verse intended to mention the necessity of respecting the wives of the Prophet (s) and the prohibition of marriage with them.[9]
Verse of Uswa
| “ | "There is certainly a good exemplar for you in the Apostle of Allah" | ” |
| — Qur'an, 33:21. | ||
According to al-Mizan, this verse has mentioned one of the rulings of the Prophet's (s) mission. Based on this rule, Muslims should follow the Prophet (s) in speech and in action, and take the example of him for struggling in the way of God.[10]
Verse of Tathir
| “ | "Indeed Allah desires to repel all impurity from you, O People of the Household, and purify you with a thorough purification." | ” |
| — Qur'an, 33:33. | ||
This part of verse 33 is known as the verse of al-Tathir. In Shi'a and Sunni sources, it is mentioned that it was revealed about the Companions of Kisa'.[11] In this verse, it is mentioned that God desires to repel all impurity from the Ahl al-Bayt (a). To prove the infallibility of Imams (a), Shi'a scholars brought arguments from this verse.[12]
Verse of Khatamiyya
| “ | "Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Apostle of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets." | ” |
| — Qur'an, 33:40. | ||
This verse calls the Prophet of Islam (s) "Khatam al-Nabiyyin" (Seal of Prophets). They say that, the word "khatam" means "something by which they end something."[13] Muslim scholars believe that according to this verse, the Prophet of Islam (s) is the last messenger of God and no other prophet would come after him.[14]
Verse of Salawat
| “ | "Indeed Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who have faith! Invoke blessings on him and invoke Peace upon him in a worthy manner." | ” |
| — Qur'an, 33:56. | ||
Reciting this verse is advised as one of the recommended practices after Maghrib prayer. In Shi'a mosques of Iran, after each prayer, a person recites this verse loudly and people repeat Salawat after him three times in a loud voice. In hadiths from Shi'a and Sunni sources, it is mentioned that upon sending Salawat to the Prophet (s), Salawat should be sent to his households too.[15]
Verse of Hijab
| “ | "O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw closely over themselves their chadors [when going out]. That makes it likely for them to be recognized and not be troubled, and Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful." | ” |
| — Qur'an, 33:59. | ||
This verse and some other verses[16] are known as the verses of hijab. According to exegetes, this verse orders Muslim women to observe perfect hijab and explains that this action is better for them, because by doing so, they will be less harassed by men.[17]
Verse of Amana
| “ | "Indeed We presented the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to undertake it and were apprehensive of it, but man undertook it. Indeed he is most unjust and ignorant." | ” |
| — Qur'an, 33:72. | ||
About the word "Amana" in this verse, exegetes have discussed a lot and have expressed different views in this regard. In the exegetical books, examples such as divine wilaya, intellect, free will, knowledge of God, and religious duties are mentioned for the meaning of "Amana".[18]
Stories and Historical Accounts
- Battle of Ahzab: Coming of enemies, unseen assistance of God, doubt of some Muslims, God's warning about escaping, disbelievers' return and the end of the battle, trial of the People of the Book who were allied with disbelievers (verses 9 – 23)
- The Prophet's (s) marriage with Zayd b. Haritha's divorced wife (verse 37)
- Warning hypocrites and those who spread rumors in Medina (verses 60 – 61)
Merits and Benefits
Based on a hadith in Majma' al-bayan, if a person recites Sura al-Ahzab and teaches it to his family, he will be safe from the punishment of the grave.[19] It is transmitted from Imam al-Sadiq (a) that those who recite this sura a lot will be with the Prophet (s) and his wives on the Day of Judgment.[20]
External Links
Notes
- ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i nimūna, vol. 17, p. 183.
- ↑ Khurramshāhī, Dānishnāma-yi Qur’ān, vol. 2, p. 1246.
- ↑ They suppose the confederates (Ahzab) have not left yet, and were the confederates to come [again], they would wish they were in the desert with the Bedouins asking about your news. (verses 20), But when the faithful saw the confederates, they said, ‘This is what Allah and His Apostle had promised us (verse 21)
- ↑ Maʿrifat, Āmūzish-i ʿulūm-i Qur’an, vol. 2, p. 166.
- ↑ Khurramshāhī, Dānishnāma-yi Qur’ān, vol. 2, p. 1246.
- ↑ Ṭabāṭabāyī, al-Mīzān, vol. 16, p. 273.
- ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i nimūna, vol. 17, p. 184-185.
- ↑ Khamagar, Muhammad, Sakhtar-i suraha-yi Qur'an-i karim, Mu'assisa-yi Farhangi-yi Qur'an wa 'Itrat-i Nur al-Thaqalayn, Qom: Nashra, ed.1, 1392 Sh.
- ↑ Ṭabāṭabāyī, al-Mīzān, vol. 16, p. 277.
- ↑ Ṭabāṭabāyī, al-Mīzān, vol. 16, p. 288.
- ↑ See: Tirmizī, Sunan, vol. 5, p. 699; Ṣadūq, Maʿānī l-akhbār, vol. 2, p. 403.
- ↑ Ṭabāṭabāyī, al-Mīzān, vol. 16, p. 311; Ṭabrisī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, vol. 8, p. 560.
- ↑ Motahhari, Majmūʿa-yi āthār, vol. 3, p. 155.
- ↑ See: Ṭabāṭabāyī, al-Mīzān, vol. 16, p. 325; Motahhari, Majmūʿa-yi āthār, vol. 3, p. 155.
- ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i nimūna, vol. 17, p. 418.
- ↑ Qur’ān, 33:53; 24:31.
- ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i nimūna, vol. 17, p. 427-428.
- ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i nimūna, vol. 17, p. 451-452.
- ↑ Ṭabrisī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, vol. 8, p. 524.
- ↑ Ṣadūq, Thawāb al-aʿmāl, p. 110.
References
- Khurramshāhī, Bahāʾ al-Dīn. Dānishnāma-yi Qurʾān wa Qurʾān pazhūhī. Tehran: Dūstān-Nāhīd, 1377 Sh.
- Makārim Shīrāzī, Nāṣir. Tafsīr-i nimūna. Tehran: Dār al-Kutub al-Islāmīyya, 1374 Sh.
- Maʿrifat, Muḥammad Hādī. Āmūzish-i ʿulūm-i Qurʾān. [n.p]: Markaz Chāp wa Nashr-i Sāzmān-i Tablīghāt, 1371 Sh.
- Motahhari, Morteza. Majmūʿa-yi āthār. Tehran: Intishārāt-i Ṣadrā, 1375 Sh.
- Ṣadūq, Muḥammad b. ʿAlī al-. Maʿānī l-akhbār. Edited by ʿAlī Akbar Ghaffārī. Qom: Daftar-i Intishārāt-i Islāmī, 1403 AH.
- Ṣadūq, Muḥammad b. ʿAlī al-. Thawāb al-aʿmāl wa ʿiqāb al-aʿmāl. Qom: Dār al-Sharīf al-Raḍī, 1406 AH.
- Tirmizī, Muḥammad b. ʿĪsā. Sunan. Edited by ʿAbd al-Wahhāb ʿAbd al-Laṭīf. Second edition. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr, 1403 AH.
- Ṭabāṭabāyī, Mūhammad Ḥusayn al-. Al-Mīzān fī tafsīr al-Qurʾān. Qom: Daftar-i Intishārāt-i Islāmī, 1417 AH.
- Ṭabrisī, Faḍl b. al-Ḥasan al-. Majmaʿ al-bayān fī tafsīr al-Qurʾān. Edited by Hāshim Rasūlī & Yazdī Ṭabāṭabāyī. Third edition. Tehran: Intishārāt-i Nāṣir Khusru, 1372 Sh.