وَٱذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَىٰ فِى بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْحِكْمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا 34
Translations
And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allāh and wisdom. Indeed, Allāh is ever Subtle and Aware.
Transliteration
Wa-dhkurna mā yutlā fī buyūtikunna min āyāti-llāhi wa-l-hikmah. Inna-llāha kāna laṭīfan khabīrā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the wives of the Prophet (may Allah's peace be upon him), commanding them to remember and reflect upon the Quranic verses and divine wisdom recited in their homes. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction emphasizes the importance of women being keepers and transmitters of Islamic knowledge within the household, serving as educators of the next generation. The closing phrase 'Indeed, Allah is Subtle and All-Knowing' reminds believers that Allah is fully aware of their efforts in remembrance and obedience, even in private spaces.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Ahzab, which addresses the wives of the Prophet in particular (verses 28-34). It was revealed during the Medinan period and forms part of instructions regarding the conduct and roles of the Prophet's wives, emphasizing their special responsibility as models of piety and knowledge within the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
Reported in Sahih Bukhari: 'The best of women are those who please their husbands when they look at them, and obey them when commanded.' Additionally, there are numerous hadiths on the virtue of women teaching Islamic knowledge, such as that recorded by Ahmad ibn Hanbal regarding women who memorized the Quran and taught it.
Themes
Key Lesson
Women play a vital role in preserving and transmitting Islamic knowledge and values within their homes and families. The emphasis on remembering Quranic verses and wisdom in domestic spaces elevates the spiritual significance of the household, reminding all believers that piety and learning are not confined to mosques but flourish in hearts that cultivate mindfulness of Allah and His teachings.
Related Ayahs
إِن تُبْدُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا
Whether you reveal a thing or conceal it, indeed Allāh is ever, of all things, Knowing.
وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
And exalt Him morning and afternoon.
وَإِذْ تَقُولُ لِلَّذِىٓ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ وَتُخْفِى فِى نَفْسِكَ مَا ٱللَّهُ مُبْدِيهِ وَتَخْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ وَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَىٰهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ زَيْدٌ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًا زَوَّجْنَـٰكَهَا لِكَىْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَرَجٌ فِىٓ أَزْوَٰجِ أَدْعِيَآئِهِمْ إِذَا قَضَوْا۟ مِنْهُنَّ وَطَرًا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا
And [remember, O Muḥammad], when you said to the one on whom Allāh bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allāh," while you concealed within yourself that which Allāh is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allāh has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort [i.e., guilt] concerning the wives of their claimed [i.e., adopted] sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.
لِّيَسْـَٔلَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ عَن صِدْقِهِمْ ۚ وَأَعَدَّ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
That He may question the truthful about their truth. And He has prepared for the disbelievers a painful punishment.