مَّا كَانَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ مِنْ حَرَجٍ فِيمَا فَرَضَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ ۖ سُنَّةَ ٱللَّهِ فِى ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ قَدَرًا مَّقْدُورًا 38
Translations
There is not to be upon the Prophet any discomfort concerning that which Allāh has imposed upon him. [This is] the established way of Allāh with those [prophets] who have passed on before. And ever is the command of Allāh a destiny decreed.
Transliteration
Mā kāna 'alā an-nabiyyi min harajin fīmā farada Allāhu lahu, sunnata Allāhi fil-ladhīna khalaw min qablu, wa kāna amru Allāhi qadaran maqdūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah clarifies that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not prohibited from what Allah had ordained for him, establishing that certain permissions granted to him were part of Allah's established practice (Sunnah) with His previous prophets. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this verse primarily addresses the Prophet's marriages, particularly the marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh, affirming that Allah's decree and divine will are inescapable and predetermined.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Prophet's marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh after her divorce from Zayd ibn Harithah, which some Muslims questioned. The surah Al-Ahzab itself addresses the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq) and related social and family matters, with this verse coming amid clarifications about the Prophet's household.
Related Hadiths
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated regarding the Prophet's marriages: 'The Prophet was not different from other men in his private affairs except that Allah gave him more strength and capability.' (Referenced in Tirmidhi). Also relevant: Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet said, 'I have been given five things which were not given to any prophet before me,' which Scholars connect to his unique permissions including specific marriage rulings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims to accept divine wisdom even when we do not fully understand specific rulings, and reminds us that Allah's decrees follow eternal principles established throughout human history. For believers, it emphasizes submission to Allah's will and recognition that His commands are based on perfect knowledge and justice.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَٱلْمُسْلِمَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتِينَ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرَٰتِ وَٱلْخَـٰشِعِينَ وَٱلْخَـٰشِعَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰٓئِمِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰٓئِمَـٰتِ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظَـٰتِ وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allāh often and the women who do so - for them Allāh has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.
وَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلْأَحْزَابَ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَصَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ۚ وَمَا زَادَهُمْ إِلَّآ إِيمَـٰنًا وَتَسْلِيمًا
And when the believers saw the companies, they said, "This is what Allāh and His Messenger had promised us, and Allāh and His Messenger spoke the truth." And it increased them only in faith and acceptance.
وَٱتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
And follow that which is revealed to you from your Lord. Indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
ٱدْعُوهُمْ لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَمَوَٰلِيكُمْ ۚ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَآ أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allāh. But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.