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
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَـٰبِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
سُنَّةَ ٱللَّهِ فِى ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا
[This is] the established way of Allāh with those who passed on before; and you will not find in the way of Allāh any change.
أَشِحَّةً عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ ٱلْخَوْفُ رَأَيْتَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ تَدُورُ أَعْيُنُهُمْ كَٱلَّذِى يُغْشَىٰ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ ٱلْخَوْفُ سَلَقُوكُم بِأَلْسِنَةٍ حِدَادٍ أَشِحَّةً عَلَى ٱلْخَيْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ فَأَحْبَطَ ٱللَّهُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًا
Indisposed toward you. And when fear comes, you see them looking at you, their eyes revolving like one being overcome by death. But when fear departs, they lash you with sharp tongues, indisposed toward [any] good. Those have not believed, so Allāh has rendered their deeds worthless, and ever is that, for Allāh, easy.
لَّا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِنَّ فِىٓ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ وَلَآ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ وَلَآ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ وَلَآ أَبْنَآءِ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ وَلَآ أَبْنَآءِ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ وَلَا نِسَآئِهِنَّ وَلَا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ ۗ وَٱتَّقِينَ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدًا
There is no blame upon them [i.e., women] concerning their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons or their women or those their right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. And fear Allāh. Indeed Allāh is ever, over all things, Witness.