يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَـٰبِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا 59
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha al-nabiyyu qul li-azwajika wa-banатika wa-nisa'i al-mu'minina yudnina alayhinna min jalabiбihinna. Dhalika adna an yu'rafna fa-la yu'dhayna. Wa-kana Allahu ghafuran rahiman.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to instruct his wives, daughters, and the believing women to draw their outer garments (jilbab) close around themselves when going out, so they may be recognized as respectable free women and thus not be harassed or molested. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the purpose is protective—to distinguish believing women from enslaved women and those of ill repute, thereby safeguarding them from harm. The ayah concludes with Allah's attribute of forgiveness and mercy, emphasizing the compassionate nature of Islamic guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina during a period when the Muslim community faced social challenges, including harassment of women in public spaces. The broader context of Surah Al-Ahzab deals with family matters, the Battle of the Trench, and codes of conduct for the believers. This specific verse addresses the practical need to protect women's dignity and safety in the diverse society of Medina.
Related Hadiths
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that when this ayah was revealed, the women of Medina began to wrap themselves in their outer garments (Sunan Abu Dawud). Additionally, the Prophet's guidance on modest dress is referenced in multiple hadith collections emphasizing the importance of women's dignity and protection from harm.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic guidance on modesty serves the practical purpose of protecting women's safety and dignity, not as restriction but as safeguard. Believers are reminded that Islamic rulings combine wisdom, compassion, and consideration for societal welfare, grounded in Allah's infinite mercy.
Related Ayahs
يَحْسَبُونَ ٱلْأَحْزَابَ لَمْ يَذْهَبُوا۟ ۖ وَإِن يَأْتِ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ يَوَدُّوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّهُم بَادُونَ فِى ٱلْأَعْرَابِ يَسْـَٔلُونَ عَنْ أَنۢبَآئِكُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ فِيكُم مَّا قَـٰتَلُوٓا۟ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
They think the companies have not [yet] withdrawn. And if the companies should come [again], they would wish they were in the desert among the bedouins, inquiring [from afar] about your news. And if they should be among you, they would not fight except for a little.
وَٱذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَىٰ فِى بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْحِكْمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا
And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allāh and wisdom. Indeed, Allāh is ever Subtle and Aware.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
Indeed, Allāh confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allāh to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allāh to grant him] peace.
وَقَرْنَ فِى بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ ۖ وَأَقِمْنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتِينَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِعْنَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ ٱلرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا
And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance. And establish prayer and give zakāh and obey Allāh and His Messenger. Allāh intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.