يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ مَآ أَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ لَكَ ۖ تَبْتَغِى مَرْضَاتَ أَزْوَٰجِكَ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 1
Translations
O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allāh has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha an-nabiyyu lima tuharrimu ma ahlala allahu laka tabtaghi mardaata azwajika wa allahu ghafurun rahimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for prohibiting something permissible to him, specifically referring to his abstention from honey or intimate relations with his wives to please them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the ayah serves as a gentle reprimand, reminding him that seeking to appease his wives should not lead him to deprive himself of what Allah has made lawful. The verse emphasizes that while consideration for spouses is praiseworthy, it should not override the use of permissible blessings, and it closes with reassurance of Allah's forgiveness and mercy toward the Prophet.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Medina regarding an incident where the Prophet vowed to abstain from honey (or intimacy with his wives according to some reports) to reconcile a dispute among his wives. The specific incident involved either his consumption of honey at Hafsah's house causing jealousy among his other wives, or his intimate relations favoring certain wives. This ayah addresses the wisdom and balance required in household matters while maintaining marital equity.
Related Hadiths
Aisha reported in Sahih Bukhari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) made a vow regarding honey, which led to the revelation of this surah. Additionally, hadith collections record various narrations about the Prophet's effort to maintain justice among his wives, illustrating the context of this revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that caring for others' feelings should be balanced with preserving one's own wellbeing and rights—one should not deny themselves lawful blessings merely to appease others. It also reminds us that even the best of people, the Prophet himself, required divine guidance in household matters, encouraging believers to seek wisdom and moderation in family life.