The Clans (Al­Ahzâb)

In the name of Allah, Gracious, Merciful.

¹O Prophet! fear Allah and hearken not to the unbelievers and the hypocrites: verily, Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.¹

²And follow that which comes to you by inspiration from your Lord: for Allah is well acquainted with all that you do.

³And put your trust in Allah and enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs.

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

¹Ya ayyuhan nabiyyut taqil laha wa la tutiil kafirina wal munafiqin innallaha kana aliman hakima

²Wattabi ma yu ha ilaika mirrabbika innallaha bima tamalunakabira

³Wa tawak kalalallah wa kafa billahi wakila

1. This verse has been erroneously interpreted by the Ahmadi Muslim to mean that it exclusively and conclusively establishes the prophethood of Muhammad as the prophet par excellence. To accomplish this, they employ the article “Al” instead of “An” before the noun Nabiyyu (an nabiyyu). Although most Orthodox thinkers through the years refer to the incident which gave cause for this chapter (the alliance of the non-Muslims against the prophet and his small band of followers).

Therefore Allah was encouraging the prophet to take heart and not be afraid of the allies or the tribes. It does not have any reference to the establishment of Muhammad as the prophet par excellence. This is evident in following two verses.

⁴Allah has not made for any man two hearts in his body: nor has He made your wives whom you divorce by Zihar your mothers: nor has He made your adopted sons your sons. Such is your speech by your mouths. But Allah tells the truth and He shows the right way.²

⁵Call them by the names of their fathers: that is more just in the sight of Allah but if you know not their father’s names, call them your brothers in faith or your Maulas. But there is no blame on you if ye make a mistake therein: what counts is the intention of your hearts: and Allah is often returning, most merciful.³

⁴Ma jaalallahu lirajulim min qalbaini fi jaufih wa ma jaala azwajakumul lai tuzahiruna minhum na umahatikum wa ma jaala asiya akum abna akum zalikum qaulukum bi afwahikum wallahu yaqulul haqqa wa huwa yahdis sabil

⁵Uduhum il aba ihim huwa aqsatu indal lah fa il lam talamu aba ahum fa ihwanukum fid dini wa mawalikum wa laisa alaikum junahun fima ahtatum bihi wa lakim ma taam madat qulubukum wa kanal lahu gafurar rahima

2. Now here is a very interesting verse to look at. From the outset one may not fully comprehend all that is at stake here, but with a little bit of background information, one will begin to see how treacherous both Allah and Muhammad are.

1). Allah has not made two hearts for any one person, that means one must be consistent in his devotion to Allah, and not entertain a divided allegiance to Allah and other things.

2). Your ex-wives are not your mothers. That meant that once you are divorced your now ex can leave your compound and go wherever she pleases or be married to whomever she pleases.

3). Your adopted sons are not your sons. This means that you are not under any obligation that is legal, cultural or religious to appropriate to your adopted sons what you would to your biological sons. That is to say, you can even marry their divorced wives if you so desire.

4). “Such is only your manner of speech” bears reference to the fact what you utter with your

mouth is of no value if Allah speaks to the contrary. Keep these four things in mind as you read this chapter.

3. Please refer to verse 5. Now the previous commentary is beginning to take shape and for obvious reasons. Adoption is canceled. That makes adoptees just another believing brother and to be treated as such. Here is the irony, According to the Sahih of Al-Bukhari Hadith’s 5.335 which was narrated by Aisha:

Allah’s Apostle also adopted Zaid as his son. In the pre-Islamic period of ignorance the custom was that, if one adopted a son, the people would call him by the name of the adopted-father whom he would inherit as well...

Al-Muwatta’s Hadith 30.12 also reveals that adoption was practiced among the Muslim,

‘Urwa ibn az-Zubayr informed me that Abu Hudhayfa ibn Utba ibn Rabia, one of the companions of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who was present at Badr, adopted Salim (who is called Salim, the mawla of Abu Hudhayfa) as the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, adopted Zayd ibn Haritha. He thought of him as his son, Adopted bore the names of their adopters fathers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari’s Hadith 6.305 narrated by Abdullah bin Umar:

We used not to call Zaid bin Haritha the freed slave of Allah’s Apostle except Zaid bin Muhammad.

Zaid or Zayd was a slave of Muhammad and one of the first to embrace Islam, as a result Muhammad adopted him as his own son. From then on he was known as Zaid son of Muhammad. When he reached marriage age, Muhammad married for him. The woman, being of royal blood detested the fact she would marry a former slave until Allah and Muhammad decided that was what it aught to be:

It is not fitting for a Believer man or woman when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if anyone disobeys Allah and His Apostle, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path (Verse 36)

Maulana Muhammad Ali in his version of the Holy Qur’an on page 810 talks about the fact that both the brother and Zainad were against the marriage until the revelation of this verse. Malik Ghulam Farid, editor of the Holy Qur’an published by The Oriental and Religious Publishing Corporation Ltd of Rabwah-Pakistan is in agreement to this train of thought.

George Sale, however, believes this was authored after the family opposed the marriage of the prophet to Zainab after she was divorced by Zaid. The thing to consider is that Allah and Muhammad had decided that Zainab should marry Zaid (verse 36), and Zaid was Muhammad's adopted son with all the rights and privileges thereto. For Muhammad later to even conceive of marriage with Zainab, the divorced wife of his son and his own cousin through his aunt, daughter of Amina daughter of Abdul Mutalib would be an incestuous relationship. The unofficial reason for the break up with Zaid is said that he detected that Muhammad wanted his wife, and since Muhammad is the one Muslims would give their lives to in preference to their own, he did not want to create a situation that would cause jealousy between the man he has come to accept as father and the woman he had come to know as wife. So he divorced her, and to confirm his suspicion, Muhammad almost immediately married her.

⁶The prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves and his wives are their mothers. Blood relations among each other have closer personal ties in the decree of Allah than believers and Muhajirs: nevertheless do what is just to your closest friends: such is the writing in the decree of Allah.

⁷And remember We took from the prophets their covenant as We did from you: from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, the son of Mary: We took from them a solemn covenant:

⁸That Allah may question the custodians of truth concerning the truth, they were charged with: and He has prepared for the unbelievers a grievous penalty.

⁹O you who believe! Remember the grace of Allah on you when there came down on you hosts: but We sent against them a hurricane and force that you saw not. But Allah sees all that you do.

⁶An nabiyyu aula bil muminina min anfusihim wa azwajuhu um mahatuhum wa ulul arhami baduhum aula bibadin fi kitabillahi minal muminina wal muhajirina illa an talalu ila auliya ikum marufa kana zalika fil kitabi masturan

⁷Wa iz zkhazna minan nabiyyina misaqahum wa minka wa minnuhiw wa Ibrahima wa Musa wa Isabni Maryam wa akhazna minhum misaqan galizan

⁸Liyas alassadiqin an sidqihim wa aad da lilkafirina azaban alima

⁹Ya ayyuhal lazina amanuz kuru nimatal lahi alaikum iz ja atkum junudun fa arsalna alaihim rihaw wa junudal lam tarauha wa kanallahu bima tamaluna basira

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰Behold! they came on you from above you, and from below you, and behold the eyes became dim, and the hearts gaped up to the throats and you imagined various thoughts about Allah!

¹¹In that situation were the believers tried: they were shaken as by a tremendous shaking.

¹²And behold! the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease say: “Allah and His apostle promised us nothing but delusion!”

¹³And behold! a party among them said: “You men of Yathrib! You cannot stand the attack! Therefore go back!” and a band of them ask for leave of the prophet saying “Truly our houses are bare and exposed” though they were not exposed: they intended nothing but to run away.

¹⁰Iz ja ukum min fauqikum wa min asfala minkum wa iz zagatil absaru wa balagatil qulubul hanajira wa tazhun nuna billahiz zununa

¹¹Hunalikab tuliyal muminuna wa zul zilu zilzalan sadida

¹²Wa iz yaqulul munafiquna wallazina fi qulubihim maradum ma waadanal lahu wa rasuluhu illa gurura

¹³Wa iz qalat ta ifatum minhum ya ahla yasriba la muqama lakum farjiu wa yastazinu fariqum minhumun nabiyya yaquluna inna buyutana aurah wa ma hiya biauratin iyyuriduna illa firara

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁴And if an entry had been effected to them from the sides of the city, and they had been incited to sedition, they would certainly have brought it to pass with none but a brief delay!

¹⁵And yet they had already covenanted with Allah not to turn their backs and a covenant with Allah must be answered for.

¹⁶Say: “Running away will not profit you if you are running away from death or slaughter; and even if ye do escape no more than a brief respite will you be allowed to enjoy!”

¹⁷Say: “Who is it that can screen you from Allah if it is His wish to give you punishment or to give you mercy?” Nor will they find for themselves besides Allah any protector or helper.

¹⁴Wa lau duhilat alaihim min aqtariha summa su ilul fitnata la atauha wa ma talab basu biha il la yasira

¹⁵Wa laqad kanu ahadul laha min qablu la yuwal lunal adbar wa kana ahdul lahi masula

¹⁶Qul layyanfaakumul firaru in farartum minal mauti awil qatli wa izal la tumat tauna il la qalila

¹⁷Qul man zallazi yasimukum minal lahi in arada bikum su an au arada bikum rahmah wa la yajiduna lahum min dunillahi waliy yaw wa la nasira

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁸Verily, Allah knows those among you who keep back and those who say to their brethren “Come along to us” but come not to the fight except for just a little while.

¹⁹Covetous over you. Then when fear comes you will see them looking to you, their eyes revolving like one over whom hovers death: but when the fear is past they will smite you with sharp tongues, covetous of goods. Such men have no faith and so Allah has made their deeds of none effect: and that is easy for Allah.

¹⁸Qad yalamul lahul muaw wiqina minkum wal qa ilina li ihwanihim halum ma ilaina wa la yatunal basa illa qalila

¹⁹Asihhatan alaikum fa iza ja al haufu ra aitahum yanzuruna ilaika taduru ayunuhum kal lazi yugsa alaihi minal maut fa iza zahabal haufu salaqukum bi alsinatin hidadin asih hatan alal hair ulaika lam yuminu faahbatal lahu amalahum wa kana zalika alal lahi yasira

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁰They think that the confederates have not withdrawn; and if the confederates should come again, they would wish they were in the deserts, among the Bedouins and seeking news about you; and if they were in your midst they would fight but little.

²¹You have indeed in the apostle of Allah a beautiful pattern of conduct for anyone whose hope is in Allah, and the final day and who engages much in the praise of Allah.⁴

²²When the believers saw the confederate forces they said: “This is what Allah and His apostle had promised us and Allah and his apostle told us what was true.” And it only added to their faith and their zeal in obedience.

²⁰Yahsabunal ahzaba lam yazabu wa iyyatil ahzabu yawaddu lau an nahum baduna fil arabi yas sluna anan baikum wa lau kanu fikum ma qatalu illa qalila

²¹Laqad kana lakum fi rasulil lahi uswatun hasanatul liman kana yarjul laha wal yaumal akhira wa zakaral laha kasira

²²Wa lamma sa al muminunal ahzaba qalu haza ma waadanal lahu wa rasuluhu wa sadaqal lahu wa rasuluhu wa ma zadahum illa imanawwa taslima taslima

4. Even in this chapter it is obvious why Muhammad cannot be an excellent role model, changing time honored moral standards for his own ends, falling in love with and marrying his adopted son’s wife. He killed his enemies (26,27), such as Jews and Pagans and did not love them as the Bible requires that we do. He may have been a great leader, but definitely, not an excellent role model. Howard Hughes was a great man, but not a moral role model. Even in this chapter it is obvious why Muhammad cannot be an excellent role model, changing time honored moral standards for his own ends, falling in love with and marrying his adopted son’s wife. He killed his enemies (26,27), such as Jews and Pagans and did not love them as the Bible requires that we do. He may have been a great leader, but definitely, not an excellent role model. Howard Hughes was a great man, but not a moral role model.

[Commentary continues below.]

²³Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah: of them some have completed their vow to the extreme and some still wait: but they have never changed in the least:

²⁴That Allah may reward the men of truth for their truth and punish the hypocrites, if that be His will or turn to them in mercy: for Allah is often forgiving, most merciful.

²⁵And Allah turned back the unbelievers for all their fury: no advantage did they gain and enough is Allah for the believers in their fight. And Allah is full of strength, able to enforce His will.

²⁶And those of the people of the book who aided them Allah did take them down from their strongholds and cast terror into their hearts so that some you slew and some you made prisoners.

²³Minal muminina rijalun sadaqu ma ahadul laha alaih faminhum man qada nahbahu wa minhum ma yantaziru wa ma baddalu tabdila

²⁴Liyajziyal lahus sadiqina bisidqihim wa yuaz zibal munafiqina insa a au yatuba alaihim innallaha kana gafurar rahima

²⁵Wa raddallahul lazina kafaru bi gaizihim lam yanalu haira wa kafal lahul mumininal qital wa kanallahu qawiy yan aziza

²⁶Wa anzalal lazina zaharuhummin ahlil kitabi min sayasihim wa qazafa fi qulubihimur ruba fariqan taqtulu wa tasiruna fariqa

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁷And He made you heirs of their lands, their houses and their goods and of a land which you had not frequented before. And Allah has power over all things.

²⁸O prophet! say to your consorts: “If it be that you desire the life of this world and its glitter, then come! I will provide for your enjoyment and set you free in a handsome manner.”

²⁹And if you seek Allah and His apostle and the home of the hereafter, verily, Allah has prepared for the well doers among you a great reward.

²⁷Wa auratsakum ardahum wa diyarahum wa amwalahum wa ardal lamtata uha wa kanallahu ala kulli sai in qadira

²⁸Ya ayyuhan nabiyyu qulli azwajika inkuntun na turidnal hayatad dunya wa zinataha fataalaina umat tikuna wa usarrih kunna sarahan jamila

²⁹Wa inkuntunna turidnal laha wa rasulahu waddaral ahirata fa innallaha aadda lilmuhsinati minkunna ajran azima

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁰O consorts of the prophet! if any of you were guilty of evident unseemly conduct, the punishment would be doubled to her and that is easy for Allah.

³¹And any of you that is devout in the service of Allah and His apostle and works righteousness to her shall We grant her reward twice: and We have prepared for her a generous sustenance.

³²O consorts of the prophet! you are not like any of the other women: if you do fear Allah be not too complaisant of speech lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak you a speech that is just.

³⁰Ya nisa an nabiyyu mayyati minkunna bifahisatim mubay yinatiy yudaaf lahal azabu difain wa kana zalika alal lahi yasira

³¹Wa mayyaqnut minkunna lillahi wa rasulihi wa tamal salihan nu tiha ajraha mar rataini wa atadna laha rizqan karima

³²Ya nisa annabiyi lastun na ka ahadim minan nisai init taqaitunna fala tahdana bil qauli fayatmaal lazi fi qalbihi maraduw wa qulna qaulam marufa

[Commentary continues below.]

³³And stay quietly in your houses and make not a dazzling display like that of the former times of ignorance; and establish regular prayer, and give regular charity; and obey Allah and His apostle. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, you members of the family, and to make you pure and spotless.⁵

³⁴And recite what is rehearsed to you in your homes of the signs of Allah and His wisdom: for Allah understands the finest mysteries and is well acquainted with them.

³³Wa qarna fi buyutikunna wa la tabarrajna rujal jahiliy yatil ula wa aqimnas salata wa atina zakata wa atinallaha wa rasulah innama yuridul lahu liyuz hiba ankumur rijsa ahlal baiti wa yutahirakum tathira

³⁴Wazakurna ma yutla fi buyutikuna min ayatillahi wal hikmah innallaha kana latifan habira

5. This implies that Allah does not treat all people the same, wives of Muhammad were to be the recipients of good things from Allah and also the severest punishment, should they mess up in any way.

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁵For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast and deny themselves, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.

³⁶It is not fitting for a believer, man or woman when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if anyone disobeys Allah and His apostle, he is indeed on a clearly wrong path.⁶

³⁵Innal muslimina wal muslimati wal muminina wal muminati wal qanitina wal qanitati wa sadiqina wa sabirina wa sabirati wal hasiina wal hasiati wal mutasad diqina wal mutasadiqati wa saimina wa saimati wal hafizina furujahum wal ha fizati waz zakirinal laha katsiraw wazzakirati aad dallahu lahum magfirataw wa ajran azima

³⁶Wa ma kana limu miniwwa la muminatin iza qadal lahu wa rasuluhu amran ayyakuna lahumul hiyaratu min amrihim wa ma yasilaha wa rasulahufaqa dal la dalalam mubina

6. God does not take counsel from any of His creatures, because His wisdom is much higher than ours. What possibly can we tell God. Unlike God, Allah consults with Muhammad and together they make decisions which affects the lives of all Muslims. When the Bible says in Matthew 16:19 that “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” What is meant is that whatever is done or said in accordance and agreement with the Word and Will of God will come to pass. This is evident in the statement “Thy Will be done in earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10)”. It is never the other way around.

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁷Behold! You did say to one who had received the grace of Allah and thy favor: “Retain you in wedlock your wife and fear Allah.” But you did hide in your heart that which Allah was about to make manifest: you did fear the people but it is more fitting that you should fear Allah. Then when Zaid had dissolved his marriage with her with the necessary formality We joined her in marriage to you: in order that in future there may be no difficulty to the believers in the matter of marriage with the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have dissolved with the necessary formality their marriage with them: and Allah’s command must be fulfilled.⁷

³⁸There can be no difficulty to the prophet in what Allah has indicated to him as a duty. It was the practice approved of Allah among those of old that have passed away and the command of Allah is a decree determined.

³⁹It is the practice of those who preach the messages of Allah and fear Him, and fear none but Allah: and enough is Allah to call men to account.

³⁷Wa iz taqulu lillazi anamal lahu alaihi wa anamta alaihi amsik alaika zaujaka wat taqil laha wa tuhfi fi nafsika mallahu mubdihi wa tahsan nas wallahu ahaqqu an tahsah falam ma qada zaidum minha wataran zaw wajnakaha likaila yakuna alal muminina harajun fi azwaji adiya ihim iza qadau minhun na watara wa kana amrul lahi mafula

³⁸Ma kana alan nabiyyi min harajin fima faradallahu lah sun natal lahi fil lazina halau min qabl wa kana amrul lahi qadaram maqdura

³⁹Nillazina yubal liguna risalatil lahi wa yahsaunahu wa la yahsauna ahadan illal lah wa kafa billahi hasiba

7. The insinuations of the earlier verses in regards to mothers and sons is finally made clear here. Muhammad married the wife of his adopted son, Zaid. It is for this reason that adoption is abolished in Islam In the first place Allah and Muhammad decided that Zainab should marry Zaid, and now Allah has decided that Muhammad should have Zainab. This is a practice even forbidden in pagan nations. How can a Holy Allah tolerate that which even the godless pagans abhor? The verse states that after Zaid divorced her, Muhammad married her. What the text does not reveal is the fact that Zaid was forced to give up his one and only wife to a man who had several wives. When David did that, God frowned on him and punished him severely for his action (2 Samuel 12). How can a holy God allow this inconsistency in His dealings with mankind?

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁰Muhammad is not the father of any of your men but he is the apostle of Allah and the seal of the prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.⁸

⁴¹O you who believe! celebrate the praises of Allah and do this often;

⁴²And glorify Him morning and evening.

⁴³He it is who sends blessings on you as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of darkness into light: and He is full of mercy to the

believers.⁹

⁴⁴Their salutation on the day they meet Him will be “peace!”: and He has prepared for them a generous reward.

⁴⁵O prophet! Truly We have sent thee as a witness a bearer of glad tidings and a warner

⁴⁰Ma kana muhammadun aba ahadim mirrijalikum wa lakir rasulal lahi wa hataman nabiyyin wa kanallahu bikulli saiin alima

⁴¹Ya ayyuhal lazina amanuz kurullaha zikran katsira

⁴²Wa sab bihuhu bukrataw wa asila

⁴³Huwal lazi yushalli alaikum wa mala ikatuhu liyuhrijakum minazzulumati illan nur wa kana bil muminima rahima

⁴⁴Tahiyyatuhum yauma yalqaunahu salam wa aad da lahum ajran karima

⁴⁵Ya ayyuhan nabiyyu inna arsalna ka sahidaw wa mubas siraw wa nazira

8. He disowned his adopted son so that he can have his wife.

9. Going back to practices of the ignorant days is not light but darkness. Regardless of how glorious it is now celebrated.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁶And as one who invites to Allah’s grace by His leave and as a lamp spreading light.

⁴⁷And then give the glad tidings to the believers, that they shall have from Allah a very great bounty.¹⁰

⁴⁸And obey not the behests of the unbelievers and the hypocrites and heed not their annoyances but put thy trust in Allah for enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs.

⁴⁹O you who believe! when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, no period of `Iddah have you to count in respect of them: so give them a present and set them free in a handsome manner.¹¹

⁴⁶Wa daiyan ilallahi bi iznihi wa sirajam munira

⁴⁷Wa ba siril muminina bi anna lahum minallahi fadlan kabira

⁴⁸Wa la tutiil kafirina wal munafiqina wada azahum wa tawak ka alallahi wa kafa billah wakila

⁴⁹Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu iza nakahtumul muminati summa talaqtumuhunna min qabli an tamasuhun na fama lakum alaihin na min id datin tatad dunaha famatiuhun na wa sar rihuhun na sarahan jamila

10. The masterful use of religious language among a gullible and greedy people requires independent and free thinkers to expose which up to this point is forbidden to the Muslims. Muhammad is both Judge and Jury over the things of Allah. What he says live, lives and what he says die, dies. His act of marriage to Zainab bothers on treason and now he calms the people promising them a very great bounty from Allah.

11. Maulana Muhammad Ali believes that this verse was revealed because of Asmah, A woman whom Muhammad married but had to let go before the marriage was consumed because Asmah asked for a divorce and Muhammad honored her wish.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁰O prophet! We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have paid their dowers; and those whom you right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to you; and daughters of you paternal uncles and aunts and daughters of you maternal uncles and aunts who migrated from Mecca with you; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the prophet if the prophet wishes to wed her, this only for you and not for the believers at large; We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess in order that there should be no difficulty for you. And Allah is often forgiving, most merciful.¹²

⁵⁰Ya ayyuhan nabiyyu inna ahlalna laka azwajakal latil ujurahun na wa ma malakat yaminuka mim ma afa allahu alaika wa banati am mika wa banati am matika wa banati ha lika wa banati halatikal lati hajarna maak wamra atam muminatan iw wahabat nafsaha lin nabiyyi in aradan nabiyyu ay yastankihaha halishatal laka min dunil muminin qad alimna ma faradna alaihim fi azwajihim wa ma malakat aimanuhum likaila yakuna alaika haraj wa kanallahu gafurur rahima

12. Once again it behooves us to say that God is not partial in His dealings with His creatures. There is one standard for all. The only exception is that one to whom much is given, much is required. For an example a preacher must hold himself as a model in his society, that does not mean that he subjects himself to a different set of rules and norms. As long as we were ignorant, God winked at, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent. Muhammad is given a different set of moral code, a different number of women to marry. This was announced exclusively for Muhammad. He can have all the women while the rest of the body are restricted or limited.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵¹You may defer the turn of any of them that you please and you may receive any you please: and there is no blame on you if you invite one whose turn you had set aside. This were nigher to the cooling of their eyes the prevention of their grief and their satisfaction that of all of them with that which you have to give them: and Allah knows all that is in your hearts: and Allah is all-knowing, most forbearing.¹³

⁵²It is not lawful for you to marry more women after this nor to change them for other wives even though their beauty attract you, except any your right hand should possess as handmaidens: and Allah does watch over all things.¹⁴

⁵¹Turji man tasyaa u minhun na wa tu wi ilaika man tasya wa manibtagaita mim man azaltafala junaha alaik zalika adna an taqar ra ayunuhun na wa layahzan na wa yardaina bimaataitahun na kulluhun wal lahu yalamu ma fi qulubikum wa kanallahu aliman halima

⁵²La yahil lu lakan nisa umim badu wa la an tahaddala bihin na min azwajiw wa lau ajabaka husnuhun na illa ma malakat yaminuk wa kanallahu ala kulli sai irraqiba

13. Because his wives were many he had to take turns in sleeping with them, again an exception is made for him, he can refuse to sleep with any of his wives as he pleases and he can sleep with whoever he pleased even though it might not be their turn. The condition to marrying more than one had been equal treatment for all (Qur’an 4:3), now Muhammad is exempted from this fair code and is allowed to do what he is pleased with. This naturally generated some bitterness among the other wives of Muhammad. This was a concern for among his wives who felt that he was not treating them equally. Here is what Muslim says about the subject.

Sahih Muslim’s Hadith 5984 narrated by Aisha;

The wives of Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) sent Fatimah, the daughter of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him), to Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him). She sought permission to come in as he had been lying with me in my mantle. He gave her permission and she said:

Allah’s Messenger, verily your wives have sent me to you in order to ask you to observe equity in the case of the daughter of AbuQuhafah. She (Aisha) said: I kept quiet. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said to her (Fatimah): O daughter, don’t you love whom I love? She said: Yes, (I do). Thereupon he said: I love this one. Fatimah then stood up as she heard this from Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and went to the wives of Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him). She informed them of what she had said to him and what Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) had said to her. Thereupon they said to her: We think that you have been of no avail to us. You may again go to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and tell him that his wives seek equity in the case of the daughter of AbuQuhafah.

Fatimah said: By Allah, I shall never talk to him about this matter. Aisha (further) reported: The wives of Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) then sent Zaynab bint Jahsh, the wife of Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him), and she was one who was somewhat equal in rank with me in the eyes of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him). I have never seen a woman more advanced in religious piety than Zaynab, more God-conscious, more truthful, more alive to the ties of blood, more generous, having more sense of self-sacrifice in practical life and having a more charitable disposition and thus being closer to God, the Exalted. She, however, lost her temper very easily but was soon calm.

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) permitted her to enter as she (Aisha) was there with Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) in her mantle, in the same very state as when Fatimah had entered. She said: Allah’s Messenger, your wives have sent me to you, seeking equity in the case of the daughter of AbuQuhafah. She then came to me and showed harshness to me I looked at the eyes of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) to see if he would permit me (to reply). Zaynab continued until I realized that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) would not disapprove if I retorted. Then I exchanged hot words until I made her quiet. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) smiled and said: She is the daughter of AbuBakr. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters, but with a slight variation of wording.

Another Hadith also reports that the wives of Muhammad were in two groups. Sahih Al-Bukhar’s Hadith 3.755 narrated by Urwa from Aisha:

The wives of Allah’s Apostle were in two groups. One group consisted of ‘Aisha, Hafsa, Safiyya and Sauda; and the other group consisted of Um Salama and the other wives of Allah’s Apostle. The Muslims knew that Allah’s Apostle loved ‘Aisha, so if any of them had a gift and wished to give to Allah’s Apostle, he would delay it, till Allah’s Apostle had come to ‘Aisha’s home and then he would send his gift to Allah’s Apostle in her home. The group of Um Salama discussed the matter together and decided that Um Salama should request Allah’s Apostle to tell the people to send their gifts to him in whatever wife’s house he was. Um Salama told Allah’s Apostle of what they had said, but he did not reply. Then they (those wives) asked Um Salama about it. She said, “He did not say anything to me.” They asked her to talk to him again. She talked to him again when she met him on her day, but he gave no reply. When they asked her, she replied that he had given no reply. They said to her, “Talk to him till he gives you a reply.” When it was her turn, she talked to him again. He then said to her, “Do not hurt me regarding ‘Aisha, as the Divine Inspirations do not come to me on any of the beds except that of ‘Aisha.”

On that Um Salama said, “I repent to Allah for hurting you.” Then the group of Um Salama called Fatima, the daughter of Allah’s Apostle and sent her to Allah’s Apostle to say to him, “Your wives request to treat them and the daughter of Abu Bakr on equal terms.” Then Fatima conveyed the message to him. The Prophet said, “O my daughter! Don’t you love whom I love?” She replied in the affirmative and returned and told them of the situation. They requested her to go to him again but she refused. They then sent Zainab bint Jahsh who went to him and used harsh words saying, “Your wives request you to treat them and the daughter of Ibn Abu Quhafa on equal terms.”

On that she raised her voice and abused ‘Aisha to her face so much so that Allah’s Apostle looked at ‘Aisha to see whether she would retort. ‘Aisha started replying to Zainab till she silenced her. The Prophet then looked at ‘Aisha and said, “She is really the daughter of Abu Bakr.”

14. Yusuf Ali in his commentary of this verse said that the holy prophet married Mary the Copt from Egypt after this revelation was given. Would this not amount to disobedience on the part of Muhammad. It is believed that Muhammad and Mary had a son, Ibrahim, who died in his infancy. It is similar to David’s greed and adulterous affair with Bethsheba the wife of Uriah (2 Samuel 11). I am inclined to believe that Muhammad married more women than just Mary for the fact that he was permitted to marry from the prisoners of war. And if he failed in obedience to God in marrying Mary, what prevented him from marrying anyone else.

⁵³O you who believe! enter not the prophet’s houses until leave is given you for a meal and then not so early as to wait for its preparation: but when you are invited enter; and when you have taken your meal, disperse without seeking familiar talk. Such behavior annoys the prophet: He is ashamed to dismiss you but Allah is not ashamed to tell you the truth. And when you ask his ladies for anything you want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that you should annoy Allah’s apostle or that you should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah’s sight an enormity.¹⁵

⁵³Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la tadhulu buyutan nabiyyi illa ayyuzana lakum ila taamin gaira nazirina inahuwa lakin iza duitum fadhulu fa iza taimtum fantasiru wa la mustanisina lihadis inna zalikum kana yuzin nabiyya fayastahyi minkum wal lahu la yastahyi minal haq wa iza sa al tumuhun na mata an fas aluhun na miw wara I hijab zalikum atharu liqulubikum wa qulubihin wa ma kana lakum an tuzu rasulallahi wala an tankihu azwajahu min badihi abadan inna zalikum kana indal lahi azima

15. Here is another selfish, vain glorious injunction revealed for the benefit of Muhammad. Familiarity, it is said, breeds contempt. George Sale commenting on this verse said that, an invited guest of Muhammad who probably stayed after his meals got so close to Aisha, Muhammad’s favorite wife that his hand accidentally brushed against hers which made the prophet uneasy. Why would that make him uneasy? If the rumor is true that Muhammad lusted after Zainab, another favorite among his wives, when he went to visit Zaid, his adopted son who was then married to Zainab, Zainab was then returning from the bath house which meant that she was unveiled, and when Muhammad saw her beauty, she was attracted to him. To avoid similar incidents with his wives, some sort of restriction had to be put in place against the possibility of such happening. This was not meant to be universal for all Muslims, it was exclusively revealed for to benefit Muhammad and protect his wives against the lustful eyes of some of his followers.

⁵⁴Whether you reveal anything or conceal it, verily, Allah has full knowledge of all things.

⁵⁵There is no blame on these ladies if they appear before their fathers, or their sons, their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess. And ladies fear Allah: for Allah is witness to all things.¹⁶

⁵⁶Allah and His angels send blessings on the prophet: O you that believe! send blessings on him and salute him with all respect.¹⁷

⁵⁴In tubdu sai an au tuhfuhu fainnallaha kana bikulli sai in alima

⁵⁵La junaha alaihin na fi aba ihina wa la abna ihin wa la ihwanihin na wa la abna Iihwanihin na wa la abnaI ahwatihina wa lanisaihin na wa lamamalakat aimanuhun wat taqinal lahin nallaha kana ala kul li sai in sahida

⁵⁶Innallaha wa mala ikatahu yushaluna alan nabiyya ayyuhal lazina amanu sal lu alaihi wa salimu taslima

16. Verse 55 confirms the fact that Muhammad was afraid that someone may lust after one of his wives and probably seduce her away from him. In this verse, the injunction does not include very close family members because marriage with them is not sanctioned by Allah nor his Muhammad.

17. It is the right thing to do for every Muslim who mentions the name of a prophet to pray the blessings of Allah on such prophet. When Muhammad’s name is mentioned, it is enjoined on whoever so does to repeat, “Salalahu ‘alaihi was sallam” (may the peace of Allah be upon him). The question does this prayers work? If the prophet did not have the peace of God upon him when he was alive, how will this recitation help him? After death, the Bible says there is nothing left but a fearful looking for of judgment (Hebrews 10::27).

⁵⁷Those who annoy Allah and his apostle Allah has cursed them in this world and in the hereafter and has prepared for them a humiliating punishment.¹⁸

⁵⁸And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly bear a calumny and a glaring sin.¹⁹

⁵⁹O prophet! tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons when abroad: that is most convenient that they should be known as such and not molested: and Allah is often forgiving, most merciful.²⁰

⁵⁷Innallazina yudzunallaha wa rasulahu laanahumullahu fiddunya walahirati wa aad da lahum azabam muhina

⁵⁸Wa lazina yuzunal muminina wal muminati bigairi maktasahu faqadihtamalu buhtanaw wa itsmam mubina

⁵⁹Ya ayyuhan nabiyyu qulli azwajika wa banatika wa nisa il muminina yudnina alaihin na min jalabibihin zalika adna ayyurafna fala yuzain wa kanallahu gafurar rahima

18. Allah and Muhammad are an inseparable duality to the extent that sin against Muhammad is ultimately sin against Allah. It is unlike the Christian teaching whereby an injustice the people of God constitutes an injustice against God Himself. There are no limitations nor exceptions. In the Qur’an, the buck stops with Muhammad. Does not this suggest that Muhammad is or may be God in addition to Allah?

19. This time others believers are included, which means if one annoys a believer undeservedly, he or she likewise will be punished by Allah.

20. All Muslim females are to wear a veil to conceal their body from being looked upon by lecherous men. My opinion is this, that if a man would lust after a woman because of an exposed body part, he will likewise lust after her because of the covered body parts. Yes, we must not give an occasion to the devil, but then, we must not be ridiculous either.

Sanctification is first and foremost an attitude of the heart which is translated into an outward appearance, and not vise versa.

⁶⁰Truly, if the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease, and those who stir up sedition in the city desist not, We shall certainly stir you up against them: then will they not be able to stay in it as your neighbors for any length of time:²¹

⁶¹They shall have a curse on them: wherever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy.²²

⁶²The practice of Allah among those who lived before: you will find no change in the practice of Allah.²³

⁶³Men ask you concerning the hour: say “The knowledge thereof is with Allah”: and what will make you understand? Perchance the hour is nigh!

⁶⁴Verily, Allah has cursed the unbelievers and prepared for them a blazing fire.

⁶⁰La illam yantahil munafiquna wal lazina fi qulubihim maraduw wal murjifuna fil madinati lanugriyanaka bihim summa layujawirunaka fihaillaqalila

⁶¹Mal unin ainama suqifu uhizu wa quttilu taqtila

⁶²Sunnatal lahi fil lazina halau min qabl wa lan tajida lisun natillahi tabdila

⁶³Yas alukan nasu anis saah qul inama ilmuha indallah wa ma yudrika la al lassaata takunu qariba

⁶⁴Innal laha laanal kafirina wa aada lahum saira

21. This is the excuse needed to attack the non Muslims, because they will not accept Islam and also because they persecuted the Muslims. If this statement were to hold true, then Christians should have been among those who take the sword to defend and promote their faith. Because everywhere Christian Missionaries have been, they have been initially opposed by the inhabitants of those areas they have tried to do missionary work. However, when they are attack, they go to God on the knees and pray for their enemies as Scripture has intimated we do (Matthew 5:44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

22. Jesus left a new commandment for His disciples and told them by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one to another (John 13:35).

Christians are taught to forgive those who offend us and not to take revenge into our own hands. God said that revenge is His and He will repay (Romans 12:19):

Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me. I will pay them back, declares the Lord."

To kill your enemies is playing God, because you are extending yourself into the territory clearly marked, “Trespassers will be dealt with” and signed by the Lord.

23. The commentary number 21 and 22 clearly shows that such was not the practice of men of old. And if any did that, they did it for their own gain and not because the Word of God told them to.

⁶⁵To dwell therein forever: no protector will they find, nor helper.

⁶⁶The day that their faces will be turned upside down in the fire, they will say: “Woe to us! would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the apostle!”

⁶⁷And they would say: “Our Lord! we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones and they misled us as to the right path.

⁶⁸“Our Lord! give them double penalty, and curse them with a very great curse!”

⁶⁹O you who believe! be not like those who vexed and insulted Moses but Allah cleared him of the calumnies they had uttered: and he was honorable in Allah’s sight.²⁴

⁷⁰O you who believe! fear Allah and say a word directed to the right:

⁶⁵Halidina fiha abada la yajiduna waliy yaw ala nasira

⁶⁶Yauma tuqal labu wujuhuhum finnari yaquluna yalaitana atanal laha wa atanar rasula

⁶⁷Wa qalu rabbana inna atana sadatana wa kubara ana fa adalunas sabila

⁶⁸Rabbana atihim difaini minal azabi wal anhum lanan kabira

⁶⁹Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la takunu kal lazina azau Musa fabar ra ahul lahu mim ma qalu wa kana indallahi wajiha

⁷⁰Ya ayyuhal lazina amanut taqullaha wa qulu qaulan sadida

24. Korah and a group of the Levites opposed Moses but God defended and protected him. His own sister, Miriam and Aaron also scorned him, however once again, God protected him (Numbers 12:1-15; 16:1-32).

⁷¹That He may make your conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins: he that obeys Allah and His apostle has already attained the highest achievement.

⁷²We did indeed offer the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains: but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it, he was indeed unjust and foolish.

⁷³That Allah has to punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the unbelievers men and women, and Allah turns in mercy to the believers men and women: for Allah is often forgiving, most merciful.

⁷¹Yuslih lakum amalakum wa yagfir lakum zunubakum wa mayyutiil laha wa rasulahu faqad faza fauzan azima

⁷²Inna aradnal amanata alas samawati wal ardi wal jibali fa abaina ayyahmilnaha wa asfaqna minha wa hamalahal insan innahu kana zaluman jahula

⁷³Liyuazzibal lahul munafiqina wal munafiqati wal musrikina wal musrikati wa yatubal lahu alal muminina wal muminati wa kanal lahu gafurar rahima

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