يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ إِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيْنَ أُمَتِّعْكُنَّ وَأُسَرِّحْكُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلًا 28
Translations
O Prophet, say to your wives, "If you should desire the worldly life and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you and give you a gracious release.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha an-nabiyyu qul li-azwajika in kuntunna turidna al-hayata ad-dunya wa zeenataha fa-ta'aalayna umatti'kunna wa-usarrihanakunna sarahan jameela
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Prophet Muhammad regarding his wives, presenting them with a choice between desiring worldly life and its adornments, or choosing the Hereafter. If they choose the world, the Prophet is instructed to provide them with maintenance and release them in a kind manner (gracious divorce). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this was revealed after the Battle of the Trench when the Prophet's wives were experiencing hardship and scarcity, testing their commitment to faith over material comfort. The ayah emphasizes that the wives of the Prophet must prioritize spiritual devotion and the Hereafter, establishing a high standard of sacrifice and commitment expected of the Prophet's household.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah Al-Ahzab (The Combined Forces), which addresses the affairs of the Prophet's household and community during the Medinan period. It specifically relates to the Prophet's marriages and the trials faced by his wives during times of hardship, particularly following the siege of Medina. The surah establishes elevated standards of conduct and devotion expected from the Prophet's family as role models for the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3331): Aisha reported that the Prophet's wives requested increased maintenance, and this ayah was revealed in response to their request, emphasizing the choice between worldly comfort and the Hereafter. Additionally, traditions in Sahih Muslim regarding the Prophet's household note the simplicity and sacrifice of his wives in preference for spiritual reward.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith requires prioritizing spiritual commitment over material comfort, and establishes that kindness and dignity must be maintained even in difficult personal circumstances such as divorce. For believers today, it emphasizes that the measure of a person's faith is reflected in their choices when faced with the temptation of worldly pleasures versus devotion to God and the Hereafter.
Related Ayahs
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.
۞ تُرْجِى مَن تَشَآءُ مِنْهُنَّ وَتُـْٔوِىٓ إِلَيْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ وَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَيْتَ مِمَّنْ عَزَلْتَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن تَقَرَّ أَعْيُنُهُنَّ وَلَا يَحْزَنَّ وَيَرْضَيْنَ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْتَهُنَّ كُلُّهُنَّ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَلِيمًا
You, [O Muḥammad], may put aside whom you will of them or take to yourself whom you will. And any that you desire of those [wives] from whom you had [temporarily] separated - there is no blame upon you [in returning her]. That is more suitable that they should be content and not grieve and that they should be satisfied with what you have given them - all of them. And Allāh knows what is in your hearts. And ever is Allāh Knowing and Forbearing.
وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا
And rely upon Allāh; and sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.
خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۖ لَّا يَجِدُونَ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
Abiding therein forever, they will not find a protector or a helper.