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 ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نَكَحْتُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ثُمَّ طَلَّقْتُمُوهُنَّ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَمَسُّوهُنَّ فَمَا لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ عِدَّةٍ تَعْتَدُّونَهَا ۖ فَمَتِّعُوهُنَّ وَسَرِّحُوهُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلًا
O you who have believed, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them [i.e., consummated the marriage], then there is not for you any waiting period to count concerning them. So provide for them and give them a gracious release.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَـٰلَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَخْشَوْنَهُۥ وَلَا يَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ حَسِيبًا
[Allāh praises] those who convey the messages of Allāh and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Accountant.
مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا۟ مَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُۥ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا۟ تَبْدِيلًا
Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allāh. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration -
وَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلْأَحْزَابَ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَصَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ۚ وَمَا زَادَهُمْ إِلَّآ إِيمَـٰنًا وَتَسْلِيمًا
And when the believers saw the companies, they said, "This is what Allāh and His Messenger had promised us, and Allāh and His Messenger spoke the truth." And it increased them only in faith and acceptance.