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
لَّا يَحِلُّ لَكَ ٱلنِّسَآءُ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَلَآ أَن تَبَدَّلَ بِهِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ حُسْنُهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ رَّقِيبًا
Not lawful to you, [O Muḥammad], are [any additional] women after [this], nor [is it] for you to exchange them for [other] wives, even if their beauty were to please you, except what your right hand possesses. And ever is Allāh, over all things, an Observer.
مَّا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِرَجُلٍ مِّن قَلْبَيْنِ فِى جَوْفِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلَ أَزْوَٰجَكُمُ ٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى تُظَـٰهِرُونَ مِنْهُنَّ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلَ أَدْعِيَآءَكُمْ أَبْنَآءَكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ قَوْلُكُم بِأَفْوَٰهِكُمْ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَقُولُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَهُوَ يَهْدِى ٱلسَّبِيلَ
Allāh has not made for a man two hearts in his interior. And He has not made your wives whom you declare unlawful your mothers. And He has not made your claimed [i.e., adopted] sons your [true] sons. That is [merely] your saying by your mouths, but Allāh says the truth, and He guides to the [right] way.
وَلَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن قَبْلُ لَا يُوَلُّونَ ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ۚ وَكَانَ عَهْدُ ٱللَّهِ مَسْـُٔولًا
And they had already promised Allāh before not to turn their backs [i.e., flee]. And ever is the promise to Allāh [that about which one will be] questioned.
ٱلنَّبِىُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَٰجُهُۥٓ أُمَّهَـٰتُهُمْ ۗ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ إِلَّآ أَن تَفْعَلُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآئِكُم مَّعْرُوفًا ۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مَسْطُورًا
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allāh than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book inscribed.