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 6
Translations
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.
Transliteration
An-Nabiyyu awla bil-mu'minina min anfusihim wa azwajuhu ummahatum wa ulul-arhami ba'duhum awla biba'din fi kitabil-lahi minal-mu'minina wal-muhajirana illa an taf'alu ila awliya'ikum ma'rufan kana dhalika fil-kitabi masthuran
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the Prophet Muhammad's precedence and guardianship over the believers, superseding even their own personal interests in matters of faith and obedience. His wives are declared to be the mothers of the believers, establishing their elevated spiritual status, while the ayah clarifies that blood relatives have priority in inheritance matters according to Allah's ordinance, except for kindness shown to adopted guardians or allies. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the Prophet's authority derives from his role as messenger and guardian of the faith, while Al-Tabari notes the distinction between spiritual motherhood of the Prophet's wives and legal inheritance rights based on kinship.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah Al-Ahzab, which addresses the Battle of the Confederates (Ahzab) and related social matters of the Muslim community. The context addresses the status of the Prophet's wives following the battles, clarifies inheritance laws, and defines family relationships within the early Muslim community, establishing clear hierarchies of rights and responsibilities.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet said regarding his wives as mothers of the believers, emphasizing their protected status in the community. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, there are hadiths clarifying inheritance rights based on kinship (arham), which directly relate to the second part of this ayah regarding blood relations.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that obedience to the Prophet's guidance takes precedence in matters of faith, while simultaneously establishing compassion and respect for family bonds and kindness to others. It reminds the Muslim community that spiritual relationships and legal rights have their own distinct places within Islamic society, and that honoring both creates a balanced, just community.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَدَعْ أَذَىٰهُمْ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا
And do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites and disregard their annoyance, and rely upon Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.
قُل لَّن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْفِرَارُ إِن فَرَرْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ أَوِ ٱلْقَتْلِ وَإِذًا لَّا تُمَتَّعُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Never will fleeing benefit you if you should flee from death or killing; and then [if you did], you would not be given enjoyment [of life] except for a little."
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ سَعِيرًا
Indeed, Allāh has cursed the disbelievers and prepared for them a Blaze.
يَـٰنِسَآءَ ٱلنَّبِىِّ مَن يَأْتِ مِنكُنَّ بِفَـٰحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ يُضَـٰعَفْ لَهَا ٱلْعَذَابُ ضِعْفَيْنِ ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًا
O wives of the Prophet, whoever of you should commit a clear immorality - for her the punishment would be doubled two fold, and ever is that, for Allāh, easy.