Meaning of Quran

At-Tahrim | The Prohibition

With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.

[66:1] O Prophet, why do you ban (on yourself) something that Allah has made lawful for you, seeking to please your wives? And Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.

[66:2] Allah has prescribed (the way of) absolution from your oaths. And Allah is your protector, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

[66:3] And (remember) when the Prophet told one of his wives something in secret. So, when she disclosed it (to another wife), and Allah made it known to him, he told (the disclosing wife) part of it, and avoided another part. So when he informed her about it, she said, ‘Who told you about this?’ He said, ‘I was told of it by the All-Knowing, the All-Aware’.

[66:4] (O two wives of the Prophet,) If both of you repent to Allah, then (your conduct calls for it, because) your hearts have departed from the correct way. And if you back each other against him (the Prophet), then Allah is his supporter, and Jibra‘il (Gabriel) and righteous believers, and after all that, angels are his helpers.

[66:5] It is hoped that, if he divorces you, Allah will give him in your place wives better than you, submissive to Allah, believing, devout, penitent, steadfast in worship, fasting, previously married and virgins.

[66:6] O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from a fire, the fuel of which is human beings and stones, appointed on which are angels, stern and severe, who do not disobey Allah in what He orders them, and do whatever they are ordered to do.

[66:7] O you who disbelieve, do not make excuses today. You will only be recompensed for what you have been doing.

[66:8] O you who believe, turn to Allah with a faithful repentance. It is hoped from your Lord that he will write off your faults, and will admit you to the gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will run before them and to their right hands. They will say, ‘Our Lord, perfect for us our light, and forgive us. Indeed you are powerful over everything’.

[66:9] O Prophet, carry out Jihad (struggle) against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh with them. Their final abode is Jahannam (Hell), and it is an evil end.

[66:10] Allah has cited for the disbelievers the example of the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut. Both were married with two of Our righteous servants, but betrayed them. So they could not benefit them against Allah at all, and it was said, ‘Enter the Fire along with those who enter’.

[66:11] And Allah has cited for the believers the example of the wife of Fir‘aun (Pharaoh), when she said, ‘My Lord, build for me, near You, a house in the Paradise, and deliver me from Fir‘aun and his deeds, and deliver me from the unjust people’.

[66:12] And (Allah has also cited the example of) Maryam, daughter of Imran who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her Our spirit, and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and His books, and she was one of the devout.

Tafsir

Overview of Surah At-Tahrim

  1. Title and Position: Surah At-Tahrim is the 66th chapter of the Quran. The title “At-Tahrim” translates to “The Prohibition,” referring to the incident where the Prophet Muhammad was advised to make lawful what God had made lawful for him, after he had sworn to abstain from something permissible to please his wives.
  2. Verses and Structure: This surah contains 12 verses. It addresses issues related to family ethics, the responsibilities of believers, particularly within their households, and the importance of protecting oneself and one’s family from the Hellfire.
  3. Themes and Messages: Major themes include the importance of following God’s commands over seeking to please others, the consequences of one’s actions in the afterlife, and examples of both righteous and unrighteous women in history as lessons for believers.
  4. Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah At-Tahrim is significant for its emphasis on personal integrity, the sanctity of marital relationships, and the spiritual leadership roles within the family. It also underscores the mercy and forgiveness of God.

Detailed Explanation

  1. Incident of Prohibition: The surah begins with a reference to an incident in the Prophet Muhammad’s life, using it as a teaching moment about the importance of adhering to what God has made lawful and the dangers of imposing unnecessary prohibitions on oneself.
  2. Family Responsibilities: It emphasizes the role of believers in guiding their families towards righteousness and the importance of creating a household that is conscious of God’s commands and the afterlife.
  3. Examples from History: Surah At-Tahrim cites examples of women from history, including the wives of Noah and Lot as negative examples due to their betrayal of their prophets, and the wife of Pharaoh and Mary, the mother of Jesus, as positive examples of faith and righteousness.
  4. Call to Repentance and God’s Mercy: The surah concludes with a call to repentance, highlighting God’s readiness to forgive and the importance of turning back to God with sincere faith to seek His mercy and protection.

FAQs

  1. Why is Surah At-Tahrim named “The Prohibition”?
    • The surah is named “At-Tahrim” because it discusses the incident where the Prophet Muhammad was reminded to not make unlawful for himself what God had made lawful, emphasizing the importance of following divine guidance.
  2. What lesson does the incident of prohibition teach?
    • The incident teaches the importance of adhering strictly to God’s commands and avoiding unnecessary self-imposed restrictions, highlighting the priority of divine law over personal vows or societal pressures.
  3. How does Surah At-Tahrim address family dynamics?
    • It stresses the responsibility of believers to lead their families towards righteousness, emphasizing the importance of spiritual leadership within the household to safeguard against the Hellfire.
  4. What does the surah say about repentance and God’s mercy?
    • The surah underscores God’s boundless mercy and forgiveness, encouraging believers to repent sincerely for their shortcomings and to strive continually towards righteousness.

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