O you Prophet!, take Allâh as a shield (seeking protection in Him) and do not follow (the wishes of) the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
And follow that which is revealed to you from your Lord. Verily, Allâh is Well Aware of what you people do.
And put your trust in Allâh. Allâh is sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.
Allâh has not placed two hearts in the bosom of any man, nor does He regard as your mothers those of your wives whom you desert by (Zihâr) calling them as such, nor does He regard those whom you adopt as your children as your own (real) children. These are mere words that you speak; but Allâh declares the truth and He guides to the (straight) path.
Call them (- the adopted ones) after (the names of) their (real) fathers. This is more just and equitable in the sight of Allâh. But if you do not know (the names of) their fathers then (they are) your brothers-in-faith and your friends or wards. And no blame shall lie on you with regard to any mistake you may have unintentionally made (before) in such a case. But (you are accountable for) that which you wilfully and premeditatingly do. And Allâh is Great Protector, Ever Merciful.
The Prophet has a better claim on the believers than (that) they even have on themselves. (Not only that) his wives are (as) mothers to them. (But in the matters of inheritance) the blood relations are nearer one to another (and more deserving to get the heritage) in (accordance with) the Law of Allâh than the other believers (from among the Ansâr) as well as the immigrants (-Muhâjirs whom the Ansâr took as brothers and united with themselves). Yet you can do an act of kindness (to do honourable favour) to your friends. This is also laid down in the Book of Law.
And (recall the time) when We made a covenant with the Prophets and We made it with you, and with Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, son of Mary; and We made a solemn covenant with them.
(The Lord did it) so that He may let the truthful give expression to their truthfulness (-whether they were true to their covenant). And (whereas He will reward the true believers); He has in store a woeful punishment for the disbelievers.
Believers! remember how Allâh favoured you when (the combined) forces (of the Quraish and their allies) came against you (in the Battle of Ahzâb) and We sent against them (the forces of nature) a strong wind and hosts (of angels) that you could not see. And Allâh is ever a close observer of your (painstaking efforts and toilsome) deeds.
(Recall how He favoured you) when they (-your enemies) invaded you (at Madînah) from above you (from the highlands on the east) and from below you (-from the valley to the west) and when (your) eyes were dazed (in terror) and your hearts rose up to (your) throats while (some of) you entertained diverse thoughts about Allâh.
That was the time when the believers were put to hard trial and were violently shaken.
(Recall the time,) when the hypocrites and those who carried a (spiritual) disease in their hearts said, `Allâh and His Messenger only made us a false and delusive promise (of victory).
And (recall) when a party of them (also) said, `O people of Yathrib (- Madînah)! you can put up no stand (in the face of the enemy); you had better go back (to your homes or your old faith to save your lives). And a section of them asked the Prophet for leave saying, `Surely, our homes are lying exposed (to danger) whereas they were not actually lying exposed, but they only sought to flee (from the battlefield).
And if entry (of the enemy-forces) were effected (in the town of Madînah) against them from its diverse quarters and then they were incited to (treachery and) join in the disturbance (against the Companions) they would have readily gone for it. But (afterwards as it happened) they could not stay there (in their so called undefended houses) but a little while.
And previous to that they had made a covenant with Allâh that they would not turn (their) backs. And a covenant (made) with Allâh will have to be answered for.
Say, `It would be of no avail to you if you flee from death or the battlefield and in case you do, you will not (be allowed to) enjoy yourselves but for a short while.
Who will save you from (the punishment of) Allâh if it be His will to do you some harm or (who will withhold His favour from you) if it be His will to show you mercy? And they will not find apart from Allâh a patron or a helper for them.
Verily, Allâh knows those of you who turn others away (from fighting in the cause of Allâh), and (He knows) also those (of you) who say to their brethren, `Come to us (to follow the right course).´ But they themselves seldom join the fight (in the cause of Allâh),
They are niggardly (having no desire) to help you. But when danger is in sight you can see them looking towards you, their eyes rolling like (the eyes of) one who swoons due to (the agony of) death. But when (the time of) danger passes away they lash you (tauntingly) with the sharp (edges of their) tongues being niggardly of any good (coming to your way). These people have never, infact, believed (sincerely), so Allâh has rendered void all their activities (against Islam). And (doing) that is always an easy thing for Allâh.
They (still) think that the (invading) confederates have not yet withdrawn. Should the confederates come (again) they would wish to be (desert dwellers) among the bedouins in the desert asking for news about you (whether you were safe or destroyed). And had they been among you they would not have fought (along with you), save a few.
Certainly, you have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allâh for one who hopes (to meet) Allâh and the Last Day and who remembers Allâh again and again.
And as soon as the believers saw (the troops of) the confederates they said, `This is what Allâh and His Messenger promised us (about the defeat and discomfiture of the hosts of disbelievers and eventual victory of Islam); and Allâh and His Messenger spoke the truth. Look! this (entire episode) made them all the more faithful and obedient (to God).
There are some remarkable men among the believers who have been true to the covenant they made with Allâh. There are some among them who fulfilled their vow (and fell martyrs). And there are others among them who are (still) waiting to fulfill. They have never changed (their minds, their conduct or stand they had taken) in the least.
(The Muslims were granted victory in this battle) so that Allâh may reward the truthful for their having been true (to their covenant) and that He may punish the hypocrites or turn to them in mercy whichever pleases Him. Allâh is Great Protector (against faults), Ever Merciful.
And Allâh drove the disbelievers back (from Madînah and they turned back) with fire of rage (and full of spite for the Muslims); they gained no good. And Allâh sufficed the believers in (their) fighting. Allâh is Ever Powerful, All-Mighty.
And He brought down from their strongholds those of the people of the Scripture (- the Jews of Madînah, the perfidious Banû Quraizâh) who had backed them (-the invading enemies). He inspired awful terror into their hearts (so much so that) some of them you were able to slay and others you could take as captives.
And He allowed you to inherit their land, their homes and their belongings. And He shall give you yet more lands (the land of Khaibar; and the land of the Persian and Roman Empires) on which you have not so far set your foot. And Allâh is Possessor of prudential power over all that He will.
O Prophet! say to your wives, `If you desire the present life and its beautiful things of adornment, come then, I will provide for you worldly provisions and allow you to depart in a handsome manner, a departing in kindliness.
`But if you choose (the good will of) Allâh and (of) this Messenger and (in this way prefer) the Abode of the Hereafter, then truly Allâh has prepared a great reward for the doers of good among you.´
O wives of the Prophet! if any of you be guilty of manifest improper conduct (-a conduct falling short of the highest standard of faith, as you are made an excellent model for others) you will receive punishment twice over. It is indeed easy for Allâh (to double your punishment).
But whoever of you is obedient to Allâh and His Messenger and does righteous deeds, We shall give her reward twice over and We have prepared for her an honourable provision.
O wives of the Prophet! you are like no other women, if you would guard against evil, so be not soft in speech lest he who carries a disease in his heart should feel tempted, and you should speak decent words in a dignified tone.
And remain in your houses with grace and dignity (you being the mothers of the believers will not be allowed to merry) and do not show yourselves off as (did the women) in the bygone days of ignorance (who displayed their finery), and observe Prayer, present the Zakât (- the purifying dues) regularly and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Members of the house (of the Prophet of God)! verily, Allâh desires to rid you of (all) uncleanliness and to purify you completely.
And keep in mind the Messages of Allâh and the (words of) wisdom which are recited in your homes. Verily, Benign is Allâh, All-Aware.
Verily, Allâh has in store protection (from faults) and a great reward for the men and women who submit themselves (to the will of God), and for the men and women who believe, and for the men and women who are obedient to Allâh, and for the men and women who are patiently persevering (in their faith and righteousness,) and for the men and women who are humble (before God) and for the men and women who give alms and for the men and women who fast and for the men and women who guard their chastity, and for the men and women who remember and glorify Allâh (with all His praises) again and again.
It does not behove a believing man or a believing woman to exercise an option in their affair after Allâh and His Messenger have decided the matter. Indeed, he who disobeys Allâh and His Messenger surely strays far away in clear error.
And (recall the time) when you said to the man (- Zaid son of Hârithah, a slave freed by the Prophet) on whom Allâh had bestowed His favour and whom you also had favoured, `Keep your wife (- Zainab) to yourself (and do not divorce her) and take Allâh as a shield. And you (O Zaid!) conceal (the cause of the failure of the marriage) in your mind, what Allâh is going to bring to light (that the responsibility of the failure rests more upon Zaid than upon Zainab); and you are (also) afraid of the people whereas Allâh has a better right that you should stand in awe of Him.´ However when Zaid had done what he intended to do with her (- his wife and dissolved the marriage tie with her), We gave her (- the divorced lady) in marriage to you, so that the believers might incur no blame in (getting married to) the wives of their adopted sons after they had dissolved the marriage tie with them. Indeed, the decree of Allâh is ever executed.
No blame shall lie on the Prophet for (doing) that which Allâh has made incumbent upon him. (Such indeed has been) the law of Allâh with regard to those (Prophets) who have passed away. Indeed, the command of Allâh is a decree that is made absolute;
Those who deliver the Messages of Allâh and who stand in awe of Him and stand in awe of none except Allâh. And Sufficient is Allâh to take account.
Muhammad is no father to any man among you but (he is rather) the Messenger of Allâh and the Seal of the Prophets. Indeed Allâh has full knowledge of all things.
Believers! remember Allâh with much remembrance.
And glorify Him morning and evening.
It is He Who sends (His) blessings on you (and) His angels (pray for you) with the result that He brings you out of (all kinds) of utter darkness and leads you to light. And He is Ever Merciful to the believers.
They will be greeted with peace the day they meet Him. And He has an honorous reward in store for them.
Prophet! We have sent you to be a Witness, a Bearer of glad tidings and a Warner.
And (We have sent you) to be a Summoner to Allâh by His command and to serve as a bright sun which spreads light.
And (Prophet!) give the believers glad tidings that there awaits them great grace from Allâh.
And do not follow the disbelievers and the hypocrites and overlook their insulting remarks and annoying ways, and put your trust in Allâh, for Sufficient is Allâh as a Disposer of affairs.
Believers! when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have had access to them they are under no obligation to wait for `Iddat (- the prescribed period of waiting) that you count with regard to them (before they can marry). You had better give them some provision and send them away in a handsome manner.
Prophet! We have made lawful to you, your wives whom you have paid their dowers and (similarly) those (wives) whom your right hand owns (after granting them freedom in lieu of their dower in marriage) from among those whom Allâh has given you as gains of war. (And also lawful for the marriage were) the daughters of your paternal uncles and of your paternal aunts, and the daughters of your maternal uncles and of your maternal aunts as have emigrated with you. And (also has been made lawful to the Prophet) any other believing woman who offers herself to the Prophet (for marriage without claiming dower), provided the Prophet (too) desires to wed her. (This is a special permission of marrying more than four wives at a time) only for you to the exclusion of (other) believers in order that there may be no difficulty for you (in explaining the law to the believers). We know what We have enjoined on them (in the Qur´ân) regarding their wives (from among the free women) and also about (their marrying of) those whom their right hands own, in order that there may be no difficulty for you (in explaining the law to them). And Allâh is Great Protector, Ever Merciful.
(Prophet!) You may put aside such of them (- your wives) as you like and you may keep with yourself such of them as you like. (Similarly) no blame shall lie on you if you take back such of them as you desire of those (wives) whom you have had put aside (in the matter) provisionally. It is more likely this should console them and relieve them of their grief; and make everyone of them well-pleased with what you have given them. And Allâh knows best what lies hidden in your hearts. And Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Clement.
(Prophet!) you are not allowed (to marry) other woman after this, nor to change them (- your present wives )for other wives however much you may admire their good qualities. Only those (will remain with you) whom your right hand owns (after your having properly and lawfully wedded them). Remember that Allâh is Ever Watchful over everything.
Believers! do not enter the houses of the Prophet unless permission (to enter) has been given you for a meal (with him). Moreover do not wait (there) for the meal time. Rather you should come when you are invited, and disperse when you have had your meal, (nor should you stay over) seeking to listen to (idle) conversation. Surely, this behaviour of yours causes inconvenience to the Prophet, and he (being considerate of your feelings) forbears from (saying anything to) you. But Allâh forbears not from (saying) what is true. And when you ask the women for any commodity, ask them from behind a curtain. Such (a conduct) will better ensure the purity of your minds as well as theirs. And it is never proper for you to cause inconvenience to the Messenger of Allâh, nor (is it proper for you) that you should ever marry his wives after him. Indeed (if you do so) it would be a grievous thing in the sight of Allâh.
(It makes little difference) whether you do a thing openly or conceal it. Allâh has full knowledge of everything.
No blame shall lie on the women (if they appear) before their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their brothers´ sons or the sons of their sisters or the womenfolk of their own (category) or those whom their right hands own. And you (all womenfolk) take (each of you) Allâh as a shield. Verily, Allâh is Ever Witness over all things.
Verily, Allâh and His angels bless this Prophet. Believers! you (also) invoke Allâh´s blessings upon him and salute (him) with the salutation of peace.
Verily, those who malign Allâh and His Messenger (and are guilty of false accusation), Allâh has condemned them in this world and in the next and He has prepared a humiliating punishment for them.
And those who malign believing men and believing women for no fault of theirs, are guilty of false accusation and bear the burden of flagrant sin.
Prophet! tell your wives, your daughters and women of the believers that (while going out of their houses) they should draw lower upon them the portions of their (loose) outer coverings from over their heads on to their bosoms (so as to veil therewith the arms, the neck, the hair and ornaments worn over them). This practice is more likely to help them to be distinguished (from other women who make a display of their beauty and ornamentation) and so saves them from trouble. Allâh is Great Protector, Ever Merciful.
If the hypocrites, those who carry a disease in their hearts and the scandal-mongers (who circulate false rumours to cause agitation) in the city, do not give over (their evil designs and stop their activities), We shall (one day) make you exercise authority over them, then they will not dwell long in this (city) with you (as your neighbours).
(They are) bereft of Allâh´s grace, and will be held wherever they are found and put to death.
Such has been the way of Allâh in the case of those who have gone before and you will find no change in the way of Allâh.
People ask you about this (promised) Hour (When the such people will be treated like that). Say, `Allâh alone has the knowledge of it. And what shall make you know that the Hour may be near at hand.
Allâh has surely condemned the disbelievers and has a blazing Fire in store for them.
They will live long in it. And they will find (therein) no patron nor helper.
The day when their leaders are turned over and over into the Fire, they will say, `O would that we had obeyed Allâh! would that we had obeyed the Messenger!´
The people (in general) will say, `Our Lord! we obeyed our leaders and our great ones but they led us astray from (Your) path.
`Our Lord! give them (their) punishment twice over (for their own evil deeds and for their misleading us), and deprive them totally of your grace.
Believers! be not as those who maligned Moses. Indeed Allâh absolved him of their allegations. And he (- Moses) is ever high- honored in the sight of Allâh.
Believers! take Allâh as a shield and say the right thing in a straight forward words that hits the mark (and is devoid of hidden meanings).
He will set right your actions for you, and protect you against (the consequences of) your sins. And one who obeys Allâh and His Messenger, has of course achieved a great achievement.
Verily, We presented the trust (- Our injunctions and laws) to the heavens and the earth and the mountains and they refused to prove false to it, and they were struck with awe of it. On the other hand a human-being has proved false to it (by betraying the trust and violating the Divine commandments), for he could be unjust and is forgetful.
With the result that Allâh will punish the hypocritical men and hypocritical women and the polytheistic men and the polytheistic women (who proved false to the trust). Whereas He turns with grace and mercy to the believing men and the believing women. Indeed, Allâh is Great Protector, Ever Merciful.