The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

33: 48
The Joint Forces 269
what is recited in your houses of God’s revelations and wisdom, for
God is all subtle, all aware.
35 For men and women who are devoted to God – believing men
and women, obedient men and women, truthful men and women,
steadfast men and women, humble men and women, charitable
men and women, fasting men and women, chaste men and women,
men and women who remember God often – God has prepared
forgiveness and a rich reward.
36 When God and His Messenger have decided on a matter that
concerns them, it is not fitting for any believing man or woman to
claim freedom of choice in that matter: whoever disobeys God and
His Messenger is far astray. 37 When you [Prophet] said to the man
who had been favoured by God and by you, ‘Keep your wife and be
mindful of God,’ you hid in your heart what God would later reveal:
you were afraid of people, but it is more fitting that you fear God.
When Zayd no longer wanted her, a We gave her to you in marriage
so that there might be no fault in believers marrying the wives of
their adopted sons after they no longer wanted them. God’s command
must be carried out: 38 the Prophet is not at fault for what God
has ordained for him. This was God’s practice with those who went
before – God’s command must be fulfilled – 39 [and with all] those
who deliver God’s messages and fear only Him and no other: God’s
reckoning is enough. 40 Muhammad is not the father of any one of
you men; he is God’s Messenger and the seal of the prophets: God
knows everything. 41 Believers, remember God often 42 and glorify
Him morning and evening: 43 it is He who blesses you, as do His
angels, in order to lead you out of the depths of darkness into the
light. He is ever merciful towards the believers – 44 when they meet
Him they will be greeted with ‘Peace’– and He has prepared a
generous reward for them.
45 Prophet, We have sent you as a witness, as a bearer of good news
and warning, 46 as one who calls people to God by His leave, as a
light-giving lamp. 47 Give the believers the good news that great
bounty awaits them from God. 48 Do not give in to the disbelievers
and the hypocrites: ignore the harm they cause you and put your
trust in God. God is enough to trust.
a The Prophet married Zayd, his adopted son, to Zaynab, his own cousin. Zayd later
divorced her and the Prophet took her as his own wife. This sura shows the marriage to
be lawful since adoption does not create blood relations that preclude marriage.