The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

66. PROHIBITION
A Medinan sura that discusses episodes in the Prophet’s home life. It chides
two of the Prophet’s wives for an incident when a confidence was betrayed
(verses 3–5) and urges all believers to submit themselves to God and to guard
themselves and their families against Hellfire (verses 6–8). The sura closes by
giving examples of believing and disbelieving women (verses 10–12).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 Prophet, why do you prohibit what God has made lawful to you a in
your desire to please your wives? Yet God is forgiving and merciful:
2 He has ordained a way for you [believers] to release you from [such]
oaths b ––God is your helper: He is the All Knowing, the Wise.
3 The Prophet told something in confidence to one of his wives.
When she disclosed it [to another wife] and God made this known to
him, he confirmed part of it, keeping the rest to himself. When
he confronted her with what she had done, she asked, ‘Who told you
about this?’ and he replied, ‘The All Knowing, the All Aware told
me.’ 4 If both of you [wives] repent to God––for your hearts have
deviated––[all will be well]; if you collaborate against him, [be
warned that] God will aid him, as will Gabriel and all righteous
believers, and the angels too will back him. 5 His Lord may well
replace you with better wives if the Prophet decides to divorce any of
you: wives who are devoted to God, true believers, devout, who turn
to Him in repentance and worship Him, given to fasting, whether
previously married or virgins.
6 Believers, guard yourselves and your families against a Fire
fuelled by people and stones, over which stand angels, stern and
strong; angels who never disobey God’s commands to them, but do
as they are ordered: 7 ‘You who disbelieve, make no excuses today:
you are only being repaid for what you used to do.’
8 Believers, turn to God in sincere repentance. Your Lord may well
a The Prophet had made an oath to abstain from something: either honey or conjugal
relations with one or more of his wives. Razi gives several stories to explain this.
b See 5: 89. If a Muslim swears an oath which may be counter to what is right, he is
allowed release, provided he gives expiation.