Surat Al-Ahzab (الأحزاب) was revealed in Madina. The theme of the Surah is maintaining submission to Allah even in difficult and embarrassing situations.

While all Muslims profess belief in Allah, such claims require evidence. The depth of belief in Allah is gauged by one’s acceptance of His will and adherence to His commands. While people may submit to those more powerful or to their own desires, believers recognize Allah’s supremacy and thus submit to Him without questioning or hesitation.

Difficult situations often test a believer’s submission to Allah. These situations may involve physical danger, embarrassment, or the risk of losing something valuable. Surat Al-Ahzab provides examples of such challenging circumstances that may lead individuals to compromise their obedience to Allah.

To underscore the central theme of submission and obedience to Allah, the term “obedience” (الطاعة) is mentioned seven times and “honesty” (الصدق) eight times throughout the Surah. The opening Ayah instructs the Prophet (PBUH) not to obey anyone other than Allah.

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ وَٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ڪَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمً۬ا (١)

“O Prophet! Keep your duty to Allah, and do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.”  (33:1)

 Furthermore, numerous other verses in the Surah convey a similar message. For example:

وَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ وَٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَدَعۡ أَذَٮٰهُمۡ وَتَوَڪَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَڪِيلاً۬ (٤٨)

“And obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and do not harm them. And put your trust in Allah, and Allah is sufficient as a Trustee.” (33:48)

The Surah presents various challenging situations to exemplify submission to Allah under diverse conditions.

1. Submission to Allah in facing enemies:

The situation that Muslims faced in the battle of confederates (Al-Ahzab) (الأحزاب غزوة); also called the battle of the Trench (غزوة الخندق) was extremely difficult. The following Ayah describes the tough situation the Muslims faced:

إِذۡ جَآءُوكُم مِّن فَوۡقِكُمۡ وَمِنۡ أَسۡفَلَ مِنكُمۡ وَإِذۡ زَاغَتِ ٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرُ وَبَلَغَتِ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ٱلۡحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّونَ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلظُّنُونَا۟ (١٠) هُنَالِكَ ٱبۡتُلِىَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَزُلۡزِلُواْ زِلۡزَالاً۬ شَدِيدً۬ا (١١)

 “When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached the throats, and you were harboring doubts about Allah. There, the believers were tried and shaken with a mighty shaking.” (33:10-11)

Yet, the Muslims’ reaction in this difficult situation was:

وَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابَ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥ وَصَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥ‌ۚ وَمَا زَادَهُمۡ إِلَّآ إِيمَـٰنً۬ا وَتَسۡلِيمً۬ا (٢٢)

“When the Believers saw the Confederate forces, they said: “This is what Allah and his Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger told us what was true.” And it only added to their faith and their zeal in obedience. “(33:22)

 And in return those Muslims received wonderful testimony from Allah for their trust in Him:

مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ۬ صَدَقُواْ مَا عَـٰهَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيۡهِ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحۡبَهُ ۥ وَمِنۡہُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ‌ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُواْ تَبۡدِيلاً۬ (٢٣)

“Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah: of them some have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some (still) wait but they have never changed (their determination) in the least.” (33:23)

 

The Surah was named “Al-Ahzab”, meaning “the parties”, “the confederates”, “the allies” because there were many parties opposing the Muslims in this battle.  Also, besides the external parties on the enemy side, the following two internal parties among the Muslims contributed to the challenge:

1. The hypocrites (حزب المنافقين)

هُنَالِكَ ٱبۡتُلِىَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَزُلۡزِلُواْ زِلۡزَالاً۬ شَدِيدً۬ا (١١) وَإِذۡ يَقُولُ ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِہِم مَّرَضٌ۬ مَّا وَعَدَنَا ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا غُرُورً۬ا (١٢)

There, the believers were tried and shaken with a mighty shaking. (11) And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts) said: “Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion!” (33:11-12)

1. The frightened and hesitant (حزب المترددين الخائفين)

وَإِذۡ قَالَت طَّآٮِٕفَةٌ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ يَثۡرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَكُمۡ فَٱرۡجِعُواْ‌ۚ وَيَسۡتَـٔۡذِنُ فَرِيقٌ۬ مِّنۡہُمُ ٱلنَّبِىَّ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بُيُوتَنَا عَوۡرَةٌ۬ وَمَا هِىَ بِعَوۡرَةٍ‌ۖ إِن يُرِيدُونَ إِلَّا فِرَارً۬ا (١٣) وَلَوۡ دُخِلَتۡ عَلَيۡہِم مِّنۡ أَقۡطَارِهَا ثُمَّ سُٮِٕلُواْ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةَ لَأَتَوۡهَا وَمَا تَلَبَّثُواْ بِہَآ إِلَّا يَسِيرً۬ا (١٤)

And when a party of them said: “O people of Yathrib (Al-Madinah)! There is no stand (possible) for you (against the enemy attack!) Therefore, go back!” And a band of them ask for permission of the Prophet saying: “Truly, our homes lie open (to the enemy).” And they lay not open. They but wished to flee. (13) And if the enemy had entered from all sides (of the city), and they had been exhorted to Al-Fitnah (i.e. to renegade from Islam) they would surely have committed it and would have hesitated thereupon but little. (33:13-14)

وَلَقَدۡ كَانُواْ عَـٰهَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مِن قَبۡلُ لَا يُوَلُّونَ ٱلۡأَدۡبَـٰرَ‌ۚ وَكَانَ عَهۡدُ ٱللَّهِ مَسۡـُٔولاً۬ (١٥)

And indeed, they had already made a covenant with Allah not to turn their backs, and a covenant with Allah must be answered for. (33:15)

Despite the huge challenge that faced Muslims from all the different parties, sincere Muslims exhibited unwavering trust in Allah. As a result, Allah rewarded them by sending a powerful storm that dispersed the external enemies causing them to flee the area.  Allah says:

 فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ رِيحً۬ا وَجُنُودً۬ا لَّمۡ تَرَوۡهَا‌ۚ وَڪَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا (٩)

“…We sent against them a hurricane and forces that you did not see…” (33:9).

2. Submission to Allah in opposing social norms.

The second difficult situation that is presented in the Surah involves submission to Allah in areas that may cause embarrassment because they go against the social norms of society.  This difficult situation is related to the divorce of Zaid (زَيْدٌ) from Zaynab bint Jahsh (RA) (زينب بنت جحش) and the Prophet’s (PBUH) subsequent marriage to her:

وَإِذۡ تَقُولُ لِلَّذِىٓ أَنۡعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِ وَأَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِ أَمۡسِكۡ عَلَيۡكَ زَوۡجَكَ وَٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ وَتُخۡفِى فِى نَفۡسِكَ مَا ٱللَّهُ مُبۡدِيهِ وَتَخۡشَى ٱلنَّاسَ وَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَٮٰهُۖ

“And (remember) when you said to him (Zaid bin Harithah) on whom Allah has bestowed Grace and you have conferred favor on him: “Keep your wife to yourself, and fear Allah.” But you did hide in yourself that which Allah has brought to light (i.e. that Allah has already made known to you that will marry her).  You are afraid of the people (i.e., what they will say about you) whereas Allah is more deserving to fear Him.  (33:36)

فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ زَيۡدٌ۬ مِّنۡہَا وَطَرً۬ا زَوَّجۡنَـٰكَهَا لِكَىۡ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ حَرَجٌ۬ فِىٓ أَزۡوَٲجِ أَدۡعِيَآٮِٕهِمۡ إِذَا قَضَوۡاْ مِنۡہُنَّ وَطَرً۬اۚ وَكَانَ أَمۡرُ ٱللَّهِ مَفۡعُولاً۬ (٣٧)

So, when Zaid had completed the necessary formalities (i.e. divorced her), We gave her to you in marriage, so that (in future) there will no difficulty to the believers in respect of (the marriage of) the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have no desire to keep them. And Allah’s command must be fulfilled. (33:37)

 This situation illustrates the significant social pressure that led the Prophet (PBUH) to initially resist what Allah had informed him would come to pass. Allah had revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) that Zayd would divorce Zaynab, and upon this occurrence, the Prophet was to marry her. However, the Prophet hesitated, mindful of societal norms and the anticipated attack from disbelievers and hypocrites.

So, he (PBUH) kept counseling Zayd not to divorce Zaynab, but Zayd persisted in his decision. Ultimately, Allah’s decree unfolded, compelling the Prophet (PBUH) to submit to His will. Zayd divorced Zaynab, and the Prophet (PBUH) married her.

Regrettably, some Muslim scholars continued the falsehoods propagated by disbelievers and hypocrites concerning this event. They misinterpreted the Quranic verse (وَتُخۡفِى فِى نَفۡسِكَ مَا ٱللَّهُ مُبۡدِيهِ) to imply that the Prophet harbored secret affection for Zaynab, whereas its true meaning pertains to concealing Allah’s command to marry her post-divorce. They overlooked Zaynab’s familial relation to the Prophet (PBUH) and her marriage to Zayd at the Prophet’s encouragement, indicating her obedience to him.

Allah instructed the Prophet to marry Zaynab to abolish the practice of adoption, which was relevant to Zayd, a former slave liberated and adopted by the Prophet (PBUH). For an extended period, the Prophet referred to Zayd as “Zayd ibn Mohammad” until Allah revealed verses clarifying that a man does not have two fathers. Subsequently, Zayd’s name was changed to “Zayd ibn Harithah” (زيد بن حارثة after his biological father.

مَّا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِرَجُلٍ۬ مِّن قَلۡبَيۡنِ فِى جَوۡفِهِۦ‌ۚ وَمَا جَعَلَ أَزۡوَٲجَكُمُ ٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى تُظَـٰهِرُونَ مِنۡہُنَّ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمۡ‌ۚ وَمَا جَعَلَ أَدۡعِيَآءَكُمۡ أَبۡنَآءَكُمۡ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ قَوۡلُكُم بِأَفۡوَٲهِكُمۡ‌ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَقُولُ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَهُوَ يَهۡدِى ٱلسَّبِيلَ (٤)

ٱدۡعُوهُمۡ لِأَبَآٮِٕهِمۡ هُوَ أَقۡسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ فَإِن لَّمۡ تَعۡلَمُوٓاْ ءَابَآءَهُمۡ فَإِخۡوَٲنُڪُمۡ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَمَوَٲلِيكُمۡ‌ۚ وَلَيۡسَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ جُنَاحٌ۬ فِيمَآ أَخۡطَأۡتُم بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتۡ قُلُوبُكُمۡ‌ۚ وَڪَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمًا (٥)

“Allah has not placed two hearts in any man’s body: nor He has granted you wives whom you may back away from, to act as if they are your mothers: nor has He made your adopted sons to be your own sons. Such is your own statement made by your mouth. But Allah tells the Truth, and He guides to the (right) Way. (4)

Call them after their own fathers: that is more just in the sight of Allah. But if you do not know who their fathers are, then (call them) your brothers in Faith, or your wards (dependents, protégés).  There is no blame on you if you have made a mistake; what counts is what your heart have done intentionally: Yet, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Al-Ahzab 33:4-5)

The Prophet’s marriage of Zayd’s former wife caused embarrassment and provided an opportunity for the hypocrites to attack the Prophet (PBUH).  Although the Prophet (PBUH) sought to avoid this situation, Allah intended to preempt any future restrictions, explaining this rationale in following Ayah:

مَّا كَانَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ مِنۡ حَرَجٍ۬ فِيمَا فَرَضَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۖ ۥ سُنَّةَ ٱللَّهِ فِى ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوۡاْ مِن قَبۡلُۚ وَكَانَ أَمۡرُ ٱللَّهِ قَدَرً۬ا مَّقۡدُورًا

“There is no blame on the Prophet in that which Allah has made legal for him. This has been Allah’s Way with those who have passed away of (the Prophets of) old. And the Command of Allah is certain destiny. (33:38)

So, despite the social pressure and the potential embarrassment, the Prophet (PBUH) submitted to Allah’s command.

3. Submission to Allah in face of family pressure

The third challenging circumstance pertains to family matters, a significant aspect due to the fact that numerous husbands find themselves unable to adhere to the commands of Allah due to pressure from their wives. This predicament was encountered by the Prophet (PBUH) when his wives urged him to provide them with additional financial resources. While their request was not unreasonable, primarily seeking comfort, Allah intended to establish them as examples for Muslim women and the Prophet (PBUH) as an example for Muslim men.

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزۡوَٲجِكَ إِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدۡنَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَزِينَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيۡنَ أُمَتِّعۡكُنَّ وَأُسَرِّحۡكُنَّ سَرَاحً۬ا جَمِيلاً۬ (٢٨) وَإِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدۡنَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلۡمُحۡسِنَـٰتِ مِنكُنَّ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمً۬ا (٢٩)

“O Prophet; say to your wives: “If you desire the life of this world, and its glitter, then come! I will make a provision for you and set you free in a handsome manner (divorce). “But if you desire Allah and His Messenger, and the home of the Hereafter, then verily, Allah has prepared for the good doers among you an immense reward.” (33:28-29)

This verse elucidates that if a wife places financial demands on her husband that lead him to compromise Allah’s commands to satisfy her, he should contemplate divorcing her, regardless of his affection for her. This should also serve as a clear warning to the wife.

4. Submission to Allah’s rulings without hesitation.

Submission to Allah’s commands should be wholehearted, without hesitation or pretext, even if one does not comprehend the underlying wisdom. Allah says:

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤۡمِنٍ۬ وَلَا مُؤۡمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥۤ أَمۡرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡخِيَرَةُ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِمۡۗ وَمَن يَعۡصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلاً۬ مُّبِينً۬ا (٣٦)

“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And who disobeys Allah and His messenger, he has indeed gone astray in a plain error.” (33:36)

5. Submission to Allah’s covenant

The Surah reaffirms that obedience to Allah’s covenant is a command given to all the Prophets of Allah. Allah says:

وَإِذۡ أَخَذۡنَا مِنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِيثَـٰقَهُمۡ وَمِنكَ وَمِن نُّوحٍ۬ وَإِبۡرَٲهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَى ٱبۡنِ مَرۡيَمَ‌ۖ وَأَخَذۡنَا مِنۡهُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظً۬ا (٧) لِّيَسۡـَٔلَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ عَن صِدۡقِهِمۡ‌ۚ وَأَعَدَّ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًا أَلِيمً۬ا (٨)

And (remember) when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you (O Muhammad SAW), and from Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). We took from them a strong covenant. (7)

That He may ask the truthful about their truth. And He has prepared for the disbelievers a painful torment. (33:7-8)

If submission to Allah’s covenant is a command to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), it is also a command to all his followers who are instructed to emulate him:

لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡيَوۡمَ ٱلۡأَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً۬ا (٢١)

Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have a good role model for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. (33:21)

6. Submission of women through modest attire

Submission of women through modest attire is emphasized by Allah, demonstrating His concern for Muslim women and prescribing a means for their protection:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزۡوَٲجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يُدۡنِينَ عَلَيۡہِنَّ مِن جَلَـٰبِيبِهِنَّۚ ذَٲلِكَ أَدۡنَىٰٓ أَن يُعۡرَفۡنَ فَلَا يُؤۡذَيۡنَۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا (٥٩)

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments over themselves (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (33:59)

7. Submission through frequent remembrance of Allah and invoking blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH)

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ ذِكۡرً۬ا كَثِيرً۬ا (٤١) وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكۡرَةً۬ وَأَصِيلاً (٤٢) هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَلِّى عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَتُهُ ۥ لِيُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِۚ وَڪَانَ بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَحِيمً۬ا (٤٣)

“O you who believe! Remember Allah with very frequent remembrance (42) And glorify Him morning and evening. (43)          He sends blessings to you, as do His angels, so that He brings you out from the depths of Darkness into light: and He is Merciful to the Believers.” (Ahzab 33:41-43)

 إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا (٥٦)

“Allah and His Angels send blessings to the Prophet: O you who believe! Ask blessings for him and salute him with a worthy salutation. (AI-Azab 33:56)

8. Submission by fulfilling our entrusted responsibilities.

We have previously explored these verses, and thus I will interpret them in light of our previous discussion.

إِنَّا عَرَضۡنَا ٱلۡأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلۡجِبَالِ فَأَبَيۡنَ أَن يَحۡمِلۡنَہَا وَأَشۡفَقۡنَ مِنۡہَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ ظَلُومً۬ا جَهُولاً۬ (٧٢) لِّيُعَذِّبَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقَـٰتِ وَٱلۡمُشۡرِڪِينَ وَٱلۡمُشۡرِكَـٰتِ وَيَتُوبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمَۢا (٧٣)

“(To demonstrate to man his unique capabilities compared to other creation) Allah projected the Trust (the guardianship on earth following His guidance) to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they were unable to bear it because of their limited capacity and softness.  But man (whom Allah equipped with special capabilities) was given the trust. (But if man does not recognize the capabilities and the talents that Allah endowed him with) He will be truly unjust and foolish. (72)

(Therefore) Allah punishes the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women, and the idolatrous men and the idolatrous women (those who commit injustice against themselves and do not protect the trust). And Allah pardons the believing men and the believing women (those who acknowledge the resources that Allah endowed them with and protect the trust), and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. “(Al-Ahzab 33: 72-73)