Surah Al-Tahrim

The Reason for Revelation

“O Prophet, why do you forbid what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the pleasure of your wives? Allah is indeed Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

This is a gentle rebuke from Allah to His Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Allah addresses him by his title, highlighting his status and honor. He says, “Why do you forbid what Allah has made lawful for you?” Why would one prohibit what is permitted? Allah explains, “Seeking the pleasure of your wives.” You imposed a restriction upon yourself to please your wives.

What did the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, love? He loved sweets, particularly honey. One day, some honey was gifted to our mother Zaynab bint Jahsh, may Allah be pleased with her. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, stayed with her to enjoy some of this honey. The other wives, may Allah be pleased with them, were keeping track of the time. Why did the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, stay longer? They realized he was with her because he loved what she had. This sparked jealousy in their behavior, may Allah be pleased with them.

This is the account preferred by Ibn Kathir regarding the reason for revelation. It is also reported that the verse was revealed concerning the Prophet’s, peace and blessings be upon him, maidservant, Mariya the Copt, and that his wives had instigated jealousy against her, leading him to vow not to approach her. However, this report is not authenticated. The authentic report, found in both Sahih Muslim and Sahih al-Bukhari, states that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited honey for himself out of consideration for the feelings of some of his wives.

Exalting the Status of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him

In the verse, “O Prophet, why do you forbid what Allah has made lawful for you,” the high status of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is emphasized. For someone of his exalted and noble rank, leaving the preferred option (i.e., consuming honey) is treated as a fault, even though it is not a sin in itself. Allah’s gentle rebuke of His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, reflects His profound care for him.

Allah says, “Allah is indeed Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Whenever Allah addresses the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in the Quran, He immediately follows it with His mercy. As He said when gently rebuking him, “Allah has forgiven you. Why did you give them permission?” Knowing that the heart of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, might be distressed by such a rebuke, Allah hastened to remind him of His forgiveness and mercy. He began the address with honor, addressing him by his title, which is a great distinction from Allah, the Most High, for His Messenger.

The Expiation

Then Allah, the Most High, clarified the way out for His Prophet: “Allah has prescribed for you the release from your oaths.” Where in the Quran is the release from oaths mentioned? In the chapter of rulings, Surah al-Ma’idah. How is the expiation for an oath carried out? Yes, by feeding ten poor people, clothing them, freeing a slave, or fasting for three days. Praise be to Allah, the Most High, for opening these doors. It is among the blessings of Allah upon the Ummah of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, that He has established expiations. When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited something for himself, and this prohibition took on the status of an oath, he was required to make expiation for it. This expiation is mentioned in the Book of Allah.

The Guardianship of Allah

“And Allah is your Guardian.” Allah, the Most High, is the Guardian of the believers, as He said in Surah al-Baqarah: “Allah is the Guardian of those who believe. He will take them out of darkness into the light.” The guardianship of Allah for the people of faith is direct, with no barrier between them.

Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, said regarding the verse, “And Allah is the Guardian of the believers,” that this verse contains both a ruling and an attribute. The ruling is guardianship (wilayah), and the attribute is faith (iman). He stated that the more the attribute increases, the more the ruling becomes attached to it. The more your faith increases and your deeds improve, the greater Allah’s guardianship over you becomes.

Allah, the Most High, informs the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the believers that He is their Guardian—the best of Guardians and the best of Helpers. “And He is the All-Knowing, the Wise.” He is aware of the treachery of the eyes and what the breasts conceal. Secrets are open to Him. He is Wise in all His affairs. No decree that Allah, the Most High, has decreed for you is without a wisdom He intends. Had you known this wisdom, you would have been content with Allah’s will. However, we do not know the wisdom. But we know two great attributes of Allah, the Most High: that He is All-Knowing, having known the best and everything that befalls you, and that He is Wise in His command, His legislation, and His decree. In the face of His knowledge and wisdom, the believer has no choice but to submit and be content. Through submission, the guardianship of Allah is attained for the people of faith.