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Chapter 66/ Al Tahreem

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/f2b6705f-fb07-432e-bc41-476082d5781a/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-66.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Based on Tafheem-ul-Qur’an (Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi), here is a concise summary of Surah At-Tahrim (Chapter 66):

1. Background and Revelation

  • Name: Derived from Verse 1 (“لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ” – “why do you prohibit”), referring to an incident where the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited something lawful for himself.
  • Period: Revealed in Madinah (7-8 AH), linked to events involving the wives Safiyyah and Mariyah Qibtiyyah.
  • Incident: The Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited honey (or visits to certain wives) to please his wives (Hafsah and ‘Aishah), after they expressed jealousy. This act was corrected by Allah .

2. Core Themes and Lessons

  1. Divine Authority in Lawmaking
  • Only Allah holds the right to declare things lawful (halal) or unlawful (haram). Even prophets cannot independently prohibit what Allah permits .
  • The incident underscores that Prophets are divinely supervised to ensure their actions align with Allah’s will, preserving the integrity of Islamic law .
  1. Accountability of the Prophet’s Household
  • Two wives (Hafsah and ‘Aishah) were reproached for conspiring against the Prophet (ﷺ) and divulging his private conversations. They were urged to repent sincerely .
  • Warning: If the Prophet divorced them, Allah would replace them with better wives – emphasizing that proximity to the Prophet does not guarantee salvation .
  1. Examples of Moral Accountability
  • Disbelievers: Wives of Noah and Lut (righteous prophets) betrayed their husbands and were condemned to Hell, proving that lineage or marriage cannot save those who reject faith.
  • Believers:
    • Pharaoh’s wife (Asiyah) sought refuge in Allah from tyranny and was granted Paradise.
    • Maryam (Mary) preserved her chastity, affirmed divine revelations, and attained high status.
  1. Universal Responsibilities
  • Self-Preservation: Believers must protect themselves and their families from Hellfire, whose fuel is “people and stones” (idols/disbelievers), guarded by stern angels .
  • Repentance: Sincere repentance (توبة نصوحا) can expiate sins and lead to Paradise .
  1. The Believers’ Light on Judgment Day
    On Judgment Day, Allah will honor the Prophet and true believers. Their light will shine ahead and on their right, and they will pray: “Our Lord! Perfect our light and forgive us” .

3. Key Theological Insights

  • Human Fallibility vs. Divine Guidance: The Quran openly critiques the Prophet and his household to reject blind reverence. Greatness lies in obedience to Allah, not inherent infallibility.
  • Individual Accountability: Salvation depends on personal faith and deeds, not familial or marital ties (e.g., the wives of prophets facing Hell, while Pharaoh’s wife attained Paradise).
  • Purpose of Revelation: Correcting minor errors ensures the Prophetic example remains pure, allowing Muslims to follow it with confidence.

Conclusion

Surah At-Tahrim emphasizes Allah’s absolute authority, the importance of sincere repentance, and individual accountability. It cautions against blind loyalty to human figures while affirming that divine mercy is accessible to all who align with Allah’s will. For further details, refer to Tafheem-ul-Qur’an, Surah 66 .

Key Points

  • It seems likely that Surah At-Tahrim (Chapter 66) was revealed in Medina, focusing on incidents involving the Prophet Muhammad’s wives and general guidance for believers.
  • Research suggests the surah addresses the Prophet’s action of forbidding something lawful, warns against disobedience, and emphasizes accountability and proper conduct.
  • There is some debate around the exact incidents and their implications, but the evidence leans toward teaching sincerity and obedience.

Overview

Surah At-Tahrim, the 66th chapter of the Quran, is likely a Medinan revelation that deals with specific events in the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) household and offers broader lessons for believers. It emphasizes maintaining proper conduct, especially within the Prophet’s family, and serves as a reminder of accountability.

Summary

The surah begins by addressing the Prophet’s action of forbidding something lawful (possibly honey) to please his wives, which Allah disapproves of, but offers a way to absolve such oaths, highlighting His mercy. It recounts an incident where the Prophet confided in one wife, and she disclosed the secret, leading to a revelation. The surah warns the Prophet’s wives to repent, or face consequences, and states that if he divorces them, Allah might provide better, more obedient wives. It concludes by urging believers to guard themselves and their families from the Fire and warns disbelievers of recompense for their deeds.

Supporting Information

For further reading, the commentary can be found at Tafheemul Quran for Surah At-Tahrim.

Comprehensive Analysis of Chapter 66 (Surah At-Tahrim) from Tafheemul Quran

This section provides a detailed exploration of Surah At-Tahrim (Chapter 66) as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, ensuring a thorough understanding of its themes, historical context, and spiritual implications. The analysis is grounded in the commentary available from various online sources, focusing exclusively on Tafheemul Quran for accuracy and relevance.

Introduction and Historical Context

Surah At-Tahrim is the 66th chapter of the Quran, consisting of 12 verses, and is generally considered a Medinan surah, revealed during A.H. 7 or 8. The chapter derives its name from the Arabic word “at-tahrim,” meaning “the prohibition,” which relates to the Prophet’s action of forbidding something lawful, as mentioned in verse 1. According to Tafheemul Quran, the surah was prompted by two incidents involving the Prophet’s wives: one involving Mariyah Qibtiyyah and another about honey, with the honey incident considered more reliable based on Hadith from Bukhari, Muslim, and others. The historical context involves the early Madinan period, a time when the Prophet had multiple wives, including Hadrat Safiyyah and Hadrat Mariyah Qibtiyyah, and faced challenges in maintaining household harmony amidst his prophetic responsibilities.

The commentary notes that the surah addresses specific events to teach lessons about sincerity, obedience, and accountability, reflecting the unique position of the Prophet’s wives as examples for the Muslim community.

Thematic Structure and Verse-by-Verse Analysis

The commentary in Tafheemul Quran provides a detailed breakdown of each verse, which can be summarized into key themes. Below is a table summarizing the content of all 12 verses, as derived from the commentary:VerseSummary of Content from Tafheemul Quran 66:1 Allah disapproves the Prophet for forbidding what Allah made lawful (likely honey) to please his wives, emphasizing Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. 66:2 Allah prescribes a way for absolving oaths, affirming Allah as the Protector, All-Knowing, and All-Wise. 66:3 The Prophet confided in one wife (Hafsah), she disclosed it, and Allah revealed this; the Prophet informed her partially, and she asked who informed him, to which he replied it was the All-Knowing, All-Aware. 66:4 If both wives (Aishah and Hafsah) repent, it’s better as their hearts have swerved; if they support each other against the Prophet, Allah, Gabriel, righteous believers, and angels are his supporters. 66:5 If the Prophet divorces them, Allah might give him better wives: submissive, faithful, obedient, repentant, worshiping, fasting, previously married, and virgins. 66:6 Believers must guard themselves and families from a Fire fueled by people and stones, with stern angels enforcing Allah’s commands. 66:7 Disbelievers are told not to make excuses today, as they are recompensed for their deeds. 66:8 Believers are urged to repent sincerely, as Allah accepts repentance and is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 66:9 The Prophet is commanded to strive against disbelievers and hypocrites, be stern with them, and their abode is Hell, a wretched destination. 66:10 Allah sets forth examples: wives of Noah and Lot, who were unfaithful despite their husbands’ righteousness, and Pharaoh’s wife, who sought Allah’s protection, showing varied outcomes based on faith. 66:11 Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran, is cited as an example, guarding her chastity, so Allah made her and her son signs for humanity. 66:12 Believers are reminded to follow these examples, fearing Allah, as He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

From these verses, several themes emerge:

  • Address to the Prophet’s Household: Verses 1-5 focus on the Prophet’s action of forbidding lawful honey and the incident of the disclosed secret, warning his wives (identified as Aishah and Hafsah in Hadith) to repent and maintain proper conduct, given their unique position.
  • General Guidance for Believers: Verses 6-8 shift to a broader audience, urging believers to guard against the Fire, repent sincerely, and strive against disbelievers and hypocrites, emphasizing accountability and divine mercy.
  • Examples from History: Verses 9-12 provide historical examples, such as the wives of Noah and Lot who were unfaithful, and Pharaoh’s wife and Maryam, who sought Allah’s protection, illustrating the consequences of faith or disbelief.

Historical and Legal Insights

The commentary provides additional context, such as the incident of the honey, where the Prophet forbade it due to the smell disliked by his wives, leading to Allah’s disapproval in verse 1. Legal opinions on forbidding lawful things are detailed, varying by jurists:

  • Hanafis: Permissible for wives but not others, with specific conditions.
  • Shafeis: Permissible for wives, with implications for other items.
  • Malikis: Similar to Shafeis, with focus on household items.
  • Hanbalis: Allowable under certain conditions, with emphasis on intent.

The warning to the Prophet’s wives underscores the importance of guarding secrets and maintaining proper conduct, given their role as examples for the community. The commentary cites Hadith from Bukhari, Muslim, and others to support the honey incident as the more reliable context for verse 1.

Spiritual and Ethical Lessons

Tafheemul Quran emphasizes that Surah At-Tahrim is not merely a recount of historical incidents but a source of spiritual and ethical guidance. It teaches the importance of sincerity and obedience, especially within the Prophet’s household, and serves as a reminder of accountability for all believers. The examples of historical figures illustrate the consequences of faith or disbelief, encouraging believers to follow the path of righteousness, as seen in the examples of Pharaoh’s wife and Maryam.

The surah’s message is timeless, applicable to all Muslims facing challenges in maintaining faith and proper conduct, particularly in family and community settings.

Supporting Sources and Accessibility

The primary source for this analysis is the English version of Tafheemul Quran, accessible at Tafheemul Quran for Surah At-Tahrim, which provides verse-by-verse commentary by Maududi. Additional context was gathered from quran411.com, which mentions Tafheemul Quran for Surah At-Tahrim, confirming its period of revelation and themes.

These sources ensure the summary aligns with Maududi’s interpretation, as requested by the user.

Conclusion

Surah At-Tahrim, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran, is a rich narrative of addressing specific incidents in the Prophet’s household and providing general guidance for believers. It emphasizes sincerity, obedience, and accountability, offering lessons on maintaining proper conduct and the consequences of faith or disbelief, with historical examples to illustrate these points. The surah remains relevant for contemporary Islamic practice, particularly in family and community dynamics.

Table: Summary of Key Themes by Segment

SegmentVersesKey Themes Prophet’s Household 1-5 Forbidding lawful things, incident of disclosed secret, warning to wives, possibility of divorce. General Guidance 6-8 Guarding against Fire, sincere repentance, striving against disbelievers. Historical Examples 9-12 Examples of wives of Noah and Lot, Pharaoh’s wife, and Maryam, illustrating faith outcomes.

This table summarizes the thematic structure, aligning with the commentary’s division, ensuring a clear understanding of its messages for different audiences.