Tafsir of Surah Al-Hadid: Ayah (7–12) Some Religious Obligations An Exhortation to Believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to Spend in Charity

 

57:7 Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend of what He has made you successors. For those of you who believe and spend, theirs shall be a great reward.

57:8 And what is the matter with you that you believe not in Allah, seeing that the Messenger is inviting you to believe in your Lord, and He has taken your covenant, if you are believers?

57:9 He is the One who reveals clear ayat to His slave that He brings you out from darkness into the light. And verily, Allah is to you most Kind, most Merciful.

57:10 And what is the matter with you that you spend not in cause of Allah, and to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth? Not equal among you are those who spend and fought before the Victory; those are higher in rank than those who spend not and fight afterwards; yet Allah has promised unto each the greatest reward. And Allah is All-aware of what you do.

57:11 Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan, and He will multiply it for him, and his shall be noble reward?

57:12 On the Day you see the believing men and the believing women with their light running before them and on their right. ‘Glad tidings unto you this Day, gardens beneath which flow rivers, to abide therein!’ That is the great triumph.

Context

After presenting evidence for His oneness, knowledge, and power—through signs in the heavens, the earth, and within human beings themselves—Allah, the Almighty, follows with certain religious obligations. He commands belief in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), emphasizing the need for steadfastness and sincerity in this faith. He then calls upon the believers to spend in the cause of Allah, promising a multiplied reward. He explains that His signs lead one out of the darkness of disbelief into the light of faith. He further highlights the merit of those who were the first to embrace Islam—those who accepted the faith and contributed their wealth before the conquest of Makkah—and then reinforces the exhortation to spend in His cause.

Tafsir

57:7 Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend of what He has made you successors. For those of you who believe and spend, theirs shall be a great reward.

Allah the Almighty says: “Believe in Allah, O people; acknowledge His oneness and truthfulness of His Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Believe in what he has brought to you from Allah, and follow him.”

And spend of what He has made you successors.

Spend in the cause of Allah from the wealth that Allah has entrusted to you, which He has passed on to you from those who came before you, making you their successors.

For those of you who believe and spend, theirs shall be a great reward.

Those among you, O people, who believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, and who spend in the cause of Allah from the wealth He has granted them (having inherited it from their predecessors), shall receive a great reward.

57:8 And what is the matter with you that you believe not in Allah, seeing that the Messenger is inviting you to believe in your Lord, and He has taken your covenant, if you are believers?

What is the reason, O people, that you do not acknowledge the oneness of Allah, even though His Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), invites upon you to affirm His oneness and has brought you such clear proofs of this truth that all your excuses are invalidated and every doubt is removed from your hearts?

He has taken your covenant, if you are believers…

It has been said that this means: your Lord took a covenant from you, while you were still in the loins of Adam, that Allah is your Lord and that there is no god for you other than Him.

{If you are believers}

If you intend to believe in Allah at any point, now is the most fitting time to do so, especially given the successive proofs presented to you through the Messenger, and his call for you to embrace that which has already been established as true for you through these signs, evidences, and the covenant taken from you.

57:9 He is the One who reveals clear ayat to His slave that He brings you out from darkness into the light. And verily, Allah is to you most Kind, most Merciful.

By revealing to His slave and Prophet, Muhammad, the clear Ayat, intended for your guidance and to enlighten you regarding the right path, Allah demonstrates His kindness and mercy toward you; it is out of this kindness and mercy that He has done so.

57:10 And what is the matter with you that you spend not in cause of Allah, and to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth? Not equal among you are those who spend and fought before the Victory; those are higher in rank than those who spend not and fight afterwards; yet Allah has promised unto each the greatest reward. And Allah is All-aware of what you do.

What is the matter with you, O people, that you do not spend in the cause of Allah from what He has provided for you? Your wealth will ultimately return to Allah if you fail to spend it in His cause during your lifetime, for to Him belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth.

Through this, He, Exalted be He, urges them toward what is in their own best interest, saying: “Spend your wealth in the cause of Allah, so that it may serve as a treasure for you with Him before you die—at which point you would no longer be able to do so—and your wealth passes on as an inheritance to the One to whom the heavens and the earth belong.

Not equal among you are those who spend and fought before the Victory; those are higher in rank than those who spend not and fight afterwards…

Exegetes have differed regarding the interpretation of this Ayah. Three views are reported:

•         Some have said it means: “Among you, O people, those who believed and migrated before the conquest of Makkah are not equal to those who were not so.”

•         Others have argued that “the conquest” refers to the conquest of Makkah, and “spending” refers to spending on fighting against the polytheists.

•         Still others have said that “the conquest” in this context refers to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.

Imam Muhammad bin Jarir At-Tabari said, “the most accurate interpretation is as follows: “Among you, O people, those who spent in the cause of Allah and fought against the polytheists before the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah are not equal to those who spent and fought thereafter.” The text omits an explicit mention of those who spent and fought later, as the context itself sufficiently implies their inclusion. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to us during the year of al-Hudaybiyyah: “A people will soon come whose deeds, when compared to your own, will make your own deeds seem insignificant to you.” We asked, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah? Are they the Quraysh?” He replied, “No, rather they are the people of Yemen; they possess the tenderest hearts and the gentlest dispositions.” We asked, “Are they better than us, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Even if one of them were to possess a mountain of gold and spend it all, he would not attain the equivalent of a mudd (a specific measure) spent by one of you, nor even half of it. Know that this is the distinction between us and others: Not equal among you are those who spend and fought before the Victory; those are higher in rank than those who spend not and fight afterwards; yet Allah has promised unto each the greatest reward. And Allah is All-aware of what you do.’”

…those are higher in rank than those who spend not and fight afterwards.

Those who spent in the cause of Allah and fought against the disblievers before the Conquest of al-Hudaybiyyah hold a higher rank in Paradise than those who spent and fought after that time.

… yet Allah has promised unto each the greatest reward. And Allah is All-aware of what you do.

Allah has promised Paradise to both groups, those who spent and fought before the Conquest and those who spent and fought afterwards, by virtue of their spending in His cause and their fighting against His enemies.

Qatadah said regarding the phrase {yet Allah has promised unto each the greatest reward.}: "It means Paradise."

And Allah is All-aware of what you do.

Allah is fully aware of everything you do, whether it be spending in His cause, fighting His enemies, or any other action you perform. Nothing of it remains hidden from Him, and He will recompense you for all of it on the Day of Resurrection.

57:11 Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan, and He will multiply it for him, and his shall be noble reward?

Who is it that will spend in the cause of Allah during this worldly life, seeking His reward and anticipating what He has in store? That spending is the "goodly loan."

…and He will multiply it for him, and his shall be noble reward

Allah will multiply the loan he granted by spending in His cause, turning each single unit into seven hundred, and he shall receive a generous reward and recompense. By this reward, Paradise is meant.

57:12 On the Day you see the believing men and the believing women with their light running before them and on their right. ‘Glad tidings unto you this Day, gardens beneath which flow rivers, to abide therein!’ That is the great triumph.

The scholars of Tafsir have differed in their interpretation of this Ayah:

57:12 On the Day you see the believing men and the believing women with their light running before them and on their right.

• Some have said it means: the Day you see the believing men and the believing women, with their light shining before them and on their right.
• Others have argued that it means: the Day you see the believing men and the believing women, with their faith and guidance moving before them, and the records of their deeds on their right.

The meaning of the Ayah is as follows: On the Day when you see the believing men and women, with their light moving before them and to their right along the Sirat (the bridge over Hell) in proportion to their [good] deeds, it will be said to them: "Good news for you today! You shall enter vast gardens, beneath whose palaces and trees rivers flow. You shall never depart from them." This reward is the supreme triumph for you in the Hereafter.

‘Glad tidings unto you this Day, gardens beneath which flow rivers, to abide therein!’ That is the great triumph.

It will be said to them: "The glad tidings you receive today, O believers, are gardens beneath which rivers flow, so rejoice in them!" They shall remain in these gardens, never to leave them. This eternal dwelling in the gardens is the supreme triumph, the ultimate success that they sought, following their deliverance from Allah's punishment and their entry into Paradise, where they shall abide forever.

 Lessons from Surah Al-Hadid, Ayat 7-12

1.      Belief in Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) is the foundation of the obligations in these Ayat, and it is joined with spending in the cause of Allah; those who do both are promised a great reward.

2.     Wealth is a trust: it has been entrusted to people and passed on to them from those who came before, making them successors who are commanded to spend from it in the cause of Allah.

3.     The Messenger’s call to faith is supported by such clear proofs that all excuses are invalidated and every doubt is removed, and it is reinforced by the covenant taken from humanity, which according to one reported view was taken while they were still in the loins of Adam.

4.     The revelation of clear Ayat to Allah’s slave is an expression of His kindness and mercy, intended to guide people on the right path and to bring them out of the darkness of disbelief into the light of faith.

5.     Wealth ultimately returns to Allah, to whom belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth; spending it during one’s lifetime makes it a treasure with Allah before death, after which spending is no longer possible.

6.     Ranks differ among those who spent and fought: those who did so earlier are greater in rank than those who did so afterward, yet Allah has promised the best reward to each, and He is All-Aware of what they do.

7.      The believing men and women are promised light before them and to their right, the good news of Gardens beneath which rivers flow, and an eternal abode, which is described as the supreme triumph.

Practical Lessons for Contemporary Life

1.      Spend generously in the cause of Allah from your wealth during your lifetime, remembering that it is entrusted to you and will ultimately return to Allah.

2.     Do not delay responding to the Messenger’s call to believe in the Oneness of Allah, and to follow him.

3.     Value the clear Ayat as a mercy from Allah and as a means of guidance out of darkness into light.

4.     Give and strive with sincerity, trusting that Allah is All-Aware of what you do and has promised the best reward to each.

Reflective Questions and Answers

1: According to the tafsir, why should a person spend in the cause of Allah during his or her lifetime?

Answer: Because wealth will ultimately return to Allah, to whom belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth, if it is not spent in His cause during one’s lifetime. Spending beforehand makes it a treasure with Allah before death, after which one is no longer able to spend.

2: What reasons does the tafsir give to show that mankind has no excuse for not believing?

Answer: The Messenger calls people to believe in the Oneness of Allah and has brought clear proofs that invalidate all excuses and remove every doubt.

3: What is the purpose of Allah sending down clear Ayat to His slave and Messenger, and what does this show about Him?

Answer: The purpose is to bring people out of darkness into light, guiding them and enlightening them regarding the right path. This shows Allah’s kindness and mercy toward them.

4: What has Allah promised to those who spent and fought earlier and to those who did so later?

Answer: Those who spent and fought earlier are greater in rank than those who did so afterward; yet Allah has promised the best reward to each, and He is All-Aware of what they do.

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Hadid (The Iron) Ayah (1-6) Glorification of Allah and His Perfect Attributes

 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

57:1 All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, and He is the All-Mighty, All-Wise.

57:2 To Him belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He gives life, and causes death; and He is able to do all things.

57:3 He is the First and the Last, the Manifest, the Innermost; and He is, of all things, All-Knowing.

57:4 It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in six days then rose on the Throne. He knows what enters the earth and what comes out of it, and what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto, and He is with you wherever you are. And Allah is, of what you do, All-Seeing.

57:5 To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and to Allah, all matters return.

57:6 He makes the night enter into the day, and makes the day enter into the night. And He is All-Knowing of what in the breasts.

Surah Al-Hadid (57:1–6), Summary

These opening Ayat establish the foundation on which the whole Surah rests: a right understanding of Allah. They begin by declaring that everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him. They then describe His sovereignty over life and death, His nearness through knowledge, and His rising above the Throne. They conclude with the return of all matters to Him and His knowledge of what lies within the hearts. Together, they present a God who is Mighty, Wise, All-Knowing, and All-Seeing, and they prepare the reader for the Surah's later call to faith, spending, and striving for the Hereafter.

Tafsir

57:1 All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, and He is the All-Mighty, All-Wise.

All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah,

Everything in creation, other than Allah, glorifies Allah, magnifying Him, acknowledging His Lordship, and submitting to Him in obedience.

And He is the All-Mighty, All-Wise.

Allah, Exalted be He, is the All-Mighty (Al-Aziz) in exacting retribution from those among His creation in the heavens and the earth who disobey Him and defy His command. He is the All-Wise (Al-Hakim) in how He manages their affairs and directs them according to His will and pleasure.

57:2 To Him belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He gives life, and causes death; and He is able to do all things.

To Allah, Exalted be He, belong the dominion and sovereignty over the heavens, the earth, and all that is within them. Nothing therein has the power to resist Him, and His command and decree are effective over both.

He gives life, and causes death;

Allah, Exalted be He, gives life to whichever of His creatures He wills, bringing them into existence however He pleases. For example, He creates a living being from a lifeless drop of fluid through the breathing of the spirit into it, after it has passed through various stages of transformation, and by similar processes. He also causes death to whichever living beings He wills after they have lived, ending their existence once they reach their appointed term.

And He is able to do all things.

Allah has power over all things. Nothing He wills is beyond His ability, whether it is giving life or causing death, granting honor or bringing humiliation, or any other matter.

57:3 He is the First and the Last, the Manifest, the Innermost; and He is, of all things, All-Knowing.

He is the First and the Last,

Allah, Exalted be He, is the First, preceding all things without limit, and the Last, remaining after all things without end. This is because He existed when nothing else did, and He will exist after the annihilation of all things.

…the Manifest, the Innermost;

Allah, Exalted be He, is the Manifest (Al-Zahir), prevailing over everything beneath Him. He is the Exalted, above all things, with nothing higher than Him. He, Exalted be He, is the Innermost (Al-Batin), encompassing all things; nothing is closer to anything than He is.

…and He is, of all things, All-Knowing.

Allah, Exalted be He, possesses knowledge of all things, and nothing is hidden from Him. Not an atom's weight, whether on earth or in the heavens, nor anything smaller or larger than that, escapes His knowledge, for all is recorded in a clear Book.

57:4 It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in six days then rose on the Throne. He knows what enters the earth and what comes out of it, and what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto, and He is with you wherever you are. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.

Allah, Exalted be He, is the One Who created the seven heavens and the earths, governing them and all they contain. He then established Himself upon His Throne, rising above it in majesty and loftiness.

He knows what enters the earth and what emerges from it, and what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto;

Nothing regarding His creation is hidden from Allah. He knows what enters the earth and what emerges from it, and He knows what descends from the sky to the earth and what ascends from the earth to the sky.

…and He is with you wherever you are. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.

Allah is a Witness over you, O people, wherever you may be. He knows you, as well as your deeds, your movements, and your resting places, while He remains upon His Throne above His seven heavens. Allah sees the deeds you perform, whether good or evil, acts of obedience or disobedience, and He records them fully. He will thus recompense the doer of good for their goodness and the doer of evil for their evil on the Day when every soul is recompensed for what it has earned, and none shall be wronged.

57:5 To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and to Allah, all matters return.

To Allah, Exalted be He, belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. His command is absolute over them and all they contain. To Allah returns the ultimate outcome of all the affairs of His creation, whereupon He judges between them.

57:6 He causes the night to enter the day, and causes the day to enter the night. And He is All-Knowing of what is within the breasts.

He causes the night to enter the day, and causes the day to enter the night.

Allah incorporates the hours lost from the night into the day, adding them to the day's duration, and He incorporates the hours lost from the day into the night, adding them to the night's duration.

And He is All-Knowing of what is within the breasts.

Allah possesses full knowledge of the innermost thoughts of His servants, including the good or evil their souls have resolved upon or contemplated. Nothing of this is hidden from Him.

Practical Lessons

1. Glorification is the natural state of creation, so the believer should join it.
Ayah 57:1 states that all that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah. A person who neglects remembrance and glorification stands apart from the rest of creation. Regular dhikr during the day, such as saying SubhanAllah, restores the believer's place within that harmony.

2. Life and death are in Allah's hands alone, which should reduce anxiety and heedlessness.
Ayah 57:2 affirms that Allah gives life and causes death. Recognizing that every person's term is appointed frees the believer from excessive fear of loss and reminds them not to postpone repentance and good deeds.

3. Allah is the First and the Last, so no worldly attachment is permanent.
Ayah 57:3 teaches that Allah existed before all things and will remain after them. Wealth, status, and relationships are temporary, and the believer should hold them lightly and invest in what endures. This lesson prepares for the Surah's later teaching on spending in the way of Allah.

4. Allah's knowledge encompasses the open and the hidden, so sincerity matters more than appearance.
Ayat 57:3–4 and 57:6 teach that Allah knows what is in the earth, in the heavens, and within the breasts. In an age of public display and social media, this Ayah calls the believer to purify intention and to act as though only Allah is watching, because He is.

5. Awareness that Allah is with us in knowledge builds self-accountability (muraqabah).
Ayah 57:4 states, "He is with you wherever you are." The Ayah, as explained in the commentary, refers to His knowledge and observation, not His essence. Remembering this in private moments protects against sin and encourages consistency in obedience, whether alone or in public.

6. Everything returns to Allah, so the believer should live with the final accounting in mind.
Ayah 57:5 teaches that all matters return to Allah, and the commentary adds that He will judge between His creation. This encourages justice, humility, and patience, since no wrong goes unrecorded and no good is lost.

Reflection Questions and Answers

1: What does it mean that everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah (57:1)?
It means that all creation magnifies Allah, acknowledges His Lordship, and submits to Him in obedience. The Ayah presents glorification as a universal reality, not limited to human beings.

2: What is the difference between Allah's names Al-Aziz and Al-Hakim in 57:1?
Al-Aziz (the All-Mighty) refers to His power in exacting retribution from those who disobey Him and defy His command. Al-Hakim (the All-Wise) refers to His wisdom in managing the affairs of creation and directing them according to His will and pleasure. The two names together show that His power is always joined with wisdom.

3: How does Ayah 57:3 describe Allah's relationship to time and to creation?
Allah is the First, preceding all things without limit, and the Last, remaining after all things without end. He existed when nothing else did, and He will exist after all things perish. He is also the Manifest, above all things, and the Innermost, encompassing all things, so nothing is closer to anything than He is.

4: What is meant by Allah being "with you wherever you are" (57:4)?
The commentary explains that Allah is a Witness over His servants wherever they are. He knows them, their deeds, their movements, and their resting places, while remaining upon His Throne above His seven heavens. The nearness here is one of knowledge and observation.

5: Why does the Ayah mention that Allah sees the deeds of people, both good and evil (57:4)?
According to the commentary, Allah fully records all deeds so that He may recompense the doer of good for their goodness and the doer of evil for their evil on the Day when every soul is recompensed for what it has earned. No one will be wronged on that Day.

6: What practical change should the awareness that Allah knows "what is within the breasts" (57:6) bring about in a believer?
Since Allah knows the innermost thoughts and what each soul has resolved upon, the believer should purify intentions and not rely on outward appearances. Good or evil that remains hidden from people is not hidden from Allah.

 

Introduction to English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Hadid

 

Main Themes and Contents of Surah al-Hadid

Surah al-Hadid addresses fundamental aspects of Islamic faith and conduct. It calls the believers to recognize the greatness of Allah, detach themselves from the attractions of worldly life, sacrifice in His cause, uphold justice, and follow the guidance brought by His messengers. The Surah also contrasts the qualities and destinies of sincere believers and hypocrites and concludes by highlighting lessons from the history of prophethood.

1. The Greatness and Attributes of Allah

The Surah opens by affirming Allah’s absolute glory, sovereignty, and knowledge. It draws attention to His Most Beautiful Names and Attributes and to the signs of His power and greatness manifested throughout the universe. These ayat establish the foundation of faith: recognizing Allah’s majesty, sovereignty, and complete knowledge of His creation.

2. Faith, Sacrifice, and Spending for the Cause of Allah

The Surah calls believers to strengthen their faith through sincere commitment and sacrifice. It particularly urges them to spend from what Allah has entrusted to them in support of His cause and to strive for the establishment and strength of Islam.

It distinguishes between those who sincerely believe and sacrifice and those who hesitate or withhold their wealth. The sincere believers are promised a special light on the Day of Resurrection, while the hypocrites are left in darkness because of their disbelief, cowardice, and failure to make the necessary sacrifices.

3. The Reality of Worldly Life and the Hereafter

The Surah warns believers not to become deceived by the temporary attractions of this world. Worldly life is described as temporary amusement and enjoyment that eventually comes to an end, whereas the Hereafter is the realm of permanence and lasting reward.

This comparison encourages the believers to prioritize the Hereafter, remain patient through trials and difficulties, and avoid arrogance, excessive attachment to worldly possessions, and miserliness.

4. Justice and the Mission of the Messengers

The Surah explains that Allah sent His messengers with clear guidance and revealed scriptures and established the means by which people could uphold justice. It also mentions iron as a source of strength and benefit, illustrating the material means by which justice can be protected and society can be established.

The believers are therefore commanded to fear Allah, follow the guidance of His messengers, and contribute to the establishment of justice and righteousness in society.

5. Lessons from the History of Prophethood

The Surah concludes by recalling aspects of the history of Allah’s messengers, including Noah, Abraham, and their descendants, as well as Jesus, son of Mary. It highlights the responses of different peoples to divine guidance and demonstrates that faith and obedience are essential to receiving Allah’s reward.

The Surah affirms that prophethood is a divine selection and a special grace from Allah, which He grants to whom He wills. It concludes with the promise of forgiveness and multiplied reward for those who believe in Allah and His messengers and live with God-consciousness.

Overall Theme

The central message of Surah al-Hadid is the call to true faith expressed through sacrifice, detachment from worldly illusions, commitment to justice, and obedience to divine guidance. It reminds the believers that the life of this world is temporary, while the Hereafter is everlasting, and that success belongs to those who strengthen their faith through sincere devotion and righteous action.

 

English Translation of Surah At-Tahrim Ayah 10–12 Examples of Believing and Disbelieving Women

 

66:10 Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot; they were under two of Our righteous slaves, but they betrayed them. So, they availed them nothing against Allah, and it said, ‘Enter the Fire with those who enter.’

66:11 And Allah sets forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh when she said, ‘My Lord, build for me with You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his work, and save me from the wrongdoing people.’

66:12 And Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, and We breathed into her of Our Spirit, and she believed in the words of her Lord, and His Books, and she was of the obedient.

Relationship with the Previous Part

In the previous part, Allah, Exalted be He, urges the believers to turn to Him in sincere repentance and strive hard against the enemies of Islam and Muslims. Then, Allah, Exalted be He, mentions examples of disbelieving and believing women to demonstrate the condition of each group. The disbelievers among them will be punished, while the believers will be immensely rewarded.

Tafsir

66:10 Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot; they were under two of Our righteous slaves, but they betrayed them. So, they availed them nothing against Allah, and it said, ‘Enter the Fire with those who enter.’

An example is set forth to illustrate a strange case by clarifying another case similar to it in strangeness.

Reflecting on the Quran, one finds that it sets forth many examples because they bring concepts home, clarify unusual ideas, and establish similarities between what is understood intellectually and what is perceived physically, thereby firmly establishing concepts in people's minds.

66:10 Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot; they were under two of Our righteous slaves, but they betrayed them.

Allah, Exalted be He, sets forth an example for those who disbelieve to show that no one can avail another person; rather, the only things that avail a person are sincere belief in the Oneness of Allah and performance of righteous deeds for His sake.

The wife of Prophet Noah and the wife of Prophet Lot, however, committed evil acts that were contrary to their relationship with those two noble Prophets of Allah.

They were under two of Our righteous slaves, but they betrayed them.

“Under,” in the context of this Ayah, means that they were the wives of two righteous slaves of Allah, namely, Prophet Noah and Prophet Lot.

“Betrayal,” in the context of this Ayah, means that these two wives committed evil acts that were inconsistent with the high rank of their husbands. First, they both disbelieved in the Oneness of Allah. Second, the wife of Prophet Noah revealed his secrets to his people and told them that he was mad. Third, the wife of Prophet Lot told his people about his guests so that they could commit the horrible act of homosexuality with them.

So, they availed them nothing against Allah, and it said, ‘Enter the Fire with those who enter.’

This part of the Ayah shows the evil consequence of their betrayal. Although these two women were the wives of two noble Prophets of Allah, namely, Prophet Noah and Prophet Lot, their husbands could avail them nothing against the severe punishment of Allah. On the Day of Judgment, they will enter Hell and suffer its painful torment alongside those among the disbelievers and wrongdoers who enter it.

66:11 And Allah sets forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh when she said, ‘My Lord, build for me with You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his work, and save me from the wrongdoing people.’

In the following two Ayat, Allah, Exalted be He, sets forth two examples for those who believe in the Oneness of Allah. This accords with the unique style of the Quran, which mentions something and then presents its opposite to establish facts and clarify concepts.

Allah, Exalted be He, mentions the wife of Pharaoh as an example for those who believe in the Oneness of Allah. The wife of Pharaoh, Asiya bint Muzahim, lived in a disbelieving household as the wife of one of the most unjust rulers on earth and was surrounded by the dazzling pleasures of this worldly life. Nevertheless, she willingly chose to follow the truth and turn away from falsehood. Asiya disbelieved in all her husband’s false claims and believed in the Oneness of Allah, although she was certain that she would pay a costly price for her choice.

The wife of Pharaoh, who claimed to be a god, believed in the message that Prophet Moses brought from Allah and became one of the believers. Her relationship with a disbeliever did not harm her in the least. Rather, her belief in the Oneness of Allah saved her from Hell and enabled her, by the bounty and mercy of Allah, to enter Paradise with the believers.

She said, ‘My Lord, build for me with You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his work, and save me from the wrongdoing people.’

The wife of Pharaoh said, “My Lord, build for me with You a house in Paradise wherein no one can act except by Your leave. O my Lord, save me from Pharaoh, his evil deed of disbelieving in Your Oneness, and wrongdoing, and save me from the wrongdoing people, who help Pharaoh to achieve his hideous goals.”

The prayer of Asiya illustrates the most sublime courtesy. She invoked Allah to compensate her with a house in Paradise for her house with Pharaoh. This invocation reveals that Pharaoh and his people abused her and threatened her in order to make her renounce her belief in the Oneness of Allah. However, she remained firm and endured all hardship with patience for the sake of Allah. This made her story one that will be recorded in a Book that will be constantly recited until the Day of Judgment: the Quran.

66:12 And Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, and We breathed into her of Our Spirit, and she believed in the words of her Lord, and His Books, and she was of the obedient.

The second example for those who believe, mentioned in Surah At-Tahrim, is Mary, the daughter of Imran. She guarded her chastity and distanced herself from all forms of obscenity. She dedicated her life to the worship of Allah.

And We breathed into her of Our Spirit, and she believed in the words of her Lord, and His Books, and she was of the obedient.

Allah, Exalted be He, sent the angel Gabriel, who breathed into her; thereupon, she conceived Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him. Moreover, Mary believed in the words of Allah and in what He commanded her to do. She also believed in Allah’s Books and was one of the obedient slaves of Allah.

The Learned Lessons from Surah At-Tahrim Ayah 10–12

• Kinship will not avail anyone in the Hereafter. Rather, belief in the Oneness of Allah and righteous deeds performed for Allah’s sake save a person from Hell and its severe punishment, by the will and bounty of Allah.
• Mixing and having relationships with disbelievers do not harm a person as long as there is firm belief in the Oneness of Allah and adherence to His path.