About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

       Indeed, Allah has heard the conversation of a lady [Khaulah bint Tha’labah (ؓ)] who argued with you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] concerning her husband [Aus bin Samit (ؓ)] and she was complaining to Allah (about her distress) too. And Allah was hearing the contention of both of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Seer.

       Those among you who say (verbally) to their wives: “You are like my mother to me.” By uttering this, their wives don’t become their mothers. Their mothers are those (women) who actually gave birth to them. And, indeed, what they utter is a stupid wording and a plain lie. And indeed, Allah is Very-Pardoning, Very-Forgiving.

       And those who make their wives unlawful to them by calling them their mothers, then they intend to undo what they uttered, their penalty is to free a slave before they touch each other (i.e. have sexual relation). This (penalty) serves as an advice for you. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do (openly and secretly).

       And he who is unable to free a slave, he must fast for two months continuously before they touch each other. And he who is unable to do so, should feed sixty needy persons. That is in order that you may have (stronger) Faith in Allah and His Messenger (by obeying His above command). These are the limits set by Allah. And for the disbelievers, is a painful torment.

       Indeed, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] will be disgraced as those before them were dis-gra-ced. (Why should they not be disgraced since) We have sent down clear revelations. (This punishment is in the worldly life). And for the dis-believers is also a disgracing torment (in the Hereafter).

       (This torment will be) On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all and then inform them of what they did. Allah has recorded it, while they have forgotten it. And Allah is Witness over all things.

       Have you not seen that Allah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth? There is no secret counsel of three but He is their fourth (with His Knowledge), nor of five but He is their sixth, nor of less than that or more, but He is with them wheresoever they may be. Then He will inform them on the Day of Resurrection of what they did. Indeed, Allah is All-Knower of every thing.

       Have you not observed those who were forbidden from secret whispering. In spite of this they resorted to what they had been forbidden. And they whisper secretly for sin, wrong-doing and disobedience to the Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]. And when they come to you, they greet you with a greeting with which Allah does not greet you and they say to themselves (or to each other): “(If he is a Prophet) why does Allah not punish us right away on our greeting him like this (while we are so very rude to him)?” (Note that postponing of a punishment does not mean it will not occur). Hell will be sufficient for them, and they will be thrown in it and it is a terrible destination.

       O you who believe! When you do secret whispering, don’t do it for sin, wrong-doing, and disobedience to the Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)], but do it for righteousness and piety. And fear Allah to whom you shall be gathered.

       (Evil) secret whispering is only from Satan to cause grief to the believers. But he (Satan) cannot harm them (the believers) a bit except with the Permission of Allah. And believers should put their trust in Allah (in every matter).

       O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the gatherings, do make room (for others). Allah will give you more room (in Paradise). And when you are told to rise up (for prayers, Jihad etc) do rise up. Allah will raise the levels of believers (above the disbelievers) and of the (religious) scholars (above the believers) from you (in the Hereafter). And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do (openly and secretly).

       O you who believe! When you wish to communicate with the Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] by secret whispering, give something in charity in advance before you do so. That is better for you (to seek reward) and purer (for your hearts). But if you don’t have the means (to give charity) then, indeed, Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       Are you afraid of spending in charity before whispering secretly [to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]? If you did not do it, Allah took pity on you too (and cancelled this command). So you should (punctually) perform Salat, pay the poor-due and obey Allah and His Messenger (for your success in the Hereafter). And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do (openly and secretly).

       Have you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] not observed those (hypocrites) who make friendship with a people upon whom is the Wrath of Allah (i.e. Jews)? They are neither (fully) from you (Muslims) nor (fully) from Jews (i.e. apparently they mix with you, but secretly they are with the disbelievers), and they swear while uttering a lie (i.e. that they are with the Muslims) and they (clearly) know (that they are lying).

       Allah has prepared a severe torment for them. Indeed, what an evil thing they used to do (what else can be more evil than hypocrisy and disbelief?).

       (One of those evil activities is that) they have made their false swearing as a shield for them (so that the Muslims consider them Muslims and don’t harm their life and property), and they hinder (others) from the Path of Allah. Hence, there is a humiliating torment for them.

       (When this torment is inflicted on them) their wealth and children will not benefit them a bit against Allah. They will be the residents of the Fire, to reside there forever.

       On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all, then the hypocrites will swear to Allah as they used to swear to you (Muslims) hoping that they have something (to protect them). Bear in mind, they are liars!

       Satan has over-powered them. So he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah (i.e. Satan has made them disobey the Commands of Allah). They are the party of Satan. Indeed, it is the party of Satan that will be the losers!

       Those who oppose Allah and His Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)], they will, indeed, be among the most disgraced (people). (Also see Surah Ghafir:51 and 52)

       Allah has decreed: “I and My messengers shall definitely be victorious”. Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)], even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their relatives. Allah has implanted firm Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with light of faith (or true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which rivers flow (Paradise)  to reside there forever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah. They are the Party of Allah. Bear in mind, it is the Party of Allah that will be successful.