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Chapter 66

The Forbiddingal-Taḥrīm ( التحريم )

12 verses • revealed at Medinan

»The surah that opens with admonishing the Prophet against The Forbidding or prohibition of something he once imposed on himself for the purpose of not offending his wives, though God had made it lawful for him. Named after the phrase “why do you forbid” (li mā tuḥrimu) in verse 1. It mentions two of the Prophet’s wives, namely Ḥafṣah and ʿĀyishah, for an incident when a confidence was betrayed (verse 3 ff.) and urges all believers to submit themselves to God and to guard themselves and their families against Hellfire (verse 6). The surah closes by giving examples of believing and disbelieving women (verse 10 ff.).«

The surah is also known as Holding (something) to be Forbidden, The Prohibition

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

Ali Unal: IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE ALL-MERCIFUL, THE ALL-COMPASSIONATE

1
يا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ ما أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكَ ۖ تَبتَغي مَرضاتَ أَزواجِكَ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفورٌ رَحيمٌ

Ali Unal

Revealed in Madīnah seven or eight years after the Hijrah, this sūrah of 12 verses takes its name from the infinitive form of the verb HarRaMa (forbid, make something unlawful) that occurs in the first verse. It warns against any disrespect toward God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, and that righteousness lies not in belonging to a certain family but in one’s faith and good deeds. It also calls believers to repentance for their misdeeds.
O Prophet (you who are the greatest representative of Prophethood)! Why do you forbid (yourself) what God has made lawful to you, seeking to please your wives.1 And God is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.
  • Although there are some reports about what the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, had forbidden himself, that God had made lawful to him, the gist is as follows:
    The Messenger was extremely kind. He was particularly kind toward his wives. In order not to cause any trouble for anybody, he had to bear many hardships. God established exceptional rules for him, particularly in relation to his family life, so that there would not be any undue problems for him (in fulfilling his mission) (33: 50). Therefore, the statement, “Why do you forbid (yourself) what God has made lawful to you?” expresses a consolatory warning. It is interesting that both this verse and verse 33: 50, which contains exceptional rules for the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, end with the phrase, God is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate. This means that God had willed ease for him and was particularly compassionate toward him.