33. Surah Al-Ahzab (The Confederates)[73 verses]

Medina Period 90 [3-5 Hijrah]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

مَّا كَانَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ مِنْ حَرَجٍ فِيمَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ لَهُ...

33: 38. There can be no difficulty to the Prophet in what Allah has indicated to him as a duty.

C3727. See n. 3724 above.

...سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلُ ...

It was the practice (approved) of Allah amongst those of old that have passed away,

C3728. The next clause is parenthetical. These words then connect on with verse 39.

Among the people of the Book there was no taboo about adopted sons, as there was in Pagan Arabia.

...وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قَدَرًا مَّقْدُورًا ﴿٣٨﴾

and the command of Allah is a decree determined.

C3729. Allah's ordering of the world is always full of wisdom. Even our unhappiness and misery may actually have a great meaning for ourselves or others or both. If our first Plan seems to fail, we must not murmur and repine, but retrieve the position by adopting a course which appears to be the best possible in the light of our duties as indicated by Allah. For Allah's Plan is framed on universal principles that cannot be altered by human action.

الَّذِينَ يُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَالَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَخْشَوْنَهُ وَلَا يَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلَّا اللَّهَ...

33: 39. (It is the practice of those) who preach the Messages of Allah, and fear Him,

and fear none but Allah:

...وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ حَسِيبًا ﴿٣٩﴾

and enough is Allah to call (men) to account.

C3730. Our responsibility is to Allah, not to men. Men's opinions may have a bearing on our own interpretation of duty, but when that duty is clear, our only course is to obey Allah rather than men.

Asad’s Version:

33:38 [Asad] (Hence,] no blame whatever attaches to the Prophet for [having done] what God has ordained for him. 48 [Indeed, such was] God's way with those that have passed away aforetime" - and [remember that] God's will is always destiny absolute -;

(33:39) [and such will always be His way with] those who convey God's messages (to the world], and stand in awe of Him, and hold none but God in awe: for none can take count [of man's doings] as God does!