Surah Al-Ahzab Verse 36 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : It is not for a believing man or a believing…

Al-Ahzab · 36/73

Translation Transliteration — Al-Ahzab

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُّبِينًا ۝٣٦

🔤 Transliteration

Wa maa kaana limu`mininw wa laa mu`minatin izaa qadal laahu wa Rasooluhooo amran ai yakoona lahumul khiyaratu min amrihim; wa mai ya`sil laaha wa Rasoolahoo faqad dalla dalaalam mubeenaa

📖 Translation (English Meaning)

📖 English Meaning

It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.

🌐 Additional reference in Français

📜

Translation — Tafsir

Key Words and Their Meanings:

Qaḍā (قضى): Decided, decreed, or passed a ruling/judgment.
Al-Khiyarah (الخيرة): The choice, option, or freedom to select an alternative.
Min amrihim (من أمرهم): From their own affair or matter.
Ḍalālan mubīnan (ضلالًا مبينًا): A clear, manifest, and evident misguidance or error.

Explanation of the Verse:

This noble verse establishes a fundamental principle of faith that applies to every believing man and woman: when Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) have decided a matter, no believer has the right to choose a different path or prefer their own opinion over the divine command. The verse was revealed in a specific context—regarding the marriage of Zaynab bint Jaḥsh (may Allah be pleased with her) to Zayd ibn Ḥārithah (may Allah be pleased with him)—but its ruling is general and timeless. It teaches that true faith requires complete submission to Allah’s decree and the Prophet’s guidance, even when it contradicts personal desires, social customs, or individual preferences.

The verse affirms that a believer’s choice is only valid within the framework of what Allah and His Messenger have permitted. Once a clear command has been issued, hesitation, objection, or seeking an alternative becomes a sign of weak faith. This does not negate the believer’s right to consult, deliberate, or express opinions in matters where no explicit divine ruling exists—rather, it establishes the priority of revelation over personal judgment in all matters of religion.

The verse concludes with a stern warning: whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger after the truth has been made clear has indeed strayed into an obvious and unmistakable error. This is not a minor slip but a deviation from the straight path that leads to ruin, both in this world and the Hereafter. The clarity of this misguidance serves as a reminder that the path of obedience is the only path to success, while disobedience distances a person from Allah’s mercy and guidance.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear believer, this verse is a beautiful invitation to experience the true sweetness of faith. When you submit your will to Allah’s command, you are not losing your freedom—you are actually gaining the highest form of liberation: freedom from the slavery of your own desires and the opinions of others. Imagine the peace that fills the heart when you no longer struggle against the decree of the All-Wise, but instead embrace it with trust and contentment. This is the secret of the companions of the Prophet ﷺ, who found joy in obedience and victory in submission. Let this verse be a mirror for your soul: whenever you face a decision, ask yourself—have I truly surrendered to Allah’s guidance, or am I still seeking my own choice? The answer will determine whether you walk in light or stumble in darkness. Choose the path of the believers, and you will find that Allah never abandons those who place their trust in Him.

🎧 Listen

📜 Verse 34-38 — Al-Ahzab

34وَاذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَىٰ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا

And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allah and wisdom. Indeed, Allah is ever Subtle and Acquainted [with all things].

35إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.

36وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُّبِينًا

37وَإِذْ تَقُولُ لِلَّذِي أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَاتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَتُخْفِي فِي نَفْسِكَ مَا اللَّهُ مُبْدِيهِ وَتَخْشَى النَّاسَ وَاللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَاهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ زَيْدٌ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًا زَوَّجْنَاكَهَا لِكَيْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَرَجٌ فِي أَزْوَاجِ أَدْعِيَائِهِمْ إِذَا قَضَوْا مِنْهُنَّ وَطَرًا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا

And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.

38مَّا كَانَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ مِنْ حَرَجٍ فِيمَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ۖ سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قَدَرًا مَّقْدُورًا

There is not to be upon the Prophet any discomfort concerning that which Allah has imposed upon him. [This is] the established way of Allah with those [prophets] who have passed on before. And ever is the command of Allah a destiny decreed.

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Al-AhzabQuran Index

73Verse

MedinanRevelation

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Translation — Al-Ahzab 36

Surah Al-Ahzab Verse 36 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : It is not for a believing man or a believing…

Surah Verse 36/73 — Al-Ahzab الأحزاب (Medinan). Read Listen Translation (English). Listen: Al-Ahzab Listen, Al-Ahzab Translation, Al-Ahzab mp3, Al-Ahzab pdf. Verse 34–38. English Meaning: Français.

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