Surah Al-Ahzab Verse 52 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : Not lawful to you, [O Muhammad], are [any additional] women…

Al-Ahzab · 52/73

Translation Transliteration — Al-Ahzab

لَّا يَحِلُّ لَكَ النِّسَاءُ مِن بَعْدُ وَلَا أَن تَبَدَّلَ بِهِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَاجٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ حُسْنُهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ رَّقِيبًا ۝٥٢

🔤 Transliteration

Laa yahillu lakan nisaaa`u mim ba`du wa laaa an tabaddala bihinna min azwaajinw wa law ajabaka husnuhunna illaa maa malakat yameenukk; wa kaanal laahu `alaa kulli shai`ir Raqeeba

📖 Translation (English Meaning)

📖 English Meaning

Not lawful to you, [O Muhammad], are [any additional] women after [this], nor [is it] for you to exchange them for [other] wives, even if their beauty were to please you, except what your right hand possesses. And ever is Allah, over all things, an Observer.

🌐 Additional reference in Français

📜

Translation — Tafsir

Word Meanings:

"Min ba'd" (مِن بَعْدُ): After this, meaning after the wives he currently had.
"Tabaddal" (تَبَدَّلَ): To exchange or replace one thing with another.
"A'jabaka" (أَعْجَبَكَ): Impressed you or attracted your admiration.
"Ma malakat yaminuka" (مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ): What your right hand possesses, i.e., female captives of war or slaves.
"Raqeeban" (رَقِيبًا): Watchful, vigilant, observing everything.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with a specific ruling that reflects both divine wisdom and immense honor bestowed upon his wives. After the Prophet had married the women mentioned in the previous verse, Allah decreed that he could not marry additional women beyond those already under his care, nor could he divorce any of them to replace them with others—even if he were captivated by the beauty of another woman. This was a unique legislation for the Prophet, distinguishing his marital status from that of his Ummah (community), who were permitted up to four wives.

The exception mentioned is "what your right hand possesses"—meaning female captives of war (slaves), which remained permissible for him without restriction. This exception demonstrates that Islam did not close the door entirely but provided a lawful avenue, and indeed, the Prophet later took Maria al-Qibtiyya as a concubine.

The verse concludes with a profound reminder: "And Allah is over all things Watchful." This is not merely a statement of divine attribute but a gentle yet firm admonition—that Allah observes every intention, every action, and every hidden desire. Nothing escapes His knowledge, and this awareness should instill in believers a sense of accountability and mindfulness.

A Call to Reflection and Love for Islam:

This verse carries timeless lessons for every believer. First, it highlights the elevated status of the Mothers of the Believers—the wives of the Prophet—whom Allah protected from divorce and from being replaced. This honor reflects the deep respect Islam grants to women and to the sanctity of marital bonds. The Prophet, despite being the most beloved of Allah's creation, was bound by divine command to honor and preserve these relationships, teaching us that even the greatest of men are not above the limits set by Allah.

Second, the verse teaches us the beauty of contentment. The Prophet was directed to be satisfied with what Allah had granted him, rather than constantly seeking more. In our lives, we often chase after what we do not have, forgetting the blessings already in our hands. Islam trains us to appreciate, to be grateful, and to find peace in what Allah has decreed for us.

Third, the reminder that Allah is "Watchful" over all things is a call to consciousness. When we realize that our Lord sees our hearts and our deeds, we are moved to purify our intentions, to act with sincerity, and to avoid anything that displeases Him. This awareness is the foundation of taqwa (God-consciousness), the very essence of a believer's character.

Finally, this verse shows the mercy of Islam in its legislation. Even in restrictions, there is ease—the exception of what the right hand possessed provided a lawful alternative. Islam never burdens a soul beyond what it can bear, and every command is rooted in wisdom and compassion.

Let us take from this verse a renewed commitment to honor our relationships, to be content with Allah's decree, and to live every moment with the awareness that Allah is watching over us—not to punish, but to guide us toward what is best for us in this life and the next.

🎧 Listen

📜 Verse 50-54 — Al-Ahzab

50يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَحْلَلْنَا لَكَ أَزْوَاجَكَ اللَّاتِي آتَيْتَ أُجُورَهُنَّ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ مِمَّا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَبَنَاتِ عَمِّكَ وَبَنَاتِ عَمَّاتِكَ وَبَنَاتِ خَالِكَ وَبَنَاتِ خَالَاتِكَ اللَّاتِي هَاجَرْنَ مَعَكَ وَامْرَأَةً مُّؤْمِنَةً إِن وَهَبَتْ نَفْسَهَا لِلنَّبِيِّ إِنْ أَرَادَ النَّبِيُّ أَن يَسْتَنكِحَهَا خَالِصَةً لَّكَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۗ قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا فَرَضْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِي أَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ لِكَيْلَا يَكُونَ عَلَيْكَ حَرَجٌ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their due compensation and those your right hand possesses from what Allah has returned to you [of captives] and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet [and] if the Prophet wishes to marry her, [this is] only for you, excluding the [other] believers. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

51۞ تُرْجِي مَن تَشَاءُ مِنْهُنَّ وَتُؤْوِي إِلَيْكَ مَن تَشَاءُ ۖ وَمَنِ ابْتَغَيْتَ مِمَّنْ عَزَلْتَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن تَقَرَّ أَعْيُنُهُنَّ وَلَا يَحْزَنَّ وَيَرْضَيْنَ بِمَا آتَيْتَهُنَّ كُلُّهُنَّ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَلِيمًا

You, [O Muhammad], may put aside whom you will of them or take to yourself whom you will. And any that you desire of those [wives] from whom you had [temporarily] separated - there is no blame upon you [in returning her]. That is more suitable that they should be content and not grieve and that they should be satisfied with what you have given them - all of them. And Allah knows what is in your hearts. And ever is Allah Knowing and Forbearing.

52لَّا يَحِلُّ لَكَ النِّسَاءُ مِن بَعْدُ وَلَا أَن تَبَدَّلَ بِهِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَاجٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ حُسْنُهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ رَّقِيبًا

53يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتَ النَّبِيِّ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَاظِرِينَ إِنَاهُ وَلَٰكِنْ إِذَا دُعِيتُمْ فَادْخُلُوا فَإِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَانتَشِرُوا وَلَا مُسْتَأْنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِي النَّبِيَّ فَيَسْتَحْيِي مِنكُمْ ۖ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۚ وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُؤْذُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَلَا أَن تَنكِحُوا أَزْوَاجَهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمًا

O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.

54إِن تُبْدُوا شَيْئًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا

Whether you reveal a thing or conceal it, indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing.

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Al-AhzabQuran Index

73Verse

MedinanRevelation

52Verse

Translation — Al-Ahzab 52

Surah Al-Ahzab Verse 52 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : Not lawful to you, [O Muhammad], are [any additional] women…

Surah Verse 52/73 — Al-Ahzab الأحزاب (Medinan). Read Listen Translation (English). Listen: Al-Ahzab Listen, Al-Ahzab Translation, Al-Ahzab mp3, Al-Ahzab pdf. Verse 50–54. English Meaning: Français.

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