Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This Madinan surah addresses the grave challenges faced by the Muslim community during and after the Battle of the Trench, also known as the Battle of the Confederates. Its primary purposes are to expose the nature of the hypocrites; reform foundational social bonds by abolishing the pre-Islamic law of adoption; affirm the sanctity of the Prophet’s household; and legislate intersocial norms to protect the community.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Madinan by unanimous agreement, though ayah 36 (revealed in connection with Zaynab bint Jaḥsh’s marriage to Zayd ibn Ḥārithah) must have been revealed in Makkah and then incorporated in this surah later on. The surah was revealed after the Battle of the Confederates (al-Aḥzāb), which has been dated by many to 5 AH. However, the more correct date according to Ibn ʿĀshūr is 4 AH, reported from Imam Mālik.

Context: It was revealed to address the events and aftermath of the great siege of Madinah by the combined Arab "confederates" (al-aḥzāb), and to introduce key social rulings concerning the Prophet (ﷺ) and his family, most notably the abolition of adoption in the case of Zayd ibn Ḥārithah [37].

Order of Revelation: It has been counted as the 90th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Anfāl and before al-Mā’idah.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: "Sūrat al-Aḥzāb" (The Confederates/Parties). It is named for the main event it describes: the gathering of the confederate armies of the Quraysh, Ghaṭafān and others, who besieged Madinah in 4 or 5 AH.

Ayah Count: 73 ayahs by unanimous agreement.

Surah Overview:

• Prophetic Ethics: Commanding the Prophet ﷺ to obey revelation, rely on Allah, and not yield to the disbelievers and hypocrites; much of the surah is a rebuttal to their harmful speech. [1-3, 48]
• Abolishing Adoption: The central social ruling, abolishing the pre-Islamic practice of adoption, repudiating ẓihār (declaring one’s wife “as a mother”), and confirming the truth of kinship. [4-5]
• Prophetic Authority & Kinship Order: Establishing that the Prophet ﷺ has the strongest claim over the believers, that his wives have the sanctity of mothers, and that this divinely ordained connection is weightier than ordinary kinship ties, with inheritance returning to blood-relatives. [6]
• Recalling the solemn covenant taken from the prophets. [7-8]
• The Battle of the Trench: Recounting Allah's intervention in the siege, including the dispatch of a wind and angels to defeat the enemies. [9-27]
• Exposing Hypocrisy: Unmasking the hypocrites’ defeatism, destabilizing talk, and ill-will during the ordeal. [12-20]
• The Prophet ﷺ as Exemplar: Directing the believers to take the Prophet ﷺ as the model to imitate in trial and obedience. [21]
• Praising Steadfastness: Commending the believers’ truthfulness and steadfastness in defending the faith, and the constancy of those who strive, give their lives and fulfil their ultimate commitment. [23-24]
• The Prophet’s Household: Transitioning into rulings on living with the Prophet’s wives, their virtue, and the honor of the Prophet’s family, setting a higher moral standard within the Prophetic home. [28-34]
• Affirming that the believers’ spiritual virtues and their promised reward apply to believing men and women alike, establishing that the general rulerule ist all addresses apply to both genders unless specified otherwise. [35]
• Divine Decree: Affirming that believers have no choice but to submit wholeheartedly once Allah and His Messenger decree a matter. [36]
• Adoption Abolished in Practice (Zayd and Zaynab): Completing the reform by removing the social taboo exploited by the hypocrites, and sealing the matter with the Prophet’s legislative role and status. [37-40]
• Dhikr and Gratitude: Stirring the believers to abundant remembrance and glorification of Allah as thanks for guidance and deliverance. [41-44]
• Marriage/Divorce Law & Prophet-Specific Rulings: Ruling divorce before consummation and Prophet‑specific marriage rulings. [49-52]
• Etiquette with the Prophet’s Household: Regulating entry to the Prophet’s home and conduct therein, requiring speaking to his wives from behind a screen, clarifying who may enter upon them, and forbidding marriage to them after him. [53-55]
• Honouring the Prophet: Commanding the believers to send prayers and peace upon the Prophet (ﷺ) as Allah and His angels do. [56]
• Offending Allah and His Messenger: Threatening those who give offence to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) with Allah’s curse in this world and the Hereafter, and a humiliating punishment. [57]
• Slandering Believers: Warning those who give offence to believing men and women by baseless accusation, bearing clear sin and calumny. [58]
• Commanding modest dress for the ladies of the Prophet’s household and all believing women when they go out. [59]
• Threatening hypocrites and rumor-spreaders who agitate Madinah with fear and false reports, if they do not desist. [60-62]
• Commanding piety and truthful speech, warning not to be like those who caused offense to Musa, and concluding with the Trust placed upon humanity and its outcome: punishment for hypocrites and polytheists, and mercy for believers. [69-73]