The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

The Joint Forces
269
33: 48

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49Believers, you have no right to expect a waiting period when
you marry believing women and then divorce them before you
have touched them: make provision for them and release them in
an honourable way. 
50Prophet, We have made lawful for you the
wives whose bride gift you have paid, and any slaves God has
assigned to you through war, and the daughters of your uncles
and aunts on your father’s and mother’s sides, who migrated with
you. Also any believing woman who has o
ffered herself to the
Prophet and whom the Prophet wishes to wed –
– this is only for you
[Prophet] and not the rest of the believers: We know exactly what
We have made obligatory for them concerning their wives and
slave-girls –
– so you should not be blamed: God is most forgiving,
most merciful. 
51You may make any of [your women] wait and
receive any of them as you wish, but you will not be at fault if
you invite one whose turn you have previously set aside: this way
it is more likely that they will be satis
fied and will not be dis-
tressed and will all be content with what you have given them.
God knows what is in your hearts: God is all knowing, forbearing.
52You [Prophet] are not permitted to take any further wives, nor
to exchange the wives you have for others, even if these attract
you with their beauty. But this does not apply to your slave-girls:
God is watchful over all.
53Believers, do not enter the Prophet’s apartments for a meal
unless you are given permission to do so; do not linger until [a
meal] is ready. When you are invited, go in; then, when you have
taken your meal, leave. Do not stay on and talk, for that would
o
ffend the Prophet, though he would shrink from asking you to
leave. God does not shrink from the truth. When you ask his
wives for something, do so from behind a screen: this is purer
both for your hearts and for theirs. It is not right for you to
o
ffend God’s Messenger, just as you should never marry his wives
after him: that would be grievous in God’s eyes. 
54God has full
knowledge of all things, whether you reveal them or not. 
55The
Prophet’s wives are not to blame [if they are seen by] their
fathers, their sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sis-
ters’ sons, their women, or their slaves. [Wives of the Prophet], be
mindful of God. God observes everything. 
56God and His angels
bless the Prophet –
– so, you who believe, bless him too and give
him greetings of peace. 
57Those who insult God and His Messen-
The Qur
an
33: 49
270

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ger will be rejected by God in this world and the next –
– He has
prepared a humiliating torment for them –
–
58and those who
undeservedly insult believing men and women will bear the guilt
of slander and 
flagrant sin.
59Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and women believers
to make their outer garments hang low over them
a
so as to be recog-
nized and not insulted: God is most forgiving, most merciful. 
60If the
hypocrites, the sick at heart, and those who spread lies in the city do
not desist, We shall rouse you [Prophet] against them, and then they
will only be your neighbours in this city for a short while. 
61They
will be rejected. Wherever they are found, they will be arrested and
put to death. 
62This has been God’s practice with those who went
before. You will 
find no change in God’s practices.
63People ask you about the Hour. Say, ‘God alone has knowledge
of it.’ How could you [Prophet] know? The Hour may well be near.
64God has rejected the disbelievers and prepared a blazing fire for
them.
65There they will stay permanently, with no one to befriend or
support them. 
66On the Day when their faces are being turned about
in the Fire, they will say, ‘If only we had obeyed God and the
Messenger,’
67and ‘Lord! We obeyed our masters and our chiefs, and
they led us astray. 
68Lord! Give them a double punishment and reject
them completely.’
69Believers, do not be like those who insulted Moses–– God
cleared him of their allegations and he was highly honoured in God’s
eyes. 
70Believers, be mindful of God, speak in a direct fashion and to
good purpose, 
71and He will put your deeds right for you and forgive
you your sins. Whoever obeys God and His Messenger will truly
achieve a great triumph. 
72We offered the Trust
b
to the heavens, the
earth, and the mountains, yet they refused to undertake it and were
afraid of it; mankind undertook it –
– they have always been inept
c
and
foolish. 
73God will punish the hypocrites and the idolaters, both men
and women, and turn with mercy to the believers, both men and
women: God is most forgiving, most merciful.