Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And when thou saidst to him whom God has favoured, and whom thou hast favoured: “Hold thou thy wife to thee, and be thou in prudent fear of God,” and wast concealing in thyself what God reveals. And thou fearedst men, when God has more right that thou fear Him. Then when Zayd had concluded any need of her, We gave her to thee in marriage, that there be not blame upon the believers concerning the wives of their adopted sons, when they have concluded any need of them. And the command of God is carried out.

وَاِذْ تَقُولُ لِلَّـذ۪ٓي اَنْعَمَ اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ اَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَاتَّقِ اللّٰهَ وَتُخْف۪ي ف۪ي نَفْسِكَ مَا اللّٰهُ مُبْد۪يهِ وَتَخْشَى النَّاسَۚ وَاللّٰهُ اَحَقُّ اَنْ تَخْشٰيهُۜ فَلَمَّا قَضٰى زَيْدٌ مِنْهَا وَطَراً زَوَّجْنَاكَهَا لِكَيْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِن۪ينَ حَرَجٌ ف۪ٓي اَزْوَاجِ اَدْعِيَٓائِهِمْ اِذَا قَضَوْا مِنْهُنَّ وَطَراًۜ وَكَانَ اَمْرُ اللّٰهِ مَفْعُولاً
Wa-ith taqoolu lillatheeanAAama Allahu AAalayhi waanAAamta AAalayhi amsik AAalaykazawjaka wattaqi Allaha watukhfee fee nafsika maAllahu mubdeehi watakhsha annasa wallahuahaqqu an takhshahu falamma qadazaydun minha wataran zawwajnakahalikay la yakoona AAala almu/mineena harajunfee azwaji adAAiya-ihim itha qadawminhunna wataran wakana amru Allahi mafAAoola
#wordmeaningroot
1wa-idhAnd when
2taqūluyou saidقول
3lilladhīto the one
4anʿamaAllah bestowed favorنعم
5l-lahuAllah bestowed favor
6ʿalayhion him
7wa-anʿamtaand you bestowed favorنعم
8ʿalayhion him
9amsikKeepمسك
10ʿalaykato yourself
11zawjakayour wifeزوج
12wa-ittaqiand fearوقي
13l-lahaAllah
14watukh'fīBut you concealedخفي
15within
16nafsikayourselfنفس
17what
18l-lahuAllah
19mub'dīhi(was to) discloseبدو
20watakhshāAnd you fearخشي
21l-nāsathe peopleنوس
22wal-lahuwhile Allah
23aḥaqquhas more rightحقق
24anthat
25takhshāhuyou (should) fear Himخشي
26falammāSo when
27qaḍāendedقضي
28zaydunZaid
29min'hāfrom her
30waṭarannecessary (formalities)وطر
31zawwajnākahāWe married her to youزوج
32likayso that
33not
34yakūnathere beكون
35ʿalāon
36l-mu'minīnathe believersامن
37ḥarajunany discomfortحرج
38concerning
39azwājithe wivesزوج
40adʿiyāihim(of) their adopted sonsدعو
41idhāwhen
42qaḍawthey have endedقضي
43min'hunnafrom them
44waṭarannecessary (formalities)وطر
45wakānaAnd isكون
46amru(the) Commandامر
47l-lahi(of) Allah
48mafʿūlanaccomplishedفعل
  • Aisha Bewley

    When you said to him whom Allah has blessed and you yourself have greatly favoured, ‘Keep your wife to yourself and have taqwa of Allah,’ while concealing something in yourself which Allah wished to bring to light, you were fearing people when Allah has more right to your fear. Then when Zayd divorced her We married her to you so that there should be no restriction for the muminun regarding the wives of their adopted sons when they have divorced them. Allah’s command is always carried out.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And you said to the one who was blessed by God, and blessed by you: "Keep your wife and reverence God," and you hid inside yourself what God wished to proclaim. And you feared the people, while it was God you were supposed to fear. So when Zayd ended his relationship with his wife, We had you marry her, to establish that there is no wrongdoing for the believers in marrying the wives of their adopted sons if their relationship is ended. And God's command is always done.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Behold, (O Prophet) you did tell the one to whom Allah had shown Favor and to whom you had shown favor, "Hold on to your wife and be mindful of Allah. You seek to conceal in your heart what Allah intends to reveal. You are afraid of people whereas it is more appropriate to fear Allah." But when Zayd had observed all the rules and divorced her, We gave her to you in marriage. So that henceforth there may be no blame on the believers in respect of spouses of their adopted children when they have come to the dissolution of their union. And the Commandment of Allah must be fulfilled. (Contrary to many erroneous translations, the entire quote in this verse is addressed to Zayd since Messengers fear none but Allah (33:39). Also the admonition of the Prophet to Zayd clearly indicates that he, and not his wife, was at fault).

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And when thou saidst to him whom God has favoured, and whom thou hast favoured: “Hold thou thy wife to thee, and be thou in prudent fear of God,” and wast concealing in thyself what God reveals. And thou fearedst men, when God has more right that thou fear Him. Then when Zayd had concluded any need of her, We gave her to thee in marriage, that there be not blame upon the believers concerning the wives of their adopted sons, when they have concluded any need of them. And the command of God is carried out.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And you said to the one who was blessed by God, and blessed by you: "Keep your wife and reverence God," and you hid inside yourself what God wished to proclaim. And you were concerned with the people, while God was more deserving that you be concerned with. So when Zayd ended his relationship with his wife, We had you marry her, to establish that there is no wrongdoing for the believers in marrying the wives of their adopted sons if their relationship is ended. And the command of God is always done.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    You said to the one who was blessed by God, and blessed by you: "Keep your wife and revere God," and you hid inside yourself what God wished to proclaim. You feared the people, while it was God you were supposed to fear. So when Zayd ended his relationship with his wife, We had you marry her, to establish that there is no wrongdoing for those who acknowledge marrying the wives of their adopted sons if their relationship is ended. God's command is always done.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    Recall that you said to the one who was blessed by GOD, and blessed by you, "Keep your wife and reverence GOD," and you hid inside yourself what GOD wished to proclaim. Thus, you feared the people, when you were supposed to fear only GOD. When Zeid was completely through with his wife, we had you marry her, in order to establish the precedent that a man may marry the divorced wife of his adopted son. GOD's commands shall be done.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    When you said to him who had been favoured by God and was favoured by you: "Keep your wife to yourself and fear God, " you were hiding something God was about to bring to light, for you had fear of men, though you should fear God more. And when Zaid was through with her, We gave her to you in marriage, so that it may not remain a sin for the faithful (to marry) the wives of their adopted sons when they are through with them. God's command is to be fulfilled.

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    And , 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.

  • Muhammad Asad

    AND LO, thou didst say unto the one to whom God had shown favour and to whom thou hadst shown favour, "Hold on to thy wife, and remain conscious of God!" And wouldst thou hide within thyself something that God was about to bring to light for thou didst stand in awe of people , whereas it was God alone of whom thou shouldst have stood in awe! then, when Zayd had come to the end of his union with her, We gave her to thee in marriage, so that no blame should attach to the be­lievers for the spouses of their adopted children when the latter have come to the end of their union with them. And God’s will was done.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And when thou saidst unto him on whom Allah hath conferred favour and thou hast conferred favour: Keep thy wife to thyself, and fear Allah. And thou didst hide in thy mind that which Allah was to bring to light, and thou didst fear mankind whereas Allah hath a better right that thou shouldst fear Him. So when Zeyd had performed that necessary formality (of divorce) from her, We gave her unto thee in marriage, so that (henceforth) there may be no sin for believers in respect of wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have performed the necessary formality (of release) from them. The commandment of Allah must be fulfilled.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    (O Prophet),* call to mind when you said to him*whom Allah had favoured and you had favoured: "Cleave to your wife and fear Allah,"* and you concealed within yourself for fear of people what Allah was to reveal, although Allah has greater right that you fear Him.* So when Zayd had accomplished what he would of her,* We gave her in marriage to you* so that there should not be any constraint for the believers regarding the wives of their adopted sons after they had accomplished whatever they would of them.* And Allah's command was bound to be accomplished.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    "And you say to the man to whom Allah has been gracious and whom He guided to His System of faith and worship and you were kind to him and you adopted him as your son:" "Hold your hand and hold on to your wife and entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Allah. " And you hide in your heart what Allah would inevitably bring to light and make known and you fear the people when it is only Allah Whom you should really fear. (However) when Zaid gained his end of dissolving his marriage and the prescribed period of waiting was fulfilled. We arranged your matrimonial union with her. so that those who conformed to Islam would not feel they shall stand at the mark of criticism should they be willing to marry the women who were once married to their adopted sons who have attained their object of divorce and the formalities have been fulfilled. Allah's command must be fulfilled.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    O’ Mohammad, remember when Zaid (who is blessed by God and His Prophet) came to you consulting about his wife? You tried to reunite them (in spite of the fact that you had some feelings about her. ) You were afraid of what people might say and think; however, you should be afraid only of God. I ordered you to marry his Ex-wife in order to set a precedent that a man may marry the divorced wife of his adopted son. God’s command shall be done.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    And (remember) when you said to him (Zaid bin Hârithah رضي الله عنه - the freed-slave of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) on whom Allâh has bestowed Grace (by guiding him to Islâm) and you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم too) have done favour (by manumitting him): "Keep your wife to yourself, and fear Allâh." But you did hide in yourself (i.e. what Allâh has already made known to you that He will give her to you in marriage) that which Allâh will make manifest, you did fear the people (i.e., their saying that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم married the divorced wife of his manumitted slave) whereas Allâh had a better right that you should fear Him. So when Zaid had accomplished his desire from her (i.e. divorced her), We gave her to you in marriage, so that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the believers in respect of (the marriage of) the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have no desire to keep them (i.e. they have divorced them). And Allâh’s Command must be fulfilled.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Behold! Thou didst say to one who had received the grace of Allah and thy favour: "Retain thou (in wedlock) thy wife, and fear Allah." But thou didst hide in thy heart that which Allah was about to make manifest: thou didst fear the people, but it is more fitting that thou shouldst fear Allah. Then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), We joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved with the necessary (formality) (their marriage) with them. And Allah's command must be fulfilled.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    And ˹remember, O  Prophet,˺ when you said to the one for whom Allah has done a favour and you ˹too˺ have done a favour, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while concealing within yourself what Allah was going to reveal. And ˹so˺ you were considering the people, whereas Allah was more worthy of your consideration. So when Zaid totally lost interest in ˹keeping˺ his wife, We gave her to you in marriage, so that there would be no blame on the believers for marrying the ex-wives of their adopted sons after their divorce. And Allah’s command is totally binding.

  • Taqi Usmani

    (Remember) when you (O Prophet,) were saying to the one who was favored by Allah and favored by you, "Keep your wife to your self, and fear Allah." And you were concealing in your heart what Allah was going to reveal, and you were fearing people, while Allah is more entitled to be feared by you. So, when Zaid finished his desire for her, We gave her into your marriage, so that there may not be a problem for the believers in marrying wives of their adopted sons, when they finish their desire for them; and Allah’s decree had to be enforced.

  • Abdul Haleem

    When you said to the man who had been favoured by God and by you, ‘Keep your wife and be mindful of God,’ you hid in your heart what God would later reveal: you were afraid of people, but it is more fitting that you fear God. When Zayd no longer wanted her, We gave her to you in marriage so that there might be no fault in believers marrying the wives of their adopted sons after they no longer wanted them. God’s command must be carried out:

  • Arthur John Arberry

    When thou saidst to him whom God had blessed and thou hadst favoured, 'Keep thy wife to thyself, and fear God,' and thou wast concealing within thyself what God should reveal, fearing other men; and God has better right for thee to fear Him. So when Zaid had accomplished what he would of her, then We gave her in marriage to thee, so that there should not be any fault in the believers, touching the wives of their adopted sons, when they have accomplished what they would of them; and God's commandment must be performed.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    And when thou didst say to him God had shown favour to and thou hadst shown favour to, 'Keep thy wife to thyself and fear God;' and thou didst conceal in thy soul what God was about to display; and didst fear men, though God is more deserving that thou shouldst fear Him; and when Zaid had fulfilled his desire of her we did wed thee to her that there should be no hindrance to the believers in the matter of the wives of their adopted sons when they have fulfilled their desire of them: and so God's bidding to be done.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And it behoves not a believing man and a believing woman that they should have any choice in their matter when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter; and whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he surely goes astray in manifest error.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And as you (This is addressed to the prophet) have said to him on whom Allah has (graciously) favored and you have (much) favored, "Retain your spouse to yourself, and be pious to Allah, " and you were concealing within yourself what Allah would display, and being apprehensive of mankind; and Allah truly has better right for you to be apprehensive of Him. So, as soon as Zayd had accomplished what he would of her, (i.e., accomplished his purpose, and divorced her. The reference is to Zaynab) We espoused her to you so that there should not be any restriction for the believers concerning the spouses of their adopted sons, when they have accomplished what they would of them; and the Command of Allah has been performed.

  • George Sale

    And remember when thou saidst to him unto whom God had been gracious, and on whom thou also hadst conferred favours, keep thy wife to thy self, and fear God: And thou didst conceal that in thy mind which God had determined to discover, and didst fear men; whereas it was more just that thou shouldst fear God. But when Zeid had determined the matter concerning her, and had resolved to divorce her, we joined her in marriage unto thee; lest a crime should be charged on the true believers, in marrying the wives of their adopted sons, when they have determined the matter concerning them: And the command of God is to be performed.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And (remember) when (O Prophet)! You said to the person (Zaid) who had received the gift from Allah and your favor: "You keep (the marriage with) your wife and fear Allah. But you did hide in your heart what Allah was about to make it clear: You did fear the people, but it is better that you fear Allah. So, when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, after the necessary (steps of divorce), We joined her in marriage with you: So, that there are no questions for the believers (regarding the) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, after they have dissolved the marriage with the necessary (steps) with them (their ex-wives). And Allah’s (Divine) Order must be completed and fulfilled.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    And (recall the time) when you said to the man (- Zaid son of Hârithah, a slave freed by the Prophet) on whom Allâh had bestowed His favour and whom you also had favoured, `Keep your wife (- Zainab) to yourself (and do not divorce her) and take Allâh as a shield. And you (O Zaid!) conceal (the cause of the failure of the marriage) in your mind, what Allâh is going to bring to light (that the responsibility of the failure rests more upon Zaid than upon Zainab); and you are (also) afraid of the people whereas Allâh has a better right that you should stand in awe of Him.' However when Zaid had done what he intended to do with her (- his wife and dissolved the marriage tie with her), We gave her (- the divorced lady) in marriage to you, so that the believers might incur no blame in (getting married to) the wives of their adopted sons after they had dissolved the marriage tie with them. Indeed, the decree of Allâh is ever executed.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    When you said to him whom Allah had blessed, and whom you had blessed, ‘Retain your wife for yourself, and be wary of Allah,’ and you had hidden in your heart what Allah was to divulge, and you feared the people though Allah is worthier that you should fear Him, so when Zayd had got through with her, We wedded her to you, so that there may be no blame on the faithful in respect of the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have got through with them, and Allah’s command is bound to be fulfilled.