Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

O you who heed warning: enter not the houses of the Prophet, save that leave be given to you for a meal, without watching for its hour. But when you are called, then enter; and when you have eaten, then disperse. And seek not to remain for conversation; that hinders the Prophet, and he is shy of you; but God is not shy of the truth. And when you ask of his wives an item: ask it of them from behind a partition; that is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not for you to hinder the messenger of God, or to marry his wives after him ever; that were, in the sight of God, monstrous.

يَٓا اَيُّهَا الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتَ النَّبِيِّ اِلَّٓا اَنْ يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ اِلٰى طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَاظِر۪ينَ اِنٰيهُۙ وَلٰكِنْ اِذَا دُع۪يتُمْ فَادْخُلُوا فَاِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَانْتَشِرُوا وَلَا مُسْتَأْنِس۪ينَ لِحَد۪يثٍۜ اِنَّ ذٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِي النَّبِيَّ فَيَسْتَحْـي۪ مِنْكُمْۘ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يَسْتَحْـي۪ مِنَ الْحَقِّۜ وَاِذَا سَاَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعاً فَسْـَٔلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَٓاءِ حِجَابٍۜ ذٰلِكُمْ اَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّۜ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ اَنْ تُؤْذُوا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ وَلَٓا اَنْ تَنْكِحُٓوا اَزْوَاجَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِه۪ٓ اَبَداًۜ اِنَّ ذٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِنْـدَ اللّٰهِ عَظ۪يـماً
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoola tadkhuloo buyoota annabiyyi illa an yu/thanalakum ila taAAamin ghayra nathireenainahu walakin itha duAAeetum fadkhuloofa-itha taAAimtum fantashiroo walamusta/niseena lihadeethin inna thalikum kanayu/thee annabiyya fayastahyee minkum wallahula yastahyee mina alhaqqi wa-ithasaaltumoohunna mataAAan fas-aloohunna min wara-ihijabin thalikum atharu liquloobikumwaquloobihinna wama kana lakum an tu/thoorasoola Allahi wala an tankihoo azwajahumin baAAdihi abadan inna thalikum kana AAinda AllahiAAatheema
#wordmeaningroot
1yāayyuhāO you who believe
2alladhīnaO you who believe
3āmanūO you who believeامن
4(Do) not
5tadkhulūenterدخل
6buyūta(the) housesبيت
7l-nabiyi(of) the Prophetنبا
8illāexcept
9anwhen
10yu'dhanapermission is givenاذن
11lakumto you
12ilāfor
13ṭaʿāmina mealطعم
14ghayrawithoutغير
15nāẓirīnaawaitingنظر
16ināhuits preparationاني
17walākinBut
18idhāwhen
19duʿītumyou are invitedدعو
20fa-ud'khulūthen enterدخل
21fa-idhāand when
22ṭaʿim'tumyou have eatenطعم
23fa-intashirūthen disperseنشر
24walāand not
25mus'tanisīnaseeking to remainانس
26liḥadīthinfor a conversationحدث
27innaIndeed
28dhālikumthat
29kānawasكون
30yu'dhītroublingاذي
31l-nabiyathe Prophetنبا
32fayastaḥyīand he is shyحيي
33minkumof (dismissing) you
34wal-lahuBut Allah
35is not shy
36yastaḥyīis not shyحيي
37minaof
38l-ḥaqithe truthحقق
39wa-idhāAnd when
40sa-altumūhunnayou ask themسال
41matāʿan(for) anythingمتع
42fasalūhunnathen ask themسال
43minfrom
44warāibehindوري
45ḥijābina screenحجب
46dhālikumThat
47aṭharu(is) purerطهر
48liqulūbikumfor your heartsقلب
49waqulūbihinnaand their heartsقلب
50wamāAnd not
51kānaisكون
52lakumfor you
53anthat
54tu'dhūyou troubleاذي
55rasūla(the) Messengerرسل
56l-lahi(of) Allah
57walāand not
58anthat
59tankiḥūyou should marryنكح
60azwājahuhis wivesزوج
61minafter him
62baʿdihiafter himبعد
63abadaneverابد
64innaIndeed
65dhālikumthat
66kānaisكون
67ʿindanearعند
68l-lahiAllah
69ʿaẓīmanan enormityعظم
  • Aisha Bewley

    You who have iman! do not go into the Prophet’s rooms except when you are invited to come and eat. Do not wait there while the food is being cooked. However, when you are called, go in, and when you have eaten, disperse, not remaining there to chat with one another. Doing that causes annoyance to the Prophet though he is too reticent to tell you so. But Allah is not reticent with the truth. When you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a screen. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. It is not right for you to cause annoyance to the Messenger of Allah or ever to marry his wives after him. To do that would be a dreadful thing in Allah’s sight.

  • Progressive Muslims

    O you who believe, do not enter the prophet's homes except if you are invited to a meal, without you forcing such an invitation. But if you are invited, you may enter. And when you finish eating, you shall leave, without staying to wait for news. This used to annoy the prophet, and he was shy to tell you. But God does not shy away from the truth. And if you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not for you to harm God's messenger, nor that you should marry his wives after him. This is indeed a gross offence with God.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Do not enter the Prophet's homes unless you are given permission. When invited to dine, arrive not too early waiting for preparation of the meal. When you are invited, come at the appointed time, and when you have finished eating, disperse. Linger not in the quest of HADITH (vain talk). Behold, this might hurt the Prophet, and he would be shy to say so. But Allah is not shy of telling you what is Right. And if you ask something you need from the ladies (the household of the Prophet), ask them from behind the curtain. This is good for your hearts and for their hearts. (Respect of privacy is an essential component of mutual respect). It is not for you to hurt the Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him. Verily, this would be a great offense in the Sight of Allah. (They are their mothers 33:6).

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    O you who heed warning: enter not the houses of the Prophet, save that leave be given to you for a meal, without watching for its hour. But when you are called, then enter; and when you have eaten, then disperse. And seek not to remain for conversation; that hinders the Prophet, and he is shy of you; but God is not shy of the truth. And when you ask of his wives an item: ask it of them from behind a partition; that is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not for you to hinder the messenger of God, or to marry his wives after him ever; that were, in the sight of God, monstrous.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    O you who believe, do not enter the homes of the prophet unless you are invited to a meal, without you forcing such an invitation. But if you are invited, you may enter. And when you finish eating, you shall leave, without staying to wait for a narrative. This used to bother the prophet, and he was shy to tell you. But God does not shy away from the truth. And if you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not for you to harm the messenger of God, nor that you should marry his wives after him. This is indeed a gross offence with God.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    O you who acknowledge, do not enter the prophet's homes except if you are invited to a meal, without you forcing such an invitation. But if you are invited, you may enter. When you finish eating, you shall leave, without staying to wait for a hadith. This used to annoy the prophet, and he was shy to tell you. But God does not shy away from the truth. If you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. It is not for you to harm God's messenger, nor you should marry his wives after him. This is a gross offence with God.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    O you who believe, do not enter the prophet's homes unless you are given permission to eat, nor shall you force such an invitation in any manner. If you are invited, you may enter. When you finish eating, you shall leave; do not engage him in lengthy conversations. This used to hurt the prophet, and he was too shy to tell you. But GOD does not shy away from the truth. If you have to ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. You are not to hurt the messenger of GOD. You shall not marry his wives after him, for this would be a gross offense in the sight of GOD.,

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    O you who believe, do not enter the houses of the Prophet for a meal without awaiting the proper time, unless asked, and enter when you are invited, and depart when you have eaten, and do not stay on talking. This puts the Prophet to inconvenience, and he feels embarrassed before you; but God is not embarrassed in (saying) the truth. And when you ask his wife for some thing of utility, ask for it from behind the screen. This is for the purity of your hearts and theirs. It does not behove you to annoy the prophet of God, or to ever marry his wives after him. This would indeed be serious in the sight of God.

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

    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 was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not 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.

  • Muhammad Asad

    O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not enter the Prophet’s dwellings unless you are given leave; to a meal, do not come to wait for it to be readied: but whenever you are invited, enter ; and when you have partaken of the meal, disperse without lingering for the sake of mere talk: that, behold, might give offence to the Prophet, and yet he might feel shy of you : but God is not shy of what is right. And whenever you ask them for anything that you need, ask them from behind a screen: this will but deepen the purity of your hearts and theirs. Moreover, it does not behove you to give offence to God’s Apostle - just as it would not behove you ever to marry his widows after he has passed away: that, verily, would be an enormity in the sight of God.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    O Ye who believe! Enter not the dwellings of the Prophet for a meal without waiting for the proper time, unless permission be granted you. But if ye are invited, enter, and, when your meal is ended, then disperse. Linger not for conversation. Lo! that would cause annoyance to the Prophet, and he would be shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allah is not shy of the truth. And when ye ask of them (the wives of the Prophet) anything, ask it of them from behind a curtain. That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not for you to cause annoyance to the messenger of Allah, nor that ye should ever marry his wives after him. Lo! that in Allah's sight would be an enormity.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Believers, enter not the houses of the Prophet without his permission,*nor wait for a meal to be prepared; instead enter when you are invited to eat,* and when you have had the meal, disperse. Do not linger in idle talk.* That is hurtful to the Prophet but he does not express it out of shyness; but Allah is not ashamed of speaking out the Truth. And if you were to ask the wives of the Prophet for something, ask from behind a curtain. That is more apt for the cleanness of your hearts and theirs.* It is not lawful for you to cause hurt to Allah's Messenger,* nor to ever marry his wives after him.* Surely that would be an enormous sin in Allah's sight.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    O you who have conformed to Allah's system of faith and worship: Do not enter the Prophet's houses unless you are permitted to do so for a meal, in which case you do not sit waiting for the food until it be ready. But if you are invited then you enter not too early but at the time expected and when you have dined then be excused and do realize that dispersion then is a necessary circumstance to be fulfilled. And do not linger to engage in a sociable discourse, for such behaviour has always caused inconvenience to the Prophet who is ashamed to ask you to leave, but Allah is not ashamed of declaring the truth. And if you wish to ask them for anything you want you must ask them from behind a screen. This has more influence on your hearts and their hearts to possess virtue in life and conduct. By no means should you cause annoyance or inconvenience to the Messenger of Allah nor is it appropriate ever to marry his widows following his death. This is an enormity in Allah's sight and a deviation from moral righteousness.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    The believers hereby are forbidden to enter the houses of the Prophet without permission and are not supposed to delay their stay hoping to be fed. Enter, if you are invited. Eat, if you are offered and leave immediately. Do not bother the Prophet with lengthy discussions; he is shy asking you to leave but God is not shy in bringing to your attention If you have to talk to the wives of the Prophet, do not talk face to face; talk from behind a curtain. This is better for the purity of your hearts as well as theirs. You should not do/say anything to hurt the Prophet of God. You should also not marry any of the wives of the Prophet after him ; this is a great sin in the sight of God.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet’s houses, unless permission is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse without sitting for a talk. Verily, such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allâh is not shy of (telling you) the truth. And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen: that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy Allâh’s Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily, with Allâh that shall be an enormity.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    O ye who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses,- until leave is given you,- for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation: but when ye are invited, enter; and when ye have taken your meal, disperse, without seeking familiar talk. Such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet: he is ashamed to dismiss you, but Allah is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah's Messenger, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's sight an enormity.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    O believers! Do not enter the homes of the Prophet without permission ˹and if invited˺ for a meal, do not ˹come too early and˺ linger until the meal is ready. But if you are invited, then enter ˹on time˺. Once you have eaten, then go on your way, and do not stay for casual talk. Such behaviour is truly annoying to the Prophet, yet he is too shy to ask you to leave. But Allah is never shy of the truth. And when you ˹believers˺ ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and theirs. And it is not right for you to annoy the Messenger of Allah, nor ever marry his wives after him. This would certainly be a major offence in the sight of Allah.

  • Taqi Usmani

    O you who believe, do not enter the houses of the Prophet, unless you are permitted for a meal, not (so early as) to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, go inside. Then, once you have had the meal, just disperse, and (do) not (sit for long) being keen for a chat. This (conduct of yours) hurts the Prophet, but he feels shy of (telling) you (about it), but Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask any thing from them (the blessed wives of the Prophet), ask them from behind a curtain. That is better for the purity of your hearts and their hearts. It is not allowed for you that you hurt Allah’s Messenger, nor that you ever marry his wives after him. Indeed, it would be an enormity in the sight of Allah.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Believers, do not enter the Prophet’s apartments for a meal unless you are given permission to do so; do not linger until 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 offend 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 offend God’s Messenger, just as you should never marry his wives after him: that would be grievous in God’s eyes.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    O believers, enter not the houses of the Prophet, except leave is given you for a meal, without watching for its hour. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have had the meal, disperse, neither lingering for idle talk; that is hurtful to the Prophet, and he is ashamed before you; but God is not ashamed before the truth. And when you ask his wives for any object, ask them from behind a curtain; that is cleaner for your hearts and theirs. It is not for you to hurt God's Messenger, neither to marry his wives after him, ever; surely that would be, in God's sight, a monstrous thing.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    O ye who believe! do not enter the houses of the prophet, unless leave be given you, for a meal,- not watching till it is cooked! But when ye are invited, then enter; and when ye have fed, disperse, not engaging in familiar discourse. Verily, that would annoy the prophet and he would be ashamed for your sake, but God is not ashamed of the truth. And when ye ask them for an article, ask them from behind a curtain; that is purer for your hearts and for theirs. It is not right for you to annoy the prophet of God, nor to wed his wives after him ever; verily, that is with God a serious thing.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    It is not lawful to you to marry more women afterwards, nor that you should change them for other wives, though their beauty be pleasing to you, except what your right hand possesses and Allah is Watchful over all things.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    O you who have believed, do not enter the homes of the Prophet except (when you are permitted in for food, without waiting for its dueness. (i.e., its hour, its time) But when you are invited, then enter. So, when you have had food, then disperse yourselves, neither (announcing yourselves) into familiar discourse. Surely that (Literally: those) hurts the Prophet, so he (feels) shy before you; and Allah does not shy from the truth. And when you ask (his wives) for any article, then ask them from behind a curtain; that is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And in no way should you hurt the Messenger of Allah, nor marry his spouses even after him at all. Surely that would, in the Reckoning of Allah, be a monstrous (thing).

  • George Sale

    O true believers, enter not the houses of the prophet, unless it be permitted you to eat meat with him, without waiting his convenient time: But when ye are invited, then enter. And when ye shall have eaten, disperse yourselves; and stay not to enter into familiar discourse: For this incommodeth the prophet. He is ashamed to bid you depart; but God is not ashamed of the truth. And when ye ask of the prophet's wives what ye may have occasion for, ask it of them from behind a curtain. This will be more pure for your hearts and their hearts. Neither is it fit for you to give any uneasiness to the apostle of God, or to marry his wives after him for ever: For this would be a grievous thing in the sight of God.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    O you who believe! Do not enter the Prophet’s houses— Unless permission is given to you— (If you go) for a meal, do not be (so early as) to wait for its preparation: But when you are invited, enter (his house); And when you have taken your meal, go away, without trying to get into idle talk. Verily, such (behavior) does not please the Prophet: And he is (too) shy to ask you to leave, but Allah is not shy (to tell you) the truth. And when you ask (his ladies) for anything you may want, ask them with a screen between (them and you): That allows greater purity in your hearts and theirs. And it is not right for you that you may displease Allah’s Messenger (Muhammad), nor that you may marry his widows after him (after his death at any time). Truly, in Allah’s sight, such a thing is an enormous and evil act.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Believers! do not enter the houses of the Prophet unless permission (to enter) has been given you for a meal (with him). Moreover do not wait (there) for the meal time. Rather you should come when you are invited, and disperse when you have had your meal, (nor should you stay over) seeking to listen to (idle) conversation. Surely, this behaviour of yours causes inconvenience to the Prophet, and he (being considerate of your feelings) forbears from (saying anything to) you. But Allâh forbears not from (saying) what is true. And when you ask the women for any commodity, ask them from behind a curtain. Such (a conduct) will better ensure the purity of your minds as well as theirs. And it is never proper for you to cause inconvenience to the Messenger of Allâh, nor (is it proper for you) that you should ever marry his wives after him. Indeed (if you do so) it would be a grievous thing in the sight of Allâh.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    O you who have faith! Do not enter the Prophet’s houses unless permission is granted you for a meal, without waiting for it to be readied. But enter when you are invited, and disperse when you have taken your meal, without settling down to chat. Indeed such conduct torments the Prophet, and he is ashamed of you ; but Allah is not ashamed of the truth. And when you ask anything of womenfolk, ask it from them from behind a curtain. That is more chaste for your hearts and their hearts. You may not torment the Apostle of Allah, nor may you ever marry his wives after him. Indeed that would be a grave with Allah.