Surah Ahzab Ayat 55 in Arabic Text
English Translation
Here you can read various translations of verse 55
There is no blame upon women concerning their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons or their women or those their right hands possess. And fear Allah. Indeed Allah is ever, over all things, Witness.
There is no blame (on these ladies if they appear) before their fathers or their sons, their brothers, or their brother’s sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the (slaves) whom their right hands possess. And, (ladies), fear Allah; for Allah is Witness to all things.
It will not be blameworthy for the wives of the Prophet if their fathers, their sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, and the women with whom they have social relations, and the persons whom their right hands possess enter their houses. (O women), shun disobeying Allah. Allah is watchful over everything.
It is no sin on them (the Prophet’s wives, if they appear unveiled) before their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brother’s sons, or the sons of their sisters, or their own (believing) women, or their (female) slaves, and keep your duty to Allah. Verily, Allah is Ever AllWitness over everything.
It is no sin for them (thy wives) to converse freely) with their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or the sons of their sisters or of their own women, or their slaves. O women! Keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is ever Witness over all things.
There is no fault in the (Prophet’s spouses) concerning their fathers, nor their sons, nor their brothers, nor their brothersص sons, nor their sistersص sons, nor their women, nor what their right hands possess. And be pious to Allah; surely Allah has been an Ever-Present Witness over everything.
The Prophet’s wives are not to blame [if they are seen by] their fathers, their sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, or their slaves. [Wives of the Prophet], be mindful of God. God observes everything.
ان عورتوں پر کوئی گناه نہیں کہ وه اپنے باپوں اور اپنے بیٹوں اور بھائیوں اور بھتیجوں اور بھانجوں اور اپنی (میل جول کی) عورتوں اور ملکیت کے ماتحتوں (لونڈی، غلام) کے سامنے ہوں۔ (عورتو!) اللہ سے ڈرتی رہو۔ اللہ تعالیٰ یقیناً ہر چیز پر شاہد ہے
Quran 33 Verse 55 Explanation
For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Ahzab ayat 55, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.
Ala-Maududi
(33:55) It will not be blameworthy for the wives of the Prophet if their fathers, their sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons,[102] and the women with whom they have social relations,[103] and the persons whom their right hands possess enter their houses.[104] (O women), shun disobeying Allah. Allah is watchful over everything.[105]
102. For explanation, see (Surah An-Nur, ayat 31) note 38-42. Allama Alusi’s commentary in this connection is also noteworthy. He says, “Brothers and sons of brothers and sisters include all those relatives who are unlawful for a woman, whether they are blood relations or foster relations. This list does not mention the paternal and maternal uncles because they are like the parents to the woman, or perhaps they have been left out because there was no need to mention them after mentioning their sons, For the reason for not observing hijab from the brother’s son and sister’s son is the same as of not observing it from the paternal and maternal uncles.” (Ruh al-Maani).
103. For explanation, see (Surah An-Nur, ayat 31) note 44.
104. For explanation, see (Surah An-Nur, ayat 31) note 43.
105. It means this: “After the coming down of this absolute command no person outside the circle of the relatives, who have been made an exception, should be allowed to enter the houses without hijab being observed from them,” Another meaning is: “The woman should never adopt the attitude that they should observe hijab when the husband is present, but should appear without hijab before the other men, when he is away. Such a conduct may remain hidden from the husband but not from Allah.”
Ibn-Kathir
55. It is no sin on them before their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brother’s sons, or the sons of their sisters, or their own (believing) women, or their (female) slaves. And (O ladies) have Taqwa of Allah. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Witness over everything.
When Allah commands women to observe Hijab in front of men to whom they are not related, He explains who are the relatives before whom they do not need to observe Hijab. This is like the exceptions stated in Surat An-Nur, where Allah says:
(And not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or their right hand possessions, or the Tabi`in among men who do not have desire, or small children who are not aware of the nakedness of women.) (24:31). The Ayah contains more detail than this, which we have already discussed in the Tafsir of the Ayah and do not need to repeat here. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ash-Sha`bi and `Ikrimah said concerning the Ayah,
(It is no sin on them before their fathers…) I said, “What about the paternal uncle and the maternal uncle — why are they not mentioned” He said: “Because they may describe her to their sons, so it is disliked for a woman to remove her covering in front of her paternal uncle or maternal uncle.”
(or their own women,) means that they do not have to observe Hijab in front of other believing women.
(or their (female) slaves.) Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib said: “This means female slaves only.” This was recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim.
(And (O ladies) have Taqwa of Allah. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Witness over everything.) means, and fear Him in private and in public, for He witnesses all things and nothing is hidden from Him, so think of the One Who is always watching.
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