The word as it is recited in the Quran: Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary, Al-Ahzab 33:37.
Zayd in Islam
Zayd ibn Haritha is the only Companion named in the Quran (33:37). A freed slave and the adopted son of the Prophet ﷺ, he was called “Zayd son of Muhammad” until the verse “Call them by their fathers” was revealed (33:5; al-Bukhari 4782). He led the army at Muʾta, where he fell in the year 8 (al-Bukhari 4262). Another Companion, Zayd ibn Thabit, gathered the Quran under Abu Bakr (al-Bukhari 4986).
Zayd is the verbal noun of zada, “to grow, to increase” (root z-y-d): it means “increase, abundance”, a wish for plenty and good. It is one of the oldest and most common Arab names, so common that grammarians use it in their examples (“Zayd struck ʿAmr”). Ziyad, Yazid and Zayid come from the same root.
And [remember, O Muḥammad], when you said to the one on whom Allāh bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allāh," while you concealed within yourself that which Allāh is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allāh 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 [i.e., guilt] concerning the wives of their claimed [i.e., adopted] sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.
