al-nabiyu awlā bil-mu'minīna min anfusihim wa-azwājuhu ummahātuhum wa-ulū l-arḥāmi baʿḍuhum awlā bibaʿḍin fī kitābi l-lahi mina l-mu'minīna wal-muhājirīna illā an tafʿalū ilā awliyāikum maʿrūfan kāna dhālika fī l-kitābi masṭūran
Translation
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves,1182 and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allāh than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book1183 inscribed.
Notes
[1182] He (ﷺ) is more worthy of their obedience and loyalty and is more concerned for them than they are for one another.
[1183] The Preserved Slate (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ).
Verse 6 of Surah Al-Ahzab (33:6), a Medinan surah, is in juz 21, on page 418 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 73 reciters.
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Tafsir of verse 6
Al-Mukhtasar
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has more right over the believers than their own selves in whatever he calls them to, even if they incline towards something else. And his wives are like mothers for all believers, hence it is unlawful for any believer to marry any of them after he passes away. Relatives are more deserving of one another in inheritance by Allah’s decree than the believers and those who migrated for Allah's cause, who would previously inherit by means of contractual agreement between themselves in the beginning of Islam. Then Allah abrogated their inheriting from one another after that. Except if you, O believers, do good towards your close associates besides the inheritors, by making a bequest for them and being kind to them, then that is your right. That is a decree inscribed in the Preserved Tablet.
The Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than their own selves3, and his wives are their mothers. And blood relatives are more entitled [to inheritance] than other believers and emigrants according to the Book of Allah unless you do good to your close associates [through bequest]4. This is written in the Record5.
Notes
[3] He (ﷺ) is more worthy of their obedience and loyalty.
[4] A previous ruling that allowed inheritance between Muslims, especially between the Emigrants and the Helpers, was abrogated. Only relatives can inherit from one another now, whereas non-heirs can have a share through a bequest of a deceased, up to one-third of the estate. See 4:7, 11-13, 32-33, 176, 8:75.
[5] i.e., the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfūz).
The Prophet is closer to the believers than their ownselves,3 and his wives are their (believers’) mothers (as regards respect and marriage). And blood relations among each other have closer personal ties in the Decree of Allâh (regarding inheritance) than (the brotherhood of) the believers and the Muhâjirûn (emigrants from Makkah), except that you do kindness to those brothers (when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم joined them in brotherhood ties). This has been written in the (Allâh’s Book of Divine) Decrees - (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz)."
Notes
[3] (V.33:6) Narrated ‘Abdullâh bin Hishâm رضي الله عنه: We were with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and he was holding the hand of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattâb. ‘Umar said to Him. "O Allâh’s Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except my ownself." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete Faith) till I am dearer to you than your ownself." Then ‘Umar said to him, now, by Allâh, you are dearer to me than my ownself." The Prophet said, " Now, O ‘Umar, (now you are a believer)." Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.8, Hadîth No.682).
The Prophet is closer to the believers than their selves, and his wives are (as) their mothers. And the owners of kinship are closer one to another in the ordinance of Allah than (other) believers and the fugitives (who fled from Mecca), except that ye should do kindness to your friends. This is written in the Book (of nature).
The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers. Blood-relations among each other have closer personal ties, in the Decree of Allah. Than (the Brotherhood of) Believers and Muhajirs: nevertheless do ye what is just to your closest friends: such is the writing in the Decree (of Allah).
The Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful than they have on themselves, and his wives are (as) their mothers; and the possessors of relationship have the better claim in the ordinance of Allah to inheritance, one with respect to another, than (other) believers, and (than) those who have fled (their homes), except that you do some good to your friends; this is written in the Book.
The Prophet is (worthier of) patronizing (i.e., mankind the pronoun is plural) the believers than their selves, and his spouses are their mothers; and those related by blood (Literally: related by (brith) wombs; endowed with near kinship) are worthier of patronizing one another (Literally: some of them patronizing some (others) in the Book of Allah than the believers and the emigrants, except that you should perform a beneficent act to your patronized (relatives). That has been inscribed in the Book.
But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muḥammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.
Verses with similar wording
They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.
And those who believed after [the initial emigration] and emigrated and fought with you - they are of you. But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of all things.
And there is no city but that We will destroy it before the Day of Resurrection or punish it with a severe punishment. That has ever been in the Register inscribed.
