(Revealed after Hijrah)
With this Chapter ends the series of Medinite Surahs which began with Surah Al-Hadid. A part of it may be assigned to the 7th or 8th year of Hijrah and a part of it to a later period, as the incident mentioned therein shows. The preceding Surah had dealt with some aspects of Talaq—permanent separation between husband and wife. The present Surah, however, deals with the subject of temporary separation, that is to say, with cases wherein a man, due to some disagreement or conflict in domestic affairs, temporarily gives up conjugal relations with his wife, or swears not to use a lawful thing. The Surah opens with an injunction addressed personally to the Holy Prophet not to forbid himself the use of things which God has made lawful for him. The specific incident referred to in the opening verse indicates that due to misunderstanding or disagreement that may disturb, though temporarily, domestic harmony and peace, friction might sometimes arise in the otherwise most peaceful atmosphere of even a Prophet’s household. The injunction, which applies to the Holy Prophet as much as to his followers, signifies that in such a case of temporary disharmony extreme measures should not be resorted to. The Holy Prophet’s wives are further warned that they should never lose sight of his very exalted position as God’s Messenger and should not make demands from him which are inconsistent with it. The Surah then tells believers to take care that members of their household do not deviate from the path of rectitude lest they might land themselves into trouble. As the Surah opens with mentioning an incident concerning relationship of the Holy Prophet with his wives, it ends fittingly with a simile, comparing disbelievers to the wives of the Prophets Noah and Lot; and believers to the wife of Pharaoh, and the highly and righteous ones among them, to Mary, mother of Jesus.