This is the tenth and last of the series of short Medina Suras which began with Sura 57: See the Introduction to that Sura. The point dealt with here is: How far the turning away from sex or the opposition of one sex against another or a want of harmony between the sexes may injure the higher interest of society.
The date may be taken to be somewhere about A.H. 7.
Summary.-The failings of the weaker sex should not turn away men from normal social life: Harmony and mutual confidence should be taught and enforced, and Allah's blessing will descend on the virtuous even if their lot is cast with the wicked. (Verses 1 to 12 and commentary C.245).
C.245-(Verses 1 to 12)-The relations between the sexes are embittered by misunderstandings and conflicts that produce unhappiness and misery, personal and social. Harmony and confidence are due between the sexes, not disgust or isolation, which may please some but cause injustice to others. Respect each other's confidence, and if you fail, repent and make amends. The good man seeks virtue for himself and his family. If Evil is yoked to Good, it must take the fruit of its own deeds; the worldly tie will profit naught; but Good should firmly make a stand and will be saved, for Allah doth care for all His true devoted Servants.
66:1 SURA 66. Tahrim, or Holding (something) to be Forbidden. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. O Prophet! Why holdest thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to thee? Thou seekest to please thy consorts. But Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
66:2 Allah has already ordained for you, (O men), the dissolution of your oaths (in some cases): And Allah is your Protector, and He is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.
66:3 When the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his consorts, and she then divulged it (to another), and Allah made it known to him, he confirmed part thereof and repudiated a part. Then when he told her thereof, she said, "Who told thee this?" He said, "He told me Who knows and is well acquainted (with all things. )"
66:4 If ye two turn in repentance to Him, your hearts are indeed so inclined; but if ye back up each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe, -- and furthermore, the angels -- will back (him) up.
66:5 It may be, if he divorced you (all), that Allah will give him in exchange Consorts better than you, -- who submit (their wills), who believe, who are devout, who turn to Allah in repentance, who worship (in humility), who travel (for Faith) and fast, -- previously married or virgins.
66:6 O ye who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive fro Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.
66:7 (They will say), "O ye Unbelievers! Make no excused this Day! Ye are being but requited for all that ye did!"
66:8 Section 2. O ye who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance: In the hope that your Lord will remove from you your ills and admit you to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, -- the Day that Allah will not permit to be humiliated the Prophet and those who believe with him. Their Light will run forward before them and by their right hands, while they say, "Our Lord! Perfect our Light for us, and grant us Forgiveness: For Thou hast power over all things. "
66:9 O Prophet! Strive hard against the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell -- an evil refuge (indeed).
66:10 Allah sets forth for an example to the Unbelievers, the wife of Noah and the wife of Lut: They were (respectively) under two of Our righteous servants, but they were false to their (husbands), and they profited nothing before Allah on their account, but were told: "Enter ye the Fire along with (others) that enter!"
66:11 And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh: Behold she said: "O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong";
66:12 And Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of his Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants).
