Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:38
سُورَةُ الرَّعۡدِ · Medinan · Verse 38 of 43
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًۭا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَٰجًۭا وَذُرِّيَّةًۭ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍۢ كِتَابٌۭ
Translation
We sent messengers before you and gave them wives and offspring; no messenger was given the power to produce a miracle except with God’s permission. There was a Scripture for every age:
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wisdom
This verse offers profound insights into the nature of prophethood and the absolute sovereignty of Allah, guiding us to a balanced spiritual life. It addresses common misconceptions about prophets while grounding us in the reality of divine decree.
Prophets Are Human, Families Are Blessed
The verse begins by affirming to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, "And We certainly sent messengers before you and made for them wives and offspring" (وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًۭا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَٰجًۭا وَذُرِّيَّةًۭ). This was revealed to counter criticisms from some who questioned his prophethood due to his marriages. The commentary from al-Qurtubi and others clarifies that this ayah reminds us that prophets, while divinely inspired, were also human beings who lived complete lives, including marriage and family. They were models not just in worship, but in every aspect of life.
This teaches us a vital lesson: piety and spiritual closeness to Allah do not necessitate withdrawing from the world or forsaking family life. Rather, building a family through marriage, raising children, and fulfilling our roles within these relationships can be acts of immense worship and spiritual growth. The scholars highlight this as a core prophetic practice, or *sunnah*, discouraging celibacy and encouraging marriage as a way to complete one's faith and build the Muslim community. It guides us to embrace life's permissible joys and responsibilities with a spiritual intention, seeing them as integral to our journey towards Allah.
Allah Controls All Timings
The second part of the verse declares, "And it was not for any messenger to bring a sign except by Allah's permission. For every term, there is a book" (وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِيَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍۢ كِتَابٌۭ). Here, Allah responds to demands from disbelievers for specific miracles, making it clear that messengers do not operate independently. Miracles, or *ayat*, are signs from Allah, granted only by His will and at His appointed time.
The powerful maxim, "لكل أجل كتاب" (for every term, there is a book), emphasizes Allah's absolute control over all events and their precise timing. Everything, from a messenger's ability to produce a miracle to the unfolding of destiny, is recorded and predetermined by Allah. This teaches us deep lessons in patience and trust, or *tawakkul*, in Allah. We may wish for certain outcomes or expect specific signs, but this verse gently reminds us that Allah's wisdom governs all. Our role is to strive, pray, and then submit to His divine plan and timing, knowing that everything occurs for a reason He has decreed. This perspective fosters contentment and reduces anxiety over things beyond our control, anchoring our hearts in His boundless knowledge and wisdom.
Sources: al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:38 is discussed in 10 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:38 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.