Surah Al-Ahzab 33:51
سُورَةُ الأَحۡزَابِ · Medinan · Verse 51 of 73
۞ تُرْجِى مَن تَشَآءُ مِنْهُنَّ وَتُـْٔوِىٓ إِلَيْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ وَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَيْتَ مِمَّنْ عَزَلْتَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن تَقَرَّ أَعْيُنُهُنَّ وَلَا يَحْزَنَّ وَيَرْضَيْنَ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْتَهُنَّ كُلُّهُنَّ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَلِيمًۭا
Translation
You may make any of [your women] wait and receive any of them as you wish, but you will not be at fault if you invite one whose turn you have previously set aside: this way it is more likely that they will be satisfied and will not be distressed and will all be content with what you have given them. God knows what is in your hearts: God is all knowing, forbearing.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This profound verse grants the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) a unique discretion regarding his wives. It speaks directly to him, from Allah, about managing his time and companionship with them. This was a special allowance, distinguishing his situation from that of other Muslim men.
The Special Permission
The verse begins, "۞ تُرْجِى مَن تَشَآءُ مِنْهُنَّ وَتُـْٔوِىٓ إِلَيْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ" (You may postpone [the turn of] whom you will among them, and take to yourself whom you will). The word *turji'* (تُرْجِى), meaning 'to delay' or 'postpone,' is contrasted with *tu'wi* (تُـْٔوِىٓ), meaning 'to take in' or 'lodge close,' as scholars like al-Razi and Ibn Ashur explain. This refers specifically to the division of nights or companionship among his wives. The permission meant the Prophet was not strictly obligated to divide his time equally among them, a duty that applies to other Muslim husbands.
Then the verse adds, "وَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَيْتَ مِمَّنْ عَزَلْتَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكَ" (And whoever you seek of those you have set aside, there is no blame upon you). This clarifies that if the Prophet had chosen to delay a wife's turn (*azalt*), he was not bound by that decision permanently. He could, at any time, choose to restore her turn or seek her companionship, and there would be no fault on him. Ibn Ashur notes this flexibility means his previous decision to 'set aside' was not a binding legal constraint.
The Wisdom of the Wording
The verse continues, "ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن تَقَرَّ أَعْيُنُهُنَّ وَلَا يَحْزَنَّ وَيَرْضَيْنَ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْتَهُنَّ كُلُّهُنَّ" (That is closer to their eyes being cooled, and their not grieving, and their all being pleased with what you have given them). Here, the wording points to the deeper wisdom behind this divine allowance. Ibn Ashur explains that this flexibility, particularly the ability to restore a wife's companionship after having set her aside, is what truly brings contentment (*qurratu a'yun* - literally, 'cooling of eyes'), prevents sadness (*la yahzanna*), and fosters satisfaction among *all* of them (*kulluhunna*). It allows the Prophet (peace be upon him) to show his care and kindness, ensuring that no wife felt permanently neglected. This aligns with his known character of always choosing the most virtuous and compassionate path, even when not strictly required. The use of "all of them" emphasizes a collective sense of peace and acceptance.
Allah's All-Encompassing Knowledge
The verse concludes with a powerful reminder: "وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَلِيمًۭا" (And Allah knows what is in your hearts, and Allah is Ever-Knowing, Ever-Forbearing). This phrase is a comprehensive statement for everyone involved: the Prophet, his wives, and indeed all believers. As al-Razi and al-Zamakhshari note, Allah knows the innermost feelings and inclinations concerning these matters. He is *Alim* (All-Knowing), fully aware of every hidden thought and sentiment. And He is *Halim* (Forbearing), not rushing to punish even when hearts might harbor displeasure. This serves as both an encouragement for the Prophet to act with the utmost kindness and a subtle caution for the wives to maintain sincere contentment, knowing their inner states are fully transparent to their Lord.
Ultimately, this verse, while granting a special permission to the Prophet (peace be upon him), subtly encourages a standard of compassion and justice that brings peace to all hearts involved, mirroring Allah's own perfect knowledge and forbearance.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Ahzab 33:51 is discussed in 4 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Ahzab 33:51 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.