Surah At-Tahrim 66:2
سُورَةُ التَّحۡرِيمِ · Medinan · Verse 2 of 12
قَدْ فَرَضَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ تَحِلَّةَ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Translation
He has ordained a way for you [believers] to release you from [such] oaths––God is your helper: He is the All Knowing, the Wise.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a profound statement of divine guidance for believers, establishing how they can navigate the consequences of their oaths. It is Allah speaking directly to the believers, providing a clear ruling and reassurance regarding the breaking of certain vows. The verse outlines that Allah has prescribed a way to resolve oaths through expiation (kaffara), which typically involves feeding or clothing the needy, freeing a slave, or fasting. This guidance comes with the ultimate assurance of Allah's benevolent support and perfect wisdom.
A Firm Declaration
The verse begins with the particle "قَدْ" (qad), which here acts as a powerful affirmation. As Ibn Ashur explains, it's like a definitive declaration, even addressing the Prophet, as if to say, "Certainly, Allah has already made it clear." This isn't because the Prophet was unaware, but to emphasize the legitimacy and ease of taking the prescribed path of expiation. The word "فَرَضَ" (farada) means "He has prescribed" or "made obligatory." While some scholars like Muqatil interpret it as "made clear," the prevailing view, as noted by al-Razi and al-Jalalayn, is that it signifies a divine injunction, an obligatory ruling. It indicates that Allah has established this as a definite command.
Resolving Oaths
The core of this command is "تَحِلَّةَ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ" (tahillata aymanikum), meaning "the resolution of your oaths" or "the means to make your oaths permissible." The word "تحلة" itself, as explained by al-Razi and Ibn Ashur, refers to making something lawful or permissible after it was bound by an oath. It's the mechanism of freeing oneself from a promise made under oath, particularly one that might be difficult to keep or even involve prohibiting something Allah has made lawful. Allah has not left believers without a way out of such predicaments; He has legislated a clear path to rectify these vows through expiation.
Divine Support and Wisdom
The verse concludes with two powerful affirmations: "وَٱللَّهُ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ" (Wallahu Mawlakum; Wa huwa al-'Aleem al-Hakeem). "مَوْلَىٰكُمْ" (Mawlakum) signifies that Allah is your Protector, Supporter, and the One Who manages your affairs, as explained by al-Muyassar and al-Razi. Ibn Ashur highlights that this word also carries a connotation of Allah being the Compassionate Facilitator, desiring ease for His servants. This connection shows *why* Allah provides the mercy of expiation – out of His care and benevolence.
Following this, the mention of "ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ" (al-'Aleem al-Hakeem), the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, serves as a profound reassurance. As al-Zamakhshari states, Allah's knowledge encompasses what truly benefits us, and His wisdom ensures that every command and prohibition is perfectly suited to our well-being. This expiation for oaths is not an arbitrary rule; it is a meticulously crafted solution born from Allah's perfect knowledge of our human limitations and His ultimate wisdom in legislating for our optimal spiritual and practical benefit.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah At-Tahrim 66:2 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah At-Tahrim 66:2 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.