Is Muhammad an Excellent Example?

Qur’an 33:21Qur’an 33:21 · Saheeh InternationalThere has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.Qur’an 33:21 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1) calls Muhammad an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day. The same surah records the marriage to Zaynab after she had been the wife of Zayd, and it lists wives and captives made lawful to him alone. Qur’an 47:19Qur’an 47:19 · Saheeh InternationalSo know, [O Muḥammad], that there is no deity except Allāh and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women. And Allāh knows of your movement and your resting place.Qur’an 47:19 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (3) tells him to ask forgiveness for his sin. 1 Peter 2:221 Peter 2:22 · King James VersionWho did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:1 Peter 2:22 · King James VersionOpen source (5) says Jesus did no sin. Jesus is God.

Key Points

• Qur’an 33:21Qur’an 33:21 · Saheeh InternationalThere has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.Qur’an 33:21 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1), Saheeh International, says there has been in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone who hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.
• Ibn Kathir’s abridgment reads the verse as a command to follow him in words and deeds, given to people who were shaken on the day of the confederates. (4)
• Qur’an 33:37Qur’an 33:37 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [remember, O Muḥammad], when you said to the one on whom Allāh bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allāh," while you concealed within yourself that which Allāh is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allāh has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort [i.e., guilt] concerning the wives of their claimed [i.e., adopted] sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.Qur’an 33:37 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1) says Muhammad told Zayd to keep his wife, while concealing what Allah would disclose, and that when Zayd no longer had need of her, Allah married her to Muhammad.
• Qur’an 33:50Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh InternationalO Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their due compensation and those your right hand possesses from what Allāh has returned to you [of captives] and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet [and] if the Prophet wishes to marry her; [this is] only for you, excluding the [other] believers. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1) makes lawful to the Prophet his wives, those his right hand possesses, named classes of kin, and a believing woman who gives herself to him, and it says this is only for him, excluding the other believers.
• Qur’an 4:24Qur’an 4:24 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allāh upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.Qur’an 4:24 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (2) prohibits married women except those the right hand possesses. Qur’an 47:19Qur’an 47:19 · Saheeh InternationalSo know, [O Muḥammad], that there is no deity except Allāh and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women. And Allāh knows of your movement and your resting place.Qur’an 47:19 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (3) says to ask forgiveness for his sin.
• 1 Peter 2:221 Peter 2:22 · King James VersionWho did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:1 Peter 2:22 · King James VersionOpen source (5) says Jesus did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Was Muhammad Sinless? is the forgiveness command beside that claim.

What Does Verse 21 of Sūrah al-Ahzab Say?

Qur’an 33:21Qur’an 33:21 · Saheeh InternationalThere has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.Qur’an 33:21 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1), Saheeh International:

There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.

Qur’an 33:21 · Saheeh International

Qur’an · accepted by Muslims

The Arabic phrase behind “excellent pattern” is the one readers call uswa hasana. Saheeh International renders it “an excellent pattern”. The verse limits the sentence with “for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day”. It is still a commendation of the Messenger as the pattern.

Ibn Kathir’s abridgment calls the verse an important principle, to follow the Messenger in all his words and deeds, and it sets the command on the day of al-Ahzab, the confederates, when some were anxious and shaken. (4) The tafsir’s setting is patience, guarding, and waiting in that battle. The verse’s words are wider than the battle: an excellent pattern. The confederates are the occasion Ibn Kathir names. The pattern, in the Qur’an’s own surah, is also the marriage in 33:37 and the lawful list in 33:50.

The Marriage to Zaynab

Qur’an 33:37Qur’an 33:37 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [remember, O Muḥammad], when you said to the one on whom Allāh bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allāh," while you concealed within yourself that which Allāh is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allāh has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort [i.e., guilt] concerning the wives of their claimed [i.e., adopted] sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.Qur’an 33:37 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1), Saheeh International, addresses Muhammad. He said to the one on whom Allah and he had bestowed favor to keep his wife and fear Allah, while he concealed within himself what Allah was to disclose. He feared the people, while Allah has more right that he fear him. When Zayd no longer had any need for her, Allah married her to Muhammad, so that believers would have no discomfort about the wives of their adopted sons when those sons no longer have need of them.

The verse names the sequence. Muhammad told Zayd to keep his wife. He concealed something Allah then disclosed. He feared the people. Zayd ended the marriage. Allah married her to Muhammad. The stated reason is a rule for believers about the former wives of adopted sons. The verse does not call the marriage a sin. It does record the concealment and the fear of people, in the same surah that calls him an excellent pattern.

This page does not add a story from a sira that is not quoted here. The documented account of the marriage, in the words above, is the Qur’an. Muhammad’s Wives is the wider list.

Wives and Captives

Qur’an 33:50Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh InternationalO Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their due compensation and those your right hand possesses from what Allāh has returned to you [of captives] and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet [and] if the Prophet wishes to marry her; [this is] only for you, excluding the [other] believers. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1) says Allah has made lawful to the Prophet his wives to whom he has given their due compensation, those his right hand possesses from what Allah has returned to him of captives, the daughters of his paternal and maternal uncles and aunts who emigrated with him, and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet and he wishes to marry her. The verse says this is only for him, excluding the other believers. It says Allah knows what he has made obligatory on them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, and that this allowance is so there will be no discomfort on the Prophet.

Qur’an 4:24Qur’an 4:24 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allāh upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.Qur’an 4:24 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (2) says married women are prohibited except those the right hand possesses. That exception is in the marriage prohibitions. What Does the Qur’an Say About War Captives, Spoils, and Slavery? is the captive law. The excellent-pattern verse does not cancel 33:50. A reader who takes 33:21 as the pattern is taking a pattern that includes this list, including the line that sets the Prophet’s allowance apart from other believers.

Ask Forgiveness for Your Sin

Qur’an 47:19Qur’an 47:19 · Saheeh InternationalSo know, [O Muḥammad], that there is no deity except Allāh and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women. And Allāh knows of your movement and your resting place.Qur’an 47:19 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (3) says to know that there is no deity except Allah, and to ask forgiveness for your sin and for believing men and women. Qur’an 48:2Qur’an 48:2 · Saheeh InternationalThat Allāh may forgive for you what preceded of your sin [i.e., errors] and what will follow and complete His favor upon you and guide you to a straight pathQur’an 48:2 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (3) says Allah may forgive what preceded of his sin and what will follow. Was Muhammad Sinless? quotes those verses. A reading that calls the command humility still has the word sin in the text. An excellent pattern, in 33:21, and a command to ask forgiveness, in 47:19, are both in the Qur’an.

Qur’an 33:40Qur’an 33:40 · Saheeh InternationalMuḥammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allāh and seal [i.e., last] of the prophets. And ever is Allāh, of all things, Knowing.Qur’an 33:40 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1) says Muhammad is not the father of any of their men, but the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. The seal is about finality. It is not a sentence that he did no sin.

Jesus Did No Sin

1 Peter 2:221 Peter 2:22 · King James VersionWho did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:1 Peter 2:22 · King James VersionOpen source (5) says of Jesus, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” John 8:46John 8:46 · King James VersionWhich of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?John 8:46 · King James VersionOpen source (6) has him ask which of them convinces him of sin. Hebrews 4:15Hebrews 4:15 · King James VersionFor we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Hebrews 4:15 · King James VersionOpen source (7) says he was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus is God. The pattern the Gospel holds up is that life, and then the cross. Jesus and Muhammad Compared sets the Qur’an’s titles beside the Gospel’s. Is Jesus God?

The commendation in 33:21 is real. It is what the verse says. The same book records the marriage, the separate allowance, and the command to ask forgiveness. Those sentences are the documented conduct. They are not a later insult added to the verse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Qur’an Chapter 33 Say?

Sūrah 33 is al-Ahzab, the confederates. It includes the excellent pattern in verse 21, the marriage in verse 37, the lawful list in verse 50, the seal of the prophets in verse 40, and the command about outer garments in verse 59. Who Was Muhammad?

What Does Sūrah al-Ahzab Say About Hijab?

Qur’an 33:59Qur’an 33:59 · Saheeh InternationalO Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.Qur’an 33:59 · Saheeh InternationalOpen source (1) tells the Prophet to tell his wives, his daughters, and the women of the believers to draw part of their outer garments over themselves, so they will be known and not abused. Why Do Muslim Women Wear the Hijab? quotes that verse with 24:31. It is a command in this surah. It is not the same sentence as the excellent pattern.

Why Is Sūrah al-Ahzab Important?

Ibn Kathir’s abridgment ties verse 21 to the day the confederates besieged the Muslims, and to following the Messenger when people were shaken. (4) The surah is also the place the Qur’an records the marriage to Zaynab and calls Muhammad the seal of the prophets.

Keep Reading

• Was Muhammad Sinless?
• Jesus and Muhammad Compared
• Who Was Muhammad?
• Muhammad’s Wives
• What Does the Qur’an Say About War Captives, Spoils, and Slavery?
• Why Do Muslim Women Wear the Hijab?
• Is Jesus God?