Sūrah 33 · Medinan

How Sūrah Al-Ahzaab was revealed.

Where and when it came down, what it teaches, and the hadith about it — all on one calm page.

Where revealed Medinan

Revealed in the Madīnan period, after the migration to Madīnah.

Order of revelation #90

Its place in the traditional order in which the sūrahs were revealed.

Length 73 ayahs

9 reading sections in the Muṣḥaf.

The revelation story

How and when it came down.

This Madinan surah addresses the grave challenges faced by the Muslim community during and after the Battle of the Trench, also known as the Battle of the Confederates. Its primary purposes are to expose the nature of the hypocrites; reform foundational social bonds by abolishing the pre-Islamic law of adoption; affirm the sanctity of the Prophet’s household; and legislate intersocial norms to protect the community.

Themes and purpose:

This Madinan surah addresses the grave challenges faced by the Muslim community during and after the Battle of the Trench, also known as the Battle of the Confederates. Its primary purposes are to expose the nature of the hypocrites; reform foundational social bonds by abolishing the pre-Islamic law of adoption; affirm the sanctity of the Prophet’s household; and legislate intersocial norms to protect the community.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Madinan by unanimous agreement, though ayah 36 (revealed in connection with Zaynab bint Jaḥsh’s marriage to Zayd ibn Ḥārithah) must have been revealed in Makkah and then incorporated in this surah later on. The surah was revealed after the Battle of the Confederates (al-Aḥzāb), which has been dated by many to 5 AH. However, the more correct date according to Ibn ʿĀshūr is 4 AH, reported from Imam Mālik.

Context: It was revealed to address the events and aftermath of the great siege of Madinah by the combined Arab "confederates" (al-aḥzāb), and to introduce key social rulings concerning the Prophet (ﷺ) and his family, most notably the abolition of adoption in the case of Zayd ibn Ḥārithah [37].

Order of Revelation: It has been counted as the 90th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Anfāl and before al-Mā’idah.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: "Sūrat al-Aḥzāb" (The Confederates/Parties). It is named for the main event it describes: the gathering of the confederate armies of the Quraysh, Ghaṭafān and others, who besieged Madinah in 4 or 5 AH.

Ayah Count: 73 ayahs by unanimous agreement.

Surah Overview:

  • Prophetic Ethics: Commanding the Prophet ﷺ to obey revelation, rely on Allah, and not yield to the disbelievers and hypocrites; much of the surah is a rebuttal to their harmful speech. [1-3, 48]
  • Abolishing Adoption: The central social ruling, abolishing the pre-Islamic practice of adoption, repudiating ẓihār (declaring one’s wife “as a mother”), and confirming the truth of kinship. [4-5]
  • Prophetic Authority & Kinship Order: Establishing that the Prophet ﷺ has the strongest claim over the believers, that his wives have the sanctity of mothers, and that this divinely ordained connection is weightier than ordinary kinship ties, with inheritance returning to blood-relatives. [6]
  • Recalling the solemn covenant taken from the prophets. [7-8]
  • The Battle of the Trench: Recounting Allah's intervention in the siege, including the dispatch of a wind and angels to defeat the enemies. [9-27]
  • Exposing Hypocrisy: Unmasking the hypocrites’ defeatism, destabilizing talk, and ill-will during the ordeal. [12-20]
  • The Prophet ﷺ as Exemplar: Directing the believers to take the Prophet ﷺ as the model to imitate in trial and obedience. [21]
  • Praising Steadfastness: Commending the believers’ truthfulness and steadfastness in defending the faith, and the constancy of those who strive, give their lives and fulfil their ultimate commitment. [23-24]
  • The Prophet’s Household: Transitioning into rulings on living with the Prophet’s wives, their virtue, and the honor of the Prophet’s family, setting a higher moral standard within the Prophetic home. [28-34]
  • Affirming that the believers’ spiritual virtues and their promised reward apply to believing men and women alike, establishing that the general rule is that all addresses apply to both genders unless specified otherwise. [35]
  • Divine Decree: Affirming that believers have no choice but to submit wholeheartedly once Allah and His Messenger decree a matter. [36]
  • Adoption Abolished in Practice (Zayd and Zaynab): Completing the reform by removing the social taboo exploited by the hypocrites, and sealing the matter with the Prophet’s legislative role and status. [37-40]
  • Dhikr and Gratitude: Stirring the believers to abundant remembrance and glorification of Allah as thanks for guidance and deliverance. [41-44]
  • Marriage/Divorce Law & Prophet-Specific Rulings: Ruling divorce before consummation and Prophet‑specific marriage rulings. [49-52]
  • Etiquette with the Prophet’s Household: Regulating entry to the Prophet’s home and conduct therein, requiring speaking to his wives from behind a screen, clarifying who may enter upon them, and forbidding marriage to them after him. [53-55]
  • Honouring the Prophet: Commanding the believers to send prayers and peace upon the Prophet (ﷺ) as Allah and His angels do. [56]
  • Offending Allah and His Messenger: Threatening those who give offence to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) with Allah’s curse in this world and the Hereafter, and a humiliating punishment. [57]
  • Slandering Believers: Warning those who give offence to believing men and women by baseless accusation, bearing clear sin and calumny. [58]
  • Commanding modest dress for the ladies of the Prophet’s household and all believing women when they go out. [59]
  • Threatening hypocrites and rumor-spreaders who agitate Madinah with fear and false reports, if they do not desist. [60-62]
  • Commanding piety and truthful speech, warning not to be like those who caused offense to Musa, and concluding with the Trust placed upon humanity and its outcome: punishment for hypocrites and polytheists, and mercy for believers. [69-73]

Sūrah background — via the Quran Foundation Content API. Shown as supplied by the provider. We do not edit, summarise or generate it.

Hadith about this sūrah

What the hadith say.

These 40 narrations in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī are connected to specific āyāt of this sūrah — a linkage reviewed by the Quran Foundation. Open any one to read it in full, in Arabic and English.

  1. Relates to āyah5
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2399

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحٌ، عَنْ هِلاَلِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلاَّ وَأَنَا أَوْلَى بِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ اقْرَءُوا إِنْ شِئْتُمْ ‏﴿‏النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ‏﴾‏ فَأَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ مَاتَ وَتَرَكَ مَالاً فَلْيَرِثْهُ عَصَبَتُهُ مَنْ كَانُوا، وَمَنْ تَرَكَ دَيْنًا أَوْ ضَيَاعًا فَلْيَأْتِنِي فَأَنَا مَوْلاَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I am closer to the believers than their selves in this world and in the Hereafter, and if you like, you can read Allah's Statement: "The Prophet (ﷺ) is closer to the believers than their own selves." (33.6) So, if a true believer dies and leaves behind some property, it will be for his inheritors (from the father's side), and if he leaves behind some debt to be paid or needy offspring, then they should come to me as I am the guardian of the deceased."

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4000

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّ أَبَا حُذَيْفَةَ وَكَانَ مِمَّنْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَبَنَّى سَالِمًا، وَأَنْكَحَهُ بِنْتَ أَخِيهِ هِنْدَ بِنْتَ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ ـ وَهْوَ مَوْلًى لاِمْرَأَةٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ ـ كَمَا تَبَنَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَيْدًا، وَكَانَ مَنْ تَبَنَّى رَجُلاً فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ دَعَاهُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْهِ، وَوَرِثَ مِنْ مِيرَاثِهِ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏ادْعُوهُمْ لآبَائِهِمْ‏﴾‏ فَجَاءَتْ سَهْلَةُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَذَكَرَ الْحَدِيثَ‏.‏

    Narrated `Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) Abu Hudhaifa, one of those who fought the battle of Badr, with Allah's Apostle adopted Salim as his son and married his niece Hind bint Al-Wahd bin `Utba to him' and Salim was a freed slave of an Ansari woman. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) also adopted Zaid as his son. In the Prelslamic period of ignorance the custom was that, if one adopted a son, the people would call him by the name of the adopted-father whom he would inherit as well, till Allah revealed: "Call them (adopted sons) By (the names of) their fathers." (33.5)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4103

    حَدَّثَنِي عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، رضى الله عنها ‏﴿‏إِذْ جَاءُوكُمْ مِنْ فَوْقِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَإِذْ زَاغَتِ الأَبْصَارُ‏﴾‏ قَالَتْ كَانَ ذَاكَ يَوْمَ الْخَنْدَقِ‏.‏

    Narrated `Aisha: As regards the following Qur'anic Verse:-- "When they came on you from above and from below you (from east and west of the valley) and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached up to the throats....." (33.10) That happened on the day of Al-Khandaq (i.e. Trench).

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4781

    حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُلَيْحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ هِلاَلِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلاَّ وَأَنَا أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ، اقْرَءُوا إِنْ شِئْتُمْ ‏﴿‏النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ‏﴾‏ فَأَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ تَرَكَ مَالاً فَلْيَرِثْهُ عَصَبَتُهُ مَنْ كَانُوا، فَإِنْ تَرَكَ دَيْنًا أَوْ ضِيَاعًا فَلْيَأْتِنِي وَأَنَا مَوْلاَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There is no believer but I, of all the people, I am the closest to him both in this world and in the Hereafter. Recite if you wish: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) is closer to the believers than their own selves.' (33.6) so if a believer (dies) leaves some property then his relatives will inherit that property; but if he is in debt or he leaves poor children, let those (creditors and children) come to me (that I may pay the debt and provide for the children), for them I am his sponsor (surely).

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4782

    حَدَّثَنَا مُعَلَّى بْنُ أَسَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ الْمُخْتَارِ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سَالِمٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ حَارِثَةَ، مَوْلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا كُنَّا نَدْعُوهُ إِلاَّ زَيْدَ ابْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ حَتَّى نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ ‏﴿‏ادْعُوهُمْ لآبَائِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ‏﴾‏‏.‏

    Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar: We used not to call Zaid bin Haritha the freed slave of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) except Zaid bin Muhammad till the Qu'anic Verse was revealed: "Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers. That is more than just in the Sight of Allah." (33.5)

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  2. Relates to āyah11
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6271

    حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُعْتَمِرٌ، سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يَذْكُرُ، عَنْ أَبِي مِجْلَزٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ لَمَّا تَزَوَّجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةَ جَحْشٍ دَعَا النَّاسَ طَعِمُوا ثُمَّ جَلَسُوا يَتَحَدَّثُونَ ـ قَالَ ـ فَأَخَذَ كَأَنَّهُ يَتَهَيَّأُ لِلْقِيَامِ فَلَمْ يَقُومُوا، فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ قَامَ، فَلَمَّا قَامَ قَامَ مَنْ قَامَ مَعَهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ، وَبَقِيَ ثَلاَثَةٌ، وَإِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم جَاءَ لِيَدْخُلَ فَإِذَا الْقَوْمُ جُلُوسٌ، ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمْ قَامُوا فَانْطَلَقُوا ـ قَالَ ـ فَجِئْتُ فَأَخْبَرْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُمْ قَدِ انْطَلَقُوا، فَجَاءَ حَتَّى دَخَلَ فَذَهَبْتُ أَدْخُلُ، فَأَرْخَى الْحِجَابَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ، وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لاَ تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتَ النَّبِيِّ إِلاَّ أَنْ يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ‏﴾‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ‏﴿‏إِنَّ ذَلِكُمْ كَانَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمًا‏﴾‏‏.‏

    Narrated Anas bin Malik: When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) married Zainab bint Jahsh, he invited the people who took their meals and then remained sitting and talking. The Prophet (ﷺ) pretended to be ready to get up, but the people did not get up. When he noticed that, he got up, and when he had got up, some of those people got up along with him and there remained three (who kept on sitting). Then the Prophet (ﷺ) came back and found those people still sitting. Later on those people got up and went away. So I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him that they had left. The Prophet (ﷺ) came, and entered (his house). I wanted to enter(along with him) but he dropped a curtain between me and him. Allah then revealed: 'O you who believe! Do not enter the Prophet's Houses until leave is given... (to His statement)... Verily! That shall be an enormity, in Allah's sight.' (33.53)

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  3. Relates to āyah21
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 774

    حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَرَأَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيمَا أُمِرَ، وَسَكَتَ فِيمَا أُمِرَ ‏﴿‏وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا‏﴾‏ ‏﴿‏لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ‏﴾‏‏.‏

    Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) recited aloud in the prayers in which he was ordered to do so and quietly in the prayers in which he was ordered to do so. "And your Lord is not forgetful." "Verily there was a good example for you in the ways of the Prophet."

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1101 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1623, 1624 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1627 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1639 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1640 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1645, 1646 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1647 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1693 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1708 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4184 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4911 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5266

The link between each āyah and these narrations is the Quran Foundation's reviewed reference map. The wording is reproduced verbatim from a public-domain edition of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and is not edited, summarised or generated; every narration also opens at Sunnah.com so it can be checked against another copy.