Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Sura Ahzab goes further in verse 35 to mention some outstanding qualities of the believing men and women. The verse states:

34.       Verily the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful, the men and the women who are patient, the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat, and alms, etc.), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast), the men and the women who guard their chastity  and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).

With respect to the above verse, it is stated that after the wives of the Prophet (S.A) were addressed in the previous verses, some women came to them and said, ‘Allah has mentioned you in the Holy Quran and we have not been mentioned in anything. As for us, what mention has been made?’ Upon this, the above verse (i.e. v.35) was revealed in which women were mentioned alongside with men in receiving rewards and blessings for all acts of good deeds. (Tafseer At Tabari vol.22 pg. 15 Published by Dar At Turath Al Arabi Beirut 2001; Tafseer Al Bahrul Muheet vol.8 pg. 479 – Published by Dar Al Fikr Beirut 1992)

Other narrations have stated that Umm Salma (R.A) said to the Prophet (S.A), ‘O Messenger of Allah! The men have been mentioned in everything, but we, the women have not been mentioned?’ Upon this the above verse (v.35) was revealed. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer vol.3 pg. 487 – Published Amjad Academy Lahore Pakistan 1982; Tafseer At Tabari vol.22 pg. 15 Published by Dar At Turath Al Arabi Beirut 2001; Tafseer Al Bahrul Muheet vol.8 pg. 479 – Published by Dar Al Fikr Beirut 1992)

What was referred to in the above requests was the fact that the Quran often used masculine pronouns and figures of speech when addressing the believers (Muminoon). Even though women were referred to in these general verses, they were not specifically addressed.

In the verse, Allah says, ‘Verily the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful, the men and the women who are patient, the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat, and alms, etc.), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast), the men and the women who guard their chastity and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).’

Here, Allah mentions ten beautiful attributes of both males and females, which, if achieved, will gain the forgiveness and rewards from Allah. Allah says, ‘Verily the Muslim men and women’. This is the first quality which is required for a male and a female. One is required to have external submission by confessing with the tongue that one is a Muslim, and by doing good actions with the limbs.

Further Allah says, ‘and the Mumin men and women’. It means that while having external submission with the limbs (which brings about Islam), one must also have an internal conviction and deep-rooted belief in the heart regarding Allah. Both these qualities are essential for one to be a true believer and Muslim. One cannot suffice with only an internal conviction or only a confession with the tongue. Both must be combined for one to be a believer in Islam. He must then follow these with good actions.

Allah goes further to describe some of the good actions and beautiful qualities that the true believers must possess. He says, ‘and the men and women who are obedient to Allah’. After Imaan, obedience to Allah is one of the most outstanding qualities of a believer. Obedience requires one to obey the commandments of Allah in all that He has ordered, and to refrain from the unlawful and prohibited.

The word ‘obedient’ mentioned in the verse is the given translation for the word ‘Qaaniteen’ (plural of Qaanit) which comes from the word ‘Qunoot’. Although this has been translated as being ‘obedient’, the word ‘Qaanit’ expresses a wider meaning and understanding. It refers to one who is fully devoted to Allah in worship and in all acts of obedience. As mentioned by Hafiz Ibn Katheer, ‘Qunoot is to be obedient to Allah (and to worship Him) in peace, tranquillity and devotion’. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer vol.3 pg. 487).

Similarly, Imam Qurtubi has stated, ‘Al Qaanit is the worshipper who is fully obedient to Allah’. (Tafseer Al Qurtubi vol.14 pg. 164). Allama Alusi (A.R) has also written, ‘Al Qaaniteen means those who are constant in Allah’s obedience and establish these in their lives’. (Tafseer Ruhul Ma’ani vol.12 pg. 20 Published Maktaba Imdaadiya Multen Pakistan). Therefore, the quality of the believers that is described above is that they should be fully devoted and constant in the obedience and worship of Allah.

The verse further states, ‘and the men and women who are truthful’. It means that the believers should be truthful in their faith, intentions, speeches and deeds. They should also be truthful in fulfilling their promises, contracts and oaths. Truthfulness is a sign of one’s faith just as lying is a sign of hypocrisy. The believers are therefore required to be truthful in all that they say and do.

Another attribute of the believers who are promised great rewards and blessings from Allah is that of being patient. The verse states, ‘and the men and women who are patient’. It means that the believers are required to be patient in all acts of obedience (to Allah) and must exercise restraint from all those things which are forbidden, unlawful and disliked in Islam. The believers are required to persevere in all acts of goodness and be patient upon that which befalls them of hardships, calamities and difficulties.

While explaining this quality of ‘patience’, the great commentator Hafiz Ibn Katheer (A.R) writes, ‘Sabr (patience) is a characteristic/trait of being well-established (in one’s religion) and it requires one to be patient upon difficulties. One must have the knowledge that whatever is ordained by Allah will occur, hence, one must meet it with patience and endurance.