427 Page Notes

33 Surah Al-Ahzab (continued)

Page 427 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 427 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 427 of the Quran contains the final section of Surah Al-Ahzab (verses 63 through 73). This segment transitions from eschatological questions (the timing of Judgement Day) to divine warnings against slandering leaders, the command for truthful speech, and the cosmic weight of human moral responsibility (Al-Amanah).

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Several foundational Hadiths explain the historical contexts (Asbab al-Nuzul) and application of these specific verses.

1. Questions Regarding "The Hour" (Verse 63)

"People ask you concerning the Hour. Say, 'Knowledge of it is only with Allah. And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.'"

Hadith Context

Both the polytheists of Mecca (out of mockery) and the Jewish tribes of Medina (as a theological test) frequently demanded that the Prophet reveal the exact date of Judgement Day.

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The definitive Sunnah narrative matching this verse is the famous Hadith of Gabriel, recorded in Sahih Muslim (Hadith 8) and Sahih al-Bukhari. When the Angel Gabriel appeared in human form and explicitly asked, "Tell me about the Hour (when it will come)," the Prophet replied:

"The one questioned about it knows no more than the questioner."

This directly reinforces verse 63—that the date is locked away in divine knowledge (Ghayb), undisclosed even to the closest angels or the final Messenger.

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2. Prohibition of Maligning the Prophet; The Example of Moses (Verse 69)

"O you who have believed, be not like those who abused Moses; then Allah cleared him of what they said. And he, in the sight of Allah, was distinguished."

Historical Context & The Slander of Moses

The Quran warns the believers not to distress Prophet Muhammad the way Bani Isra'il distressed Moses. In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3404), Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet explained the specific abuse Moses faced: Moses was an exceptionally modest man who always bathed completely covered. Some of his people began gossiping, claiming he only hid his body because he suffered from a physical defect or skin disease (like leprosy or a hernia). To clear him, Allah caused a stone to roll away with Moses's clothes while he was bathing privately. As Moses chased the stone past his people, they saw him entirely unblemished.

Direct Application to Prophet Muhammad

The immediate trigger for verse 69 occurred during the Prophet's lifetime when a companion slandered his fairness. Recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3150) and Sahih Muslim, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud narrated:

"The Prophet distributed some spoils of war. A man from the Ansar remarked, 'By Allah, this distribution was not done seeking the pleasure of Allah.' I went to the Prophet and informed him. His face reddened with anger, and he said: 'May Allah show mercy to Moses; he was abused with worse than this, yet he remained patient.'"

3. The Command for Straightforward, Truthful Speech (Verses 70–71)

"O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice / straightforward speech [Qawlan Sadeeda]. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins..."

These verses link speaking the truth directly to spiritual rectification and forgiveness.

Sunnah Implementation

The Prophet established these verses as part of Khutbat al-Hajah (the sermon of need), which he used to open Friday prayers, weddings, and important speeches. As recorded in Sunan an-Nasa'i (Hadith 1404) and Abu Dawud, the Prophet would always recite verses 70 and 71 during this sermon to remind Muslims that a rectified life begins with an honest tongue.

Furthermore, Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6094) records the Prophet reinforcing this exact mechanic:

"Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise... and falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire."

4. Bearing the Divine "Trust" (Verses 72–73)

"Indeed, We offered the Trust [Al-Amanah] to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man undertook to bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant."

The "Trust" (Amanah) is defined by classical commentators via the Sunnah as free will, intellect, and moral accountability—the choice to obey or disobey Allah's law voluntarily.

Hadith Link on the Loss of Trust

The Prophet warned that while humanity accepted this massive responsibility, individuals would gradually compromise it over time. In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6497), Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman narrated:

"The Messenger of Allah observed to us two Hadiths... He told us that the Trust (Amanah) descended into the innermost root of the hearts of men, then they learnt it from the Quran and they learnt it from the Sunnah."

The Prophet went on to describe a dark future landscape where true honesty and moral responsibility would erode to the point where people would say, "In such-and-such a tribe, there is a trustworthy man," because genuine keepers of the cosmic trust would become so exceptionally rare.

References

• Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of the Stories of the Prophets, Book of the Distribution of Spoils, Book of Good Manners).

• Sahih Muslim (Book of Faith, Book of Virtue and Joining Hearts).

• Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of Friday Prayer).

• Ibn Kathir, H. (Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azeem). Exegesis of Surah Al-Ahzab, Verses 63–73.