Vocabulary
What does taqwa mean?
Being mindful/conscious of Allah, fear of Allah, piety
Which major event provides the context for much of Surah Al-Ahzab?
The Battle of the Trench / Battle of Al-Khandaq.
What is the command in ayah 1?
Fear Allah and obey Him.
What did hypocrites say about the trench situation in ayah 12?
Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion.”
Who is addressed directly in ayat 28–34?
The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Meaning of awlā (أولى) in ayah 6.
“Closer / more entitled.”
Who were the “Ahzab”?
The coalition of Quraysh + tribes + Jews who attacked Madinah.
What does ayah 3 emphasize?
Reliance on Allah (tawakkul).
How did true believers react when they saw the confederates?
Their faith increased; they said “This is what Allah and His Messenger promised.”
What is the reward for obedience for the Prophet’s wives?
Double reward.
Meaning of aḥzāb (الأحزاب).
Confederates/alliances of enemies gathered against the Muslims.
What false practice was abolished in ayat 4–5?
Adoptive attribution (calling adopted children by someone else’s lineage).
What is the main theme in ayah 21?
The Prophet ﷺ is the perfect example (uswah ḥasanah).
What excuse did hypocrites make in ayah 13?
“Our houses are exposed/unprotected.”
What is the punishment mentioned for wrongdoing from the Prophet’s wives?
Double punishment.
Meaning of mubayyināt (مبيّنات).
Clear proofs or clarifying signs.
Why were ayat 28–34 revealed?
When the Prophet’s (ﷺ) wives requested more worldly comfort; Allah commanded them to choose between worldly life or Allah and His Messenger.
What did Allah instruct the Prophet ﷺ to say to his wives in ayah 28?
Choose worldly life or Allah, His Messenger, and the Hereafter.
In ayah 17, what point does Allah make about hypocrites relying on human help?
No one can protect them from Allah if He intends harm.
What special responsibility is mentioned in ayah 34 for the Prophet’s household?
To remember and recite what is recited in their home (Qur’an and wisdom).
Meaning of muslimāt, mu’mināt, qānitāt in ayah 35 (list two out of three).
Muslim women; believing women; devoutly obedient women.
What major social reform is mentioned in ayah 6 regarding the Prophet’s relationship with the believers?
The Prophet (ﷺ) is “closer to the believers than their own selves.”
Ayah 35 lists ten qualities of believers. Name three.
Muslims, believers, obedient, truthful, patient, humble, charitable, fasting, chaste, remembering Allah much.
According to ayah 18–19, list two traits of hypocrites.
They discourage others, are miserly, attend battle only reluctantly, fear the enemy excessively, or wish harm to the believers.
What quality is emphasized repeatedly for the Prophet’s wives in these verses?
Modesty, high moral conduct, exemplary behavior.