Table Of Contents

Meet the Key Figures in Surah Tahrim: Roles, Significance & Takeaways

This Character Compendium provides a definitive resource on the key figures, archetypes, and groups within Surah At-Tahrim, the 66th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. A Madinan Surah, its name, “The Prohibition,” is derived from its opening verses, which address a specific incident within the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ household to deliver universal lessons on family life, the sanctity of divine law, and the nature of true allegiance. The chapter powerfully contrasts two examples of disbelieving wives of righteous prophets with two examples of believing women who lived under tyrannical or challenging circumstances, emphasizing that ultimate salvation is based on individual faith and piety, not kinship. Each character card delves into the specific portrayal of these figures, extracting the timeless lessons on repentance, loyalty, and the ultimate accountability of all souls.

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Al-Mu’minun (The Believers)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Mu’minun, the believers, are the sincere followers of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In this Surah, they are the community that is being addressed directly and given profound guidance on protecting their families and on the nature of sincere repentance.

Role in the Surah

The believers are the recipients of a direct and urgent command regarding their family responsibilities. They are instructed to take proactive measures to save their families from the Hellfire: “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” (At-Tahrim, 66:6). They are also called to a specific and pure form of repentance: “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.” (66:8).

Personality & Attributes

The Believers are the archetype of the **responsible and repentant servant**. They are characterized by their sense of duty towards their families’ spiritual well-being and their understanding of the need for constant, sincere repentance. They are the ones who are promised a great light and entry into Paradise on the Day of Judgment.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer’s responsibility is not just for their own salvation, but also includes the duty to guide and protect their family from the Fire.
• Sincere repentance (Tawbatan Nasuha) is a key to having one’s sins forgiven and being admitted into Paradise.
• True faith is proactive and involves both safeguarding oneself and one’s family from spiritual harm.

Supporting References

The command to “protect yourselves and your families” is a cornerstone of the Islamic understanding of family. It establishes the head of a household as a shepherd who is responsible for the spiritual flock under their care. This duty is fulfilled through teaching, encouragement, and setting a righteous example.

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Allah (The One God)

Brief Biography / Background

Allah is the proper name for the One, True God, the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all existence. Surah At-Tahrim is a powerful testament to His role as the All-Knowing Lawgiver, the Protector of His Prophet, and the just Judge who evaluates every soul individually.

Role in the Surah

Allah is the ultimate authority and actor in the Surah. He is the one who gently but firmly corrects His Prophet for making something lawful unlawful. He is the ultimate Knower of the secrets that were exchanged between the Prophet’s wives. He is the Protector (Maula) of the Prophet, alongside Jibril and the righteous believers. He is the one who commands the believers to protect their families and to make sincere repentance. He is the one who presents the four powerful examples of the wives of Nuh, Lut, Pharaoh, and the example of Maryam, to establish the principle of individual accountability.

Personality & Attributes

This Surah magnificently illustrates Allah’s attributes:

• Al-‘Alim al-Hakim (The All-Knowing, the All-Wise): He is aware of all secrets and His legislation is perfectly wise.
• Al-Ghafur ar-Rahim (The Forgiving, the Merciful): He is the one to whom sincere repentance is made.
• Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful): He is able to replace the Prophet’s wives with better ones if He wills.
• Al-‘Adl (The Just): His judgment is perfectly just, based on individual faith, not on kinship.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The laws of Allah are sacred, and not even a prophet has the authority to change what Allah has made lawful.
• Allah is the ultimate Protector of His righteous servants.
• The principle of divine justice is absolute; every soul will be judged on its own merits, and no family relationship can save a disbeliever.

Supporting References

The Surah is a profound lesson in the divine order. It shows that even the most intimate affairs of the Prophet’s household are under the direct watch and guidance of Allah, and the events that take place within it are used as a means of revealing timeless and universal laws for the entire Muslim Ummah.

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The Angels (Mala’ikah)

Brief Biography / Background

The Angels (Mala’ikah) are beings of light who are the perfectly obedient servants of Allah. They carry out His commands with perfect precision and without any hesitation. In this Surah, a specific group of angels are mentioned as the guardians of Hell.

Role in the Surah

The Angels are described as the formidable and unyielding guardians of the Hellfire. They are mentioned in the context of the command to the believers to protect their families from the Fire. The nature of these guardians is detailed to instill a profound sense of awe and fear: “…over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe, who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.” (At-Tahrim, 66:6).

Personality & Attributes

The Angels of Hell are the archetype of **perfect, stern, and unyielding obedience**. They are characterized by their harshness (“ghilazun shidadun”) towards the inhabitants of the Fire. They are completely devoid of any compassion for the damned, as their sole nature is to implement the command of the just King with perfect precision.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The punishment of the Hereafter will be carried out by powerful and severe beings who will not be swayed by any plea.
• The perfect obedience of the angels is a model for the believers. We should strive to be as quick and precise in our obedience to Allah’s commands.
• This terrifying description of the guardians of Hell should be a powerful motivation for a believer to protect themselves and their families from ever having to encounter them.

Supporting References

The description of them as “not disobeying Allah in what He commands them” is a powerful one. It contrasts their perfect obedience with the defiant disobedience of the disbelievers who are their prisoners. It is a scene of perfect justice being carried out by perfectly obedient servants.

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The Believing Women (as a general category)

Brief Biography / Background

The Believing Women (Al-Mu’minat) are the archetype of the righteous female members of the Muslim community. The Surah outlines a series of noble qualities that would define them, presenting an ideal to which they should aspire.

Role in the Surah

This group is mentioned in a powerful hypothetical scenario. Allah tells the wives of the Prophet that if he were to divorce them, their Lord could easily replace them with women who are better. The Surah then lists a comprehensive set of nine praiseworthy characteristics for these ideal women: “Muslims, believers, devoutly obedient, repentant, worshippers, travelers [for fasting or faith], previously married and virgins.” (At-Tahrim, 66:5).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by a **holistic and balanced righteousness**. The list of their qualities covers every aspect of a pious life: their submission (Muslims), their inner conviction (believers), their obedience (devoutly obedient), their relationship with God (repentant, worshippers, fasters), and their marital status. They are the model of the ideal female believer.

Major Lessons & Morals

• This verse provides a clear and comprehensive checklist of the most praiseworthy qualities for a believing woman.
• A Muslim woman should strive to embody all of these characteristics in her life.
• The verse honors women of all marital statuses—both previously married and virgins—as being equally capable of achieving this high rank of piety.

Supporting References

This list of attributes is one of the most detailed and comprehensive descriptions of the ideal female character in the Qur’an. It serves as a source of honor and a clear guide for all Muslim women, showing them the qualities that are most beloved to Allah and His Messenger.

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The Disbelievers (Al-Kafirun)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Kafirun, the disbelievers, are those who reject the clear message of Allah and deny the truth of His prophets. They are the ones who are in a state of open opposition to the faith and who will face a terrible reckoning in the Hereafter.

Role in the Surah

The disbelievers are addressed with a direct command from the Prophet ﷺ, who is told to strive against them. They are also the ones for whom the two disbelieving wives—the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut—are presented as an “example.” Their story proves that kinship with a prophet is of no use if one is a disbeliever. On the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will be told: “O you who have disbelieved, make no excuses this Day. You are only being recompensed for what you used to do.” (66:7).

Personality & Attributes

The Disbelievers are the archetype of the **unjust and the ultimately lost**. They are characterized by their treachery (like the wives of Nuh and Lut) and their ultimate state of having no helper or protector. Their excuses will be rendered useless on the Day of Judgment.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Disbelief is the ultimate cause of a person’s ruin, regardless of their family connections.
• On the Day of Judgment, all excuses will be futile, and every soul will be recompensed precisely for its own deeds.
• The stories of the past are a powerful warning to the disbelievers of the present.

Supporting References

The examples of the wives of Nuh and Lut are a powerful and direct refutation of the disbelievers’ reliance on kinship. The pagan Arabs took great pride in their lineage. This Surah teaches that in the court of divine justice, the only “lineage” that matters is the lineage of faith and righteous deeds.

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The Dwellers of the Fire

Brief Biography / Background

The Dwellers of the Fire are those who, due to their disbelief and unrepented sins, are destined for the abode of punishment in the Hereafter. They are the ones for whom the Fire is a permanent and wretched home.

Role in the Surah

The Fire is mentioned as the ultimate destination that believers must strive to protect themselves and their families from. It is described as a fire whose fuel is **”people and stones.”** (66:6). It is the place to which the wives of Nuh and Lut were told to “enter with those who enter.” It is the abode from which the wife of Pharaoh prayed to be saved.

Personality & Attributes

This group represents the archetype of the **ultimate loser and the eternally punished**. They are characterized by their state of loss and their permanent residence in a place of torment, guarded by harsh and severe angels.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The punishment of Hell is a terrifying reality that a believer should fear and strive to avoid.
• The primary duty of a believer is to take all necessary means to save themselves and their families from this terrible fate.
• The Qur’an’s descriptions of Hell are a mercy, a powerful warning designed to save people from this wretched destination.

Supporting References

The Surah presents a very practical path to salvation from the Fire: sincere repentance (tawbatan nasuha). The one who repents sincerely is the one who is promised the forgiveness of their sins and entry into the Gardens, the very opposite of the abode of the Fire.

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The Dwellers of Paradise

Brief Biography / Background

The Dwellers of Paradise are the righteous believers who are destined for an eternal life of bliss in the Hereafter. They are the ones who make sincere repentance and whose faith is firm.

Role in the Surah

Their state on the Day of Judgment is described with a beautiful and hopeful image of light. They are the ones whose sins will be removed and who will be admitted into **”gardens beneath which rivers flow.”** On that Day, their light will be seen proceeding before them and on their right, and they will be making a final prayer: “Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.” (At-Tahrim, 66:8).

Personality & Attributes

This group represents the archetype of the **successful, the forgiven, and the hopeful**. They are characterized by their humility even in their moment of triumph. Despite having their own light, they still pray for its perfection and for the completion of their forgiveness, a sign of their profound and continuous reliance on the mercy of their Lord.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The ultimate success is to be counted among the Companions of the Garden.
• A believer’s journey of seeking light and forgiveness continues even into the Hereafter. One should never feel that they have achieved a state of perfection.
• This beautiful prayer is a model for the believers to use in this life, asking Allah to perfect their light of guidance and to forgive their shortcomings.

Supporting References

The image of their “light proceeding before them and on their right” is a recurring one in the Qur’an. It is a physical manifestation of the light of Iman (faith) and the Qur’an that was in their hearts in this world. It is this light that will guide them through the darkness of the Day of Judgment to their final home in Paradise.

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Fir’awn (Pharaoh)

Brief Biography / Background

Fir’awn, Pharaoh, the king of ancient Egypt, is the ultimate Qur’anic archetype of the arrogant and tyrannical ruler. He was a man so deluded by his worldly power that he oppressed his people and was one of the greatest enemies of God.

Role in the Surah

Pharaoh is mentioned as the ultimate example of a tyrannical and disbelieving man, from whom the believing wife (Asiya) sought salvation. Her prayer was to be saved from him and his evil deeds. “My Lord… save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.” (At-Tahrim, 66:11).

Personality & Attributes

Fir’awn is the embodiment of **extreme arrogance, tyranny, and disbelief**. He represents the ultimate corrupting environment. His “deeds” are the epitome of transgression. He is the leader of the “wrongdoing people.”

Major Lessons & Morals

• The story of Pharaoh is a timeless lesson that no matter how mighty a tyrant seems, their power is nothing before the power of Allah.
• A believer must disassociate themselves not only from evil people but also from their evil deeds.
• The presence of a tyrant like Pharaoh in her life did not prevent his wife from attaining one of the highest stations of faith, proving that a person is not defined by their circumstances.

Supporting References

His story, when contrasted with that of his wife, provides one of the most powerful juxtapositions in the Qur’an. He, the most powerful man on earth, became one of the lowest of the low in Hell. She, his oppressed wife, became one of the highest of the high in Paradise. It is the ultimate reversal of worldly fortunes and the ultimate testament to the true standard of worth in the sight of Allah.

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The Forgiving Lord

Brief Biography / Background

The Forgiving Lord is an archetype representing Allah in His specific role as Al-Ghafur, the one who forgives the sins of His servants when they turn to Him in sincere repentance. This is a central attribute of His mercy.

Role in the Surah

This attribute of Allah is the hope that is offered to the believers who have sinned. After commanding them to make a “sincere repentance,” the Surah gives the beautiful promise: “Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens…” (At-Tahrim, 66:8). The forgiveness of the Lord is the direct outcome of the sincere repentance of the servant.

Personality & Attributes

The Forgiving Lord is the archetype of **boundless mercy and hope**. He is the one who accepts the turning of His servants and who not only forgives their sins but replaces them with the ultimate reward of Paradise. He is the ultimate source of all pardon.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should never despair of Allah’s mercy, as He is the Forgiving Lord.
• The key to unlocking this forgiveness is “tawbatan nasuha” – a repentance that is sincere, pure, and resolute.
• The forgiveness of sins is the necessary first step before one can be admitted into the purity of Paradise.

Supporting References

The use of the word “‘asa” (perhaps) is a point of great subtlety. It is not to express doubt on the part of Allah, but is to instill in the believer a perfect state of being between fear and hope. The believer should sincerely repent, and then hope that their Lord, in His mercy, will accept it. This balance is at the heart of a sincere relationship with God.

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Jibril `عليه السلام`

Brief Biography / Background

Jibril (Gabriel) is the archangel responsible for delivering divine revelation to all the prophets. He is the greatest of the angels and is described as possessing immense power and a noble station with Allah.

Role in the Surah

Jibril is mentioned by name as the primary supporter and protector of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, alongside Allah Himself. After Allah rebukes the two conspiring wives, He gives them a stern warning, reminding them of the powerful allies who stand with the Prophet: “But if you cooperate against him – then indeed, Allah is his protector, and Gabriel and the righteous of the believers and the angels, moreover, are [his] assistants.” (At-Tahrim, 66:4).

Personality & Attributes

Jibril is the archetype of the **powerful and loyal divine supporter**. He is characterized by his role as the primary guardian of the Prophet from the angelic realm. His mention by name, immediately after Allah, is a sign of his immense honor and his special relationship with the final Prophet.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should have a firm conviction that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his cause are under the direct protection of Allah and His greatest angels.
• This verse is a powerful warning against anyone who would seek to harm or conspire against the Prophet or his legacy.
• The story shows that the believer is part of a grand alliance that includes not only the righteous on earth but also the mighty forces of the heavens.

Supporting References

The listing of the Prophet’s supporters is a powerful rhetorical device that builds in intensity. It begins with the ultimate protector, Allah. It is followed by the greatest of the angels, Jibril. It is then followed by all the righteous believers, and then by all the other angels. This creates an image of a vast and invincible coalition of support for the Prophet, making any conspiracy against him seem utterly foolish and futile.

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Lut `عليه السلام`

Brief Biography / Background

Lut (عليه السلام), Lot, was a prophet of Allah and the nephew of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام). He was sent to the people of Sodom, a community that had become infamous for their sexual perversion and social corruption. He was a righteous servant who stood for purity in a depraved land.

Role in the Surah

Lut is presented as one of the two examples of a righteous prophet whose disbelieving wife was not saved by his piety. His story is a powerful lesson in individual accountability. He is described as one of the “two righteous servants from among Our servants,” but his wife betrayed him. On the Day of Judgment, their kinship was of no use to her at all.

Personality & Attributes

Lut is the archetype of the **righteous servant whose piety cannot save a treacherous relative**. He is characterized by his righteousness and his status as a chosen servant of God. His story is a testament to the fact that faith is a personal choice and salvation is not transferable.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Kinship with even the most righteous of people is no guarantee of salvation.
• Every soul is responsible for its own choices, and a disbeliever will not be saved by the faith of their spouse or family.
• The story of Lut and his wife is a powerful and timeless warning against hypocrisy and betrayal.

Supporting References

By presenting his story alongside the story of Nuh and his wife, the Surah establishes a clear and undeniable principle. These two examples, from two different eras of prophetic history, prove that the divine law of individual accountability is a consistent and unchangeable one. No one can lean on the righteousness of another on the Day of Judgment.

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Maryam (Mary) `عليها السلام`

Brief Biography / Background

Maryam (عليها السلام), Mary, is the pure and chaste virgin mother of Prophet ‘Isa (عليه السلام). She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an and is held up as the ultimate example of female piety, chastity, and submission to God.

Role in the Surah

Maryam is presented as the supreme positive example of a believing woman, a model for all believers to emulate. Her story is the final and culminating example in the Surah. She is described with three defining qualities: 1) “the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity,” 2) “so We breathed into it of Our spirit,” 3) “and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.” (At-Tahrim, 66:12).

Personality & Attributes

Maryam is the ultimate archetype of **purity, faith, and devout obedience**. She is characterized by her perfect chastity, her unwavering belief in the divine word (both the creative word that brought ‘Isa into being and the revealed scriptures), and her state of being “qanitin” (devoutly obedient), a quality of the highest rank of worshippers.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The story of Maryam is a testament to the high honor that Allah can bestow upon a righteous and chaste woman.
• True faith is not just a feeling, but a deep and sincere belief in the “words of your Lord and His scriptures.”
• A believer should strive to be among the “qanitin,” those whose obedience is constant, humble, and sincere.

Supporting References

Her story, paired with that of the wife of Pharaoh, provides the two ultimate models of female piety for the believers. The wife of Pharaoh is the model of steadfastness against external tyranny. Maryam is the model of steadfastness against an internal trial and a social accusation. Together, they represent a complete picture of female spiritual excellence.

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Nuh `عليه السلام`

Brief Biography / Background

Nuh (عليه السلام) is one of the five greatest messengers of “strong resolve.” He is known for his monumental patience, having preached to his people for 950 years in the face of mockery and stubborn disbelief. He was a righteous and chosen servant of God.

Role in the Surah

Nuh is presented as one of the two examples of a righteous prophet whose disbelieving wife was not saved by his piety. His story is a powerful lesson in individual accountability. He is described as one of the “two righteous servants from among Our servants,” but his wife betrayed him. The Surah states that their righteous husbands “availed them not from Allah at all,” and she was told to enter the Fire.

Personality & Attributes

Nuh is the archetype of the **righteous servant whose piety cannot save a treacherous relative**. He is characterized by his righteousness (‘abdain salihain). His story is a testament to the fact that faith is a personal choice and salvation is not transferable through kinship.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Kinship with even the most righteous of people is no guarantee of salvation.
• Every soul is responsible for its own choices, and a disbeliever will not be saved by the faith of their spouse or family.
• The story of Nuh and his wife is a powerful and timeless warning against hypocrisy and betrayal.

Supporting References

By presenting his story alongside the story of Lut and his wife, the Surah establishes a clear and undeniable principle. These two examples, from two different eras of prophetic history, prove that the divine law of individual accountability is a consistent and unchangeable one. No one can lean on the righteousness of another on the Day of Judgment.

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The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

Brief Biography / Background

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the final messenger of Allah, to whom the Qur’an was revealed. Surah At-Tahrim was revealed in Madinah, and it addresses him directly concerning a specific incident in his household, using it as a basis for universal and timeless lessons.

Role in the Surah

He is the “Prophet” who is addressed in the opening verse. He had made a prohibition upon himself regarding something that Allah had made lawful, in order to please his wives. The Surah begins with a gentle but clear correction for this act: “O Prophet, why do you prohibit what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (66:1). He is also the one whose secret was exposed by one wife to another, a matter which Allah made known to him. He is the one who is the ultimate protector of the believers, and whom Allah, Jibril, and the angels support.

Personality & Attributes

He is the archetype of the **beloved and divinely-guided leader**. He is characterized by his desire to please his family, a human and compassionate trait. The Surah’s opening is a testament to his high rank; it is a loving correction, not a harsh rebuke. He is also shown to be under the direct protection and support of the entire heavenly host.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The authority to make things lawful (halal) and unlawful (haram) belongs to Allah alone. Not even the Prophet has the right to change the divine law.
• A leader’s personal life can be the source of public legislation and timeless lessons for their community.
• A believer must have the utmost love and respect for the Prophet, recognizing that he is under the direct protection of Allah.

Supporting References

The specific incident is narrated in the books of hadith and tafsir. It concerned the Prophet taking an oath to abstain from either honey or from relations with one of his wives, in order to placate some of his other wives. The verses were revealed to dissolve his oath and to establish the principle that no one can prohibit what Allah has permitted, a cornerstone of Islamic law.

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The Repentant Wives

Brief Biography / Background

The Repentant Wives are the archetype of the believer who, after making a mistake and participating in a conspiracy, is called to sincere repentance. This refers specifically to the two wives of the Prophet who had conspired together in the incident that occasioned the Surah’s revelation.

Role in the Surah

They are addressed directly with a call to turn back to Allah. “If you two repent to Allah, [it is best], for your hearts have deviated. But if you cooperate against him…” (At-Tahrim, 66:4). Their role is to be a lesson in the importance of repentance and the danger of conspiring against the Prophet. The Surah offers them a clear path back to the pleasure of God, which is through sincere tawbah.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **human fallibility and its capacity for redemption**. Their hearts had “deviated” (saghat), a sign of a temporary lapse. The verse does not condemn them as hypocrites, but calls them to repent, acknowledging that as believers, the door of forgiveness is open to them.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Even sincere believers can make mistakes and fall into sin, especially sins born of jealousy.
• The correct and immediate response to any sin is sincere repentance to Allah.
• The mercy of Allah is vast, and His call to repentance is an open invitation for His servants to rectify their mistakes.

Supporting References

The two wives are identified in the hadith literature as ‘Aisha and Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with them). Their story is a powerful and very human one, and the Qur’an’s treatment of it is a lesson in divine wisdom. It acknowledges the mistake, corrects it, warns of the consequences, but ultimately leaves the door of repentance and mercy wide open. Their high status as Mothers of the Believers was not diminished by this temporary lapse for which they sincerely repented.

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The Righteous Servants of Allah

Brief Biography / Background

The Righteous Servants of Allah (‘Ibadina as-Salihin) are the archetype of the true and sincere believers. In this Surah, this specific title is given to the prophets Nuh and Lut, highlighting their piety and their status as chosen servants of God.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to be the righteous husbands whose piety was of no benefit to their disbelieving wives. The Surah states that the wives of Nuh and Lut were married to “two righteous servants from among Our servants,” but they betrayed them. (66:10). The righteousness of the husbands could not save their disloyal wives.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **righteousness (salah) and piety**. They are the models of faith and steadfastness. They are the ones who are on the side of Allah, even when their own closest family members are on the side of disbelief.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer’s primary focus should be on their own righteousness and their relationship with Allah.
• The piety of a person is a personal achievement that cannot be transferred to another, even a spouse.
• This serves as a powerful reminder that we must all strive for our own salvation and not rely on the piety of our family members.

Supporting References

The contrast between the “righteous servants” and their treacherous wives is the central point of the first parable. It definitively establishes the principle of individual accountability. The title “‘abdain salihain” (two righteous servants) is a testament to the high rank of Nuh and Lut, making their wives’ betrayal all the more tragic and blameworthy.

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The Sincere Repentance (Tawbatan Nasuha)

Brief Biography / Background

Tawbatan Nasuha is the Qur’anic term for the most sincere, pure, and resolute form of repentance. It is not just a feeling of regret, but a firm and decisive turning back to Allah with the intention of never returning to the sin.

Role in the Surah

The believers are commanded to perform this specific and high-level form of repentance. “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance (tawbatan nasuha).” (At-Tahrim, 66:8). This command is presented as the direct path to the forgiveness of sins and entry into Paradise.

Personality & Attributes

Sincere Repentance is the archetype of a **transformative and purifying act**. It is characterized by its sincerity (“nasuh”). It is the act that washes away the darkness of sin and allows the “light” of the believer to shine forth on the Day of Judgment. It is the key to salvation.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer’s repentance should not be half-hearted or temporary, but should be a sincere and resolute commitment to change.
• The reward for this high level of repentance is the complete expiation of sins and the ultimate success of Paradise.
• The door to this sincere repentance is always open, a constant manifestation of the mercy of Allah.

Supporting References

Scholars have defined the conditions of *Tawbatan Nasuha* as: 1) Leaving the sin immediately. 2) Feeling deep remorse for having committed it. 3) Having a firm resolve never to return to it. 4) If the sin involved the rights of another person, to restore those rights. This verse commands this complete and holistic form of repentance as the path to forgiveness.

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The Two Conspiring Wives

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the believers who, out of human weakness and jealousy, conspire together in a way that causes distress to their leader and husband, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This refers specifically to two of the Mothers of the Believers.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to be the subject of a direct divine rebuke and a call to repentance. Their conspiracy, which involved a secret they were meant to keep, was exposed by Allah to His Prophet. They are addressed directly: “If you two repent to Allah, [it is best], for your hearts have deviated. But if you cooperate against him…” (At-Tahrim, 66:4). They are warned that the Prophet is not alone, but has Allah, Jibril, the righteous believers, and all the angels as his supporters.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **jealousy and conspiratorial behavior**. Their hearts had “deviated” or “inclined” (saghat), a term that suggests a temporary lapse, not a state of permanent corruption. They are a lesson in the human fallibility of even the most pious of people.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Jealousy is a dangerous disease of the heart that can lead even righteous people to make mistakes.
• Conspiring against a fellow believer, and especially against the Prophet, is a grave sin that requires immediate repentance.
• The story is a powerful reminder that the personal lives of the righteous are also an arena for spiritual tests.

Supporting References

The hadith literature identifies the two wives as ‘Aisha and Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with them). The incident revolved around a pact they made concerning the Prophet’s consumption of honey. The Qur’an’s treatment of the incident is a model of divine wisdom. It corrects their behavior with a stern warning, but does so in a way that preserves their honor and leaves the door to repentance wide open, befitting their high status as Mothers of the Believers.

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The Wife of Lut

Brief Biography / Background

The wife of Prophet Lut (عليه السلام) was a member of the prophet’s household but was not a true believer. She was inwardly sympathetic to the corrupt people of the city and their wicked practices. She is a prime Qur’anic example of betrayal from within.

Role in the Surah

She is presented as one of the two prime examples of a disbeliever for whom kinship to a prophet was of no benefit. “Allah presents an example of those who disbelieved: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous servants but betrayed them, so they [their husbands] did not avail them from Allah at all…” (At-Tahrim, 66:10).

Personality & Attributes

She is the archetype of the **traitor and the hypocrite**. She enjoyed the protection and status of being a prophet’s wife while secretly siding with the enemies of God. Her character demonstrates a profound lack of loyalty and a heart that was attached to a sinful way of life. Her “betrayal” was in her disbelief and her support for her corrupt people.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Kinship with even the most righteous of people is no guarantee of salvation.
• Every soul is responsible for its own choices, and a disbeliever will not be saved by the faith of their spouse or family.
• The story of Lut and his wife is a powerful and timeless warning against hypocrisy and betrayal.

Supporting References

Tradition holds that her betrayal was in signaling to the wicked men of the city whenever Lut had visitors, thereby aiding and abetting their sinful intentions. Her fate, to be told “Enter the Fire with those who enter,” is a definitive statement that on the Day of Judgment, all worldly ties will be severed and only the tie of faith will matter.

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The Wife of Nuh

Brief Biography / Background

The wife of Prophet Nuh (Noah) (عليه السلام) was a member of the prophet’s household but was a disbeliever. While her husband spent centuries calling his people to the truth, she remained on the side of the deniers.

Role in the Surah

She is presented as the first of two powerful examples of a disbeliever for whom kinship to a great prophet was of no benefit whatsoever. “Allah presents an example of those who disbelieved: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous servants but betrayed them, so they [their husbands] did not avail them from Allah at all…” (At-Tahrim, 66:10).

Personality & Attributes

She is the archetype of the **traitor and the disbeliever in the closest proximity to faith**. She lived in the house of the prophet of patience for 950 years, yet the light of guidance never penetrated her heart. Her “betrayal” was her disbelief and her siding with the corrupt people. She is a symbol of a sealed heart.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Kinship with even the most righteous of people is no guarantee of salvation.
• Every soul is responsible for its own choices, and a disbeliever will not be saved by the faith of their spouse or family.
• Guidance is ultimately from Allah, and even the best of teachers cannot guide a heart that is determined to disbelieve.

Supporting References

Her story, along with that of Nuh’s disbelieving son mentioned in another Surah, is a profound and painful lesson that the trial of family can be one of the most difficult for a prophet. Their stories are a source of solace for any believer who may have family members who have not accepted the path of faith.

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The Wife of Pharaoh (Asiya)

Brief Biography / Background

The wife of Pharaoh, known in Islamic tradition as Asiya, was a righteous and believing woman who lived in the very heart of the greatest tyrannical and polytheistic power on earth. She is considered one of the four greatest women in the history of Islam.

Role in the Surah

She is presented as the supreme positive example of a believing woman, a model for all believers to emulate. Her role is to demonstrate that a hostile environment cannot extinguish true faith. The Surah immortalizes her profound prayer: “And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, ‘My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.'” (At-Tahrim, 66:11).

Personality & Attributes

She is the ultimate archetype of the **steadfast and courageous believer in a corrupt environment**. She is characterized by her profound faith, her complete disassociation from the evil around her, and her ultimate focus on the Hereafter. Her prayer reveals her priorities: closeness to God (“near You”) is more important than the house itself.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A person’s faith is not determined by their environment or their spouse. It is possible to be a sincere believer even in the house of the greatest disbeliever.
• True success is to be saved from evil people and evil deeds and to be granted a place near Allah.
• A believer’s ultimate aspiration should be for the “neighborhood” of Allah in Paradise, a station of intimate closeness.

Supporting References

Tafsir literature explains that she was brutally martyred by her husband, Pharaoh, for her faith. Her story, paired with that of Maryam, provides the two ultimate models of female piety for the believers. One was honored for her perfect chastity, and the other for her perfect steadfastness in the face of tyranny.

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The Wrongdoing People (Al-Qawm al-Zalimin)

Brief Biography / Background

The Wrongdoing People are the archetype of the community that is steeped in injustice, disbelief, and oppression. In this Surah, this title is used to describe the people of Pharaoh.

Role in the Surah

They are the corrupt environment from which the wife of Pharaoh prayed to be saved. Her supplication was, “…and save me from the wrongdoing people.” (At-Tahrim, 66:11). Their “wrongdoing” (zulm) was their polytheism, their tyranny, their oppression of the Children of Israel, and their rejection of Prophet Musa.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **injustice, its corruption, and its collective state of rebellion against God**. They are the ones who follow their tyrannical leader in his disbelief and oppression. They are the ultimate example of a corrupt society.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must seek refuge in Allah from the influence of a corrupt and wrongdoing society.
• It is a great blessing to be saved from the company of unjust people.
• The story of the wife of Pharaoh shows that even if one is physically among the wrongdoers, a sincere prayer can save them spiritually from being counted among them.

Supporting References

Her prayer is comprehensive. She asks to be saved from the leader (Pharaoh), from his actions (“his deeds”), and from the entire corrupt society (“the wrongdoing people”). This is a complete disassociation from the entire system of falsehood, a model for any believer who finds themselves living in a corrupt environment.