Prohibition (Al-Tahreem)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Prophet, why in your desire to please your wives, do you impose a ban on what God has made lawful to you? God is forgiving and merciful. 1 Allah has ordained expiation for your oaths; and Allah is your Master; and Allah is the All Knowing, the Wise. 2 And recall what time the Prophet confided a story unto one of his spouses, then she disclosed it, and Allah apprised him thereof, he made known part thereof and withheld part. Then, when he had apprised her of it, she said: who hath acquainted thee therewith! He said the Knower, the Aware hath acquainted me. 3 If only both of you would turn to God in repentance -- and your hearts are already so inclined. But if you uphold each other against him, then surely God is his protector, and Gabriel and the righteous among the believers; and the angels too are his helpers. 4 It may happen that his Lord, if he divorce you, will give him in your stead wives better than you, submissive (to Allah), believing, pious, penitent, devout, inclined to fasting, widows and maids. 5 O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. 6 You who are bent on denying the truth, make no excuses today: you are only being rewarded according to your deeds. 7