~627 CE · 5 AH
Scholars read this differently
Scholars differ on what the Prophet ﷺ concealed in his heart per Qur'an [33:37]. "Version A" (the majority view among early authorities such as al-Tabari, Ibn Sa'd, and Qatada) holds it was a personal inclination toward Zaynab and a hope that Zayd would divorce her, an emotion, not a sin, and one the Prophet ﷺ never acted upon or spoke aloud. "Version B" (first clearly attested via Ali Zayn al-Abidin, and favored by later scholars such as al-Baghawi and al-Qurtubi as more befitting prophetic dignity) holds that Allah had already informed him Zaynab would become his wife, and what he concealed was that foreknowledge, out of fear of people's censure for marrying his adopted son's wife. Both versions are transmitted by early scholars; neither implies any sin, since the Qur'an records no command that the Prophet ﷺ repent or that he erred.
The Prophet ﷺ married Zaynab bint Jahsh RA, his cousin and the former wife of his adopted son Zayd ibn Harithah RA, in the beginning of Dhu al-Qa'dah of the 5th year of the Hijrah. After Zayd divorced her, the Prophet ﷺ sent Zayd to convey his own interest in marrying her; while she prayed istikhara, Allah revealed Qur'an [33:37], directly declaring the marriage, "We married her to you", without any wali, mahr, or witnesses, the only marriage in history contracted by Allah Himself. Its purpose, per the same verse, was to establish that there is no wrong in marrying the ex-wife of one's adopted son, since an adopted son is not a blood relation. The verses of hijab were revealed the same night (see Legislation of Hijab). The walima was the most lavish the Prophet ﷺ ever held for any wife: he had Anas ibn Malik RA invite the Muhajirun, the Ansar, the People of Suffa, and all he met, and a small dish of food fed more than seventy guests.
Outcome: Zaynab became known for boasting that Allah had married her from above the seven heavens, and remained, alongside Aisha RA, the wife closest in the Prophet ﷺ's affections.
Other events recorded in 5 AH. Their order within the year is not established; use the storyline above for the sequence.
Keep your wife and fear Allah, and do not divorce her.
Said to Zayd ibn Harithah RA, who had come to him ﷺ complaining about Zaynab bint Jahsh RA and wishing to divorce her.
If the Prophet ﷺ were to have hidden any ayah from the Qur'an, he would have hidden this ayah.
Referring to Surah al-Ahzab, verse 37, revealed concerning the Prophet ﷺ's marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh RA.
If the Prophet ﷺ were to have hidden anything from the wahy, he would have hidden this verse.
Referring to Surah al-Ahzab, verse 37, revealed concerning the Prophet ﷺ's marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh RA.
Go to Zaynab and mention my name to her.
Said to Zayd ibn Harithah RA, sent to ask Zaynab bint Jahsh RA, whose iddah from her divorce had just ended, whether she would consider marrying him ﷺ.
O Zaynab, the Prophet ﷺ has mentioned you and he has sent me to you.
He found her grinding barley when he arrived, and felt such shyness at mentioning the Prophet ﷺ's name that he turned his back and spoke to her without facing her.
I will not respond until I seek Allah's assistance.
She then stood to pray istikhara. While the Prophet ﷺ sat with Aisha RA, wahy began to descend on him.
Meat and bread until all the people were filled. I thought it would only feed two or three, but over seventy ate, and when they all finished, it was still the same amount as it was at the start.
Describing the small dish of food the Prophet ﷺ sent him to serve at the walima for his marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh RA.
Allah has married me from above the seven heavens.
Said to boast to the Prophet ﷺ's other wives, whose marriages had been arranged by their own fathers and brothers, while hers was decreed by Allah directly in the Qur'an.
When I heard this verse, I became struck with jealousy from every angle because of what I knew of her beauty, and worse than this, because of the manner in which the marriage took place.
Referring to Surah al-Ahzab, verse 37, revealed on the marriage of the Prophet ﷺ to Zaynab bint Jahsh RA.
وَإِذْ تَقُولُ لِلَّذِي أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَاتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَتُخْفِي فِي نَفْسِكَ مَا اللَّهُ مُبْدِيهِ وَتَخْشَى النَّاسَ وَاللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَاهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ زَيْدٌ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًا زَوَّجْنَاكَهَا لِكَيْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَرَجٌ فِي أَزْوَاجِ أَدْعِيَائِهِمْ إِذَا قَضَوْا مِنْهُنَّ وَطَرًا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا
“And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.”
Directly decrees the marriage: "We married her to you."
“There is no blame on the Prophet for doing what Allah has ordained for him. That has been the way of Allah with those [prophets] who had gone before.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Ahzab's defense of this exact marriage (33:36-40) -- against criticism that the Prophet ﷺ married his adopted son's former wife -- affirming it was Allah's ordainment, as with prophets before him.
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, rather he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the prophets.”
Revealed regarding the Prophet ﷺ's marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh, addressing the adoption/Zayd narrative.
“He [Allah] is the One Who showers His blessings upon you [O Prophet].”
Part of the same revealed passage as Surah al-Ahzab 33:37 (the Qur'anic marriage of the Prophet ﷺ to Zaynab bint Jahsh RA); the lecture on this event quotes 33:43 directly as part of the "page and a half" of praise for the Prophet ﷺ that follows 33:37 in the same sequence.
“Indeed, Allah showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O believers! Invoke Allah's blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace.”
The salawat ayah (33:56) is quoted in the lecture on this event as continuing the same praise-of-the-Prophet ﷺ passage that opens with 33:37 (the marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh RA) and includes 33:40 and 33:43.