Surah Al-Ahzab Verse 37

3722 This was Zayd, son of Harithah, one of the first to accept the faith of Islam. He was freedman of the Prophet, who loved him as a son and gave him in marriage to his own cousin Zaynab. The marriage however turned out unhappy. See next note. 3723 Zayd's marriage with the Prophet's cousin Zaynab, daughter of J ahsh, did not turn out happy. Zaynab the high-born looked down upon Zayd the freedman who had been a slave. And he was not comely to look at. Bom were good people in their own ways, and both loved the Prophet, but there was mutual incompatibility, and this is fatal to married life. Zayd wished to divorce her, but the Prophet asked him to hold his hand, and he obeyed. She was closely related to the Prophet; he had given a handsome marriage gift on her marriage to Zayd; and people would certainly talk if such a marriage was broken off. But marriages are made on earth, not in heaven, and it is no part of Allah's Plan to torture people in a bond which should be a source of happiness but actually is a source of misery. Zayd's wish-indeed the mutual wish of the couple-was for the time being put away, but it became eventually an established fact, and everybody came to know of it. (R). 3724 All actual facts are referred to Allah. When the marriage is unhappy, Islam permits the bond to be dissolved, provided that all interests concerned are safeguarded. Apparently there was no issue here to be considered. Zaynab had to be considered, and she obtained the dearest wish of her heart in being raised to be a Mother of the Believers, with all the dignity and responsibility of that position. Seen. 3706 to 33:28 above. 3725 The 'Iddah or period of waiting after divorce ( 2:28 , and n. 254) was duly completed. 3726 The Pagan superstition and taboo about adopted sons had to be destroyed. See 33:4-5 and notes 3671-3672 above.