Tafsir of Al-Ahzab 33:40

Al-Ahzab (The Confederates): 40

When Allah clarified the benefits in the Prophet's marriage to Zaynab, He then clarified that it was free from any aspects of corruption. This is because what might have been suspected as corruption was limited to marrying the son's wife, which is impermissible.

Allah the Almighty said: "Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and seal of the Prophets."

This means that Zayd was not his son. In fact, no man was the son of Muhammad. The one addressed as the "father" of the Prophet was the father of any man, because the term rajul (man) refers to a male descendant of Adam. Allah says: "{And if they are brothers, men and women...}" (An-Nisa: 176), and a boy is included in this.

We offer two responses to the objection that the Prophet had no adult son who could be called a rajul:

1. In common usage, the term rajul implies maturity and adulthood, and the Prophet (PBUH) did not have an adult son who could be called a rajul.
2. Allah said: "{...of your men}" (min rijālikum). At the time of the address, he had no male offspring.

Furthermore, after negating that he was a father in the literal sense, Allah affirmed what is in the ruling of fatherhood in some aspects by saying: "but [he is] the Messenger of Allah."

The Messenger of Allah is like a father to the Ummah in compassion from his side, and in reverence from their side—indeed, even stronger. For the Prophet is "more worthy of the believers than themselves" (Al-Ahzab: 6), whereas a [biological] father is not necessarily so.

Then, He clarified what implies an increase in compassion from his side and reverence from theirs by saying: "and seal of the Prophets."

This is because if a Prophet who is succeeded by another Prophet neglects some advice or clarification, the one who comes after him can make it up. However, the one after whom there is no Prophet is more compassionate toward his Ummah, more guiding to them, and more beneficial, as he is like a father to his children who have no one else to turn to.

And His saying: "And Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing," means that He knew everything, including that there would be no Prophet after him. Thus, He knew that it was part of wisdom to complete the Law of Muhammad (PBUH) by marrying the wife of his adopted son, as a completion of the Law. This is because the Prophet's saying conveys a ruling, but if he refrains from an action himself, a reluctance remains in some souls.

Do you not see that when he mentioned eating the lizard (ḍabb), it was understood that eating it was permissible, but when he did not eat it, something remained in the souls? Yet, when he ate camel meat, eating it became permissible, even though in some religions it is not eaten, nor is the rabbit.