Tafsir of Al-Ahzab 33:7

Surah Al-Ahzab (The Confederates): Verse 7

And [mention] when We took from the prophets their covenant...

The connection of this verse to what preceded it is that after Allah commanded the Prophet (peace be upon him) to fear Allah (by saying: "O Prophet, fear Allah" [Al-Ahzab: 1]), and emphasized this by recounting the incident where people feared others when they should fear none but Him, and clarified that the Prophet did nothing deserving of fear by stating: "The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves" (Al-Ahzab: 6), Allah confirmed this point in another manner by saying: "And when We took from the prophets their covenant..."

It is as if He is saying: Fear Allah and fear no one else. Remember that Allah took a covenant from the prophets that they would deliver the messages of Allah, and that no fear or greed would prevent them from doing so. In this context, there are several issues:

The intended meaning of the covenant taken from the prophets is their appointment (to prophethood) and their command to deliver the message.

Four prophets were specifically mentioned: Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

• Moses and Jesus were mentioned because they had a people and a community during the time of our Prophet, so mentioning them served as an argument against their own people (i.e., the Jews and Christians).
• Abraham was mentioned because the Arabs claimed reverence for him and followed some of his rituals.
• Noah was mentioned because he was a second origin for mankind, as creation was renewed through him after the Flood.

If someone were to ask: "Was not Adam more deserving of mention than Noah?" We would reply: Adam's creation was for the purpose of populating the earth, and his prophethood was like guidance for his offspring. Therefore, there was no destruction or torment of a people during his time. As for Noah, he was created for prophethood and sent for warning, which is why his people were destroyed and drowned.

In many places, Allah mentions: "Jesus, the son of Mary" (Al-Baqarah: 87) or "The Messiah, the son of Mary" (Al-Ma'idah: 17). This is an indication that he had no father, for if he had one, he would have been identified by that lineage.

The statement "And We took from them a solemn covenant" (mithāqan ghaleezan)—the solemnity (ghiladh) of the covenant lies in questioning them about what they did concerning their mission, just as the Almighty said: "Then We will surely question those to whom [the messengers] were sent" (Al-A'raf: 6).

This is because if a king sends a messenger, commands him to do something, and the messenger accepts, that constitutes a covenant. If the king then informs him that he will be questioned about his actions and statements, this intensifies the covenant upon him, ensuring he neither adds to nor subtracts from the message.

Based on this understanding, it can be argued that the meaning of the Almighty's saying: "And how can you take it while some of you have already gone in unto others, and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?" (An-Nisa: 21) is the notification that they will be held accountable for it. This aligns with the Prophet's saying: "Every one of you is a shepherd and every one of you is responsible for his flock." Just as Allah made men guardians over women, He made the prophets guardians over the affairs of their communities and their guidance toward the path of righteousness.

[7] That He may question the truthful about their truthfulness, and He has prepared for the disbelievers a painful punishment.