“"Surah Al-Ahzab verse 35 is a mirror that Allah stretches out before us. In it, we see ten qualities that are the path to His forgiveness. Not a difficult or impossible path, but a path that is wide open for anyone - male or female - who truly wants to return to Him"”_ Sharif Hidayatullah
Reflections on Reading Surah Al-Ahzab Verse 35
Among the most beautiful verses of the Qur'an in affirming the spiritual equality between men and women are the words of Allah in Surah Al-Ahzab verse 35. This verse was revealed not merely as information, but as a response to the anxiety of a noble woman who felt that she and her people seemed to have escaped the attention of heaven.
She is Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with him, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, who one day asked honestly: “O Messenger of Allah, why are we women never mentioned in the Qur'an as men are mentioned in it?” . He did not get a direct answer at that time.
But then, one day, while Umm Salamah was combing her hair, she heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reciting a verse that had just been revealed from the pulpit. She ran to her room, tied up her hair, and pressed her ear to the wall to listen intently. From the pulpit, the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) voice echoed, reciting the words of Allah:
God bless you وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّاِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ love وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ God bless you
“"Indeed, men and women who are Muslims, men and women who are believers, men and women who persist in their obedience, men and women who are righteous, men and women who are patient, men and women who are humble, men and women who give alms, men and women who fast, men and women who maintain their honor, men and women who often mention (the name of) Allah, Allah has provided for them forgiveness and a great reward."” (QS. Al-Ahzab, Verse 35)
This verse is a revolution of consciousness. In a series of long and repetitive sentences, Allah emphasizes that before Him, what differentiates is not gender, nor worldly position. What is different is the quality of servanthood which is manifested in the ten noble qualities.
Notice how this verse deliberately repeats each attribute in its dual form—male and female—as if Allah wants to erase all doubt that His mercy encompasses all servants who do good, without exception.
In Interpretation of Al-Muyassar published by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Religion, it is explained that this verse is good news for anyone who has these qualities, that Allah has prepared for them forgiveness for their sins and a great reward, namely heaven. .
Scholars of tafsir (interpretation of the Quran) have elaborated on the ten attributes in this verse in profound detail. Let us slowly explore each of these crowns of glory, for therein lies the secret of how a servant can attain His forgiveness.
10 Characteristics of Musimin and Muslimat in a Crown of Glory
First nature is al-muslimūn wa al-muslimāt. Shaykh Abdurrahman as-Sa'di in his commentary explains that this word refers to outward practice, namely submission and obedience to Islamic law in words and deeds. .
Islam is the foundation; it is the gateway without which no good deed will be accepted. A Muslim is one who submits completely to Allah, follows His commands and avoids His prohibitions.
Second nature is al-mu'minūn wa al-mu'mināt. If Islam is concerned with outward deeds, then faith is an inner practice—a conviction embedded in the heart. Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) explains that in this verse, faith is mentioned after Islam to indicate that faith has a more specific meaning, namely, a complete conviction that is not necessarily possessed by everyone who simply claims to be Muslim. .
This reminds us of Allah's words in Surah Al-Hujurat verse 13: “The Bedouins say, ‘We have believed.’ Say, ‘You have not believed, but say, ‘We have submitted’ (to Islam), for faith has not yet entered your hearts.’” . Faith is the spirit that gives life to deeds; without it, deeds are just meaningless movements.
The third nature is al-qānitīn wa al-qānitāt. Al-Qunut means continuous obedience, steadfastness in doing good, and unfailing submission. In Al-Munir's Interpretation it is stated that al-qanit are people who consistently do good deeds, not just for a moment and then stop. These are those whose worship is not merely seasonal, but the breath of life that flows every day.
The fourth characteristic is aṣ-ṣādiqīn wa aṣ-ṣādiqāt. Honesty is a very noble trait in Islam. Ibn Kathir narrated the hadith from Abdullah bin Mas'ud that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "“Be honest, because honesty leads to goodness, and goodness leads to heaven. "A person who consistently acts honestly and strives to be honest will be recorded in the sight of Allah as an honest person. And avoid lying, for lying leads to evil, and evil leads to Hell. A person who consistently lies and strives to lie will be recorded in the sight of Allah as a liar."” . Honesty is not only about words, but also about harmony between heart, words and actions.
The fifth characteristic is aṣ-ṣābirīn wa aṣ-ṣābirāt. Patience is the trait most often mentioned in the Qur'an as the key to success. In this verse, the scholars divide patience into three: patience in carrying out obedience, patience in avoiding immorality, and patience in facing disasters. Patient people are not easily shaken, are not quick to complain, and do not give up. He believes that with patience there is God's help.
The sixth characteristic is al-khāsyi'īn wa al-khāsyi'āt. Khushuk is a feeling of fear accompanied by calm and humility before God. Khusyuk is mainly mentioned in the context of prayer, but actually it is a condition of the heart that is always aware that Allah is All-Seeing. In the hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, the angel Gabriel asked the Messenger of Allah about ihsan, and he replied: “"You worship Allah as if you see Him; if you do not see Him, then indeed He sees you"” . This is the essence of reverence.
The seventh characteristic is al-mutaṣaddiqīn wa al-mutaṣaddiqāt. Charity is proof of love for Allah which exceeds love for wealth.
In Al-Munir's Interpretation It is stated that almsgiving has three main purposes: as a manifestation of compassion for the poor, as a manifestation of concern for the welfare of the community, and as an expression of gratitude for God's blessings. Almsgiving purifies wealth and cleanses the soul of stinginess and worldly love.
The eighth characteristic is aṣ-ṣā'imīn wa aṣ-ṣā'imāt. Fasting is a spiritual exercise that subdues one's desires and draws one closer to Allah. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “"O young men, whoever among you can afford to marry, let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one's chastity. And whoever cannot afford to marry should fast, for fasting is like a medicine that curbs lust."”. Fasting teaches us that there is a higher pleasure than eating and drinking, namely closeness to Allah.
The ninth characteristic is al-ḥāfiẓīn furūjahum wa al-ḥāfiẓāt. Protecting your genitals is protecting your honor from all actions that are forbidden by Allah. This includes not only adultery, but also everything that leads to it. Allah says in Surah Al-Mu'minun:
“And those who guard their private parts, except from their wives or the slaves whom their right hands possess, then surely they are not blameworthy. And whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.” This trait is a moral fortress that protects the honor of individuals and society.
The tenth characteristic is aż-żākirīnallāha katsīran wa aż-żākirāt. Those who remember Allah a lot. Dhikr is the practice that is lightest on the tongue but heaviest on the scales. In Al-Munir's Interpretation it is explained that dhikr what is meant is to bring the greatness of Allah into the heart.
So that, in whatever circumstances - standing, sitting, lying down - he always remembers Him. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “"If a man wakes his wife up at night and they pray two rak'ahs, then they are both among those who remember Allah much that night."” .
After mentioning these ten noble qualities, the verse concludes with a very beautiful promise: “Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.” forgiveness (forgiveness) is referred to in the form of nakirah (indefinitive) in Arabic, which shows how great and extensive the forgiveness that Allah has prepared.
Not ordinary forgiveness, but forgiveness that covers all sins. And the great reward is heaven with all the pleasures that the eyes and ears can never imagine. .
My brother, Surah Al-Ahzab verse 35 is a mirror that Allah holds out before us. In it, we see ten qualities that are the path to His forgiveness. It is not a difficult or impossible path, but a path wide open to anyone—man or woman—who truly desires to return to Him.
Islam is the gateway. Faith is the soul. Qunut is its consistency. Siddiq is his light. Patience is his strength. Devotion is his serenity. Almsgiving is proof of his love. Fasting is his education. Guarding his honor is his fortress. And dhikr is his breath.
May we all be included in the group mentioned in this verse, whose names are recorded with Allah as muslimīn, mu'minīn, qānitīn, ṣādiqīn, ṣābirīn, khāsyī'īn, mutaṣaddiqīn, ṣā'imīn, ḥāfiżīn furūjahum, and żākirīnallāha katsīrā. So that later, when we stand before Him, we will not be empty, but will carry ten shining crowns, as proof that we have truly become servants who long for His forgiveness.
And Allah knows best
