65/33.6. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4787 — What Allah Made Manifest
The Statement of Allah the Exalted: "And (remember) when you said to him (Zaid bin Haritha [may Allah be pleased with him] - the freed slave of the Prophet pbuh) on whom Allah has bestowed grace (by guiding him to Islam) and you (O Muḥammad pbuh too) have done favour (by manumitting him): 'Keep your wife to yourself and fear Allah.' But you did hide in yourself (i.e., what Allah has already made known to you that He will give her to you in marriage) that which Allah will make manifest, you did fear people (i.e., Muḥammad pbuh married the divorced wife of his manumitted slave) whereas Allah had a better right that you should fear Him..." (V.33:37)
Hadith About Zainab, Zaid, and What Allah Made Manifest
Sahih Bukhari : 4787
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4787
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَلَّى بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ثَابِتٌ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ هَذِهِ، الآيَةَ {وَتُخْفِي فِي نَفْسِكَ مَا اللَّهُ مُبْدِيهِ} نَزَلَتْ فِي شَأْنِ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةِ جَحْشٍ وَزَيْدِ بْنِ حَارِثَةَ.
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Verse: 'But you did hide in your mind that which Allah was about to make manifest.' (33.37) was revealed concerning Zainab bint Jahsh and Zaid bin Haritha.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4787In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 309USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 310
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4787
This hadith about Zainab bint Jahsh and Zaid bin Haritha is brief and focused. Anas bin Malik said the verse, but you did hide in your mind that which Allah was about to make manifest, was revealed concerning Zainab bint Jahsh and Zaid bin Haritha. The hadith does not explain all details of the event, so the meaning should not be stretched beyond the words given. What it clearly tells us is that this Qur’anic verse had a named connection to Zainab and Zaid. It also shows that what Allah willed to make known would not remain hidden. The core theme is Allah making manifest what He decreed.
What we learn from this hadith
- The verse is linked in the hadith to Zainab bint Jahsh and Zaid bin Haritha.
- Allah made manifest what was mentioned in the verse.
- The report should be understood within the limits of the text.
