Surah At-Tahrim (The Prohibition)

At-Tahrim means "The Prohibition," referring to an incident in which the Prophet declared something lawful to be off-limits to himself.

At-Tahrim is the 66th chapter of the Quran, a Medinan surah of 12 ayahs. It opens by addressing an episode in the Prophet's household in which he had forbidden himself something otherwise permissible, and it gently sets the matter right while touching on confidences shared among members of his household. The surah calls believers to guard themselves and their families from the Fire and to turn to God in sincere repentance. It then presents contrasting examples for reflection: the wives of two earlier prophets who betrayed their righteous husbands and thereby gained nothing, set against the wife of Pharaoh and a woman renowned for her devotion, who are held up as models of faith. Through these examples the surah teaches that each soul is accountable for itself and that closeness to the righteous does not substitute for one's own belief and integrity.

Surah number: 66
Revelation: Medinan
Ayahs: 12
Arabic: التحريم

Read Surah At-Tahrim online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

Personal accountability before God
Sincere repentance and turning back to God
Protecting oneself and one's family from harm
Trust and confidences within the household
Contrasting examples of faith and betrayal
Righteousness as an individual responsibility

Why this surah matters

At-Tahrim is well known for its window into the Prophet's household and for its concluding parables, which pair negative and positive examples of women to illustrate that faith is a personal responsibility not inherited through family ties. The example of Pharaoh's wife and the devout woman it names are frequently cited as models of steadfast belief, including for women. Situated among the short Medinan surahs, it is often studied for its themes of repentance and self-accountability, and its call to shield oneself and one's family from harm is a widely referenced reminder.

Frequently asked questions

What does At-Tahrim mean?

It means "The Prohibition," referring to the surah's opening, which addresses the Prophet forbidding himself something that was otherwise lawful.

What are the examples at the end of the surah?

It contrasts the wives of two earlier prophets, who betrayed them, with Pharaoh's wife and a woman famed for her devotion, presenting the latter two as models of faith to show that righteousness is personal.

Is At-Tahrim Meccan or Medinan?

It is traditionally classified as Medinan, as it addresses events within the Prophet's household during the Medinan period.

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