(38–39) “There is no blame upon the Prophet regarding what Allah has ordained for him. This is Allah’s established way with those who passed before. And Allah’s command is a decree firmly determined—those who convey Allah’s messages, fear Him, and fear none but Allah. And sufficient is Allah as Reckoner.”

This refutes those who criticized the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—for having many wives, for they criticized something in which there was no legitimate ground for criticism. Allah said: “There is no blame upon the Prophet”—that is, no sin or wrongdoing—“regarding what Allah has ordained for him,” meaning the wives He had decreed for him. Allah had permitted this to the prophets before him. He therefore said: “This is Allah’s established way with those who passed before. And Allah’s command is a decree firmly determined”—that is, it must inevitably come to pass.

He then described those who had passed before, whose established way and custom this was: “those who convey Allah’s messages.” They recite Allah’s verses, proofs, and clear evidences to His servants and call them to Allah. They “fear Him” alone, without partner, “and fear none but Allah.”

Since this was the established way of the divinely protected prophets, who fulfilled their duty in the most complete manner—the duty of calling creation to Allah and fearing Him alone, which entails carrying out every command and refraining from every prohibition—it demonstrates that there is no deficiency in it whatsoever.

“And sufficient is Allah as Reckoner”—calling His servants to account and watching over their deeds. This also shows that marriage is among the established practices of the messengers.