Al-Ahzab (, ; the confederates, or "the clans", "the coalition", or "the combined forces") is the 33rd chapter (sūrah) of the Quran (Q33) with 73 verses (āyāt). The sūrah takes its name from the mention of the parties (al-aḥzāb), or confederates (an alliance among the Quraysh and other tribes), who fought the Muslims at the Battle of the Trench (5/627), also known as the Battle of the Parties and as the siege of Madinah. Summary 1-3 Muhammad to obey God rather than the unbelievers 4-5 Adopted sons not to be regarded as real sons by Muslims 6 Muhammad’s wives the mothers of the faithful 7-8 The covenant of the prophets with God 9-11 God’s favour to the Muslims at the Ditch 12-15 The disaffected people of Madína rebuked 16-17 None can flee from God’s anger 18-20 The treachery of the hypocrites of Madína exposed 21 Muhammad an example to the faithful 22-24 Patient endurance of the believers at the Ditch 25 The triumph at the Ditch attributed to God’s favour 26-27 Reference to the slaughter of the Bani Qainuqáa 28-29 Muhammad’s wives rebuked 30-31 Muhammad’s wives, if incontinent, to be doubly punished, but if faithful, to be doubly rewarded 32 33 34 They are exhorted to modest behaviour and piety 35 Blessings promised to faithful men and women 36-40 Revelations touching the Zainab scandal 41-43 The blessedness of true believers 44-47 Muhammad a witness and preacher of good tidings 48 The law of divorce modified 49-51 Special privileges of Muhammad in respect to women 52 Muhammad limited in respect to wives 53-55 Conduct to be observed by believers at the Prophet’s house 56 God and the angels bless Muhammad, who should be treated with respect by believers 57-58 The curse of those who offend Muhammad or the Muslims 59 Command respecting the veiling of Muslim women 60-62 Threatened punishment of Madína hypocrites 63 Men know not the hour of judgment 64-68 Awful fate of infidels 69-71 Believers exhorted to respectful treatment of their Prophet 72-73 The responsibilities of the faithful Exegesis This surah mentions what happened at the Battle of the Trench to remind believers the mercy and power of Allah since Allah made the various tribes who attacked Medina leave. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the believed revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), Q33 is a later period "Medinan surah". It contains instructions regarding treatment of the Prophet and his