What does Quran 3:33 mean?

Quran 3:33 (Surah Aal-i-Imraan, Ayah 33) translates to: "Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds -"

Which Surah and Juz is Quran 3:33 from?

This ayah is from Surah Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan), the 3th surah of the Quran. It appears in Juz 3.

Are there hadiths related to Quran 3:33?

Yes — there are 5 hadiths related to this ayah from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Bukhari.

What tafsir is available for Quran 3:33?

Commentary on this ayah is available from Ibn Kathir, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Abbas, Al-Jalalayn — classical scholars of Quranic exegesis.

What topics does Quran 3:33 relate to?

This ayah connects to these Quranic topics: Divine Selection, Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Nuh, Prophet Adam, Allah.

Ayah 32

قُلْ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَل...

3:33Aal-i-Imraan

Ayah 34

ذُرِّيَّةًۢ بَعْضُهَا مِنۢ بَعْضٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَم...

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ وَنُوحًۭا وَءَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَءَالَ عِمْرَٰنَ عَلَى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Innal laahas tafaaa Aadama wa Noohanw wa Aala Ibraaheema wa Aala Imraana 'alal 'aalameen

Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds -

Themes in this ayah

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Lessons from past peoples60

Scores run 0–100: how strongly this ayah speaks to a theme. 70+ is central, 50+ is clear, under 50 is weak.

4 other themes with weak connections

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Lessons from past peoples

3:33Ayah 1200

37 ayahs in Aal-i-Imraan are strongly about lessons from past peoples.

← Previous on Lessons from past peoples3:13Already there has been for you a sign in the two armies which met - one fighting in the cause of Allah and another of disbelievers.Next on Lessons from past peoples →3:35[Mention, O Muhammad], when the wife of 'Imran said, "My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service],

Tafsir

Scholars largely agree on this ayah

View Full Tafsir: Al-Jalalayn on 3:33→

Lo! God preferred He has chosen Adam and Noah and the House of Abraham and the House of ‘Imrān meaning He preferred their selves sc. Abraham and ‘Imrān above the worlds by making prophethood reside in them and their progeny

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed Allah has chosen Isma'il from the children of Ibrahim, and He chose Banu Kinanah from the children of Isma'il, and He chose the Quraish from Banu Kinanah, and He chose Banu Hashim from Quraish, and He chose me from Banu Hashim."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi #3699Narrated Wathilah bin Al-Asqa':Sahih

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed, Allah chose Kinanah from the children of Isma'il, and He chose Quraish from Kinanah, and He chose Hashim from Quraish, and He chose me from Banu Hashim."

Sahih Muslim #5787Wathila b. al-Asqa' reported:Sahih

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Verily Allah granted eminence to Kinana from amongst the descendants of Isma'il, and he granted eminence to the Quraish amongst Kinana, and he granted eminence to Banu Hashim amonsgst the Quraish, and he granted me eminence from the tribe of Banu Hashim.

Sahih al-Bukhari #5090Narrated Anas bin Malik:Sahih

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Shall I tell you of the best families among the Ansar?" They (the people) said, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best are Banu- An-Najjar, and after them are Banu `Abdil Ash-hal, and after them are Banu Al-Harith bin Al-Khazraj, and after them are Banu Sa`ida." The Prophet (ﷺ) then moved his hand by closing his fingers and then opening them like one throwing something, and then said, "Anyhow, there is good in all the families of the Ansar. "

Sahih al-Bukhari #5824Narrated Abu Usaid As-Sa`idi:Sahih

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best family among the Ansar is the Banu An-Najjar. "