Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder)

38. “And indeed We sent Messengers before you, and appointed for them wives and children; and it was not for any Messenger to bring a sign (miracle), but by Allah’s permission. For every term there is a book prescribed.”

The appointment of the prophets is one of the Divine ways of treatment, and performing of miracles is not achieved on request or upon the wishes of people. On the contrary, it occurs with Allah’s permission.

Incidentally, the prophets used to live like other people and they had wives and children. The verse says:

“And indeed We sent Messengers before you, and appointed for them wives and children…”

Imam Sadiq (as) said:

“We are the children of Hadrat Muhammad (S) and our mother has been Fatimah (as). And Allah has given none of the prophets anything which has not been provided for Hadrat Mohammad (S).”

Then, he recited the above mentioned verse.¹

And in another quotation, he (as) remarks:

“We are the descendents of the Messenger of Allah.”2

At the end of the verse, the Qur’an declares that there is a book for everything which Allah has ordained, therein everything is recorded like one’s life-span, death, and other affairs each of which is subject to the time when Allah has assigned according to His Own discretion.

The verse says:

“…and it was not for any Messenger to bring a sign (miracle), but by Allah’s permission. For every term there is a book prescribed.”