What is the interpretation of the noble verse: "And it is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into a clear error"?

The verse: "And it is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, that they should have any option in their decision" has two reported reasons for its revelation:

The first: Its revelation concerns Zaynab bint Jahsh, may Allah be pleased with her, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, proposed her hand in marriage for Zayd ibn Harithah, may Allah be pleased with him. She initially refused, then later consented.

The second: Its revelation concerns Umm Kulthum bint 'Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt, may Allah be pleased with her, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, married her to Zayd ibn Harithah, may Allah be pleased with him, after Zayd's divorce from Zaynab. She and her brother objected at first, then consented after the verse was revealed.

The meaning of the verse: It is not permissible for a believing man or a believing woman to choose a matter that differs from what Allah and His Messenger have decreed. Rather, they must submit and surrender to Allah's decree and His choice. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger in this matter has certainly strayed into manifest error from the path of truth.