Chapter 49 - 112
Private Quarters (Surah Al-Hujurat)
(18 verses total; revealed in Madinah in 9th Hijrah (9/630)
In the Name of Allah, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
O Believers! Do not push yourselves forward in the presence of Allah and His Messenger1. Be mindful of Allah – Allah Hears and Allah Knows! Do not raise your voices over the voice of the Prophet, in a manner that you speak to one another unless you wish that your deeds come to nothing while you did not perceive!2 Indeed, those who show humility in the presence of Allah’s Messenger are those whose hearts are truly mindful of Allah. They will have forgiveness and a grand reward! (v. 1-3)
Those who call out to you (Prophet) in front of your private quarter are devoid of common sense. It is better if they wait in patience until you come out to them – Allah is Forgiving, Merciful! (v. 4-5)
O Believers! If a troublemaker and untrustworthy person brings you news, examine it carefully. Otherwise, you might harm people out of ignorance and later regret. Allah’s Messenger is with you – if he were to follow you in many matters, you would fall into difficulties, but Allah has endeared faith to you and your hearts were attracted to faith whereas He made hateful to you disbelief, corruption and arrogance! Such are the ones truly guided – a grace from Allah and a blessing! Allah Knows and is Wise! (v. 6-8)
If two parties of believers start to fight, make peace between them and if one party continues to do wrong, fight them until they return to Allah’s command. If they return, then restore peace between with justice and act with equity. Allah loves those who are just and equitable3. The believers are like brethren – so make peace between your brethren and be mindful of Allah so that you can have mercy! (v. 9-10)
O Believers! Do not let one community laugh at another community, perhaps they are better than them. Let not women laugh at women, perchance they may better than them. Do not defame yourselves or insult one another with offensive nicknames – evil are such practices after faith. Those who do not desist are clearly in the wrong! Avoid most suspicions or conjectures – many suspicions are sinful. Do not backbite one another – do any of you like to eat the flesh of a dead brother? You certainly disdain it. Be mindful of Allah – Allah is Ever relenting, Merciful! (v. 11-12)
O Mankind! God has created you from a male and a female and turn you into races and tribes so that you may appreciate one another. Truly the most honorable in the sight of Allah is the one who acts most responsibly (taqwa) amongst you! Allah Knows, Aware!4
The Bedouins say, “We believe!” Tell them, “You do not believe, but rather say, ‘We surrender,’ as faith is yet to enter your hearts.5 If you obey Allah and His Messenger, God will not diminish any of your deeds. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful!” (v. 14)
The (true) believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then entertain no more doubts and exert their utmost with their person and their wealth to restore and maintain Allah Guidance. These are the true practitioners!6 (v. 15)
Say, “Are you teaching Allah your faith, whereas Allah knows what is in the heavens and in the earth?” Allah is Knowledgeable about all things! They presume to have done you (Prophet) a favor that they have become Muslims. Tell them, “Do not lay a burden on me by your Islam, rather it is Allah Who puts you under an obligation by guiding you to faith if you truly want to know. It is Allah Who Knows the hidden purpose of the heavens and the earth. Allah sees what you do! (v. 16-18)
Copyright © 2023/Rashed Hasan
1 This could mean physically jostling to get closer to the Prophet or to advance one’s personal perspective above what God and His Prophet has already laid out.
2 Etiquette and mannerism both in terms of physical conduct and spiritual discourse!
3 Equity and justice are the same but with subtle differences. An example might be that Justice call for a level playing field for everyone, whereas equity might demand that those who have been exploited before should be given an extra help to make the level playing field reach it vision sooner – a situation that still afflicts the African Americans in the USA
4 See verse 50:16 to fully understand and appreciate what Allah knows and how Aware God is!
5 It is a condition that we all need to ask ourselves!
6 Consistent in their belief and action!
