Sūrah 49
Sūrah al-Ḥujurāt
Introduction
This is an independent sūrah that does not have a counterpart. The fifth chapter of the Qur’ān ends on it. With regard to its topic, this sūrah is the supplement of the previous sūrah: al-Fatḥ. This entire sūrah is an explanation of the parable of the companions mentioned in the last verse of Sūrah Fatḥ with reference to the Torah. Thus its theme is tazkiyah and taṭhīr of the believers that is continuing from the previous sūrahs. Under this theme, necessary directives are given in this sūrah regarding the mutual rights of the Prophet (sws) and the Muslims.
This sūrah addresses the believers and it is evident from its topic that it was revealed in Madīnah in the phase of tazkiyah and taṭhīr of the Prophet’s mission when his time of death was approaching and it was feared that because of a lack of moral instruction and education, mutual hatred and disputes regarding tribal bias may tear apart their national unity.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
Believers! Do not give preference to your opinion over the opinion of God and His messenger and keep fearing God. Indeed, He hears and knows all.
Believers! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the messenger. And do not call him the way you call one another, lest everything you do ends up in vain and you are not even aware of it. [Remember that] those who keep their voices low before God and His messenger, it is they whose hearts God has chosen to nurture piety after testing them. For them is forgiveness also and a great reward too.
There is no doubt [O Prophet] those who call out to you from outside the quarters, most of them lack understanding. If these people had patiently waited so that you yourself would have come out to them, it would have been far better for them. Nevertheless [forgive them]. God is Forgiving, Ever-Merciful.
Believers! If any wrongdoer [from among these who call out to you] comes to you with an important news, fully investigate it lest overwhelmed by emotions you attack a nation; then later you feel ashamed of what you did. And know this full well also that God’s Messenger is present among you; [hence it is not appropriate in any way that you insist on your own opinions.] If he accepts your advice in many matters, you will end up in great difficulty [the way you would be before this], but God has endeared faith to you and made it pleasant in your hearts and made disbelief, wrongdoing and disobedience to the prophet very detestable in your sight. By the grace and favour of God, it is these people who are rightly guided [so that they are benefiting from this favour] and God is Knowledgeable and Wise.
[Your unity remains intact because of this; hence] if two groups of the believers take up arms against one another, reconcile between them. Then if one of the groups is unjust to the other, wage war against the one which is unjust until it turns to God’s verdict. Then if it turns, reconcile between the two with justice and be very fair. Surely, God befriends the just. Believers are brothers to one another; thus reconcile between two brothers and keep fearing God so that you are shown mercy.
Believers! [It is the requisite of this brotherhood that] neither [your] men make fun of other men; it may well be that they are better than them; nor should your women make fun of other women; it may well be that they are better than them. And neither defame your own people nor give bad names to one another. [All these are wrongdoings and] after faith even the name of wrongdoing is evil. And those who do not repent [even after this warning], it is they who are unjust to their souls. (11)
Believers! Refrain from too much conjecture because some conjectures are pure sins. And do not spy [on others] and do not indulge in backbiting one another. Is there anyone among you who would like to eat the meat of his dead brother? So, you do not tolerate this; [then why should backbiting be tolerated!] Fear God. God surely is quick in accepting repentance, Ever-Merciful.
People! [If you do not regard one another to be brothers, you will remain inflicted with these evils; so fully understand that] We have created you from a single man and a single woman and have divided you into families and tribes so that you recognize one another [distinctly]. In reality, the most honoured among you in the sight of God is the one who is the most pious. [He will judge people on the Day of Judgement on this basis.] Surely, God is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[While expressing favour to you,] these Bedouins [who call out to you from outside your quarters] say: “We profess faith.” Tell them: You have not professed faith. Indeed, what you can say is: “We have become obedient.” Faith has not even entered your hearts as yet. If you obey God and His messenger, God shall not make any reduction in your deeds. [So, reform your selves.] God certainly is Forgiving, Ever-Merciful. [Remember that] believers in reality are only those who professed faith in God and His Messenger, then were not afflicted with doubt and fought in the way of God through their wealth and their persons. It is these who are the truthful.
Tell them: Are you informing God of your religion? Whereas God knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth and God is aware of everything.
They think that they have conferred a favour on you that they have accepted Islam. Say: Do not regard your Islam as a favour to me; in fact, it is God’s favour to you that He blessed you with the urge to accept faith if you are true [in this claim you make]. There is no doubt that all the unknown things of the heavens and the earth are known to God and whatever you do, God is watching it.