Sūrat al-Ḥujurāt

سورۃ الحجرات

Sūrat al-Ḥujurāt was revealed in Madīna al-Munawwara. It has 18 verses and 2 rukūʿs.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillāhi l-Raḥmāni l-Raḥīm. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū lā tuqaddimū bayna yaday llāhi wa-rasūlihi wa-ttaqū llāha inna llāha samīʿun ʿalīm.

"O you who believe! Do not put yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah — verily Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:1)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O believers, O people who have brought faith! Lā tuqaddimū bayna yaday llāhi wa-rasūlihi — do not go forward before Allah and His Messenger — do not give any permission or do anything without their permission — do not go ahead of them. Wa-ttaqū llāha — fear Allah — flee from His wrath. Inna llāha samīʿun ʿalīmun — Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing — He listens to everything you say and is All-Knowing of your words and deeds.

Translation: "O believers! Do not go forward before Allah and His Messenger — do not do anything without their permission — fear Allah. Allah hears everything and knows all."

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ وَلَا تَجْهَرُوا لَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَن تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū lā tarfaʿū aṣwātakum fawqa ṣawti l-nabiyyi wa-lā tajharū lahu bi-l-qawli ka-jahri baʿḍikum li-baʿḍin an taḥbaṭa aʿmālukum wa-antum lā tashʿurūn.

"O you who believe! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and do not speak loudly to him as you speak loudly to one another, lest your deeds be annulled while you are unaware." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:2)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O believers, O people who have brought faith! Lā tarfaʿū aṣwātakum — do not raise your voices. Fawqa ṣawti l-nabiyyi — higher than the Prophet's voice. Wa-lā tajharū lahu bi-l-qawli — and do not speak in a loud voice in his presence. Ka-jahri baʿḍikum li-baʿḍin — the way you call out to one another as peers. An taḥbaṭa aʿmālukum — lest your deeds somehow be annulled. Wa-antum lā tashʿurūna — and you are unaware.

Translation: "O believers! Do not raise your voices above the Prophet's voice — do not speak to him in a loud or calling manner, as you would speak to one another. Otherwise (noble) deeds may be ruined — annulled and destroyed — and you will not even be aware."

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَغُضُّونَ أَصْوَاتَهُمْ عِندَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

inna lladhīna yaghuḍḍūna aṣwātahum ʿinda rasūli llāhi ulāʾika lladhīna mtaghana llāhu qulūbahum li-l-taqwā lahum maghfiratun wa-ajrun ʿaẓīm.

"Indeed, those who lower their voices in the presence of the Messenger of Allah — it is they whose hearts Allah has tested for taqwā. For them is forgiveness and a mighty reward." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:3)

Inna lladhīna yaghuḍḍūna aṣwātahum — indeed those who keep their voices lowered. ʿInda rasūli llāhi — in the presence of Allah's Messenger. Ulāʾika lladhīna — it is those who. Imtaḥana llāhu qulūbahum — Allah has tested and purified their hearts. Li-l-taqwā — for the sake of taqwā, piety. Lahum maghfirātun — for them is forgiveness — Allah's pardon. Wa-ajrun ʿaẓīmun — and a mighty, great reward and reward.

Translation: "Those who lower their voices in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ — it is they whose hearts Allah has tested and found worthy of taqwā. For them is forgiveness and a great reward."

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُنَادُونَكَ مِن وَرَاءِ الْحُجُرَاتِ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ

inna lladhīna yunādūnaka min warāʾi l-ḥujurāti aktharuhum lā yaʿqilūn.

"Indeed, those who call you from outside the private chambers — most of them do not understand." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:4)

Inna lladhīna yunādūnaka — indeed those who call you. Min warāʾi l-ḥujurāti — from outside the private chambers, the rooms. Aktharuhum lā yaʿqilūna — most of them do not understand.

Translation: "Those who call you from the outside of the private chambers — most of them are without reason and understanding."

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ صَبَرُوا حَتَّىٰ تَخْرُجَ إِلَيْهِمْ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

wa-law annahum ṣabarū ḥattā takhruja ilayhim la-kāna khayran lahum wa-llāhu ghafūrun raḥīm.

"And if they had been patient until you came out to them, it would have been better for them — and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:5)

Wa-law annahum ṣabarū — if those people had been patient, had waited with composure. Ḥattā takhruja ilayhim — until you yourself came out to them of your own accord. La-kāna khayran lahum — it would have been better for them. Wa-llāhu ghafūrun raḥīmun — and Allah is forgiving and merciful — the One who accepts repentance and is Most Merciful.

Translation: "If these people had waited patiently here until you yourself came out to them, it would have been better for them — and Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful."

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū in jāʾakum fāsiqun bi-nabaʾin fa-tabayyānū an tuṣībū qawman bi-jahālatin fa-tuṣbiḥū ʿalā mā faʿaltum nādimīn.

"O you who believe! If a wicked person brings you news, verify it, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and then become regretful over what you have done." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:6)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O believers! In jāʾakum fāsiqun — if a disreputable person, an unscrupulous one, a violator of divine limits, comes to you. Bi-nabaʾin — with a piece of news, an unusual piece of information. Fa-tabayyānū — then verify it — investigate it, clarify it — make the situation clear. An tuṣībū qawman bi-jahālatin — lest you reach a people without grounds — and cause harm, disaster to them. Fa-tuṣbiḥū ʿalā mā faʿaltum nādimīna — and then you repent over the action you took, every one of you, and you regret, are ashamed.

Translation: "O believers! If an unreliable person brings any piece of news, then verify it — so that you do not harass anyone without grounds — and then repent over every action you took."

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطِيعُكُمْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ

wa-ʿlamū anna fīkum rasūla llāhi law yuṭīʿukum fī kathīrin mina l-amri la-ʿanittum wa-lākinna llāha ḥabbaba ilaykumu l-īmāna wa-zayyanahu fī qulūbikum wa-karraha ilaykumu l-kufra wa-l-fusūqa wa-l-ʿiṣyāna ulāʾika humu l-rāshidūn.

"And know that the Messenger of Allah is among you — if he were to obey you in many matters, you would surely suffer. But Allah has made faith beloved to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made hateful to you disbelief, wickedness and disobedience — such are the rightly-guided." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:7)

Wa-ʿlamū — know well — and be fully aware. Anna fīkum rasūla llāhi — that among you is Allah's Messenger — his advice and wisdom is the Word of Allah. Law yuṭīʿukum fī kathīrin mina l-amri — if he followed your views in many matters. La-ʿanittum — you would suffer hardship, you would have nothing but affliction. Wa-lākinna llāha ḥabbaba ilaykumu l-īmāna — but Allah has planted the love of faith in your hearts. Wa-zayyanahu fī qulūbikum — and has made faith beautiful, attractive, placed as an adornment within your hearts. Wa-karraha ilaykumu l-kufra — and made you dislike disbelief — made it hateful. Wa-l-fusūqa wa-l-ʿiṣyāna — and made wickedness and disobedience hateful to you. Ulāʾika humu l-rāshidūna — such are the people who are rightly-guided, who are on the right and good way.

…and made the wrong and disagreeable ugly before you — disbelief, wickedness and disobedience made hateful, shameful. And those who carry out wicked and disobedient acts are shameful. Such are the rightly-guided — those on the right path and good way.

Translation: "And know well that among you is Allah's Messenger — if he followed your advice in many matters, you would suffer. But Allah has placed the love of faith in your hearts and made it beautiful in your hearts — and made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience hateful and distasteful to you. Such are the rightly-guided people."

فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

faḍlan mina llāhi wa-niʿmatan wa-llāhu ʿalīmun ḥakīm.

"A bounty and a blessing from Allah — and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:8)

Faḍlan mina llāhi wa-niʿmatan — this is by Allah's bounty and grace. How do people remain on the right way? Through His favour and grace from Him. Wa-llāhu ʿalīmun ḥakīmun — and Allah is All-Knowing — He who knows all things. Ḥakīmun — All-Wise — who does all things with knowledge and wisdom.

Translation: "This is all by Allah's bounty and grace — and Allah is All-Knowing, doing all things with knowledge and wisdom."

وَإِن طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا فَإِن بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَىٰ فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّىٰ تَفِيءَ إِلَىٰ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ فَإِن فَاءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا إِنَّ اللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ

wa-in ṭāʾifatāni mina l-muʾminīna iqtatalū fa-aṣliḥū baynahumā fa-in baghat iḥdāhumā ʿalā l-ukhrā fa-qātilū llatī tabghī ḥattā tafīʾa ilā amri llāhi fa-in fāʾat fa-aṣliḥū baynahumā bi-l-ʿadli wa-aqsiṭū inna llāha yuḥibbu l-muqsiṭīn.

"And if two groups of believers fight one another — make reconciliation between them. If one of them transgresses against the other — then fight that which transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah. And if it returns, make reconciliation between them in justice and equity — verily Allah loves those who are equitable." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:9)

Wa-in ṭāʾifatāni — if two groups, two parties. Mina l-muʾminīna — from among the believers, the Muslims. Iqtatalū — fight one another. Fa-aṣliḥū baynahumā — then reconcile between them — mediate. Fa-in baghat iḥdāhumā ʿalā l-ukhrā — and if one of them commits excess against the other. Fa-qātilū llatī tabghī — then fight that group which is committing the excess. Different views exist regarding this — the Khawārij say committing a major sin makes one a disbeliever. The Muʿtazila say it makes one neither a Muslim nor a disbeliever — a third kind. The Ahl al-Sunnat view is: sin is primarily an action of the heart — because an action of the heart is the most significant kind of action. A Muslim therefore will not remain in Hellfire eternally if they repent and Allah accepts. Ḥattā tafīʾa ilā amri llāhi — until it returns to Allah's command. Fa-in fāʾat — if it returns. Fa-aṣliḥū baynahumā — make reconciliation between them. Bi-l-ʿadli — with justice. Wa-aqsiṭū — and be equitable. Inna llāha yuḥibbu l-muqsiṭīna — Allah loves those who are equitable, those who love justice.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاءٌ مِّن نِّسَاءٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ بِئْسَ الِاسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الْإِيمَانِ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū lā yaskhar qawmun min qawmin ʿasā an yakūnū khayran minhum wa-lā nisāʾun min nisāʾin ʿasā an yakunna khayran minhunna wa-lā talmizū anfusakum wa-lā tanābazū bi-l-alqābi biʾsa l-ismu l-fusūqu baʿda l-īmāni wa-man lam yatub fa-ulāʾika humu l-ẓālimūn.

"O you who believe! Let not one group mock another group — perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women mock other women — perhaps they may be better than them. And do not defame one another, and do not insult one another with offensive names. How wretched a name is wickedness after faith — and whoever does not repent, then it is they who are the wrongdoers." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:11)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O believers! Lā yaskhar qawmun min qawmin — let not one group mock another. ʿAsā an yakūnū khayran minhum — perhaps they may be better than them — perhaps those being mocked are of a better spiritual station than those who mock. Wa-lā nisāʾun min nisāʾin — and women should not mock other women. ʿAsā an yakunna khayran minhunna — perhaps they may be better than them. Wa-lā talmizū anfusakum — and do not defame one another — ʿaybun (fault), so do not seek the faults of your own people. Wa-lā tanābazū bi-l-alqābi — and do not call one another by unpleasant names — do not use demeaning names — nick-names from their relatives' names, bad names. Biʾsa l-ismu l-fusūqu — a thoroughly evil name is fāsiq — wickedness is a terrible name. Baʿda l-īmāni — after faith — calling a person of faith a fāsiq (name of wickedness) is a terrible thing. Wa-man lam yatub fa-ulāʾika humu l-ẓālimūna — and those who do not repent, they are the wrongdoers, the unjust.

Baʿda l-īmāni — after faith — naming a person of faith with the name of fāsiq (wickedness) is terrible. Wa-man lam yatub — and those who do not repent of this fault and wickedness. Fa-ulāʾika humu l-ẓālimūna — they are the wrongdoers, the unjust.

Translation: "O believers! It is not befitting that one group should mock another — perhaps the other may be better than them. And women should not mock other women — perhaps they are better than them. And do not find fault with one another — and do not call one another by bad names. It is very evil to call someone by the name of fāsiq after they have come to faith. Those who do not repent are very unjust."

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهُ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū jtanibū kathīran mina l-ẓanni inna baʿḍa l-ẓanni ithmun wa-lā tajassasū wa-lā yaghtab baʿḍukum baʿḍan a-yuḥibbu aḥadukum an yaʾkula laḥma akhīhi maytan fa-karihtumūhu wa-ttaqū llāha inna llāha tawwābun raḥīm.

"O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion — indeed some suspicion is a sin. And do not spy, and do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it. And fear Allah — verily Allah is Most Relenting, Most Merciful." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:12)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O believers! Ijtanibū kathīran mina l-ẓanni — avoid much suspicion — refrain from it. Inna baʿḍa l-ẓanni ithmun — indeed some suspicion is a sin. Wa-lā tajassasū — do not spy — do not search out the secrets of their affairs. Wa-lā yaghtab baʿḍukum baʿḍan — and do not backbite one another. A-yuḥibbu aḥadukum — would any one of you desire. An yaʾkula laḥma akhīhi maytan — to eat the flesh of his dead brother. Fa-karihtumūhu — you detest this. Wa-ttaqū llāha — fear Allah. Inna llāha tawwābun raḥīmun — indeed Allah accepts repentance and is Most Merciful.

Translation: "O believers! Avoid much suspicion — some kinds of suspicion are sinful. And do not spy on one another and do not backbite one another. Would you like to eat the flesh of your dead brother? You would detest it. Fear Allah — Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful."

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

yā ayyuhā l-nāsu innā khalaqnākum min dhakarin wa-unthā wa-jaʿalnākum shuʿūban wa-qabāʾila li-taʿārafū inna akramakum ʿinda llāhi atqākum inna llāha ʿalīmun khabīr.

"O mankind! Indeed We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may come to know one another. Indeed the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing among you. Indeed Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:13)

Yā ayyuhā l-nāsu — O people! O humanity! Innā khalaqnākum — We created you. Min dhakarin wa-unthā — from a male and a female — from Adam (upon him be peace) and Ḥawwāʾ. Wa-jaʿalnākum shuʿūban wa-qabāʾila — and We made you into nations and tribes — so that you may know one another — a means of identification. Li-taʿārafū — so that you may identify and know one another. Inna akramakum ʿinda llāhi atqākum — indeed the most honoured among you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing. Inna llāha ʿalīmun khabīrun — indeed Allah is All-Knowing — He knows all things.

Translation: "O people! We created you from one man and one woman (Adam and Ḥawwāʾ), and We made you into nations and tribes (for identity — why?) so that you may come to know one another. Indeed the most honoured in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing — indeed Allah knows all things and is All-Aware."

Esteemed readers! Different family trees originate from different regions. In Hindustan there is Hindustānī, in Arabia the language of Arabia — some languages are more closely connected to Arabic, like American and English. In America there are Black and White people. In Islām, by the standard of taqwā and civilisation, Black and White are one — from the standpoint of religion, all are one. Whether Black or White or Arab or Hindustānī — according to religion all Muslims are one people. It is by this religion that we stand. We are not good because of being English or because of being from any other community — here a good Brāhmin of Englistan (England), a Muslim of Hindustan, a good Chinese (neighbour) — all are one family. We must all understand and identify one another — for the Sādāt we should understand that if I serve the good and the Sādāt I will be a leader and a true sādat. If I carry out my work properly then the Shuyūkh and Murshid Pīr will consider me a disciple — these Imāms do not accept any lineage: Christian, Chandar Jī, Ram Chander — Krishn Jī — these are idols and reflections of the visible. They consider them elevated souls — Ram and Chandar — Ram and Chandar are Brāhmins but not above other Brāhmins. Islām clarifies this — greatness is by ʿilm (learning) and good ʿamal (deeds), not by one's being a high-caste Brāhmin.

Esteemed readers! Muslims should always keep this verse before their eyes: Inna akramakum ʿinda llāhi atqākum — this is the foundational issue of Islām. This is the issue continually before the Muslims.

قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَٰكِن قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَإِن تُطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ لَا يَلِتْكُم مِّنْ أَعْمَالِكُمْ شَيْئًا إِنَّ اللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

qālati l-aʿrābu āmannā qul lam tuʾminū wa-lākin qūlū aslamṇā wa-lammā yadkhuli l-īmānu fī qulūbikum wa-in tuṭīʿū llāha wa-rasūlahu lā yalitkum min aʿmālikum shayʾan inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīm.

"The desert Arabs say: 'We believe.' Say: 'You do not believe — but say: We have submitted, for faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish anything of your deeds — indeed Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'" (al-Ḥujurāt 49:14)

Qālati l-aʿrābu — the desert Arabs, the Bedouin said. Āmannā — we have brought faith — we hold the true conviction of the religion. Qul — say, O Prophet. Lam tuʾminū — you have not brought faith. Wa-lākin qūlū aslamṇā — but say: we have submitted — we have declared our acceptance. Wa-lammā yadkhuli l-īmānu fī qulūbikum — for faith has not yet entered your hearts fully. Wa-in tuṭīʿū llāha wa-rasūlahu — and if you truly obey Allah and His Messenger. Lā yalitkum min aʿmālikum shayʾan — nothing of your deeds will be diminished. Inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīmun — indeed Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Translation: "The Bedouin (desert Arabs) said: 'We have brought faith.' You say (O Prophet): 'You have not brought faith — but say: we have submitted. Faith has not yet fully entered your hearts. But if you (sincerely) obey Allah and His Messenger, then nothing from your deeds will be diminished — indeed Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.'"

Esteemed readers! The meaning of faith and Islām is: faith means certainty, and Islām means submitting and handing oneself over to Allah. If that certainty is in the heart, then the meaning of both muʾmin (believer) and muslim (one who submits) is sound — these two names both come. If there is certainty in the heart and outward obedience, then Islām is not unacceptable at all — but not genuine faith. This kind of person makes an outward showing of obeying the divine commands — but God knows the state of the heart. Here the meaning is that Islām is acceptable — but not the genuine faith acceptable to Allah. If there is certainty of faith in the heart and obedience outwardly, then that is Islām — also acceptable, genuine muslim, sincere believer. But this outwardly obedient person is a munāfiq if there is no faith in the heart — and the Islamic rules will apply to their externals — but no one can claim to know whether the heart holds faith, for only God knows the hearts.

…as befitting: man to his work, woman to hers, the young to their work, the elderly to theirs. And the justice in matters of Islām is equal action and reward — it is a constant truth. But you observe that different customs are in place — some follow Islamic principles, some do not. Islām must be followed entirely, from the heart, and reform will come.

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا وَجَاهَدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُونَ

innamā l-muʾminūna lladhīna āmanū bi-llāhi wa-rasūlihi thumma lam yartābū wa-jāhadū bi-amwālihim wa-anfusihim fī sabīli llāhi ulāʾika humu l-ṣādiqūn.

"The true believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and then have no doubt — and strive with their wealth and their lives in the path of Allah — such are they who are truthful." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:15)

Innamā l-muʾminūna — the true believers are. Lladhīna āmanū bi-llāhi wa-rasūlihi — those who bring faith in Allah and His Messenger. Thumma lam yartābū — then they have no doubt about this, no shred of doubt arose. Wa-jāhadū bi-amwālihim — and they strived, with their wealth. Wa-anfusihim — and with their own lives. Fī sabīli llāhi — in the path of Allah. Ulāʾika humu l-ṣādiqūna — those are the truthful ones — they are truthful in word and deed.

Translation: "The true believers are those who bring faith in Allah and His Messenger and do not harbour any doubt or suspicion — and they strive with their wealth and lives in the path of Allah. They are the truthful, the sincere."

قُلْ أَتُعَلِّمُونَ اللَّهَ بِدِينِكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

qul a-tuʿallimūna llāha bi-dīnikum wa-llāhu yaʿlamu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍi wa-llāhu bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīm.

"Say: Are you informing Allah of your religion? And Allah knows all that is in the heavens and what is on the earth — and Allah is All-Knowing of every thing." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:16)

Qul a-tuʿallimūna llāha bi-dīnikum — say: you are informing Allah of your religion, showing Allah your piety. Wa-llāhu yaʿlamu — and Allah knows well — He knows all things — conditions of the heavens and the earth — what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. Wa-llāhu bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīmun — and Allah knows every thing — He is All-Knowing of every matter.

Translation: "Tell them: you are showing Allah your piety — but Allah knows what is in the heavens and on earth. Allah knows every thing."

يَمُنُّونَ عَلَيْكَ أَن أَسْلَمُوا قُل لَّا تَمُنُّوا عَلَيَّ إِسْلَامَكُم بَلِ اللَّهُ يَمُنُّ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ هَدَاكُمْ لِلْإِيمَانِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

yamunnūna ʿalayka an aslamū qul lā tamunnū ʿalayya islāmakum bali llāhu yamunnu ʿalaykum an hadākum li-l-īmāni in kuntum ṣādiqīn.

"They consider it a favour to you that they have embraced Islām. Say: Do not consider your Islām a favour to me — rather, Allah has conferred a favour upon you in that He guided you to faith, if you are truthful." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:17)

Yamunnūna ʿalayka — they consider it a favour to you. An aslamū — that they have become Muslims, that they followed and obeyed. Qul lā tamunnū ʿalayya islāmakum — tell them: do not consider your Islām a favour to me. Bali llāhu yamunnu ʿalaykum — rather, Allah has conferred His immense favour upon you. An hadākum li-l-īmāni — that He guided you to faith and gave you the tawfīq (God-given ability). In kuntum ṣādiqīna — if you are truthful.

Translation: "(Prophet!) they consider it a favour to you that they have become Muslim — do not consider your Islām a favour to me. Rather, Allah has conferred a favour upon you — He guided you to faith (and bestowed the tawfīq upon you) — if you are truthful."

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

inna llāha yaʿlamu ghayba l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-llāhu baṣīrun bi-mā taʿmalūn.

"Indeed Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and the earth — and Allah is All-Seeing of what you do." (al-Ḥujurāt 49:18)

Inna llāha yaʿlamu — indeed Allah most certainly knows. Ghayba l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi — the unseen of the heavens and the earth — what lies hidden in the heavens, what lies hidden on earth. Wa-llāhu baṣīrun bi-mā taʿmalūna — and Allah is watching your deeds — He sees everything you do.

Translation: "Indeed Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and the earth — and Allah sees all that you do."