Sūrat al-Mujādila

سورۃ المجادلہ

Sūrat al-Mujādila was revealed in Madina al-Munawwara. It contains twenty-two verses and three sections (rukūʿ).

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

قَدْ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ قَوْلَ الَّتِي تُجَادِلُكَ فِي زَوْجِهَا وَتَشْتَكِي إِلَى اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَسْمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ

qad samiʿa llāhu qawla llatī tujādiluka fī zawjihā wa-tashtakī ilā llāhi wa-llāhu yasmaʿu taḥāwurakumā inna llāha samīʿun baṣīr.

"Allah has indeed heard the words of the woman who disputes with you concerning her husband and complains to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing." (al-Mujādila 58:1)

Qad samiʿa llāhu — Allah has most certainly heard. Qawla llatī tujādiluka — the words of the woman who argues and pleads with you, O Prophet ﷺ. Fī zawjihā — concerning her husband, his matter and his affair. Wa-tashtakī ilā llāh — and she presents her complaint and distress to Allah. Wa-llāhu yasmaʿu taḥāwurakumā — and Allah hears your mutual exchange, the back-and-forth of your conversation. Inna llāha samīʿun baṣīr — indeed Allah is All-Hearing of all speech, All-Seeing of all conditions and states.

Translation: "Allah has surely heard the words of the woman who disputes with you about her husband and pours forth her complaint before Allah. Allah is hearing your exchange. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing."

The occasion of this revelation (sabab al-nuzūl) is as follows: Khawla bint Thaʿlaba (may Allah be pleased with her) came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said that her husband Aws ibn al-Ṣāmit (may Allah be pleased with him) had pronounced ẓihār against her — a pre-Islamic formula of divorce in which a man declared his wife to be to him like his mother's back, thereby rendering her forbidden to him. She complained to the Prophet ﷺ, who initially replied that according to the laws then in force, she had become permanently forbidden to her husband. She kept repeating her complaint and distress, saying: "He is my husband and the father of my children." She raised her hands in supplication and cried out: "O Allah, I complain to You!" Thereupon this verse was revealed, and through it the ruling on ẓihār was abrogated and a new dispensation given.

Esteemed readers, reflect upon this verse. The woman came to the Prophet ﷺ and pleaded her case — and Allah Most High heard her cry and revealed a verse about it. This is the supreme dignity of ṣalāt upon the Prophet ﷺ and the honour of approaching him with one's needs. The woman did not go to a king or to a court — she went to the Prophet ﷺ — and from that very gathering, divine revelation descended to address her situation. Blessed is the dust of the threshold of the Prophet ﷺ.

الَّذِينَ يُظَاهِرُونَ مِنكُم مِّن نِّسَائِهِم مَّا هُنَّ أُمَّهَاتِهِمْ إِنْ أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ إِلَّا اللَّائِي وَلَدْنَهُمْ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَقُولُونَ مُنكَرًا مِّنَ الْقَوْلِ وَزُورًا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ

alladhīna yuẓāhirūna minkum min nisāʾihim mā hunna ummahātihim in ummahātuhum illā lladhī waladnahum wa-innahum la-yaqūlūna munkaran mina l-qawli wa-zūrā wa-inna llāha la-ʿafuwwun ghafūr.

"Those among you who pronounce ẓihār against their wives — their wives are not their mothers. Their mothers are only those who gave birth to them. They are indeed uttering something despicable and false. But Allah is Most Pardoning, Most Forgiving." (al-Mujādila 58:2)

Alladhīna yuẓāhirūna minkum — those among you who pronounce ẓihār against their wives. Mā hunna ummahātihim — those wives are not, and cannot become, their mothers. In ummahātuhum illā lladhī waladnahum — their mothers are only and exclusively those women who gave birth to them. Wa-innahum la-yaqūlūna munkaran — and indeed they are uttering something reprehensible, something repugnant to the sacred law and to sound reason. Wa-zūrā — and utterly false, a lie and a fabrication. Wa-inna llāha la-ʿafuwwun ghafūr — but Allah is Most Pardoning and Most Forgiving; He accepts repentance and forgives those who return to Him.

Translation: "Those among you who pronounce ẓihār against their wives — their wives do not thereby become their mothers. Their mothers are only those women who gave birth to them. They are indeed uttering something reprehensible and false. But Allah is Most Pardoning, Most Forgiving."

The word yuẓāhirūna derives from ẓahr (back), because in the Age of Ignorance a man would say to his wife: "You are to me like my mother's back (ka-ẓahri ummī)." This was their form of divorce. Islam declared this statement to be null and void as a divorce pronouncement, and instead imposed an expiation (kaffāra) upon the one who uttered it, as will follow in the next verse.

وَالَّذِينَ يُظَاهِرُونَ مِن نِّسَائِهِمْ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا قَالُوا فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَاسَّا ذَٰلِكُمْ تُوعَظُونَ بِهِ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

wa-lladhīna yuẓāhirūna min nisāʾihim thumma yaʿūdūna li-mā qālū fa-taḥrīru raqabatin min qabli an yatamāssā dhālikum tūʿaẓūna bihi wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna khabīr.

"And those who pronounce ẓihār against their wives, then wish to retract what they said — the expiation is the freeing of a slave before they touch each other. This is what you are admonished to do, and Allah is aware of what you do." (al-Mujādila 58:3)

Wa-lladhīna yuẓāhirūna — and those who pronounce ẓihār. Thumma yaʿūdūna li-mā qālū — then they wish to return to what they said, meaning they regret the statement and wish to resume the conjugal relationship. Fa-taḥrīru raqabatin — then it is obligatory to free a slave. Min qabli an yatamāssā — before the two of them come into physical contact with one another. Dhālikum tūʿaẓūna bih — this is what you are warned and admonished with. Wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna khabīr — and Allah is fully aware of all that you do.

Translation: "And those who pronounce ẓihār against their wives and then wish to retract their words — they must free a slave before they touch each other. This is the admonition given to you, and Allah is fully aware of what you do."

The jurists have ruled that if a man pronounces ẓihār and then wishes to resume marital relations, he must first fulfil the kaffāra. The three stages of kaffāra in order are: first, freeing a slave; if that is not possible, then fasting for sixty consecutive days; and if even that is not possible, then feeding sixty poor people. This ruling is derived from the following verses.

فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَاسَّا فَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا ذَٰلِكَ لِتُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

fa-man lam yajid fa-ṣiyāmu shahrayni mutatābiʿayni min qabli an yatamāssā fa-man lam yastaṭiʿ fa-iṭʿāmu sittīna miskīnan dhālika li-tuʾminū bi-llāhi wa-rasūlihi wa-tilka ḥudūdu llāhi wa-li-l-kāfirīna ʿadhābun alīm.

"And whoever cannot do so, then fasting for two consecutive months before the two touch each other; and whoever cannot do that, then feeding sixty needy people. This is so that you may believe in Allah and His Messenger. These are the limits set by Allah. And for the disbelievers there is a painful punishment." (al-Mujādila 58:4)

Fa-man lam yajid — and for whoever cannot find or afford to free a slave. Fa-ṣiyāmu shahrayni mutatābiʿayn — then fasting two consecutive months is obligatory, with no days of interruption. Fa-man lam yastaṭiʿ — and whoever is unable to do even this. Fa-iṭʿāmu sittīna miskīnan — then feeding sixty poor and needy people. Dhālika li-tuʾminū bi-llāhi wa-rasūlih — this entire dispensation is so that you may truly believe in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ — that is, so that you may act upon the commands of faith. Wa-tilka ḥudūdu llāh — and these are the boundaries and limits established by Allah. Wa-li-l-kāfirīna ʿadhābun alīm — and for those who disbelieve and transgress these limits there is a painful punishment.

Translation: "And whoever cannot find the means to free a slave, then the expiation is fasting for two consecutive months before the couple touch each other. And whoever is unable even that, then feeding sixty poor people. This is so that you may sincerely believe in Allah and His Messenger. These are the limits set by Allah. And for the disbelievers there is a painful punishment."

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحَادُّونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ كُبِتُوا كَمَا كُبِتَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَا آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ

inna lladhīna yuḥāddūna llāha wa-rasūlahu kubitū kamā kubita lladhīna min qablihim wa-qad anzalnā āyātin bayyinātin wa-li-l-kāfirīna ʿadhābun muhīn.

"Indeed, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger will be humiliated, just as those before them were humiliated. We have certainly sent down clear signs. And for the disbelievers there is a humiliating punishment." (al-Mujādila 58:5)

Inna lladhīna yuḥāddūna llāha wa-rasūlah — indeed those who oppose and combat Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, who stand in enmity and adversarial posture against the divine command. Kubitū — they have been brought low, disgraced, humiliated. Kamā kubita lladhīna min qablihim — just as the people before them — the enemies of the previous prophets — were disgraced and destroyed. Wa-qad anzalnā āyātin bayyināt — and We have indeed sent down clear signs and proofs. Wa-li-l-kāfirīna ʿadhābun muhīn — and for the disbelievers there is a humiliating punishment — a punishment that disgraces and degrades.

Translation: "Those who stand in opposition to Allah and His Messenger will be brought to ruin and disgrace — just as those before them were brought to ruin. We have already sent down clear and manifest proofs. And for the disbelievers there is a humiliating punishment."

Esteemed readers, history itself testifies to this promise. Every enemy of the Prophet ﷺ and of Islam — the Quraysh tyrants, the enemies of Madina, the armies of kufr — was ultimately brought to disgrace. This is the unalterable divine law: those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger ﷺ cannot ultimately prevail.

يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا أَحْصَاهُ اللَّهُ وَنَسُوهُ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

yawma yabʿathuhumu llāhu jamīʿan fa-yunabbiʾuhum bi-mā ʿamilū aḥṣāhu llāhu wa-nasūhu wa-llāhu ʿalā kulli shayʾin shahīd.

"On the Day when Allah resurrects them all and informs them of what they did — Allah has taken account of it while they forgot it. And Allah is Witness over all things." (al-Mujādila 58:6)

Yawma yabʿathuhumu llāhu jamīʿan — the Day when Allah resurrects all of them — every person without exception. Fa-yunabbiʾuhum bi-mā ʿamilū — and then informs them of all that they did in the world. Aḥṣāhu llāhu wa-nasūhu — Allah has enumerated and preserved it all, while they themselves have forgotten it. Wa-llāhu ʿalā kulli shayʾin shahīd — and Allah is a witness and observer over all things, at all times.

Translation: "On the Day when Allah raises them all from the dead, He will inform them of what they did. Allah kept count of it all while they forgot it. And Allah is a Witness over all things."

Esteemed readers, a day is coming when every deed, every word, every moment will be set before each soul. Nothing will be hidden. The smallest good and the smallest evil will be displayed. Let each of us take account of ourselves before that account is taken by the One before Whom nothing is concealed.

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَىٰ ثَلَاثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلَا أَدْنَىٰ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

alam tara anna llāha yaʿlamu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍi mā yakūnu min najwā thalāthatin illā huwa rābiʿuhum wa-lā khamsatin illā huwa sādisuhum wa-lā adnā min dhālika wa-lā akthara illā huwa maʿahum ayna mā kānū thumma yunabbiʾuhum bi-mā ʿamilū yawma l-qiyāmati inna llāha bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīm.

"Have you not seen that Allah knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth? There is no secret counsel of three but that He is their fourth, nor of five but that He is their sixth, nor fewer than that nor more but that He is with them wherever they may be. Then on the Day of Resurrection He will inform them of what they did. Indeed, Allah has full knowledge of all things." (al-Mujādila 58:7)

Alam tara — have you not seen, do you not observe? Anna llāha yaʿlamu — that Allah has complete knowledge of. Mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍ — all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. Mā yakūnu min najwā thalāthatin — there is no private secret counsel (najwā) of three persons. Illā huwa rābiʿuhum — but that He is their fourth — present, hearing, knowing. Wa-lā khamsatin illā huwa sādisuhum — and no group of five but He is their sixth. Wa-lā adnā min dhālika wa-lā akthar — and no number fewer or greater — two or ten or a hundred. Illā huwa maʿahum — but that He is with them. Ayna mā kānū — wherever they may be — in a palace, in a desert, in secrecy. Thumma yunabbiʾuhum bi-mā ʿamilū yawma l-qiyāma — then on the Day of Resurrection He will inform them of all they did. Inna llāha bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīm — indeed Allah has full knowledge of all things.

Translation: "Have you not seen that Allah knows everything in the heavens and everything on the earth? No three hold a secret counsel but He is their fourth — and no five but He is their sixth — and no fewer and no more, wherever they may be, but He is with them. Then on the Day of Resurrection He will inform them of what they did. Indeed, Allah has full knowledge of all things."

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ نُهُوا عَنِ النَّجْوَىٰ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا نُهُوا عَنْهُ وَيَتَنَاجَوْنَ بِالْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ الرَّسُولِ وَإِذَا جَاءُوكَ حَيَّوْكَ بِمَا لَمْ يُحَيِّكَ بِهِ اللَّهُ وَيَقُولُونَ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ لَوْلَا يُعَذِّبُنَا اللَّهُ بِمَا نَقُولُ حَسْبُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ يَصْلَوْنَهَا فَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

alam tara ilā lladhīna nuhū ʿani l-najwā thumma yaʿūdūna li-mā nuhū ʿanhu wa-yatanājawna bi-l-ithmi wa-l-ʿudwāni wa-maʿṣiyati l-rasūli wa-idhā jāʾūka ḥayyawka bi-mā lam yuḥayyika bihi llāhu wa-yaqūlūna fī anfusihim lawlā yuʿadhdhibunā llāhu bi-mā naqūlu ḥasbuhum jahannamu yaṣlawnahā fa-biʾsa l-maṣīr.

"Have you not seen those who were forbidden from secret counsel, yet return to what they were forbidden, conspiring in sin and transgression and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you they greet you with words that Allah has not used to greet you, and say to themselves: 'Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?' Sufficient for them is Hell — they shall burn in it. What a wretched destination!" (al-Mujādila 58:8)

Alam tara ilā lladhīna nuhū ʿani l-najwā — have you not observed those who were forbidden from holding secret whispering councils, yet they return time and again to what they were forbidden? Wa-yatanājawna bi-l-ithm wa-l-ʿudwāni wa-maʿṣiyati l-rasūl — and their secret counsel is full of sin, transgression, and disobedience to the Messenger ﷺ. Wa-idhā jāʾūka ḥayyawka bi-mā lam yuḥayyika bihi llāh — and when they come to you they greet you with words that Allah has not commanded as a greeting — for example the hypocrites and Jews would say "al-sāmu ʿalayk" (death be upon you) instead of the prescribed Islamic greeting. Wa-yaqūlūna fī anfusihim lawlā yuʿadhdhibunā llāhu bi-mā naqūl — and they say to themselves: if what we are saying were truly wrong, why has Allah not punished us? They take the delay of punishment as a sign of approval. Ḥasbuhum jahannamu yaṣlawnahā — Hell is sufficient for them; they will be immersed in its flames. Fa-biʾsa l-maṣīr — and what a wretched final destination.

Translation: "Have you not seen those who were forbidden from secret plotting, yet go back to what they were forbidden? They conspire in sin and transgression and disobedience to the Messenger. And when they come to you they greet you with words Allah has never used in greeting you, and say to themselves: 'Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?' — Hell is enough for them: they will burn in it. What a wretched destination!"

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَنَاجَيْتُمْ فَلَا تَتَنَاجَوْا بِالْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ الرَّسُولِ وَتَنَاجَوْا بِالْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū idhā tanājatytum fa-lā tatanājaw bi-l-ithmi wa-l-ʿudwāni wa-maʿṣiyati l-rasūli wa-tanājaw bi-l-birri wa-l-taqwā wa-ttaqū llāha lladhī ilayhi tuḥsharūn.

"O you who believe, when you hold secret counsel, do not conspire in sin and transgression and disobedience to the Messenger, but rather counsel one another in goodness and piety. And fear Allah, unto Whom you will all be gathered." (al-Mujādila 58:9)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O you who have believed! Idhā tanājatytum — when you hold private discussions or secret counsel among yourselves. Fa-lā tatanājaw bi-l-ithmi wa-l-ʿudwān — then do not make those discussions about sin and transgression and opposition to the Messenger ﷺ. Wa-tanājaw bi-l-birri wa-l-taqwā — but let your private counsels be about goodness, virtue, and God-consciousness. Wa-ttaqū llāha lladhī ilayhi tuḥsharūn — and fear Allah, unto Whom you shall all be gathered on the Day of Judgement.

Translation: "O believers, when you hold private counsel, do not make it about sin and transgression and disobedience to the Messenger — rather let your counsel be about virtue and piety. And fear Allah, unto Whom you will all be assembled."

إِنَّمَا النَّجْوَىٰ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ لِيَحْزُنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَيْسَ بِضَارِّهِمْ شَيْئًا إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ

innamā l-najwā mina l-shayṭāni li-yaḥzuna lladhīna āmanū wa-laysa bi-ḍārrihim shayʾan illā bi-idhni llāhi wa-ʿalā llāhi fa-l-yatawakkali l-muʾminūn.

"Secret counsel is only from Satan, in order to grieve those who believe — but he cannot harm them in the least except by the permission of Allah. And in Allah let the believers place their trust." (al-Mujādila 58:10)

Innamā l-najwā mina l-shayṭān — secret plotting and whispering counsel inspired by evil is from Satan, for it is he who incites it. Li-yaḥzuna lladhīna āmanū — in order to grieve, distress, and cause sorrow to the believers. Wa-laysa bi-ḍārrihim shayʾan — and Satan cannot harm them in anything. Illā bi-idhni llāh — except by the permission and will of Allah. Wa-ʿalā llāhi fa-l-yatawakkali l-muʾminūn — and upon Allah alone should the believers rely and place their full trust.

Translation: "Secret evil counsel is only from Satan — his aim is to grieve the believers. But he can cause them no harm whatsoever except by Allah's permission. So let the believers place their trust in Allah."

This is one of the most reassuring verses for the believer. However many conspiracies enemies may hatch, however many whispering campaigns they may conduct — they can harm the believer only to the extent that Allah's wisdom permits. Beyond that, they are powerless. The answer to every fear is tawakkul — complete reliance on Allah Most High.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انشُزُوا فَانشُزُوا يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū idhā qīla lakum tafassaḥū fī l-majālisi fa-fsaḥū yafsaḥi llāhu lakum wa-idhā qīla nshuzū fa-nshuzū yarfaʿi llāhu lladhīna āmanū minkum wa-lladhīna ūtū l-ʿilma darajātin wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna khabīr.

"O you who believe, when you are told 'Make room' in the gatherings, then make room — Allah will make room for you. And when it is said 'Rise up,' then rise up. Allah will raise those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge, in degrees. And Allah is fully aware of what you do." (al-Mujādila 58:11)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O you who have believed! Idhā qīla lakum tafassaḥū fī l-majālis — when you are told to make space in the gatherings — especially in the gatherings of the Prophet ﷺ, or in any gathering of knowledge and remembrance. Fa-fsaḥū yafsaḥi llāhu lakum — then make space willingly: Allah will expand your circumstances and enlarge your provision. Wa-idhā qīla nshuzū fa-nshuzū — and when you are told to rise and depart, then rise without reluctance. Yarfaʿi llāhu lladhīna āmanū minkum wa-lladhīna ūtū l-ʿilma darajāt — Allah raises those who believe and those who have been given sacred knowledge by many degrees of honour and station. Wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna khabīr — and Allah is fully cognisant of all your deeds.

Translation: "O believers, when it is said to you 'Make room' in the assembly, then make room — and Allah will make room for you. And when it is said 'Rise,' then rise. Allah elevates those among you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge — by many degrees. And Allah is fully aware of what you do."

This verse contains a great lesson on the etiquette of gatherings. Making space for others, giving preference to those of knowledge, and following the directions of one's shaykh or teacher are all acts of īmān and bring spiritual elevation.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نَاجَيْتُمُ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ نَجْوَاكُمْ صَدَقَةً ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ فَإِن لَّمْ تَجِدُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū idhā nājytumu l-rasūla fa-qaddimū bayna yaday najwākum ṣadaqatan dhālika khayrun lakum wa-aṭharu fa-in lam tajidū fa-inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīm.

"O you who believe, when you hold private counsel with the Messenger, present a charity before your private consultation. That is better for you and purer. But if you do not have the means, then indeed Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." (al-Mujādila 58:12)

Idhā nājytumu l-rasūl — when you wish to have a private audience with the Messenger ﷺ for any personal matter. Fa-qaddimū bayna yaday najwākum ṣadaqatan — then give something in charity first, before the private discussion. Dhālika khayrun lakum wa-aṭhar — that is better for you and purer for your hearts — for it drives away attachment to wealth and purifies the intention. Fa-in lam tajidū — but if you do not have the means. Fa-inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīm — then indeed Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful — He forgives those who are unable.

Translation: "O believers, when you wish to speak privately with the Messenger, give in charity before your private consultation. This is better for you and more purifying. But if you do not have the means, then Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."

This command was revealed so that people might reflect on whether their private requests were truly necessary, and to reduce the burden of constant private audiences upon the Prophet ﷺ. When the obligation was lightened shortly thereafter (next verse), it showed divine mercy and the ease of this religion.

أَأَشْفَقْتُمْ أَن تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ نَجْوَاكُمْ صَدَقَاتٍ فَإِذْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا وَتَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

a-ashfaqtum an tuqaddimū bayna yaday najwākum ṣadaqātin fa-idh lam tafʿalū wa-tāba llāhu ʿalaykum fa-aqīmū l-ṣalāta wa-ātū l-zakāta wa-aṭīʿū llāha wa-rasūlahu wa-llāhu khabīrun bi-mā taʿmalūn.

"Did you fear that you would have to present charities before your private consultation? Since you did not do so and Allah has turned toward you in mercy — then establish the prayer and give the zakāt and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is fully aware of what you do." (al-Mujādila 58:13)

A-ashfaqtum — did you feel afraid and apprehensive? An tuqaddimū bayna yaday najwākum ṣadaqāt — at the prospect of presenting charity before your private audiences? Fa-idh lam tafʿalū — since you did not do it. Wa-tāba llāhu ʿalaykum — and Allah has turned toward you in mercy and accepted your state. Fa-aqīmū l-ṣalāta wa-ātū l-zakāt — then observe the prayer and give the zakāt. Wa-aṭīʿū llāha wa-rasūlah — and obey Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Wa-llāhu khabīrun bi-mā taʿmalūn — and Allah is fully cognisant of all your deeds.

Translation: "Were you afraid to give in charity before your private consultations? Since you did not do so and Allah has turned to you in mercy — then establish the prayer, give the zakāt, and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is fully aware of what you do."

Esteemed readers, the obligation of giving charity before a private audience was then lifted — replaced by the eternal obligations of prayer and zakāt. This shows us that in Islam, if one dispensation is lightened, another essential duty takes its place. The believer is never left without a means of drawing nearer to Allah.

This page bears the ornate title panel of Juzʾ 28 of the Noble Qurʾān — "Qad samiʿa Allāhu" — marking the beginning of the twenty-eighth part.

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا قَوْمًا غَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مَّا هُم مِّنكُمْ وَلَا مِنْهُمْ وَيَحْلِفُونَ عَلَى الْكَذِبِ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

alam tara ilā lladhīna tawallaw qawman ghaḍiba llāhu ʿalayhim mā hum minkum wa-lā minhum wa-yaḥlifūna ʿalā l-kadhbi wa-hum yaʿlamūn.

"Have you not seen those who take as allies a people with whom Allah is angry? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to falsehood while they know." (al-Mujādila 58:14)

Alam tara ilā lladhīna tawallaw — have you not observed those who have taken as patrons and allies. Qawman ghaḍiba llāhu ʿalayhim — a people upon whom the wrath of Allah has fallen — meaning those who have earned divine anger through persistent disobedience. Mā hum minkum wa-lā minhum — they are neither from you believers, nor truly from those disbelievers — they are double-faced, belonging to neither camp. Wa-yaḥlifūna ʿalā l-kadhbi — and they swear oaths upon falsehood. Wa-hum yaʿlamūn — while they know full well that their oaths are false.

Translation: "Have you not seen those who befriend a people upon whom Allah's wrath has descended? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to lies with full knowledge."

This verse describes the condition of the hypocrites of Madina who maintained secret friendships with the Jews — maintaining a façade of Islam while conspiring with those hostile to Islam. The believer must be vigilant: double loyalty is no loyalty at all.

أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا إِنَّهُمْ سَاءَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

aʿadda llāhu lahum ʿadhāban shadīdan innahum sāʾa mā kānū yaʿmalūn.

"Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Indeed, evil is what they used to do." (al-Mujādila 58:15)

اتَّخَذُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ

ittakhadhū aymānahum junnatan fa-ṣaddū ʿan sabīli llāhi fa-lahum ʿadhābun muhīn.

"They have taken their oaths as a cover and so they bar others from the path of Allah. For them there is a humiliating punishment." (al-Mujādila 58:16)

Ittakhadhū aymānahum junnatan — they have made their false oaths and hollow professions of faith into a protective shield and screen. Fa-ṣaddū ʿan sabīli llāh — and by means of this cover they blocked people from the path of Allah, turning them away from truth. Fa-lahum ʿadhābun muhīn — for them there awaits a humiliating and degrading punishment.

Translation: "They have made their oaths into a shield, and thereby blocked others from the way of Allah. For them there is a humiliating punishment."

لَّن تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُهُمْ مِّنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

lan tughniya ʿanhum amwāluhum wa-lā awlāduhum mina llāhi shayʾan ulāʾika aṣḥābu l-nāri hum fīhā khālidūn.

"Their wealth and their children will avail them nothing against Allah. They are the inhabitants of the Fire — they will abide therein forever." (al-Mujādila 58:17)

يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُ كَمَا يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ

yawma yabʿathuhumu llāhu jamīʿan fa-yaḥlifūna lahū kamā yaḥlifūna lakum wa-yaḥsabūna annahum ʿalā shayʾin alā innahum humu l-kādhibūn.

"On the Day when Allah resurrects them all, they will swear to Him just as they swear to you, thinking that it will avail them. Surely it is they who are the liars." (al-Mujādila 58:18)

This verse speaks of a devastating scene of the Day of Judgement: the hypocrites, so habituated to lying and swearing false oaths in this world, will resort to the same behaviour before Allah on the Day of Resurrection. They will swear by Allah that they were believers — and it will avail them nothing. The habit of falsehood will have so thoroughly taken hold that they will try to deploy it even in the divine court.

اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطَانِ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّيْطَانِ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

istaḥwadha ʿalayhimu l-shayṭānu fa-ansāhum dhikra llāhi ulāʾika ḥizbu l-shayṭāni alā inna ḥizba l-shayṭāni humu l-khāsirūn.

"Satan has taken hold of them and caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Satan. Truly, it is the party of Satan that are the losers." (al-Mujādila 58:19)

Istaḥwadha — Satan has gained complete mastery and dominion over them. Fa-ansāhum dhikra llāh — and has caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah — they no longer remember, no longer worship, no longer pray with any sincerity. Ulāʾika ḥizbu l-shayṭān — these are the party of Satan, his soldiers and followers. Alā inna ḥizba l-shayṭāni humu l-khāsirūn — truly, the party of Satan are the ones who suffer loss — in this world and the next.

Translation: "Satan has overcome them and caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah. They are Satan's party. Verily, it is Satan's party that shall be the losers."

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحَادُّونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي الْأَذَلِّينَ

inna lladhīna yuḥāddūna llāha wa-rasūlahu ulāʾika fī l-adhallīn.

"Indeed, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger — it is they who are among the most abased." (al-Mujādila 58:20)

كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَأَغْلِبَنَّ أَنَا وَرُسُلِي إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

kataba llāhu la-aghlibanna anā wa-rusulī inna llāha qawiyyun ʿazīz.

"Allah has decreed: 'I and My Messengers shall surely prevail.' Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty." (al-Mujādila 58:21)

Kataba llāhu — Allah has inscribed it in the Preserved Tablet, He has decreed as a fixed and unalterable reality. La-aghlibanna anā wa-rusulī — "I and My Messengers shall most certainly prevail." Inna llāha qawiyyun ʿazīz — indeed Allah is All-Powerful in might and All-Mighty in honour — no force can withstand His decree.

Translation: "Allah has decreed: 'I and My Messengers shall prevail.' Truly, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty."

Esteemed readers, this is one of the greatest promises in the Qurʾān. The Messengers of Allah are always ultimately victorious — even if they are opposed, persecuted, and apparently defeated for a period. The final outcome belongs to the religion of Allah. History confirms this from the time of the Prophet Nūḥ (upon him be peace) to the final seal of the prophets, Muḥammad ﷺ.

لَّا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَوْ كَانُوا آبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ أُولَٰئِكَ كَتَبَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَأَيَّدَهُم بِرُوحٍ مِّنْهُ وَيُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ أُولَٰئِكَ حِزْبُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

lā tajidu qawman yuʾminūna bi-llāhi wa-l-yawmi l-ākhiri yuwāddūna man ḥādda llāha wa-rasūlahu wa-law kānū ābāʾahum aw abnāʾahum aw ikhwānahum aw ʿashīratahum ulāʾika kataba fī qulūbihimu l-īmāna wa-ayyadahum bi-rūḥin minhu wa-yudkhiluhum jannātin tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhāru khālidīna fīhā raḍiya llāhu ʿanhum wa-raḍū ʿanhu ulāʾika ḥizbu llāhi alā inna ḥizba llāhi humu l-mufliḥūn.

"You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day showing love to those who oppose Allah and His Messenger — even if they were their fathers, their sons, their brothers, or their kinsmen. These are the ones in whose hearts He has inscribed faith and supported with a spirit from Him. He will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. These are the party of Allah. Verily, it is the party of Allah that shall triumph." (al-Mujādila 58:22)

This magnificent final verse of Sūrat al-Mujādila draws the ultimate contrast between the party of Satan (mentioned in verse 19) and the party of Allah. The true believer cannot love those who make war against Allah and His Messenger ﷺ — not for the sake of blood ties, not for the sake of worldly benefit. Faith (īmān) in the heart of the sincere believer is more precious than all familial bonds. Such believers receive four gifts from Allah: faith written into their hearts, divine support through a spirit from Him, eternal paradise, and His divine pleasure — raḍiya llāhu ʿanhum wa-raḍū ʿanh. These are the party of Allah — and it is they who shall succeed.