About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

(In this Surah Islamic manners and etiquettes for personal reform are de-scribed.) O you who believe! Don’t make any decision (verbally or practically) before (the permis-sion) of Allah and His Messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) ] and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing (your speech), All-Knowing (your actions).

O you who believe! Don’t raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)  and don’t  address him loudly as you do to one another lest your deeds become null and void while you are unaware. [Hence, raising your voices shall be considered rudeness to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) ].

Indeed, those who lower their voices in the presence of Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) , Allah has tested their hearts for piety. There is forgiveness and a great reward for them.

Indeed, those (i.e. villagers of Banu Tameem) who call you [the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) ] from behind (your) huts, most of them have no sense.

If they had waited patiently until the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and bless-ings be upon him)  himself came out to them, it would have been better for them (since it shows good manners). (But if they repent they will be forgiven since) Allah is Very Forgiving, Most Merciful.

O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, do ver-ify it, lest you harm some people in ignorance, and later on regret what you have done.

And bear in mind that there is Allah’s Prophet (may Allah’s peace and bless-ings be upon him)  among you [so respect him and obey him and don’t expect him to follow your thinking, since] if the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and bless-ings be upon him)  follows your thinking in many matters, it would be harmful for you. But Allah [saved you from this hardship and) has made you love your Faith and has made it attractive for your hearts and Allah has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience very hateful to you. Such people are the rightly guided [these are the virtues of the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) ].

(This is) a Grace from Allah and His Favour. And Allah is All-Knowing (about the wisdom in these Commands), All-Wise (and has made these Com-mands mandatory for you to follow).

If two groups of believers happen to fight, then make peace between them (by eliminating the cause of the fight). However, if one group continues to wrong the other unfairly, then (all of) you fight against this group till it complies with the Command of Allah. Then if it complies, make reconciliation between them justly (i.e. simply  stopping the fight is not enough. Make them meet each other and advise them to avoid any future disputes). And judge with justice (let not any personal feelings influence your judgement). Indeed, Allah loves those who are just.

Indeed, believers are brothers (in Islam i.e. they have spiritual and physical relation). Hence, make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah so that (His) Mercy be showered on you.

O you who believe! Men should not mock other men. Maybe the one you mocked is closer to Allah than you (then why should you put him down). And women should not mock other women. Maybe the one she mocked is closer to Allah than her (then why should you put her down). Don’t defame yourself. (Note the eloquence of the Quran here. If you defame others, they will defame you. Hence, you are actually defaming yourself). And don’t give nicknames to others to tease them. It is a terrible thing to insult your brother after having Faith. And whosoever does not repent, they are the wrong-doers.

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion. Indeed, some sus--picions are sins. Don’t spy (to find others’ faults). Don’t backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? (Obviously) you will hate it. (Back-biting a brother is a similar thing). And fear Allah (quit back-biting and repent). Indeed, Allah accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female [i.e. Adam ( )and Eve ( ) ] (in this respect all people are equal). (The difference between the people is that) We made you into nations and (each nation has) tribes for your identification (there is lot of wisdom in it but it does not mean that you should act arrogantly to one another). Indeed, the most honourable from you with Allah is that (believer) who is the most pious among you. Allah is All-Knowing, Well-Acquainted with all things (Hence, don’t brag about your lineage or nationality).

Some villagers say: “We believe.” Say (to them): “You have not believed (since belief means to testify by heart). You (the villagers) may say: “We have embraced Islam (i.e. we quit the opposition and have surrendered).” And Faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) , Allah will not decrease the reward of your deeds even a little bit. Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.

Indeed, the (sincere) believers are those who believe in Allah and His Mes-senger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)  and do not doubt about it (throughout their lives) and strive hard with their wealth and lives in the Cause of Allah. They are the truthful (in their claim for true Belief).

Say (to the villagers): “Are you trying to inform Allah about your religion while Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and in the earth?” And Allah is All-Knower of everything.

They (the villagers) consider it a favour to you that they have embraced Is-lam (which is rude-ness). Say: “Don’t consider your Islam as a favour to me. In fact, Allah has done a favour to you Who guided you to the Faith if you care to speak the truth.”

Indeed, Allah knows the Unseen of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Seer of what you do.