المجادلة
Al-Mujadila
The Pleading Woman • madinah • 22 Verses
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قَدْ سَمِعَ ٱللَّهُ قَوْلَ ٱلَّتِى تُجَٰدِلُكَ فِى زَوْجِهَا وَتَشْتَكِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ يَسْمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَآ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
Commentary:
The reference in the verse seems to be to Khaulah, wife of Aus bin Samit and daughter of Tha‘labah. She had become separated from her husband because the latter had called her "mother," the exact words used by him being, "thou art to me as the back of my mother." According to an old Arab custom all conjugal relations ceased between a man and his wife when he used these words about her. The unfortunate woman could neither demand divorce in order to contract a second marriage, nor could she enjoy conjugal rights. She remained uncared for. Khaulah came to the Holy Prophet and complained to him of the awkward situation in which she was placed, and sought his advice and help in the matter. The Holy Prophetpleaded his inability to do anything for her, as it was his wont not to give a decision in matters of this nature, unless he was guided by revelation. The revelation came, and the custom of Zihar was declared unlawful.
Incidentally, the verse shows that God hears the prayers and plaints of even the weakest of His servants.
Khaulah, wife of Aus bin Samit and daughter of Tha‘labah had become separated from her husband because the latter had called her "mother," the exact words used by him being, 'thou art to me as the back of my mother;' and thus according to an old Arab custom all conjugal relations had ceased between her and her husband. The unfortunate woman could neither demand divorce in order to contract a second marriage, nor could she enjoy conjugal rights and thus remained a suspended woman, uncared for. She came to the Holy Prophet and complained to him of the awkward situation in which she was placed, and sought his advice and help in the matter. The Holy Prophet pleaded his inability to do anything for her, as it was his wont that he would not give a decision in matters of this nature unless he was guided by revelation. The revelation came, and the custom of Zihar was declared unlawful.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُظَٰهِرُونَ مِنكُم مِّن نِّسَآئِهِم مَّا هُنَّ أُمَّهَٰتِهِمْ ۖ إِنْ أُمَّهَٰتُهُمْ إِلَّا ٱلَّٰٓـِٔى وَلَدْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَقُولُونَ مُنكَرًا مِّنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ وَزُورًا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ
33:5
Commentary:
Zihar or calling ones wife "mother" has been declared here a heinous sin. For a somewhat detailed note see 33:5.
The words لعفو غفور mean that God in His great mercy has made allowance for man’s weakness and that He is always ready to forgive his lapses, provided he comes to God with a penitent heart and makes amends.
The verse has redeemed a right which through a cruel custom was denied to women and thus has raised them to the status to which they were entitled.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُظَٰهِرُونَ مِن نِّسَآئِهِمْ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا قَالُوا۟ فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَآسَّا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ تُوعَظُونَ بِهِۦ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
Commentary:
The words "they go back on what they have said," may signify that after calling their wives "mothers" they seek to re-establish conjugal relations with them. Or the words may mean that after having once called their wives "mothers" they repeat what they have said. According to this meaning, it is deliberate repetition of the obnoxious words and not their casual or inadvertent utterance that renders the utterer liable to the punishment prescribed in this and the following verse.
The words, "they would go back on what they have said," may signify that after calling their wives "mothers" they seek to re-establish conjugal relations with them, or they may mean that after having once called their wives "mothers" they repeat what they have said. According to this meaning, it is deliberate repetition of the obnoxious words and not their casual or inadvertent utterance that renders the utterer liable to the punishment prescribed in this and the following verse.
فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَآسَّا ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۚ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَلِلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Commentary:
The drastic punishment mentioned in these verses indicates the extreme seriousness of the crime of calling one’s wife "mother." The relationship with "mother" is too sacred to be trifled with. The expression لتؤمنوا باللّٰه و رسوله means, you may learn to obey the commandments of Allah and his Messenger.
The drastic punishment mentioned in these verses indicates the extreme seriousness of the crime of calling one’s wife "mother." The relationship with "mother" is too sacred to be trifled with.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحَآدُّونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ كُبِتُوا۟ كَمَا كُبِتَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ وَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ ءَايَٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَٰتٍ ۚ وَلِلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
9:63.
22:17; 24:35; 57:10.
Important Words:
کبتوا (will be abused). کبته means, he threw him down prostrate. کبت اللّٰه الکافر means, God prostrated the disbeliever, and deprived him of what he desired, or disappointed him, or caused him to fail in attaining his desire; he routed him or put him to flight; he turned him away or averted him; he abused; debased him, rendered him vile, despicable or ignominious. (Aqrab)
Commentary:
Calling one’s wife "mother" is tantamount to opposing God—so hideous is the offence. Befittingly the subject of opposition to truth by the Jews and hypocrites is introduced in this verse.
The words "and We have sent clear signs," show that Divine punishment overtakes the sinners after their sins have been fully established and their guilt brought home to them.
9:63.
Calling one’s wife "mother" is tantamount to opposing God—so hideous is the offence. Befittingly the subject of opposition to truth by the Jews and the Hypocrites is introduced in this verse.
يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوٓا۟ ۚ أَحْصَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ وَنَسُوهُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَىٰ ثَلَٰثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلَآ أَدْنَىٰ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ ۖ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Commentary:
The subject which was only indirectly introduced in v. 6 has been elaborated in this and the next few verses. The present verse refers to the secret plots and conspiracies against Islam of the Jews and hypocrites of Medina. It condemns this evil practice and warns them that their plots are not hidden from God. He has sent the Holy Prophet and He is his Guardian and Protector, and their conspiracies would do him no harm. They are further warned that they would be punished for their wicked designs. The expulsion of the three Jewish tribes from Medina was the result of their repeated acts of defection and infidelity and of their secret plots against Islam and against the life of the Holy Prophet.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ نُهُوا۟ عَنِ ٱلنَّجْوَىٰ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَيَتَنَٰجَوْنَ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَإِذَا جَآءُوكَ حَيَّوْكَ بِمَا لَمْ يُحَيِّكَ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ وَيَقُولُونَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَوْلَا يُعَذِّبُنَا ٱللَّهُ بِمَا نَقُولُ ۚ حَسْبُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ يَصْلَوْنَهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Commentary:
The words, "they greet thee with which Allah has not greeted thee," may either mean that they go beyond proper limits in hypocritically praising thee, or that they invoke death and destruction upon thee. The words seem to refer to the evil practice of some of the Jews of Medina that when they came to see the Holy Prophet they, with a little twist of the tongue, would invoke curses upon him by saying السام علیک i.e. death to thee; instead of saluting him with the usual السلام علیک i.e. peace be upon thee (Bukhari). See also 2:105.
The verse refers to the secret plots and conspiracies against Islam of the Jews and the Hypocrites of Medina and condemns this evil practice. The expulsion of the three Jewish tribes from Medina was the result of their repeated acts of defection and infidelity and their secret plots against Islam and the life of the Holy Prophet.
The meaning is that they go beyond proper limits in hypocritically praising thee; or they invoke death and destruction upon thee. The words seem to refer to the evil practice of some of the Jews of Medina that when they came to the Holy Prophet they, with a little twist of the tongue, would invoke curses upon him by saying As-Samu ‘Alaika (death to thee), instead of saluting him with the usual As-Salamu ‘Alaika, i.e. 'peace be upon thee' (Bukhari).
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا تَنَٰجَيْتُمْ فَلَا تَتَنَٰجَوْا۟ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَتَنَٰجَوْا۟ بِٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
Commentary:
In this and the preceding two verses secret societies such as Freemason Lodges, etc. have been condemned, but the condemnation is not unreserved or unqualified. There may be secret conferences held for good purposes. It is the object or motive of a particu1ar conference that determines its nature. In the present verse the believers have been allowed to hold secret conferences only to promote good and righteous causes.
In this and the preceding two verses secret societies have been condemned, but the condemnation is not unqualified. The believers have been allowed to hold secret conferences to promote good and righteous causes.
إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّجْوَىٰ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ لِيَحْزُنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَيْسَ بِضَآرِّهِمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Commentary:
The disbelievers are warned that their secret societies and assemblies would not in any way harm the cause of truth, try as they might.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا۟ فِى ٱلْمَجَٰلِسِ فَٱفْسَحُوا۟ يَفْسَحِ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ ٱنشُزُوا۟ فَٱنشُزُوا۟ يَرْفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ دَرَجَٰتٍ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
4:159; 7:177.
Commentary:
As in the preceding verses the subject of holding an assembly was dealt with, it was in the fitness of things that the ethics and etiquette of an assemblage should also be pointed out and this has been done in the present verse.
The commandment contained in the verse is of a general nature but it may also have special application for a particular assembly in which the Holy Prophet was present.
As in the preceding verses the subject of holding an assembly was dealt with, it was in the fitness of things that its ethics and etiquette should also have been pointed out and this has been done in the present verse.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نَٰجَيْتُمُ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدِّمُوا۟ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ نَجْوَىٰكُمْ صَدَقَةً ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ تَجِدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Commentary:
The believers have been enjoined, in this verse, to have due regard for the precious time of the Holy Prophet and as a compensation for taking his time to spend some money in charity before going to him for consultation.
The believers should have due regard for the precious time of the Holy Prophet and as a compensation for taking his time to spend some money in charity before going to him for consultation. The Holy Prophet has been called "Counsellor" in the Bible (Isa. 9: 6).
ءَأَشْفَقْتُمْ أَن تُقَدِّمُوا۟ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ نَجْوَىٰكُمْ صَدَقَٰتٍ ۚ فَإِذْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا۟ وَتَابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
Commentary:
The verse shows that the commandment about the giving of alms before seeking the Holy Prophet’s consultation is not obligatory but optional, though its observance is preferable. The verse further signifies that the apprehension of the Companions of the Holy Prophet was whether they had given enough in alms to have complied with God’s commandment.
The commandment about the giving of alms before seeking the Holy Prophet’s consultation is not obligatory but optional, though preferable. The apprehension of the Companions of the Holy Prophet was whether they had given enough in alms to have complied with God’s commandment.
۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا۟ قَوْمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمْ وَلَا مِنْهُمْ وَيَحْلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلْكَذِبِ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
60:14.
60:14.
أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا ۖ إِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Commentary:
The words "with whom Allah is wroth" refer particularly to the Jews and hypocrites of Medina but they also possess a general application.
ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
Commentary:
The verse means that the hypocrites protest loudly the sincerity of their faith by swearing, and seek to take shelter behind their false oaths.
The hypocrites protest loudly the sincerity of their faith by swearing and seek to take shelter behind their false oaths.
لَّن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ
3:11; 92:12; 111:3.
3:11; 92:12; 111:3.
يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُۥ كَمَا يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْكَٰذِبُونَ
Important Words:
The verse shows that when a person becomes a habitual or hardened liar, he regards his falsehood as truth. The hypocrites will protest their innocence even before God on the Day of Reckoning.
When a person becomes an habitual or hardened liar, he regards his falsehood as truth. The hypocrites will protest their innocence even before God on the Day of Reckoning.