The Noble Quran: English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah (14-19) The Conditions of Hypocrites

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah

 Ayah (14-19)

 “Have you not seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful? They neither belong to you nor to them, and they swear falsely while they know.” [Q58:14]

 “Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Evil indeed is what they used to do.” [Q58:15]

 “They have taken their oaths as a shield; thus, they turn others away from the path of Allah. For them is a disgracing torment.” [Q58:16]

 “Neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them anything against Allah. They are the inhabitants of the Fire; therein they shall abide.” [Q58:17]

 “On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all, they shall swear to Him as they swear to you, thinking that they are upon something. Indeed, they are the liars.”58:18]

 “Satan has taken control of them and caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Satan. Verily, the party of Satan shall be the losers.” [Q58:19]

Relationship with the Preceding Part

In the preceding section, the believers were commanded to offer charity before engaging in private consultation with the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). However, this command was burdensome for some of the companions. Subsequently, Allah forgave them and permitted private consultation with the Messenger without the requirement of charity.

This section then addresses the condition of certain hypocrites who befriended the Jews and disclosed the secrets of the believers to them. These hypocrites belonged neither to the believers nor to the Jews; rather, they fluctuated between both sides, as described in the following ayah:

 “Wavering all the time—not with these nor with those. And whomever Allah leads astray, you shall never find for him a way.” [Q4:143]

Tafsir

“Have you not seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful? They neither belong to you nor to them, and they swear falsely while they know.” [Q 58:14]

The interrogative form in this ayah expresses amazement at the condition of the hypocrites, who have taken the Jews as allies and conveyed to them the news of the believers.

The people against whom Allah is wrathful are the Jews.

This ayah eloquently portrays the state of the hypocrites who secretly befriend the Jews. They used to relay the secrets of the Muslims to them—an astonishing behavior, as they neither belong to the Jews nor to the Muslims. Therefore, Allah—Exalted be He—is wrathful against them.

Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him, said regarding this ayah: “Have you seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful?”—they are the hypocrites who take the Jews as allies.” 

They neither belong to you nor to them, and they swear falsely while they know.

By allying themselves with the Jews, the hypocrites have excluded themselves from the believers, yet they do not truly belong to the Jews either. In reality, the hypocrites possess neither a consistent creed nor a defined ideology.

The hypocrites not only convey the secrets of the believers to the Jews, but also habitually swear falsely—despite knowing they are lying.

“Have you not seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful? They neither belong to you nor to them, and they swear falsely while they know.” [Q58:14]

It is reported that the following narration relates to the cause of the revelation of this ayah:

Abdul Allah Bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “The Messenger Muhammad said, ‘A man will come to you who looks with Satan’s eye, or Satan’s eyes.’ Then a man with blue skin came. The Messenger said to him, ‘Why do you insult me?’ The man continued to swear, claiming that he had not insulted the Messenger. Then Allah, Exalted be He, revealed: ‘And they swear falsely while they know.’” 

“Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Evil indeed is what they used to do.” [Q58:15]

Allah, Exalted be He, has prepared for the hypocrites—those who befriend the Jews and swear falsely—a severe punishment in the Hereafter. Indeed, they committed evil deeds in worldly life by deceiving the Muslims and allying themselves with the Jews.

“They have taken their oaths as a shield; thus, they turn others away from the path of Allah. For them is a disgracing torment.” [Q58:16]

  This ayah highlights another reprehensible characteristic of the hypocrites.

The hypocrites used their false oaths—swearing to the Muslims that they were among them—as a means of protection from punishment. In doing so, they deceived those unaware of their true intentions and led them away from the path of Allah and His religion, Islam. Their punishment will be severe; for them is a humiliating torment that Allah has prepared.

“Neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them anything against Allah. They are the inhabitants of the Fire; therein they shall abide.” [Q58:17]

This ayah refutes the claims of the hypocrites, who asserted that they would not be punished because they were wealthier than the Muslims and had more children.

Their wealth and children will be of no benefit to them against Allah’s punishment on the Day of Judgment. They will be the inhabitants of Hell, in which they will remain, suffering its severe torment.

Muqatil said: “The hypocrites say, ‘Muhammad claims that he can help people on the Day of Judgment. By Allah, we shall help ourselves with our children and wealth on the Day of Judgment.” 

“On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all, they shall swear to Him as they swear to you, thinking that they are upon something. Indeed, they are the liars.”58:18]

This ayah describes the condition of the hypocrites on the Day of Judgment. It states that they will attempt to use false oaths to shield themselves against Allah’s punishment, just as they did in worldly life.

On that Day, Allah—Exalted be He—will raise the hypocrites for reckoning and recompense for their deeds. They will falsely swear to Allah, affirming that they were Muslims, just as they used to do in this life to avoid His severe punishment.

Due to their ignorance and lack of insight, they believe that such false oaths will benefit them and protect them from the punishment of Allah. Indeed, they are liars—those who have reached the highest level of falsehood.

In other words, the hypocrites used to make false oaths in worldly life to deceive the Muslims into believing that they were true believers. They did so to protect themselves from any consequences that might befall them. Their delusion reaches such an extent that they believe they can deceive Allah—Exalted be He—on the Day of Judgment with the same false oaths to avoid His punishment.

It is not surprising that the hypocrites swore falsely to the Muslims, as human beings cannot know what lies within the hearts. In this way, the hypocrites managed to protect themselves and secure worldly benefits. What is astonishing, however, is that they will repeat this behavior before Allah, Who knows both the hidden and the manifest, even though such oaths will be of no benefit to them against His punishment. 

Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him, said regarding the ayah: “Then they shall swear to Him, as they swear to you, and think they are upon something. Indeed, they are the liars!”—the hypocrite will falsely swear to Allah on the Day of Judgment just as he used to swear to his companions in worldly life.” 

“Satan has taken control of them and caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Satan. Verily, the party of Satan shall be the losers.” [Q58:19]

This ayah identifies the underlying reason that led the hypocrites to persist in their wickedness and hypocrisy.

Satan gained control over them, prompting them to follow his incitement and provocation. They came under his influence and became obedient to his commands. As a result, they forgot the remembrance of Allah and that He will hold them accountable for all their deeds on the Day of Judgment. Consequently, they lived their lives neglecting what would bring them happiness in the Hereafter and instead pursued that which would lead to their ultimate loss and ruin.

Verily, the party of Satan shall be the losers.

Those who possess such attributes are the party of Satan—his followers and soldiers. Indeed, the party of Satan shall be the losers, for they preferred the fleeting life of this world over the enduring life of the Hereafter.

Key Lessons from Surah Al-Mujadilah, Ayat (14–19)

• Islam prohibits forming friendly relationships with the enemies of Islam or disclosing to them the secrets of the Muslims.

• The hypocrites belong neither to the Jews nor to the Muslims; rather, they waver between the two groups.

• Severe punishment awaits the hypocrites on the Day of Judgment due to their wickedness and evil deeds.

• The hypocrites use false oaths as a means of protection from punishment. However, they will suffer humiliation and disgrace because of their despicable actions.

• Neither wealth nor children will avail the hypocrites on the Day of Judgment.

• The hypocrites believe that false oaths will benefit them on the Day of Judgment, just as they did in worldly life. However, they are mistaken; such oaths will not protect them from Allah’s punishment.

• Satan has gained control over the hypocrites and caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah, which will lead to their loss in the Hereafter.

The Noble Quran, English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah 

The Noble Quran: English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah 12-13 Etiquette for Making Secret Counsel with Messenger Muhammad

The Noble Quran Surah Ar-Ra’d English Translation and Tafsir Kindle Edition

Real Deprivation

 

Real deprivation is to be deprived of obedience to Allah—Exalted is He—and the degree of one’s deprivation corresponds to the extent of one’s disobedience.

A person may be deprived of the joy of prostrating before Allah in prayer.

One may be deprived of the happiness found in reciting the Quran and reflecting on its meanings.

One may be deprived of the spiritual peace that comes with frequently remembering Allah and seeking His forgiveness.

One may be deprived of the sweetness of humility before Allah.

One may be deprived of earning a lawful and pure sustenance.

One may be deprived of turning to Allah in sincere repentance from sins.

The most severe form of deprivation is to be denied the opportunity to die in a state of obedience to Allah—rather, a person dies while disobeying Him. This is the greatest and most profound loss.

Changing Names After Embracing Islam: A Personal Reflection

 

When someone converts to Islam, it’s not uncommon for them to choose a new name, often one that is Arabic or traditionally associated with Muslims. This change can be deeply symbolic, representing a new spiritual beginning or a desire to feel more connected with their brothers and sisters in faith. For many, it’s an expression of transformation and identity.

A friend once shared with me that she had a convert friend who had adopted a new Islamic name. This friend loved being called by her chosen name, and it clearly meant something special to her. Yet, over time, I noticed something interesting. Although she never said it out loud, I sensed that she also cherished her original name—the name given to her by her family, one that carried memories and a sense of personal history.

My friend never asked her why she chose to change her name or how her journey to Islam began. And that’s okay. Sometimes the most important thing isn’t the details of someone’s journey but the fact that they’ve arrived. What truly matters is that Allah, in His infinite mercy, guided her to Islam. With time, she may reflect more deeply and decide whether changing her name was the right decision for her or not. And if she ever needs guidance, she knows she can seek it.

That brings me to something I believe is worth mentioning. As Muslims, when we face questions—whether about our names, our practices, or any matter related to our faith—we are encouraged to seek knowledge from trusted scholars. Not everything we hear or assume is correct. For example, not every name must be changed upon embracing Islam. As long as the name doesn’t carry a meaning that contradicts Islamic values, it may very well be perfectly acceptable to keep it.

Islam provides us with a clear and beautiful roadmap—one that, when followed sincerely, leads to peace in this life and eternal success in the Hereafter. It is a faith of balance, wisdom, and mercy. So when we’re unsure about something, let’s turn to those with knowledge and experience. Their guidance can help us walk this path with confidence and clarity.

The Bee’s Journey

I dropped out of school during my first year of high school. I simply didn’t want to study or exhaust myself. In fact, I even skipped the math exam.

When my friend Umm Hassan found out, she laughed and said,

“If you don’t want your high school diploma, give it to me—I'll hang it in my house.”

That wasn’t her original saying—it was something her father used to tell his children when they considered giving up on education. And, as it turns out, all of them went on to achieve the highest academic degrees.

At the time, I didn’t grasp the weight of her words. But life has a way of teaching us gently—and sometimes not so gently. Over the years, I went back to school. I earned my high school diploma, then a bachelor’s degree, a master’s, and finally a doctorate.

Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with books.

At first, I thought I was pursuing knowledge to reach a goal—a degree, a job, a stable income. But over time, I discovered something deeper: the real value of knowledge is not just in what it gives us, but in what it reveals to us.

Knowledge opens up entire worlds—within us and around us. And these discoveries bring richness and meaning to life. In fact, they are life.

A person who doesn’t read still lives, of course. But a person who reads lives differently.

The one who doesn’t read moves through life like a traveler on a flat, uneventful road. They may witness scenes, events, even beauty—but without the tools to understand their deeper meaning, they arrive at the end of the journey much the same as they began: unchanged.

But the reader? They are like a bee—flying here and there, up and down, sampling from every flower. With every encounter, every page, they gather something sweet. And slowly, without realizing it, they begin to produce honey—honey that heals.

Because true knowledge is a remedy: for the soul, the body, and the heart.

The Melting Ice and the Meaning of Time

It is said that a man once sold ice in the marketplace. As he walked through the streets under the heat of the sun, he would call out:

“Have mercy on the one whose capital is melting away!”

To most, it sounded like nothing more than a clever sales pitch. But those simple words held a truth deeper than many realized.

One day, a righteous man heard that cry and later reflected:

“I recited Surah Al-‘Asr for twenty years, and I never truly understood its depth. I always asked myself—why does Allah begin the surah with a solemn oath, declaring that all of mankind is in loss? Except for those who believe in the Oneness of Allah, do righteous deeds, encourage one another to the truth, and encourage one another to be patient?”

“Then one day, I heard the ice seller call out again:

‘Have mercy on the one whose capital is melting away.’”

“In that moment, everything clicked. His ice—his capital—was literally disappearing drop by drop. Each melting piece was time slipping away, never to return.”

And that’s when the full meaning of Surah Al-‘Asr unfolded:

103:1 By the time,

103:2 Indeed, man is in loss,

103:3 save those who believe, perform righteous deeds, exhort one another to adhere to the truth, and exhort one another to be steadfast.

This short surah isn't just some ayat—

It's a warning.

A timeless alarm.

It’s like the voice of the ice seller, echoing across generations:

Your time is melting away.

Time Is the True Capital

“Lost time is never found again.”

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste much of it.”

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

In the same spirit, the Quran reminds us: time is the true capital of our lives. It slips away moment by moment, and every passing second is either an investment—or a loss.

The Wisdom

Don’t let your time be consumed by distraction.

Don’t scroll away your soul.

Don’t let your capital melt without purpose.

“Have mercy on the one whose capital is melting away…”

Live intentionally.

Believe deeply.

Do good.

Speak the truth.

Stand with patience.

As the Quran teaches, the only way to escape the great loss is to ground your life in faith, righteous action, truthfulness, and endurance.

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.”

“I love you for the sake of Allah.”

The Noble Quran: English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah 12-13 Etiquette for Making Secret Counsel with Messenger Muhammad

 

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah 12-13
Etiquette for Making Secret Counsel with Messenger Muhammad

58:12 O you who believe, when you want to make a secret counsel with the Messenger, then offer charity before your counsel. That is better for you and purer. But if you do not find means, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

58:13 Are you afraid of giving charity before your secret counsel? If you do not do so, and Allah has forgiven you, then perform the prayer, give the zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is aware of what you do.

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part mentions the conditions of the Jews and the hypocrites concerning making evil secret counsel against Messenger Muhammad and the believers. It also mentions the proper manner that should be followed when making secret counsel. Then, this part mentions etiquette for making secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad. It says that the believers should offer charity before making secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad. That is because the believers used to compete with one another to speak to him and listen to his conversation. Their love for Messenger Muhammad motivated them to make frequent secret counsel with him, which caused him inconvenience. Therefore, Allah, Exalted be He, commanded the believers to offer charity before making secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad as an act of reverence to Messenger Muhammad and to help the poor by such charity. 

Tafsir

58:12 O you who believe, when you want to make a secret counsel with the Messenger, then offer charity before your counsel. That is better for you and purer. But if you do not find means, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

Qatada, may Allah have mercy on him, said, ‘The people used to make secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad frequently until it caused him difficulty. Thus, Allah made an end to such behavior. [58:12 O you who believe, when you want to make a secret counsel with the Messenger, then offer charity before your counsel.] Thus, any person, who wanted something from Messenger Muhammad, would not fulfil his need unless he offered charity before making secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad; however, this was hard for the believers. Therefore, Allah, Exalted be, revealed, [But if you do not find means, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful.] 

58:12 O you who believe, when you want to make a secret counsel with the Messenger, then offer charity before your counsel.

O you who believe, when you want to make a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad about any matter that concerns you, then you should offer charity before your counsel as an act of reverence for Messenger Muhammad and a means of helping the needy.

Some scholars believe that commanding to offer charity before making secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad has many advantages, among which the following: 1) Making things easy for Messenger Muhammad by decreasing secret counsels with him so that he could devote himself to the great responsibilities that Allah commanded him to carry out. 2) Alleviating the worries of the poor, who may be unhappy when the wealthy can make secret counsels with Messenger Muhammad. When the poor know that the wealthy should give charity before making secret counsels with Messenger Muhammad, they would not be bored. 3) Not distracting Messenger Muhammad with trivial matters and enabling him to dedicate himself to conveying Islam. 4) Distinguishing those who love the life of this world from those who love the Hereafter, as giving wealth without taking anything in return for it is a test revealing what is in the inner souls. 

That is better for you and purer. But if you do not find means, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

The ayah mentions why the believers should offer charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad. 

O you who believe, offering charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad is better for you, as it is an act of obedience to Allah, Exalted be He. In addition, it is a means for purifying your souls from stinginess and love of wealth, helping the poor, and strengthening unity among the members of the Muslim community. However, if one of you cannot find the means for offering charity, then he should not be sad, as Allah is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful. Allah forgives the sins of those who ask His forgiveness and bestows His mercy on whomever He wants. Allah is All-Merciful, and He will not punish you if you make secret counsels with Messenger Muhammad without giving charity. 

 58:13 Are you afraid of giving charity before your secret counsel? If you do not do so, and Allah has forgiven you, then perform the prayer, give the zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is aware of what you do.

O you who believe, are you afraid of giving charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad lest you should become poor? 

 If you do not do so, and Allah has forgiven you, then perform the prayer, give the zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is aware of what you do.

O you who believe, if you do not offer charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad, and Allah has forgiven you for not doing so by allowing you to make a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad without giving charity, then you must perform the obligations that Allah has commanded you to do. You must perform the prayer, give the zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger by complying with their commands and avoiding their prohibitions. Allah, Exalted be He, is aware of what you do. Allah fully knows all your deeds and statements, and He will recompense you according to your deeds. 

It should be noted that ayah [13] does not mention explicitly that the companions of Messenger Muhammad failed to comply with the command to offer charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad. They might not offer charity because they did not make a secret counsel. Moreover, [If you do not do so, and Allah has forgiven you…] does not denote that they did not comply with the command. That is because the meaning of the ayah is that Allah has forgiven them by abrogating the command to give charity to make the matter easier for them. And Allah knows best.

The Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah 12-13

• The believers were commanded to offer charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad, but it was hard for them to do so. Then, Allah, out of His generosity and mercy, forgave them, and they were allowed to make a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad without giving charity. It appears from the context of the ayah that the rule to give charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad was abrogated after the companions of Messenger Muhammad carried it out, but it was hard for some of them; therefore, it was abrogated. 

• The rule of giving charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad was abrogated, and the companions of Messenger Muhammad were commanded to perform the prayer, give the zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. 

The Noble Quran, English Translation of Surah Al-Mujadilah 

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah: Etiquette of Assembly in Islam

The Noble Quran Surah Maryam English Translation and Tafsir Kindle Edition

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah: Etiquette of Assembly in Islam

 

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah

 Ayah 11
Etiquette of Assembly in Islam

58:11 O you who believe, when it is said to you make room in the assemblies, then make room and Allah will make room for you: and when it is said, ‘Rise, then rise.’ Allah will raise in ranks those who believe among you and have been given knowledge. And Allah is aware of what you do.

Relationship with the Previous Part

The believers are prohibited from making secret counsel when they are present in the assembly in order not to sadden those who are with them in the assembly. Then, Allah, Exalted be He, commands the believers to make room for others in the assembly, which will bring harmony and amicability among them in this part.

Tafsir

58:11 O you who believe, when it is said to you make room in the assemblies, then make room and Allah will make room for you: and when it is said, ‘Rise, then rise.’ Allah will raise in ranks those who believe among you and have been given knowledge. And Allah is aware of what you do.

O you who believe, when it is said to you make room in the assemblies to provide your brothers in Islam with sufficient space to sit, you should obey and do as you are asked to do. That is because when you make room for your brothers in Islam, Allah, Exalted be He, will, out of His mercy and bounty, make room for you in all things you love and desire.

Qatada, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘People used to compete with one another to sit in the assembly of Messenger Muhammad. Therefore, Allah revealed, [58:11 O you who believe, when it is said to you make room in the assemblies, then make room and Allah will make room for you: and when it is said…] 

Commanding to make room for others in the assemblies in the ayah is general for any assembly that Muslims may gather for a praiseworthy reason, whether an assembly of learning, a festival, and so on. It should be noted that everyone is entitled to the place that he first occupies. However, it is a good manner to make room for his brothers in Islam. 

In addition, the ayah indicates that whoever makes room for others Allah will make room for him in all good matters, whether related to the life of this world or the Hereafter. 

 It is worth mentioning that such an etiquette will have a great impact on instilling respect and love in the hearts.

And when it is said, ‘Rise, then rise.’ 

O you who believe, when it is said to you, ‘Rise and leave your places to let other distinguished people, such as scholars, sit in your place, then you should rise and let them sit in your places. 

Allah will raise in ranks those who believe among you and have been given knowledge. And Allah is aware of what you do.

Allah, out of His generosity and bounty, will raise the ranks of those who believe in His Oneness and those who have been knowledge among you in the life of this world and the Hereafter. Allah is aware of what you do. Allah fully knows who deserves to be raised to a high rank and who does not deserve it.

Abdul Allah Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, said, ‘[and when it is said, ‘Rise, then rise.’] If it is said to you, ‘Rise, then you should rise to perform righteous deeds and the prayer.’ 

Mujahid, may Allah have mercy on him, said, ‘[and when it is said, ‘Rise, then rise.’] Rise to perform any good act, whether fighting the enemies of Islam, enjoining the good, or supporting the truth.’ 

The Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah 11

• Making room for one’s brother in Islam is a commendable practice that one should follow because it brings about love and sympathy among Muslims.

• Making room for one’s brother in Islam should be done in any assembly that Muslims gather, whether it is in the mosques, an assembly for seeking knowledge, etc. 

• If one sits in a place in a mosque, it is impressible to ask him to forsake his place for another person. Rather, Muslims should make room for one another in the mosques.

• Those who make room for their brothers in Islam in the assemblies will be recompensed immensely.

• Allah, out of His mercy and generosity, will raise the ranks of the believers and those who have been given knowledge.

English Translation of Surah Al-Mujadilah

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah : Punishment of Those Who Make Evil Consultation

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl English Translation and Tafsir Kindle Edition