Introduction to English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah
Name of the Surah Al-Mujadilah
This surah is called Al-Mujadilah, namely, the woman who disputed, because it begins by [qad samiʿa l-lahu qawla allati tujadiluka fī zawjiha], which is translated as follows: [58:1 Indeed, Allah has heard the words of her that disputes with you concerning her husband…]. The woman refers to Khawla bint Tha’labah, the wife of Aws ibn As-Samit, may Allah be pleased with them. Khawala disputed with Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] that her husband divorced her.
Surah Al-Mujadilah was revealed in Al-Madinah. It contains twenty-two ayah.
Relationship between Surah Al-Mujadilah and Surah Al-Hadid
Surah Al-Mujadilah comes after surah Al-Hadid according to the written copy of the Quran, al-Mushaf. Some of the sublime attributes of Allah are mentioned at the beginning of surah Al-Hadid, among which are the First, the Last, the most High, and the Unseen.
57:3 He is the First and the Last, and the most High and the Unseen, and He the All-Knower of all things.
Then, surah Al-Mujadilah mentions an example of the perfect knowledge of Allah, namely, Allah heard the disputing woman complain to Allah about the matter between her husband and her. Therefore, when [58:1 Indeed, Allah has heard the words of her that disputes with you concerning her husband, and complains to Allah.] was revealed, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, ‘All praise is due to Allah, whose hearing encompasses all sounds.’
Surah Al-Hadid is concluded by referring to the bounty of Allah, and surah Al-Mujadilah begins by referring what an example of the bounty of Allah.
Surah Al-Hadid mentions that Allah knows everything and nothing is hidden from Him.
57:4 It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He rose on the Throne. He knows what enters into the earth and what comes forth from it, and what comes down from the heaven and what goes up unto it. And He is with you wherever you are. And Allah sees what you do.
58:7 Have you not seen that Allah knows all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? There is no secret consultation between three, but He is the fourth of them, nor five, but He is the sixth of them, nor fewer than that, nor more, but He is with them wherever they may be. Then, He shall tell them what they have done on the Day of Judgment. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of all things.
Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah Al-Mujadilah
The main theme of surah Al-Mujadilah is the same as the themes of surahs revealed in Al-Madinah. It focuses on legislative rules. Surah Al-Mujadilah refers to the rule of az-Zihar, which is a form of divorce in which the husband divorces his wife by saying, ‘You are like my mother to me.’ Besides, the surah mentions the atonement of az-Zihar, the rule on secret counseling, and the etiquette of assemblies. Surah Al-Mujadilah refers to the rule concerning the hypocrites, and their recompense, and mentions that they belong to the party of Satan. The surah touches on the subject of befriending the enemies of Allah and declares its rule.
An interesting characteristic in surah Al-Mujadilah is that the name of Allah is mentioned in every ayah, which generates reverence of Allah in the souls and leads not to dare to disobey Him, Exalted be He.
Surah Al-Mujadilah begins by stating that Allah, Exalted be He, heard the voice of a woman, Khawla bint Tha’labah, while she was arguing with Messenger Muhammad about the final rule on her relationship with her husband, Aws Ibn As-Samit, who said to her, ‘You are like the back of mother to me, namely, you are divorced.’ This statement is known as az-Zihar, which makes the wife permanently unlawful to her husband in the pre-Islamic era.
Allah, out of His mercy and bounty, has made the prohibition generated by uttering the statement of az-Zihar null and void by giving the atonement mentioned in the surah, namely, freeing a slave, fasting for two consecutive months, feeding sixty needy persons, respectively.
58:4 And he who finds not the means, then he should fast two successive months before they touch one another. And if he is unable to do so, he should feed sixty poor persons. That is that you may believe in Allah and His Messenger. And these are the limits of Allah. And for the disbelievers is a painful torment.
Then, surah Al-Mujadilah mentions that Allah has decreed that He will humiliate and disgrace those who oppose Allah and His Messenger. Allah, Exalted be He, has recorded their deeds and He will justly recompense them for them.
58:5 Verily, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger shall be disgraced as those before them were disgraced. And We have revealed clear signs. And for the disbelievers is a humiliating torment.
58:6 On the day when Allah shall raise them all, then He shall tell them what they did. Allah has recorded it while they have forgotten it. And Allah is a Witness over all things.
After that, surah Al-Mujadilah mentions some etiquettes of secret counseling in the assemblies, namely, how two or three persons can perform secret counseling in the assemblies. It also points out that secret counsel is prohibited if it is about supporting sinning and hostility. Surah Al-Mujadilah mentions that Allah is All-Knowing. He knows the secret and the public and nothing is hidden from Him.
58:7 Have you not seen that Allah knows all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? There is no secret consultation between three, but He is the fourth of them, nor five, but He is the sixth of them, nor fewer than that, nor more, but He is with them wherever they may be. Then, He shall tell them what they have done on the Day of Judgment. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of all things.
58:8 Have you not seen those who were forbidden from secret consultation, then they return to what they were forbidden? And they counsel secretly for sinning, hostility, and disobedience of the Messenger. And when they come to you, they greet you with what Allah has not greeted you. And they say within themselves, ‘Why does not Allah punish us for what we say?’ Sufficient for them is Hell wherein they shall be burnt. How an evil end it is!
Then, surah Al-Mujadilah points out that people should make room for one another in the assemblies, which will generate harmony among them. It also praises the believers, who obey the commands of Allah and His Messenger. It also has made offering charity before making a secret counsel with Messenger Muhammad obligatory. Then, this rule was abrogated to make it easy for the believers to have secret counsel with their Prophet and Messenger Muhammad. Performing the prayer, giving the zakat, and obeying Allah and His Messengers are made substitutes for offering charity.
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.
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.
After that, surah Al-Mujadilah exposes the hypocrites, who befriend and love the Jews. They also disclose the secrets of the believers to the Jews and swear false oaths. Moreover, the hypocrites oppose Allah and His Messenger Muhammad and disobey their commands. They will be humiliated and defeated and the believers will be honored and victorious.
58:14 Have you seen those who befriend a people against whom Allah is wrathful? They belong neither to you nor to them. And they swear falsely while they know.
58:15 Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Evil indeed is what they used to do.
58:18 On the day when Allah shall raise them all, then they shall swear to Him, as they swear to you, and think they are on something. Indeed, they are the liars!
58:19 Satan has gained control over them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Lo! Surely, the party of Satan shall be the losers!
Finally, surah Al-Mujadilah is concluded by commanding the believers to avoid the treacherous, who befriend the enemies of Islam, even if they are the closest relatives to them. The treacherous waver between the believers and the disbelievers to weaken the believers and cause discord among them.
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