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

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

 English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah
Ayah 8-10
Punishment of Those Who Make Evil Consultation

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! 

58:9 O you who believe, when you counsel secretly one another, counsel not for sinning, hostility, and disobedience of the Messenger, and counsel one another for piety and fear of Allah. And fear Allah to whom you shall be gathered.

58:10 Secret counsel is only from Satan that he may cause grief to the believers, and he will not harm them in the least except by the leave of Allah. And in Allah, let the believers put their trust.

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part mentions that Allah knows all things and nothing is hidden from His perfect knowledge. Then, this part refers to those who were prohibited from making secret consultations, namely, the Jews and the hypocrites. It mentions that they return to doing what they were prohibited to do. In addition, they used to greet Messenger Muhammad with evil greetings. 

Tafsir

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! 

The condition of some people is strange. They favor misguidance over guidance; they are advised, but they ignore the advice; they are warned of committing wrongdoing, but they insist on committing it.

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.

O noble Messenger Muhammad, ‘If you want to be astonished, you should be astonished by the condition of the Jews and the hypocrites. They are prohibited from secret consultation that causes worry and irritation to the believers, but they ignore the command. They have returned to what they were forbidden and continued making evil secret consultation against the Messenger of Allah and the believers.’ 

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote, ‘Mujahid said, ‘There was a treaty between Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] and the Jews. They used to make secret consultations whenever a companion of Messenger Muhammad would pass by them, which would make the believer think that they were talking about killing or something that he disliked. Thus, the believers would fear them and leave the road where the Jews were sitting. Therefore, Messenger Muhammad forbade the Jews from making such a secret consultation, but they returned to making it. Thus, this ayah was revealed: [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.] 

The ayah mentions that the Jews and the hypocrites returned to making secret consultations even after they were forbidden from doing it. Their conduct reveals that advice does not affect them. They only hear the advice, they act as if nothing happened, and do what they were forbidden to do.

The secret consultation of the Jews and the hypocrites was about hostility against Messenger Muhammad and the believers, as well as sinning. This shows that their secret consultation includes all types of evil and wickedness. They make secret consultations by talking about evil plans and words, uttering unjust and hostile statements against the believers, and doing acts that are disobedience to Messenger Muhammad. 

The Jews and the hypocrites did not only make secret consultations though they were prohibited from doing it, but also spoke evil words to Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him], which indicates their wicked intention.

And when they come to you, they greet you with what Allah has not greeted you. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, when the Jews and the hypocrites come to you and greet you, they greet you with a greeting that Allah has not greeted you with and has not approved. 

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, ‘Some Jews came to Messenger Muhammad, and said, ‘As-sam be upon you, abu al-Qasim (may death be upon you).’ Therefore, I said, ‘As-sam on you, and may Allah punish you and punish you.’ Thereupon, Messenger Muhammad said, ‘O Aisha, ‘Verily, Allah does not like wicked speech.’ Aisha said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, do you not see what they say?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Do you not see that I reciprocated against them what they said to me? I replied by saying, ‘And to you too.’’ Thus, the following ayah was revealed about this matter. [ 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?’] 

And they say within themselves, ‘Why does not Allah punish us for what we say?’

O noble Messenger Muhammad, when the Jews and the hypocrites greet you with a greeting that Allah does not approve, they say within themselves, ‘Why does not Allah punish us for what we say if Muhammad was truly His Prophet and Messenger? In other words, they deny the prophet-hood of Messenger Muhammad as they believe that Allah will punish them for their wickedness and evil greeting if he is truly His Messenger. 

Allah, Exalted be He, refutes their evil thought and assured the heart of His beloved Messenger Muhammad.

Sufficient for them is Hell wherein they shall be burnt. How an evil end it is! 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, do not be sad because of the mannerless behavior of the Jews and the hypocrites with you and your companions. Sufficient for them is Hell with its severe punishment. They will burn therein forever. How an evil end Hell is if they know!

58:9 O you who believe, when you counsel secretly one another, counsel not for sinning, hostility, and disobedience of the Messenger, and counsel one another for piety and fear of Allah. And fear Allah to whom you shall be gathered.

The ayah addresses the believers and instructs them to comply with certain ethics that lead to attaining the pleasure of Allah and generating affinity among them.

O you who believe, when you counsel secretly one another, do not counsel for sinning, hostility, and disobedience of the Messenger. Do not act like the hypocrites, who make secret consultations about what displeases Allah and His Messenger. O who believe, your consultation should be about what pleases Allah and His Messenger, and piety, and fear of Allah. 

And fear Allah to whom you shall be gathered.

O who believe, you should fear Allah in all your conditions as you shall be gathered and return to Allah on the Day of Judgment for reckoning and recompense for all your deeds. 

58:10 Secret counsel is only from Satan that he may cause grief to the believers, and he will not harm them in the least except by the leave of Allah. And in Allah, let the believers put their trust.

Qatada, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated, ‘The hypocrites used to make secret consultation among them, which would sadden the believers. Therefore, Allah, Exalted be He, revealed the following Ayah, [58:10 Secret counsel is only from Satan that he may cause grief to the believers…].’ 

Secret consultation done by the hypocrites for sinning and hostility is only from Satan. He incites the hypocrites to make such a secret counsel to sadden the believers by making them think that the secret consultation of the hypocrites is against them. However, Satan or the secret consultation incited by Satan will not harm the believers in the least except by the leave of Allah. 

And in Allah, let the believers put their trust.

The believers should not worry about the secret counsel of the hypocrites and the Jews. They should put their trust in Allah, Exalted be He. He will take care of them and protect them against whatever plot that their enemies may plan to harm them. 

The Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah 8-10

• The enemies of Islam do their best to plan against Muslims and sadden them. 

• The Jews used to greet Prophet Muhammad by saying, ‘As-sam be upon you, namely, death be upon you.’ And Messenger Muhammad used to reply to their greeting by saying, ‘And to you too,’ which would reciprocate their evil greeting against them.

• Allah, Exalted be He, has commanded the believers to make their secret counsel for commanding piety and fear of Allah, and He has prohibited them to make secret counsel for sinning and disobedience of Messenger Muhammad.

• All people will be gathered to Allah for reckoning and recompense on the Day of Judgment.

• Satan incites the enemies of Islam to make secret counsel to sadden the believers, but their secret consultation will not harm the believers in the least except by the leave of Allah.

• The believers should put their trust in Allah and firmly believe that nothing will happen except by His will.

• Islam prohibits making secret counsel between two people to the exclusion of the third one to prevent any negative thoughts that such counsel may cause.

The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah Al-Mujadilah 

The Noble Quran Surah Al-Mujadilah English Translation and Tafsir: Commentary on Surah Al-Mujadilah & the Learned Lessons From It Kindle Edition

Introduction to English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Mujadilah

Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah 5-7 Warning Those Who Oppose Allah and His Messenger Muhammad

 English Translation and Tafsir of Surah
 Al-Mujadilah Ayah 5-7
Warning Those Who Oppose Allah and His Messenger Muhammad

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. 

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. 

Relationship with the Previous Part

The first part of surah Al-Mujadilah mentions rules on az-Zihar in Islam and criticizes those who make az-Zihar against their wives. It also praises the believers, who comply with the limits prescribed by Allah. Then, this part mentions the punishment of those who transgress the limits prescribed by Allah and opposes Allah and His Messenger. They will suffer humiliation in the life of this world and painful torment in the Hereafter. This matter is supported by the fact that Allah is fully aware of their deeds. He will inform them of their deeds on the Day of Judgment, and He will recompense them justly for their deeds, good or evil.

Tafsir

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. 

Verily, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, and disobey and disregard the law prescribed by Allah shall be humiliated and disgraced. They will suffer severe punishment, just as the former disbelievers were punished because they opposed Allah and His Messengers. This matter c true when the disbelievers were captured, humiliated, and killed on the day of the Battle of Badr and the Trench. 

And We have revealed clear signs. And for the disbelievers is a humiliating torment. 

Allah, Exalted be He, has revealed clear signs that no one disregards except the deniers and arrogant. For the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and His Messengers, and are haughty to follow the law He prescribed, is a humiliating torment. They will face grievous torment in the life of this world and the Hereafter.

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.     

The disbelievers will suffer humiliating punishment on the day He shall raise them all from their graves for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. Allah, Exalted be He, shall tell the disbelievers what they did in the worldly life as He has recorded it while they have forgotten it because they thought that they would not be asked about it. Allah will tell them all their wicked deeds that they did and call them to account for them.

And Allah is a Witness over all things.     

Allah is a Witness over all things. He fully knows what they did, and nothing of their deeds 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. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, have you not seen that Allah knows all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? Nothing, no matter how small or big it may be, Allah knows it and manages its affairs. Thus, how can the deeds of the disbelievers be hidden from the One, Who is All-Knowing? Nothing of the disbelievers' wicked deeds is hidden from Allah, Exalted be He.

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.

There is no secret consultation between three people, but Allah is with them by His knowledge. He hears their conversation and secret consultation. Moreover, there is no secret consultation between four, or five, or six people, or more or less than that, but Allah is with them by His perfect knowledge. He hears their talks and private discourse, and He is aware of them at any time and in wherever place that they are. Allah, Exalted be He, knows the secret and the public, and no public or secret affair is hidden from His comprehensive knowledge. Allah is Omniscient and His knowledge encompasses all things. 

The ayah mentions consultation between three, four, or five people to give an example and depict the matter in real-life situations. 

The intended meaning by Allah is with them in the ayah is that Allah, Exalted be He, is with those who make secret consultation by His perfect knowledge. 

Then, He shall tell them what they have done on the Day of Judgment. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of all things. 

 On the Day of Judgment, Allah will tell people and those who make secret consultation what they have done in worldly life to inform them that Allah is fully aware of their secret consultation. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of all things, and nothing is hidden from Him, Exalted be He.

    Informing those who make secret consultation of their behavior implies criticism and censure to those who follow in their footsteps. 

The Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Mujadilah Ayah 5-7

• Humiliation and disgrace in the life of this world and the Hereafter will be for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, which implies giving good news to the believers of being victorious and warning the disbelievers of severe punishment.

• Allah, Exalted be He, will raise people from their graves for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. He will tell them all their deeds that they did in worldly life, small or big. Allah has recorded all their deeds in the records of deeds, though people have forgotten them, which will evidence against them.

• Allah is Omniscient. He knows all things in the heavens and the earth. He knows any secret consultation that may take place between two, three, four, or more or less than that. Allah, by His perfect knowledge, is with them, and He will tell them on the Day of Judgment about their secret consultation. 

The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah Al-Mujadilah
Cause of Revelation of the First Ayat in Surah Al-Mujadilah
The Noble Quran Surah Al-Mujadilah English Translation and Tafsir: Commentary on Surah Al-Mujadilah & the Learned Lessons From It