Man around the world is torn into segments based on color, creed and tribes. This has given rise to arrogances, racism and tribal pride which has resulted into hatred for others, intolerance and a race for superiority over the others to dominate and rule. This had been so before the advent of Islam and continues even today. Thus, Islam came to destroy these false standards and establish a universal moral community based on Taqwā (God-consciousness).
Although, there are many verses in Qurʾān that enforce a code of conduct and ask man not to feel superior to others because of one's wealth and position and to treat everyone equal, the 13th verse of Surah al-Ḥujurāt, the 49th Surah / Chapter of Qurʾān is indeed one of the most important and universal verses in the Qurʾān for it defines the foundation of human equality and moral worth. This verse was revealed after verses that dealt with manners, unity, and brotherhood among Muslims (49:10–12).
And the most important thing about this verse is that unlike many other verses that are addressed to the believers, this verse extends the principle to all humanity — not just believers.
Let’s unpack this verse deeply.
The Verse (49:13)
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
“This verse is Islam’s charter of universal brotherhood and equality — the foundation of a moral, just, and united humanity.”
Context (Asbāb al-Nuzūl)
This verse was revealed to abolish arrogance, racism, and tribal pride that were common in pre-Islamic Arabia. Arabs used to boast about lineage, tribe, and race. Islam came to destroy these false standards and establish a universal moral community based on taqwā (God-consciousness).
Meaning and Message
- “O mankind” — not “O believers.”: It addresses all human beings, showing that this message is universal, not limited to Muslims.
- “We created you from a male and a female.” That is all humans share the same origin — Adam and Hawwa (Eve). Which means no race, gender, or class is inherently superior.
- “And made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”: Diversity is by divine design, meant for cooperation and understanding, not for division or arrogance.
- “The most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (atqākum).”: Allah measures worth by Taqwā — piety, moral excellence, and sincerity — not by lineage, wealth, or power.
- “Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”: Indeed only Allah truly knows who is righteous. External appearances or social rank mean nothing to Him.
Why This Verse Is So Important
1. Universal Declaration of Human Equality
- This verse is Islam’s version of a “Charter of Humanity.”
- It removes all barriers of race, color, tribe, nationality, and class.
- Similar in spirit to: “All men are created equal,” - but with a higher spiritual principle — equality before Allah.
2. Criterion of Superiority = Taqwā
- Unlike worldly systems that value power, wealth, or social status, Islam declares moral excellence as the only true measure of greatness.
- The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” (Muslim 2564)
3. Foundation of Islamic Ethics and Global Unity
This verse underpins the Qur’an’s moral and social worldview:
- All humans are brothers and sisters in humanity.
- Diversity is not a curse, but a blessing for learning and cooperation.
- Discrimination, racism, nationalism, or arrogance have no place in faith.
4. Practical Application for Today
- Promotes racial harmony and respect among nations.
- Calls for justice and humility in global relations.
- Teaches Muslims that piety and moral conduct, not slogans or identity, define a true believer.
- A warning against modern forms of arrogance — nationalism, class superiority, or religious exclusivism.
In the Prophet’s ﷺ Final Sermon, the Prophet ﷺ echoed this verse directly:
“O people! Your Lord is One and your father is one. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, a white person has no superiority over a black person, nor a black person over a white person — except by Taqwā.” (Ahmad, 22978; al-Bayhaqī)
This shows that 49:13 is the core value of Islamic civilization — moral equality before God:
Mankind! You are being called by the One who created you out of a male and a female to inform you of the purpose of making you into nations and tribes. It is not so that you stir up conflict and enmity. It is rather for the purpose of getting to know one another and living peacefully together. Differences of language, colour, temperament, manners, talents and abilities do not lead to conflict and strife. In fact, they make for cooperation so that all tasks are fulfilled and all needs met. Colour, race, language, homeland and similar factors are of no importance in God's sight. There is only one criterion to determine people's worth: "The noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most genuinely God-fearing." (Verse 13) Noble indeed is the one who is noble in God's sight. He gives you your value on the basis of His perfect knowledge and His awareness of values and measures: "God is all-knowing, all-aware." (Verse 13) Thus all dividing factors and values are discounted leaving only one measure and one value by which all mankind are tested.
Commentators on the Quran, including Abul A'la Maududi and Sayyid Qutb, argued that this verse declares the equality of mankind. Mankind is spread around the world and has different nations and tribes to know each other, and no one is superior based on color, race, or origin. According to the verse, only taqwa (piety, fear of God) makes one nobler before God. According to the commentary of The Study Quran, this verse marked a reform of the moral order in Arabia, where previously one's worth had been determined by "lineage and grandiose displays of valor and generosity" and where fear of God had been seen as the opposite of nobility, to one which focused on "the depth of faith and piety".
Divine Scriptures are for the benefit and harmonious interconnection of man. But we ignore these Divine commandments and instructions due to our tainted vision, arrogance, pride in "lineage and grandiose displays of valor and generosity." That is the reason that this world today is torn apart and hatred for each other has set in rather than peace and tranquility. Unless we understand the true wisdom behind our creation, we would continue to drift apart rather than coming closer to each other without any prejudices of superiority over others.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 49. Al-Ḥujurāt - The Chambers / Private Apartments already published
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment