Sürah 49. Al-Ḥujurāt - الحُجُرات (The Private Apartments) is the 49th Sürah / chapter of Al-Qurʾān, positioned in Juzʼ 26 of Al-Qurʾān. Although, consisting mere 18 verses, Surah al-Ḥujurāt is one of the most beautifully practical chapters of the Qur’an. It serves as a “Code of Conduct” for the Muslim community — teaching manners, respect, social harmony, and unity. The Sürah is named Al-Ḥujurāt - The Chambers / The Private Apartments, referring to the private rooms of the Prophet ﷺ’s wives (verse 4).
This Sürah was specifically revealed to educate the evolving Muslim community about good manners, manners that befit a believer. Firstly, in respect to behavior towards God and His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad. Next, in respect to community living, the believers are warned against behavior that might corrupt the tightly knitted social fabric. They are warned against the dangers of tribalism and nationalism. And finally, the believers are told that faith is more than words; it is action in respect to those words.
We have already shared the Tafseer / Exegesis of the Surah which can be read from links given below:
Herein under we will only present a condensed overview of the entire Sūrah, for the scope of this post is to only to introduce the Sūrah and provide links to some of the selected verses from this Sūrah for selective reading / references. The following bird eye view includes the context, major themes and subjects and lessons that we can learn from this Sūrah, followed by references to some of the selected verses already published.
Central Theme
Building a morally disciplined, respectful, and united Muslim society through proper behavior with Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and with one another. It teaches believers adab (Islamic etiquette) — how to speak, how to behave, how to resolve conflicts, and how to avoid arrogance or gossip.
Main Themes
- Adab with Allah and His Messenger ﷺ
- Verifying news and avoiding rumors
- Making peace and maintaining unity
- Avoiding arrogance, mockery, suspicion, and gossip
- Human equality and universal brotherhood
- Difference between Islam (submission) and Īmān (deep faith)
Verse-by-Verse Summary
Verses 1–5: Respect for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ
- Subject discussed
- Don’t speak ahead of Allah or His Messenger.
- Don’t raise your voice above the Prophet’s ﷺ voice.
- Those who show humility before him are the truly pious.
- Don’t call him loudly from outside his home — show respect and patience.
- Lesson:
- Respect for the Prophet ﷺ = respect for Allah.
- In modern terms: respect sacred authority, and behave with dignity when talking about religion.
Verses 6-12
Verses (6—12) emphasise the ties of brotherhood within the Muslim community (ummah) and establish social principles to maintain its unity.
6–8: Verify Information Before Acting
Verses 6 to 8 call on Muslims to not act on news before verifying its authenticity.
- “O you who believe! If a wicked person brings you news, verify it…” (49:6)
- Lesson:
- Don’t spread rumors. Confirm facts before acting — whether in politics, media, or daily life.
- This is the Qur’anic foundation of critical thinking and responsible communication.
9–10: Conflict Resolution Among Believers
Verses 9-10 encourage promoting peace and reconciling quarreling parties within the community. In that the tenth verse is known as the Verse of Brotherhood and instructs Muslims to unite in a universal brotherhood.
- “If two groups of believers fight, make peace between them…”
- Lesson:
- Muslims must act as peacemakers, not instigators.
- In Islam, unity and reconciliation are higher goals than personal pride.
11–12: Social Morality and Respect
The verse 11, warns the members of the community against defamation, mocking and name-calling. Verse 12 calls for Muslims to avoid suspicion (zann, also translated "conjecture"), spying on others to find faults (tajassus), and backbiting (ghibah). The Quran considers backbiting (slandering someone in their absence) so sinful and abhorrent that it is compared to "eating the flesh of [one's] brother".
- Subjects:
- “Let not one people ridicule another…”
- “Do not spy or backbite…”
- Lesson:
- No mocking, name-calling, suspicion, or gossip — all destroy brotherhood.
- These verses are the moral fabric of a healthy community.
13: The Universal Message of Equality
Verse 13 is one of the most famous verses of the Quran:
- “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 noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous.”
- Lesson:
- This is the Qur’an’s declaration of human equality — no racism, tribalism, or class superiority.
- Only taqwā (piety and moral excellence) distinguishes people in Allah’s sight.
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".
14–18: Faith vs. Mere Submission
The remaining verses (14 to 18) contain clarifications on the Quranic view of faith. Verse 14 indicates degrees of faith: Islam (submission) and the higher iman (belief). According to verse 15, a true believer believes in God and Muhammad without doubt, and proves it through devotion and the spending of one's wealth in the way of God.
The chapter closes by saying that only God knows the real extent of one's faith.
- Subject:
- The Bedouins claimed, “We believe.” Allah corrects: “Say, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts.”
- True faith shows in obedience, sincerity, and humility.
- Lesson:
- Faith is not a label; it’s a lived reality.
- Real believers are those whose hearts are transformed.
Relevance for Our Lives Today
Teaching Modern Relevance
- Respect for the Prophet ﷺ: Respect sacred teachings; avoid mockery of religion.
- Verify information (49:6): In the age of social media, this verse is a divine media ethic.
- Avoid ridicule, gossip: Builds healthier families, workplaces, and online communities.
- Equality of all people: Counters racism, nationalism, and class prejudice.
- True faith is lived: Encourages sincerity — not just labels or appearances.
In Short: Surah al-Ḥujurāt is the Surah of Character and Community. It transforms believers from individuals into a harmonious moral society. “This Surah is the Qur’an’s training manual for good manners — how to live with God, His Messenger, and with humanity.”
Now let us share herein some of the selected ayat / verses from this surah already shared:
- Verse 11:
- Believers: Do not scoff, taunt or revile others with nicknames for others may be better than thine
- How Islam guides to ensure Sanctity of Interpersonal Relations
- Verse 12: (Believers) Do not Spy nor Backbite one another
- Verse 14: Difference between Believing and Submitting to Allah
- Teaching Mannerism to Believers
In time we will add more selected ayat / verses from this surah.
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 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.
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