The Divine Caution in the Qurʾān viz outburst of unauthenticated news on the social media

Ascertaining the reliability of the source, authentication and that of the courier has always been stressed upon for men who are seemingly trustworthy may sometime mislead others who they trust the courier of a news and thus result into incorrect decisions, which at times may be fatal. During wars, this form of covert operation assumes more often than not fake news are fed through media to mislead the opposing side with a view to achieving tactical or strategic advantage.

In today's corporate world, such fake news are even fed and aired to hide one's intentions and future course of action from opposing competitors and to hide and shield one's plans for business advantage. In fact the covert and tacit use of social media today is largely been used for misleading information at every tier of business, corporate world or even inert nation connectivity. 

This scenario has never changed since time immemorial and was prevalent in times of formatting years if Islam in the Arabia. To thwart misfeeding of information, it has been Divine cautioned in Qurʾān to always ascertain authenticity of a news and that of the courier before analyzing the news and taking hasty actions.

Here, we are talking of the 6th verse of Surah 49. Al Hujurat which carries the Divine Caution and is one of the Qur’an’s most practical verses about truth, justice, and responsible communication. This caution is as applicable today as was at the time of revelation of this verse.

The Verse (49:6)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۭ بِنَبَإٍۢ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًۭا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍۢ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَـٰدِمِينَ

“O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance and then become regretful for what you have done.”

Context (Asbāb al-Nuzūl – Circumstances of Revelation)

According to Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tafsir al-Tabari, this verse was revealed about an incident involving al-Walīd ibn ʿUqbah, whom the Prophet ﷺ sent to collect zakāh from the tribe of Banī al-Muṣṭaliq.

Al-Walīd misunderstood or became afraid that they might harm him, So he returned to Madinah saying they had refused to pay zakāh. The Prophet ﷺ prepared to act against them, but before taking action, a delegation arrived explaining the truth - they had not refused.

Then this verse was revealed — teaching that believers must verify information before acting upon it.

Key Teachings of the Verse

1. Responsibility in Handling Information

• The command “fatabayyanū” means verify, investigate, or clarify.
• It forbids believing or acting on unverified news — especially when it concerns others’ honor, community affairs, or justice.

2. Avoiding Harm Based on False Information

• Acting hastily on rumors can cause fitnah (discord), injustice, or violence.
• The verse warns: “lest you harm people in ignorance, then regret it.”
• Once harm is done — reputation destroyed, trust broken — regret cannot always undo it.

3. Moral Accountability

• The verse connects information ethics to faith (īmān) - “O you who believe…” → meaning that truthfulness is part of faith.
• Islam teaches that words and speech carry moral weight - “A person may utter a word that pleases Allah and be raised by it; or a word that angers Allah and be thrown into the Fire.” (Bukhārī 6478, Muslim 2988)

Qur’anic Parallels

The same caution is repeated at a number of places in Qur'an so that believers do not lose sight of falling into the trap of misleaders and the wicked:

• 17:36: “Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, sight, and heart — all will be questioned about it.”
• 24:15: The incident of Ifk (false accusation) against ʿĀ’ishah (RA) teaches the same: don’t spread unverified claims.
• 49:12: Later in the same Surah — “Avoid suspicion, do not spy, nor backbite one another.”

Together, these verses form Islam’s ethics of communication.

Relevance Today

This verse is more relevant today than ever before — in the age of social media, viral misinformation, and emotional outrage.

Islam anticipated our “information age” problem — this verse is the Qur’an’s eternal rule for responsible media ethics.

Prophetic Example: 

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “It is enough falsehood for a person to speak of everything he hears.” (Muslim 5)  
• Meaning: don’t pass on information without confirming it — doing so makes one complicit in falsehood.

Lesson from 49:6 viz the Modern Parallel

If we look around today, we find a large number of paid and sponsored journalists and some social media platforms who on behalf of their sponsors feed incorrect, engineered or even unauthentic information largely to mislead the audience and to defame their opponents. Therefore we need to be on the lookout and esnure the following: 

• Verify before sharing: Fake news, misinformation online
• Don’t harm others through words: Online slander, cancel culture
• Avoid regret from hasty actions: Misjudging people, ruining reputations
• Truth is part of faith: Integrity in journalism, communication

Remember “Faith demands verification before action, and truthfulness before speech.” So do not be mislead by false information, tailored to mislead you. Be on the lookout for misleading and fake news, lest you fall into the intended trap of the misleaders.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 49. Al-Ḥujurāt  - The Chambers / Private Apartments already published

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. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

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A verse in Al-Qurʾān that defines the foundation of human equality and moral worth

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.
• Declaration of Human Equality: 
• The verse affirms that all people share a common origin from Adam and Eve, forming the basis for the fundamental equality of all humankind. 
• “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.
• Purpose of Diversity: 
• It explains that the creation of different nations and tribes was intended for humans to know and understand each other rather than for division or establishing hierarchies. 
• “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. 
• Taqwā as the Sole Criterion of Nobility: 
• The core message is that the most honored in Allah's eyes are those with the deepest piety, consciousness, and fear of God 
• “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.
• Social Reform: The verse marked a significant moral reform in Arabia by shifting the basis of nobility from lineage and physical prowess to inner faith and piety.
• Divine Perspective: 
• The verse reminds believers that Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware of everyone's deeds and intentions, fostering a sense of humility and sincere focus on one's character and spirituality. 
• “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.

You may like to read the detailed explanation/tafseer of the verse 13, and the entire Surah, from our earlier publication on Exegesis of Surah Al Hujurat.

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. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Resource Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Dr Haifaa Younis' perspective of Verse 13 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More

Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from: Sürah 49. Al-Ḥujurāt - The Chambers / Private Apartments

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). The word al-hujurāt is the plural and definite form of hujrah which translates as room, compartment of chamber. 

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:

| Overview| Exegesis | Lessons form Surah Hujarat

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 6: The Divine Caution in the Qurʾān  viz outburst of unauthenticated news on the social media
• 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 13: A verse in Al-Qurʾān that defines the foundation of human equality and moral worth
• 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. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More

The parable of good and bad tree in Qur’an for mankind to take heed

Al Qur’an in addition to direct directives also uses stories of the past people and parables to let people understand Divine instructions better. Today, we share a parable of a good tree and a bad tree to explain the contrast between true faith (īmān) and falsehood (kufr/shirk).

The Parable in the Qur’an

The parable of good and bad tree is mentioned in Surah Ibrāhīm (14:24–26) as under:

“Do you not see how Allah compares a good word to a good tree — firmly rooted, with its branches reaching the sky, giving its fruit at all times by the permission of its Lord? And the example of a bad word is like a bad tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, having no stability.”

Meaning of the Parable

Let us understand the parable for its better understanding and adaptability:

• The Good Tree (Shajarat Ṭayyibah):
• Represents pure faith, the word of tawḥīd (Lā ilāha illā Allāh), or righteous speech and deeds.
• The roots of the good tree represent deep conviction and sincerity in the heart.
• The branches indicate good deeds, character, influence reaching others.
• And the fruit of a good tree mean benefit to self and community, continuous reward.
• That is, the pure word is so fruitful that every person (or community) who bases his system of life on it, gets benefit from it every moment for it helps to produce clearness in thought, balance in temperament, strength in character, purity in morals, firmness in conduct, righteousness in talk, straightforwardness in conversation, good temperament in social behavior, nobility in culture, justice and equity in economy, honesty in politics, nobility in war, sincerity in peace; confidence in promises and pledges. In short, it is the elixir that changes everything into gold if one makes the proper use of it. 
• The Bad Tree (Shajarat Khabeethah): 
• A bad tree represents false beliefs, shirk, lies, hypocrisy.
• Having dried up, it has no more strong foundation and can be easily uprooted, the same way a liar always gets caught no much how much he tries to hide his lies.
• A bad tree since produces no fruit or has a shade, it has no benefit, only harm, and does not last.
• Good Word
• Though the expression literally means pure word, here it stands for truthful saying and righteous creed. According to the Quran, this saying and creed are the acceptance of the doctrine of Tauhid, belief in Prophethood and revelation, and in the life of the Hereafter, for it declares these things to be the fundamental truths.
• This is to show the strength and extent of the pure word. As the entire system of the universe hangs upon the reality contained in this pure word which the believer professes, the earth and its entire system cooperates with him and the heaven with its entire system welcomes him. There is, therefore, no conflict between him and the law of nature, and everything in its very nature extends its help to him.
• The Evil word
• Evil word is the opposite of pure word. It may be applied to everything that is unreal and wrong but here it stands for any false creed that one might adopt as a basis of his system of life, irrespective of whether it be atheism or heresy or disbelief or shirk or idol worship or any other ism that has not been brought by a Messenger.
• And evil word (false creed) has no stability because it is against the law of nature. Therefore, everything in the universe opposes it and refutes it, as if the earth hates it and is ready to spit out its seeds every time they are sown in it, and if some seed succeeds in growing an evil tree, heaven suppresses down its branches. In fact, false creed could never have been allowed to develop, if man had not been given the freedom of choice and respite for work for the sake of his trial. That is why when same foolish people exert to establish a system of life on it, it is allowed to grow to a certain extent, but it produces nothing but harmful results as long as it lasts. And no sooner does it encounter with adverse circumstances than it is thoroughly uprooted from the earth.

Thus, the distinction between the pure word and the evil word is so apparent that anyone who makes a critical study of the religious, moral, intellectual and cultural history of the world can perceive it easily. For the pure word has always been the one and same during the whole history of mankind and has never been uprooted. On the contrary, there have been innumerable evil words but each and every one has been so uprooted that there has remained hardly anything of it except its name in the pages of history. Nay, some of these had proved to be so absurd that if these are mentioned today one wonders how one could have followed such nonsensical things.

There has been another noteworthy difference between the two words. Whenever and wherever the pure word has been adopted by an individual or a community, its blessings had not been confined to that individual and community but had benefited all around them. On the contrary, whenever and wherever an evil word has been adopted by an individual or a community, its evils had spread chaos and disorder all around them.

In this connection, it should also be noted that the parable of the pure word and the evil word explains the same theme that had been explained by the similitude of the mound of ashes that is blown away by the wind of the stormy day (Ayat 18) and of the foam of flood, and the scum of the melted metals.

Context of Revelation

Surah Ibrāhīm was revealed in Makkah when the Prophet ﷺ was facing mockery and resistance. The parable was meant to encourage believers that Islam, though appearing small then, would grow strong and fruitful like the good tree. In fact, it was also a warning to Quraysh that their falsehood was like a weak tree destined to perish.

Lessons for Us Today

• Faith must be deeply rooted — mere words without conviction are like a shallow plant that withers.
• Actions prove faith — like a tree giving fruit, a believer should spread benefit to society.
• Words matter — both good and bad speech have lasting impact.
• False ideologies don’t last — lies, oppression, and injustice may appear strong but collapse over time.
• Legacy of values — just as a tree provides fruit for generations, sincere deeds outlive us.

To sum the verse, in today’s life:

• A person living with honesty, integrity, and faith is like the good tree — strong, beneficial, and remembered.
• A person driven by corruption, arrogance, or deceit is like the bad tree — eventually cut off and forgotten.

Blessed are those who heed to these parables and stories to understand the Divine commandments and steer their lives like a good tree.

We have already shared many other important verses from Surah 14. Ibrāhīm "إبراهيم" (Prophet Abraham عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), which may be accessed for more information and Divine guiding commandments and instructions.

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. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More

One of the most profound verses in the Qur’an for guidance of Muslims

Al Qur'an not only asks men to worship one true God, but it also lays down a complete code of conduct of man which includes guidelines for his social responsibility and moral conduct. Verse 2:177 of Sūrat al-Baqarah is one of the most profound verses in the Qur’an which embodies in on itself exact Divine commandment for guidance of man.. Let’s go through this verse in detail:

The Verse (2:177)

“It is not righteousness (al-birr) that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is (in) one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask, and for freeing slaves; and (who) establishes prayer and gives zakāh; and (those who) fulfill their promises when they make them; and (those who) are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is they who are the righteous.”

Context

Early Muslims had disputes with Jews and Christians about the Qiblah (direction of prayer). Jews faced Jerusalem, Muslims initially did too, but later were commanded to face the Kaʿbah in Makkah. This verse clarified: Righteousness is not about mere rituals or directions, but about true faith and action.

Breakdown of Teachings

1. Faith (Belief): Faith is Islam is based on the following pillars. Unless a believer has unswerving belief in one true God, he cannot step into the fold of Islam. Having done so, one has to have a firm belief that this world is a temporary abode in which man is tested continuously - those who remain patient and steadfast in their belief, have a blind faith in all angels, the Divine Scriptures (The Psalms, Torah, Injeel and Al Qur'an) and finally all prophets, right from Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) till Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم are said to be true believers, for True righteousness begins with Imān which has following pillars:

• Belief in Allah.
• The Last Day.
• Angels.
• Books.
• Prophets.

This opener of the verse defines the core of Islamic creed.

2. Worship (ʿIbādah)

Unlike other Divine religions where worship of Allah is restricted to one day only, Islam makes it mandatory for all able bodied health adults to offer five obligatory prayers throughout the day. In addition to Ṣalāh, one has to pay Zakāh from the wealth held for one year. 

• Prayer (Ṣalāh): regular, sincere devotion to Allah.
• Zakāh (Charity): purifying wealth by giving obligatory dues.

3. Social Responsibility

Other than Ibadah / worship and Zakāh, one has many a social responsibility and obligations. These obligations include spending wealth, despite love for it, on:

• Relatives (maintaining kinship ties).
• Orphans.
• Needy/poor.
• Travelers (stranded, refugees).
• Beggars (those who ask).
• Freeing slaves.

Islam links piety with compassion and justice.

4. Moral Character

Morality is one of the basic character trait of a believer. The words he speaks or covenants / oaths he makes shows the level of his morality. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was known for his moral character which was even acknowledged by his worst enemies. He always kept his covenants, the Charter of Hudaibiya was one of his moral ascendency over his opponents. Therefore, a believer must: 

• Keep his promises/covenants (honesty and reliability).
• And be patient in:
• Poverty (personal struggle).
• Hardship (general adversity).
• Battle (defending truth and justice).

5. True Righteousness

• Allah concludes: These are the truthful and God-conscious people.
• Meaning: Faith must show itself in action.
• Hadith Connections
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if small.” (Bukhārī, Muslim)
• Also: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Bukhārī, Muslim)
• Both tie into Imān + action + ethics, exactly what this verse summarizes.

Relevance Today

These guidelines remain good forever, not restricted to the Arabia at the advent of Islam. The verse reminds us that faith without action is incomplete, and action without belief is hollow.

A Muslim should, therefore: 

• Never reduce religion to rituals or outward symbols.
• Exhibit True piety which is holistic: belief, worship, social justice, moral integrity, patience.

In short: 2:177 is a manifesto of Islam’s moral and spiritual vision — righteousness is faith combined with action, worship with justice, and patience with sincerity.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 2 Al Baqarah (The Cow)  already published

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. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More

Qur’an is a blessed Book revealed for Reflection, specially by men of understanding (ulu al-albāb), to take heed

AL Qur'an is the last of the four Divine Scriptures from Allah for the guidance of mankind. It is revealed in Arabic language, yet it is the most read Divine Scripture around the world even by non Arabic speaking Muslims. Those who cannot read Arabic, read translation of Al Qur'an and are still spellbound how Allah directly speaks to the audience no matter Muslim or Non Muslim. There is a strange connection that is established between the Lord of the universe and His creations when Al Qur'an is read.

Unfortunately many a  man do not know how to approach AL Qur'an to benefit from it. Those averse to Islam, dig into Qur'an only to find verses that can be twisted and used against Islam. Many verses so twisted are used as a platform for waging a sinister campaign and spreading Islamophobia in the world. But those who read Qur'an with an open minds and try to find the good in it, more often than not find the true guidance and come under the fold of Islam.

Although, the ordinary men get to understand the Divine message, even by reading the translation of Al Qur'an, there are many hidden meanings that only men of wisdom, intellect and understanding can understand. This is what is being said in the 29th verses of Surah 38 Saad (The letter Saad) being shared and explained herein under:

The Verse

"This is a Blessed Book which We have revealed to you, so that they may reflect upon its verses and so that those of understanding (ulu al-albāb) may take heed."

(38:29)

Key Points in the Verse

• “Blessed Book” (Kitābun Mubārak): 
• The Quran has been called a blessed Book in the sense that it is highly useful for man. It gives him the best guidance to improve and reform his life. By following it he has only to gain and nothing to lose.
• The Qur’an is full of blessings: spiritual, moral, and practical guidance, light, healing, and mercy.
• Purpose of Revelation: 
• Tadabbur (reflection)
•  Not just recitation, but pondering the meanings, wisdom, and lessons.
• Ibn Taymiyah said, “Whoever contemplates [tadabbur] upon the Qur’ān [with the condition] of seeking guidance from it, [then] the path of truth will be made clear.”
• Dhikrā (reminder) — So that people can act upon it, not merely admire it.
• “Those of Understanding” (Ulu al-Albāb): This phrase occurs often in the Qur’an. It refers to people with pure hearts, sound intellect, and sincerity who can recognize truth when they see it.

Who Are the Men of Wisdom (Ulu al-Albāb)?

Ulu al-albāb (or Ulūl albāb) is an Arabic term from the Quran that refers to people of sound intellect, wisdom, and deep insight, who integrate their intellectual faculties with spiritual awareness to understand God's signs in creation. They are characterized by their profound contemplation, reflection, piety, and ability to make wise decisions, striving for truth and seeking to serve God and humanity. 

Ibn Qayyim said, "In short, there is nothing more beneficial for the heart than reading the Quran and with contemplation and reflection. The Quran encompasses all levels of the travelers, the conditions of the workers, and the stations of those possessing know. It is the Quran that generates love, desire, fear, hope, repentance, reliance, pleasure, entrustment, gratitude, patience, and the rest of the different states that are life to the heart and perfection of it. Likewise, it repels all the rebuked characteristics and actions that cause the corruption and ruin of the heart. If people were to possess a realization of what recitation of Quran with contemplation contains, they would devote themselves to it at the expense of anything else". [Ref: Miftaah Daar as Saadah p.204]

Key characteristics of ulū al-albāb:

• Deep intellectual capacity: They possess sharp, profound, and broad understanding, often described as having "layered brains" or pure intellects. 
• Spiritual maturity: They achieve a notable degree of spiritual maturity, combining intellect with emotion and devotion. 
• Contemplation and reflection: They actively contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth and reflect on God's decrees. 
• Wisdom and insight: They gain profound insight and wisdom, allowing them to understand the essence of things and perceive signs of God's greatness. 
• Piety and remembrance: They remember God (dhikr) while standing, sitting, or lying down and hasten towards His forgiveness. 
• Integrative approach: They integrate human reason with Divine revelation and combine worldly knowledge with religious knowledge. 
• Solution-oriented: They can act as solution-oriented individuals who use their minds for effective planning and decision-making. 

In essence: Ulu al-albāb are not just intellectually smart but are deeply spiritual, possessing a complete understanding of reality through the combined lens of reason and faith, leading to moral action and purposeful living. 

Quranic Examples:

• 3:190–191: Ulu al-albāb are those who remember Allah, reflect on creation, and say, “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly.”
• 13:19: They recognize that what Allah has revealed is the truth.
• 39:9: They are described as those who spend the night in prayer, humble before their Lord, fearing the Hereafter.

So "men of wisdom" are not an elite scholarly class only — but people whose hearts are alive with faith and reflection.

Can Ordinary Believers Understand the Qur’an?

Yes of course. The Qur’an was revealed for all of mankind, not just scholars.

54:17: “And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?”

39:27: Allah says He has given every type of example in the Qur’an so people may take heed.

The Prophet ﷺ recited Qur’an to ordinary companions — shepherds, traders, farmers — who reflected and acted on it.

However, levels of understanding differ:

• Ordinary believers can understand the general guidance (belief in Allah, prayer, morality, justice, patience).
• Scholars with deeper study of Arabic, tafsīr, and Sunnah can uncover deeper layers and resolve complex issues.
• But reflection (tadabbur) is for everyone. The Qur’an invites all believers to think, not just scholars.

Lessons for Us Today

Al Qur'an is revealed for guidance of man and not finding shortcuts from Al Qur'an in form of supplications to steer the life as they want it. Those who understand the Qur'an will have their life well shaped as it will add the love and mercy of Allah in everything they do and wish for. 

Remember:

• Don’t treat Qur’an as just for recitation in rituals — it is for reflection and action.
• Everyone can benefit, but sincerity, humility, and use of intellect are key.
• True wisdom is not just having knowledge, but applying Qur’anic guidance to life.

Surah Ṣād 38:29 highlights that the Qur’an is a blessed Book revealed for reflection. The “men of wisdom” are not just scholars, but anyone with sincerity, humility, and sound intellect who seeks Allah’s guidance. Ordinary believers can and must reflect on the Qur’an, while scholars may access deeper layers — but everyone can benefit from its guidance.

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. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | ChatGPT / Google

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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