Al-Hujurat (Arabic: اَلْحُجُرٰت) is the 49th chapter of the Quran. It consists of 2 Rukus, 18 verses, 353 words, and 1533 letters. “Hujurat is the plural form of ḥujrah (حُجرَة), meaning a private apartment.” This sura was revealed to Hazrat Muhammad in Medina. The surah derives its name from the fourth verse, which mentions that those who call the Prophet loudly and impolitely from behind the rooms are not using their intellect. Surah Hujurat advises us to verify news from unreliable sources before accepting it. It also instructs us not to call each other names or engage in backbiting. The chapter promotes a universal brotherhood among Muslims. The thirteenth verse, one of the most famous in the Quran, is interpreted by Muslim scholars to emphasize equality regardless of race or origin, stating that only God can judge a person’s nobility based on his piety.
Read colour coded Surah al Hujurat Arabic text with tajweed rules at islamicsurah.com.
Following are the key points and lessons from Surah Hujurat:
Following are the virtues and Surah Hujurat benefits:
Surat Hujurat, found in the Quran, offers valuable guidance on etiquette and moral conduct within the Muslim community. Among its verses, Ayat 6 stands out as a crucial reminder about the importance of verifying information before acting upon it.
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِنْ جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَاٍ فَتَبَیَّنُوْۤا اَنْ تُصِیْبُوْا قَوْمًۢا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوْا عَلٰى مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نٰدِمِیْنَ(6)
Surah Al Hujurat ayat 6 was revealed when the Prophet Muhammad dispatched Walid ibn Uqbah to collect zakat from the Banu Mustaliq tribe.When the Banu Mustaliq learned that the Prophet’s representative was coming, they went to receive him. However, Walid, who had been an enemy of Banu Mustaliq during the period of ignorance (jahiliyyah), feared that they intended to harm him. As a result, he returned to the Prophet and reported that they refused to pay zakat.
The Prophet became angry and was about to react when verse six of Surah Hujurat was revealed to him, instructing believers to ensure the truth of news brought by transgressors to avoid unintentionally harming a group of people and later regretting their actions. This verse is famously known as the “verse of Naba'” (news).
Surah Al Hujurat Ayat 12 addresses the importance of avoiding negative assumptions, spying, and backbiting among believers. This verse, known as the verse on backbiting, instructs us to avoid this terrible act. In this verse, Allah states that backbiting someone is akin to eating the flesh of someone’s dead brother.
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوْا كَثِیْرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ٘-اِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ اِثْمٌ وَّ لَا تَجَسَّسُوْا وَ لَا یَغْتَبْ بَّعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًاؕ-اَیُحِبُّ اَحَدُكُمْ اَنْ یَّاْكُلَ لَحْمَ اَخِیْهِ مَیْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوْهُؕ-وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِیْمٌ(12)
Backbiting is considered even worse than fornication. The Noble Prophet explains the reason in a hadith:
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his progeny, said, “Backbiting is worse than fornication.” When asked why, he explained, “A man who commits fornication can repent, and Allah will accept his repentance. However, a backbiter will not be forgiven until the person they spoke against forgives them.”
Surah Al Hujurat Ayat 13 addresses the diversity of humanity and the criteria for true nobility in the sight of Allah:
یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقْنٰكُمْ مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ وَّ اُنْثٰى وَ جَعَلْنٰكُمْ شُعُوْبًا وَّ قَبَآىٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوْاؕ-اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اَتْقٰىكُمْؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌ خَبِیْرٌ(13)
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
Allah highlights that He created human beings as males and females and divided them into different nations and tribes so they could identify and recognize one another. If everyone looked the same and belonged to a single nation or tribe, distinguishing one person from another would be impossible. Therefore, Allah made humans diverse in race, color, nationality, and tribe. However, what truly sets them apart is not their external attributes but their piety and God-consciousness. In Allah’s eyes, the most honorable individuals are those who are the most righteous and pious.
Hujurat surah is located in 26th para (juz) of the Quran.
Quran Surah Hujurat means “The Chambers” or “The Rooms.” It derives its name from the Arabic word “hujurat,” which refers to chambers or rooms.
Quran Surah Hujurat emphasizes etiquette, unity, and proper social conduct among Muslims.
Verse ten of Surah Hujurat emphasizes that believers are like brothers It urges them not to quarrel but to reconcile and make peace with each other.