Al-Mujadilah (Arabic: المجادلة) is the 58th chapter of the Quran. It consists of 3 Rukus, 22 verses, 475 words, and 2046 letters. The chapter begins by addressing the legality of the pre-Islamic divorce method known as Zihar. Surah Al Mujadilah meaning is She Who Disputes. One interesting aspect of this surah is that it is the only one in which the word “Allah” is mentioned at least once in every verse. The title “she who disputes” refers to the woman who petitioned Muhammad regarding the injustice of this method. Mujadila Surah’s initial verses outlaw Zihar and provide guidance on handling past cases. The chapter also addresses public assemblies and prescribes the appropriate manners for them. This Madni chapter concludes by contrasting “the confederates of God” with “the confederates of Satan,” promising rewards for the former.
Read colour coded Quran Surah Mujadilah Arabic text with tajweed rules at islamicsurah.com.
Following are the Surah Mujadila benefits and rewards:
Narrated by Khuwaylah, daughter of Malik ibn Tha’labah:
My husband, Aws ibn as-Samit, said to me: “You are to me like my mother.” So I went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and complained about him.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) engaged in a dispute with me and said: “Fear Allah and maintain your relations with him; he is your cousin.”
I persisted in my complaint until the Qur’anic verse was revealed:
قَدْ سَمِـعَ اللّٰهُ قَوْلَ الَّتِیْ تُجَادِلُكَ فِیْ زَوْجِهَا وَ تَشْتَكِیْۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَ اللّٰهُ یَسْمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَاؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ سَمِیْعٌۢ بَصِیْرٌ(1)
Indeed, Allah has heard the words of her who disputes with you concerning her husband and complains to Allah. Allah hears your dialogue. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing, up to the mention of expiation.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)then said: “He must free a slave.” I said: “Messenger of Allah, he cannot afford it.” He said: “Then he should fast for two consecutive months.” I said: “Messenger of Allah, he is an old man and cannot fast.” He said: “Then he should feed sixty poor people.” I said: “He has nothing to give in charity.” Just then, a large basket of dates (araq) was brought to him.
I said: “I will add another basket of dates (araq).” He said: “You have done well. Go and feed sixty poor people on his behalf and return to your cousin.” The narrator added: An araq contains sixty sa’s of dates.
Abu Dawud said: She performed expiation on his behalf without seeking his permission.
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِذَا قِیْلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوْا فِی الْمَجٰلِسِ فَافْسَحُوْا یَفْسَحِ اللّٰهُ لَكُمْۚ-وَ اِذَا قِیْلَ انْشُزُوْا فَانْشُزُوْا یَرْفَعِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْۙ-وَ الَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجٰتٍؕ-وَ اللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِیْرٌ(11)
O you who have believed, when it is said to you, “Make space” in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you. And when it is said, “Rise,” then rise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, in degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (Mujadilah Surah, 58:11)
Surah Al Mujadilah Ayat 11 instructs believers on etiquette during gatherings. It advises believers to make room when asked to do so and to rise when asked to stand. It assures that Allah will elevate the status of those who believe and those who have been granted knowledge. The verse emphasizes that Allah is aware of all actions and intentions.
لَا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا یُّؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ یُوَآدُّوْنَ مَنْ حَآدَّ اللّٰهَ وَ رَسُوْلَهٗ وَ لَوْ كَانُوْۤا اٰبَآءَهُمْ اَوْ اَبْنَآءَهُمْ اَوْ اِخْوَانَهُمْ اَوْ عَشِیْرَتَهُمْؕ-اُولٰٓىٕكَ كَتَبَ فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الْاِیْمَانَ وَ اَیَّدَهُمْ بِرُوْحٍ مِّنْهُؕ-وَ یُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَاؕ-رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ وَ رَضُوْا عَنْهُؕ-اُولٰٓىٕكَ حِزْبُ اللّٰهِؕ-اَلَاۤ اِنَّ حِزْبَ اللّٰهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ(22)
You will not find those people who have faith in Allah and the Last Day showing affection to those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers, sons, brothers, or relatives. Allah has inscribed faith in their hearts and strengthened them with His guidance. He will admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. They belong to the party of Allah. Surely, it is the party of Allah that will be successful.
Surah Al Mujadilah Ayat 22 discusses the ultimate success and satisfaction granted by Allah to those who believe wholeheartedly, even if they are opposed by their own relatives. It emphasizes that those in whose hearts Allah has inscribed faith and who receive divine support will be admitted into gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide eternally. These are the people whom Allah is pleased with, and who are pleased with Him. They constitute the party of Allah, and indeed, the party of Allah is destined to succeed.
These people are steadfast in following the righteous path, with Allah strengthening their hearts and providing them support. They are destined for success in this world and the Hereafter.
Al Mujadila Surah is located in 28th para (juz) of the Quran Majeed.
The woman referred to in Surat Mujadila is Khawla bint Tha’laba, whose petition led to the revelation of several verses in the chapter.
The law prohibits it, and the act does not lead to divorce. The law condemns it, imposing penalties such as freeing a slave, fasting for 60 days, or feeding 60 poor individuals.