Juz 28: Al-Mujādilah to At-Taḥrīm
Section 3 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Etiquette of Private Conversations
Allah (swt) addresses the believers in Surah Al-Mujadilah regarding the proper etiquette of private conversations, particularly the harmful practice of secretive whispering in front of others. This divine guidance establishes important social principles that maintain harmony, respect, and trust within the community.
Beginning from verse 7, Allah (swt) brings attention to how whispering and secret discourse in the presence of others can cause discomfort and grief to those excluded. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that when three people are together, two should not engage in private conversation excluding the third person, as this would cause the excluded person to feel grieved, suspicious, or left out. This principle extends beyond merely whispering to include speaking in languages not understood by others who are present.
The ruling stems from a situation that had developed in Madinah where some of the Jewish residents would deliberately engage in private conversations in the presence of Muslims, snickering and making comments intended to cause distress to the believers. Allah (swt) condemns this behavior, stating:
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَىٰ ثَلَاثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلَا أَدْنَىٰ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا ۖ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
“Have you not seen that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth? No secret consultation takes place between three, but He is fourth of them; nor between five, but He is sixth of them; nor between fewer than that or more, but He is with them wherever they may be. Then He will tell them on the Day of Judgment what they did. Surely Allah is All-Knowing about everything." (Al-Mujadilah 58:7)”
Allah (swt) then specifically addresses the negative types of whispering that should be avoided:
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ نُهُوا عَنِ النَّجْوَىٰ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا نُهُوا عَنْهُ وَيَتَنَاجَوْنَ بِالْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ الرَّسُولِ
“Have you not seen those who were forbidden from holding secret counsels, then they return to what they were forbidden from, and hold secret counsels for sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger?" (Al-Mujadilah 58:8)”
Allah (swt) makes clear that whispering for sinful purposes, creating enmity, or plotting disobedience to the Messenger (peace be upon him) is from the works of Shaytan, designed to cause grief to the believers. However, private conversations for righteous purposes and planning good are permitted and even encouraged.
إِنَّمَا النَّجْوَىٰ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ لِيَحْزُنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَيْسَ بِضَارِّهِمْ شَيْئًا إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
“Secret counsels are from Satan, so that he may grieve those who believe, while it is not harmful to them in the least, except with Allah's permission. And upon Allah the believers must place their trust." (Al-Mujadilah 58:10)”
The surah then transitions to address proper conduct in gatherings:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انشُزُوا فَانشُزُوا
“O you who believe, when it is said to you, 'Make room (for others) in the sitting places', then make room, and Allah will make room for you. And when it is said, 'Rise up', then rise up." (Al-Mujadilah 58:11)”
These instructions establish important social ethics. When newcomers arrive, those already seated should make space and accommodate them rather than forcing them to remain standing or uncomfortable. Similarly, when asked to disperse after a gathering has concluded its purpose, one should do so willingly.
Allah (swt) concludes this passage with a beautiful promise regarding those who pursue knowledge:
يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
“Allah will raise those of you who believe and those who are given knowledge, in ranks. Allah is well-aware of what you do." (Al-Mujadilah 58:11)”
Thus, Allah (swt) encourages the believers to pursue knowledge, promising elevation in status for those who combine faith with understanding. This serves as a powerful incentive for Muslims to dedicate themselves to learning and scholarship.
Verses 12-13 conclude this section by discussing a temporary ruling requiring believers to give charity before having private consultations with the Prophet (peace be upon him). This measure was instituted to discourage those who would unnecessarily occupy the Prophet's time with trivial matters or insincere questions.