THIS IMPORTANT chapter tells a great deal about the Prophet's private life and his growing concerns of state. It was revealed during the so-called "Year of Delegations" in 9 / 630, when all of Arabia was finally united in a political federation, and some sort of protocol had to be set up. Muhammad's own house in Madina where he had apartments for his numerous family, was becoming the center for this activity, and his household had to be protected from unexpected incidents and intruders. (It is now the site for the great mosque with the Green Dome in Madina.) The chapter consists of only 18 longer Madinese verses arranged in two sections. They were all revealed after The Pleading Woman 58 and before Prohibition 66. Here we meet the Prophet as a man with great cares o state and clearly in need of privacy.
The chapter also deals with social relationships between individual Muslims, and how to handle gossip and rumor, and to patch up quarrels (I), The next section furnishes more rules on social behavior and etiquette (II). Finally we receive recommendations on budding foreign policy and international law, which at this stage were quite embryonic. Nevertheless these details are all important.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
Etiquette
(I) * You who believe, do not press forward in the presence of God and His messenger. Heed God: God is Alert, Aware. * You who believe, do not raise your voices over the Prophet's voice nor shout at him while [you are] speaking just as you shout at one another, lest your actions miscarry while you do not even notice it. * The ones who lower their voices in the presence of God's messenger are those whose hearts God examines for heedfulness. They will have forgiveness and a splendid fee. * Most of those who call out to you from outside the apartments do not use their reason; ** if they would wait patiently until you came out to [see] them, it would be better for them. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Handling Gossip and Rumor
* You who believe, if some scoundrel should come up to you with some piece of news, clear up the facts lest you afflict some folk out of ignorance, and some morning feel regretful for what you may have done. * Know that God's messenger is among you. If he obeyed you in too much of such business, you would fall into discord; but God has so endeared faith for you that it seems attractive within your hearts, and made you hate disbelief, immorality and rebelliousness. Such persons are sensible * through bounty and favor from God. God is Aware, Wise.
Patching Up Quarrels
* Whenever two factions of believers fall out with one another, try to reconcile them. If one of them should oppress the other, then fight the one which acts oppressively until they comply with God's command. If they should comply, then patch things up again between them in all justice, and act fairly. God loves those who act fairly. ** Believers merely form a brotherhood, so reconcile your brethren and heed God so that you find mercy.
More On Etiquette OR the Rules for Social Conduct
(II)* You who believe, do not let one [set of] people make fun of another set; perhaps they are better than they are. Nor let any women [mistreat other] women; perhaps they are even better than they are themselves. Nor should you criticize one another, nor insult one another by using nicknames; it is bad to use a dirty name instead of one you can believe in. Those who do not turn away from it are wrongdoers
Gossip
* You who believe, refrain from conjecturing too much: even a little suspicion forms a vice.
Do not spy on one another, nor let any of you backbite others. Would one of you like to eat his dead brother's flesh? You would loathe it! Heed God, for God is Relenting, Merciful!
Foreign Policy; International Law
* 0 mankind, We have created you from a male and female, and set you up as nations and tribes so you may recognize [and cooperate with] one another. The noblest among you with God is that one of you who best performs his duty; God is Aware, Informed.
* The desert Arabs say: "We believe." SAY: "You have not yet believed, but say [instead]: 'We commit ourselves to [live in] peace'. Yet belief has not penetrated your hearts. If you obey God and His messenger, He will not slight you in any of your actions. God is Forgiving, Merciful!"
Who Are Believers
** Believers are merely the ones who believe in God and His messenger; then never doubt and strive for God's sake with their property and persons. Those are reliable.
*SAY: "Would you [presume to] teach God something concerning your religion? God knows whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth. God is Aware of everything!"
* They want you to feet flattered because they have entered Islam. SAY: "You do not flatter me with your commitment to [live in] peace; rather God flatters you, provided you are loyal, since He has guided you to faith. * God knows the Unseen part of Heaven and Earth. God is observant of anything you do."
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Published with authorization from Dr.T.B.Irving.