Al-Mujadila (ٱلْمُجَادِلَة)

Al-Mujadila is the 58th surah or chapter of the blessed Quran. Positioned in juzz number 28, it has 3 rukus and a total of 22 verses. It was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) in Madina and, hence, is a Madni surah. Al Mujadila translates to "The Pleading Woman" or "She Who Disputes/Pleads." The surah sheds light upon the legality of the pre-Islamic era method of divorce (which was called zihar). The name "she who pleads" refers to the woman who pleaded with the Prophet (ﷺ) regarding the unjustness of the method of zihar. The first verses of the surah officially deemed zihar "outlawed" and prescribed a solution for previous cases of the process. 

A woman who was named Khaula had reached out to the Prophet (ﷺ). Her husband had divorced her using the pre-Islamic Arabic method of divorce (zihar), which required a man to say, "You are to me like my mother", and the husband would be free to remarry and released from any duty towards his wife while the wife could not remarry another man. Khaula pleaded with the Prophet (ﷺ) to abolish the practice as it was highly unjust. Allah listened to her plea and sent down this surah, which abolished the old system and inscribed the new system of divorce, which is just. 

Al-Mujadila also discusses matters of public assemblies and associated manners for them. The last section of the surah defines and addresses Hizb Allah and Hizb al-Shaytaan. The surah promises rewards for those who are obedient and steadfast in their faith whereas punishment for those who forget their Lord and transgress to the path of evil.

٥٨ - ٱلْمُجَادِلَة

58 - Al-Mujadila

قَدْسَمِعَ اللہُ قَوْلَ الَّتِيْ تُجَادِلُكَ فِيْ زَوْجِہَا وَ تَشْـتَكِيْۗ اِلَى اؘ۝۰ۤۖ وَاللہُ يَسْمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَا۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ سَمِيْعٌۢ بَصِيْرٌ۝۱
Qad samiAAa Allahu qawla allatee tujadiluka fee zawjiha watashtakee ila Allahi waAllahu yasmaAAu tahawurakuma inna Allaha sameeAAun baseerun

English

Ahmed Ali

GOD CERTAINLY HEARD what the woman who argued with you about her husband, said, and complained to God; and God heard your interrogation. Verily God hears all, and sees everything.

1

جزء

٢٨

اَلَّذِيْنَ يُظٰہِرُوْنَ مِنْكُمْ مِّنْ نِّسَاۗىِٕــہِمْ مَّا ہُنَّ اُمَّہٰتِہِمْ۝۰ۭ اِنْ اُمَّہٰتُہُمْ اِلَّا اڿ وَلَدْنَہُمْ۝۰ۭ وَاِنَّہُمْ لَيَقُوْلُوْنَ مُنْكَرًا مِّنَ الْقَوْلِ وَزُوْرًا۝۰ۭ وَ اِنَّ اللہَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُوْرٌ۝۲
Allatheena yuthahiroona minkum min nisaihim ma hunna ommahatihim in ommahatuhum illa allaee waladnahum wainnahum layaqooloona munkaran mina alqawli wazooran wainna Allaha laAAafuwwun ghafoorun

English

Ahmed Ali

Those of you who divorce your wives by calling them 'mothers,' cannot (make them) their mothers. Their mothers are only those who gave birth to them. They surely utter what is unseemly and a lie. But God is forbearing and forgiving.

2

وَالَّذِيْنَ يُظٰہِرُوْنَ مِنْ نِّسَاۗىِٕہِمْ ثُمَّ يَعُوْدُوْنَ لِمَا قَالُوْا فَتَحْرِيْرُ رَقَبَۃٍ مِّنْ قَبْلِ اَنْ يَّـتَـمَاۗسَّا۝۰ۭ ذٰلِكُمْ تُوْعَظُوْنَ بِہٖ۝۰ۭ وَاللہُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِيْرٌ۝۳
Waallatheena yuthahiroona min nisaihim thumma yaAAoodoona lima qaloo fatahreeru raqabatin min qabli an yatamassa thalikum tooAAathoona bihi waAllahu bima taAAmaloona khabeerun

English

Ahmed Ali

Those who call their wives their mothers then revoke what they had said, should free a slave before having physical contact (with them). This is to warn you, as God is aware of what you do.

3

فَمَنْ لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَہْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِنْ قَبْلِ اَنْ يَّتَمَـاۗسَّا۝۰ۚ فَمَنْ لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَاِطْعَامُ سِـتِّيْنَ مِسْكِيْنًا۝۰ۭ ذٰلِكَ لِتُؤْمِنُوْا بِاللہِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ۝۰ۭ وَتِلْكَ حُدُوْدُ اؘ۝۰ۭ وَلِلْكٰفِرِيْنَ عَذَابٌ اَلِيْمٌ۝۴
Faman lam yajid fasiyamu shahrayni mutatabiAAayni min qabli an yatamassa faman lam yastatiAA faitAAamu sitteena miskeenan thalika lituminoo biAllahi warasoolihi watilka hudoodu Allahi walilkafireena AAathabun aleemun

English

Ahmed Ali

If one does not have the means (of doing so) then he should fast for two months continuously before he has physical contact; but any one who is unable to do so, should feed sixty needy persons. This (is enjoined) so that you may be faithful to God and His Apostle. These are the limits set by God. As for the unbelievers, there is painful punishment for them.

4

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يُحَاۗدُّوْنَ اللہَ وَرَسُوْلَہٗ كُبِتُوْا كَـمَا كُبِتَ الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِہِمْ وَقَدْ اَنْزَلْنَاۗ اٰيٰتٍؚبَيِّنٰتٍ۝۰ۭ وَ لِلْكٰفِرِيْنَ عَذَابٌ مُّہِيْنٌ۝۵ۚ
Inna allatheena yuhaddoona Allaha warasoolahu kubitoo kama kubita allatheena min qablihim waqad anzalna ayatin bayyinatin walilkafireena AAathabun muheenun

English

Ahmed Ali

Those who oppose God will be disgraced, as those before them were. We have sent down very clear signs. For unbelievers there is a shameful punishment.

5

يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُہُمُ اللہُ جَمِيْعًا فَيُنَبِّئُہُمْ بِمَا عَمِلُوْا۝۰ۭ اَحْصٰىہُ اللہُ وَنَسُوْہُ۝۰ۭ وَاللہُ عَلٰي كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَہِيْدٌ۝۶ۧ
Yawma yabAAathuhumu Allahu jameeAAan fayunabbiohum bima AAamiloo ahsahu Allahu wanasoohu waAllahu AAala kulli shayin shaheedun

English

Ahmed Ali

On the day when God will raise them up together, He will tell them what they did. God takes account of it although they forget, for all things are evident to God.

6

اَلَمْ تَرَ اَنَّ اللہَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِي الْاَرْضِ۝۰ۭ مَا يَكُوْنُ مِنْ نَّجْوٰى ثَلٰثَۃٍ اِلَّا ہُوَرَابِعُہُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَۃٍ اِلَّا ہُوَسَادِسُہُمْ وَلَاۗ اَدْنٰى مِنْ ذٰلِكَ وَلَاۗ اَكْثَرَ اِلَّا ہُوَمَعَہُمْ اَيْنَ مَا كَانُوْا۝۰ۚ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُہُمْ بِمَا عَمِلُوْا يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَۃِ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ۝۷
Alam tara anna Allaha yaAAlamu ma fee alssamawati wama fee alardi ma yakoonu min najwa thalathatin illa huwa rabiAAuhum wala khamsatin illa huwa sadisuhum wala adna min thalika wala akthara illa huwa maAAahum ayna ma kanoo thumma yunabbiohum bima AAamiloo yawma alqiyamati inna Allaha bikulli shayin AAaleemun

English

Ahmed Ali

Have you not considered that God knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth? No three persons confer secretly but He is the fourth among them, and no five but He is the sixth; and neither fewer nor more but He is with them wheresoever they be. And on the Day of Judgement He will announce their deeds to them. Verily God has knowledge of everything.

7

اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذِيْنَ نُہُوْا عَنِ النَّجْوٰى ثُمَّ يَعُوْدُوْنَ لِمَا نُہُوْا عَنْہُ وَيَتَنٰجَوْنَ بِالْاِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ الرَّسُوْلِ۝۰ۡوَاِذَا جَاۗءُوْكَ حَيَّوْكَ بِمَا لَمْ يُحَيِّكَ بِہِ اؙ۝۰ۙ وَيَقُوْلُوْنَ فِيْۗ اَنْفُسِہِمْ لَوْلَا يُعَذِّبُنَا اللہُ بِمَا نَقُوْلُ۝۰ۭ حَسْبُہُمْ جَہَنَّمُ۝۰ۚ يَصْلَوْنَہَا۝۰ۚ فَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيْرُ۝۸
Alam tara ila allatheena nuhoo AAani alnnajwa thumma yaAAoodoona lima nuhoo AAanhu wayatanajawna bialithmi waalAAudwani wamaAAsiyati alrrasooli waitha jaooka hayyawka bima lam yuhayyika bihi Allahu wayaqooloona fee anfusihim lawla yuAAaththibuna Allahu bima naqoolu hasbuhum jahannamu yaslawnaha fabisa almaseeru

English

Ahmed Ali

Have you not considered those who were forbidden to conspire, but reverted after a time to what was forbidden them, and conspired evil, rebellion and disobedience to the Prophet? Yet when they come to you they greet you with a greeting even God does not greet you with; and say to themselves, "Why doesn't God punish us for what we say?" Hell is sufficient for them, in which they will be burnt: And what an evil consequence!

8

يٰۗاَيُّہَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۗا اِذَا تَنَاجَيْتُمْ فَلَا تَتَـنَاجَوْا بِالْاِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ الرَّسُوْلِ وَتَنَاجَوْا بِالْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوٰى۝۰ۭ وَاتَّقُوا اللہَ الَّذِيْۗ اِلَيْہِ تُحْشَرُوْنَ۝۹
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo itha tanajaytum fala tatanajaw bialithmi waalAAudwani wamaAAsiyati alrrasooli watanajaw bialbirri waalttaqwa waittaqoo Allaha allathee ilayhi tuhsharoona

English

Ahmed Ali

O you who believe, when you converse privately, do not talk of iniquity, rebellion, and disobedience to the Prophet, but talk of goodness and piety, and fear God before whom you will be gathered.

9

اِنَّمَا النَّجْوٰى مِنَ الشَّيْطٰنِ لِيَحْزُنَ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَلَيْسَ بِضَاۗرِّہِمْ شَـيْـــــًٔا اِلَّا بِـاِذْنِ اؘ۝۰ۭ وَعَلَي اللہِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ۝۱۰
Innama alnnajwa mina alshshaytani liyahzuna allatheena amanoo walaysa bidarrihim shayan illa biithni Allahi waAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almuminoona

English

Ahmed Ali

Surely scheming is the work of Satan that he may cause the faithful grief; but he cannot harm them unless God dispense. So in God should the believers place their trust.

10

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah Al-Mujadila was revealed in Medina, most probably in the fifth year after Hijrat-e-Medina. Like most of the Madni Surahs, this Surah also deals mainly with Islamic rulings on social structure, interpersonal relations, and family matters of the Islamic society.

The historical background of the revelation of this Surah is associated with an incident, where one of the wrongful practices of pre-Islamic Arabian society was condemned by formulating relevant regulations to bring it under the ambit of Islamic family laws. It was a custom in the pre-Islamic Arabian culture to divorce a woman through "Zihaar”. Traditionally, the husband would say words to his wife, such as “you are to me like the back of my mother”. Such statements were known as “zihaar". This was a sort of separation but not a complete divorce. Resultantly, the couple would cease to live together like husband and wife. This was a difficult and unjust situation for that woman because she was no longer the wife of that man. On the other hand, she could not remarry because there was no formal divorce.

A woman, named Khaula Bint Tha’labah, complained to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ that her husband, named Aws Ibn Al-Samit, had committed zihaar, after which she was in deep trouble. He requested and argued with the Prophet that it was a wrong tradition and requested that he suggest a way out so she could save herself and her children from a disastrous future. In response to her pleading and arguments on the issue of zihaar, Surah Al-Mujadila was revealed. The first six verses of this Surah explicitly resolve this unjust tradition by declaring it a sin that needs expiation (kaffarah), which is prescribed as follows:

  • The husband must free one slave.

Or

  • Fast for two months consecutively.

Or

  • Feed sixty poor and deserving people.

This event is also reported in Hadith 2214 of Sunan Abu Dawood.

After settling this issue, the Surah also addresses other issues pertaining to the social structure of the Islamic society. The habit of whispering by hypocrites is condemned in this Surah. Similarly, Muslims are taught some basic social manners that must be observed by them when dealing with others, especially when sitting in a gathering. Likewise, the Surah intended to point out ill manners and advise correct behaviors to build a true Muslim society and culture. Then the Surah clearly differentiates true believers from hypocrites, bifurcating them into two groups, the "companions of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ” and the “companions of Satan”.

In short, Surah Al-Mujadila was sent down to address a wrongful tradition of zihaar, and to advise some of the basic norms and behavior that Muslims must follow during interactions with fellow Muslims, aiming to build a true Muslim culture.  

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah Al-Mujadila is a Madni Surah, revealed in the fifth year after the Prophet's migration to Medina.

Place in the Quran

Surah Al-Mujadila is the 58th Surah of the Quran and is placed in the 28th Juzz (Para). It is placed after Surah Al-Hadid and before Surah Al-Hashr. It is the 105th Surah in the order of revelation, and 58th in the sequence of recitation.

  • Number of Verses: Surah Al-Mujadila has 22 verses.
  • Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah Al-Mujadila is divided into 3 Rukus (sections).

Significance of Surah Al-Mujadila

Surah Al-Mujadila holds great significance in Islam. Some of the significances can be summarized as follows:

  • The Surah is an affirmation that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ hears all our supplications. It is evidenced in this Surah, when the complaints and arguments of a woman about his husband's wrongful act were instantly responded to through the revelation of the first verse of this Surah. It encourages Muslims to keep supplicating in their prayers to seek guidance and mercy from Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, with the firm belief that it is being heard by Him.
  • Through the revelation of this Surah, one of the important issues related to women's rights is settled. Zihaar was quite an unfair and oppressive pre-Islamic tradition, which was totally against the basic rights of a woman. The Surah clearly condemned this practice and declared it a sin, for which the husbands were enjoined to give kaffarah. The compulsion of expiation on committing such a sin practically discontinued this tradition, preserving the rights of a married woman.
  • This Surah also outlined some of the basic norms and practices regarding interpersonal interactions. The practice of secret meetings to conspire against others is condemned by warning the culprits of its consequences. Similarly, the etiquette of attending a gathering is also laid down. Muslims are warned in this Surah not to whisper in a gathering because it creates confusion and leads to distortion in the relations.
  • The Surah also bifurcates two groups of people, first being those who are completely loyal to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, declaring them the “companions of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ”. The second group is titled the “companions of Satan”, who are not true believers, the likes of hypocrites. These are the people who apparently claimed to be Muslims but secretly continued to remain loyal to their old tribal friends.
  • The Surah also encourages Muslims to strive for gaining knowledge. The 11th verse of this Surah is particularly referred to by scholars to emphasize the need for learning and scholarship in Islam. Those who are knowledgeable will be blessed with a higher status by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ   

Subject Matter and Theme of Al-Mujadila (الْمُجَادِلَة)

Surah Al-Mujadila is centered around prescribing solutions to the believers in regard to the issues that plagued them at the time. They are first advised not to indulge in practices of ignorance, such as zihar when they accept Islam. Zihar was an unjust practice in which a man had the right to divorce his wife by saying she looked like his mother and immediately cutting off ties with the woman with no responsibilities toward her. This surah discusses individual rights, the rights of women, and social justice. Islam is the religion for men and women. It is the religion that promotes equitable treatment for all and thus abolishes laws and customs that allow the exploitation of one faction of the society. The surah emphasizes the need to let go of the old, pagan customs and embrace the laws of Allah. 

From verses 7-10, Allah addresses the hypocrites about their private meetings and assemblies they hold during which they conspire against the Prophet (ﷺ). Muslims are consoled in regard to the hypocrites. Allah addresses them to go on about their mission and not mind the hypocrites as they cannot do them any harm. Allah also reminds the believers that true Muslims whenever they meet, do not talk about sins, transgressions, and disobediences but instead of goodness.

Muslims are also taught regarding social manners they should practice when in public assemblies. Allah instructs them not to act in a way that is narrow-minded and to be more welcoming towards newcomers (such as by making more ways for them to fit in). Allah also highlights how the Muslims who befriend the hypocrites or those who are enemies of Islam and do not hesitate to put their own interests first by harming their own faith and think their faith will provide them with a cover are wrong. In fact, they belong to the party of the Shaytaan, no matter how hard they try to convince the believers otherwise with their fake oaths. On the other hand, those who leave behind every worldly desire and being for the love of Allah and His Prophet (ﷺ) are surely true Muslims who will be rewarded. 

Benefits and Virtues of Al-Mujadila (الْمُجَادِلَة)

Al-Mujadila is an important surah that outlawed the custom of zihar and reinstated the rights of women. The surah warned the husbands about their wives were not their mothers and that only those who gave birth to them could be considered their mothers. Moreover, it also enforced strict punishment on those who verbally abused their wives through the custom of zihar. The surah says:

"Those of you who say such a thing to their wives, then go back on what they have said, must free a slave before the couple may touch one another again––this is what you are commanded to do, and God is fully aware of what you do––but anyone who does not have the means should fast continuously for two months before they touch each other, and anyone unable to do this should feed sixty needy people. This is so that you may [truly] have faith in God and His Messenger."

Surah Al-Mujadila also teaches us the importance of one's words. Through outlawing the custom of zihar, Muslims were also taught to be careful of the words they said to their wives and also to treat them kindly. 

Other virtues of the surah include: 

  • Creating and emphasizing a moral code that strengthens familial ties and community. 

  • It instils social awareness amongst all and the sense to behave in a moral way that does not harm others. 

  • Some scholars argue that reciting this surah when there is a dispute among family, especially between man and wife, could help take matters towards resolution. 

Finally, as with all of the Quran, reciting Surah Al-Mujadila is rewarded by Allah Azzawajal. Allah increases the good deeds of an individual tenfold for every word they recite of the Quran. 

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-Mujadila by Renowned Qaris

Recitation of the Quranic Surahs, including Surah Al-Mujadila, is a sensitive issue, especially for non-Arabic speaking persons. Reciting a Quranic word with correct pronunciation is highly critical because any mistake can lead to an entirely different meaning. By listening to the recitation of the Quranic Surahs by an authentic Qari (reciter), we can learn the correct pronunciation of their words. Moreover, sometimes one may just want to listen to the Quran instead of reading it on one's own. To overcome all these difficulties and requirements, listening to the recitation by a renowned reciter (Qari) can be highly beneficial.  

The website and mobile application of the MuslimandQuran provide the best solution to this sensitive matter. The recitation of the Quran by the most authentic Qaris is available on our website and mobile application, which you can listen to on your mobile devices or laptops quite easily. You can select a Qari of your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the Mobile Application of the MuslimandQuran to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Mujadila.

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Surah Al-Mujadila PDF

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FAQs:

Al-Mujadila translates to “the pleading woman”. In the context of Surah Al-Mujadila, it refers to the famous incident of a woman pleading and arguing her case before the Prophet, when her husband divorced her through “zihaar”, a wrongful practice in the pre-Islamic Arabian culture.

Surah Al-Mujadila has 22 verses.

Yes, Hadith 2214 of Sunan Abu Dawood narrates in detail the famous incident when a woman pleaded her case of zihaar before the Prophet, in response to which this Surah was sent down.

The Quran, including Surah Al-Mujadila, is for the benefit and guidance of the entire humankind, irrespective of their nationality or language. Everyone gets the same benefits from this Surah. So, a non-Arabic speaker can definitely get the equal benefits on recitation of Surah Al-Mujadila, as an Arabic-speaking individual may get.