Discover Surah 60: Al-Mumtahanah (The Woman to be Examined) with English translation and comments. Learn its rulings on loyalty, relationships, and sincere faith.
Surah 60: Al-Mumtahanah (The Woman to be Examined)
Introduction
Surah Al-Mumtahanah, the 60th chapter of the Qur’an, is a Madinan surah consisting of 13 verses. The title, meaning “The Woman to be Examined,” refers to a historical incident in which believing women emigrated from Makkah to Madinah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was instructed to examine their faith before deciding whether to return them to the non-Muslims. The surah provides guidance on social and political relations between Muslims and non-Muslims, especially in times of conflict, emphasizing justice, loyalty to the Muslim community, and kindness toward those who are not hostile. It sets principles for dealing with alliances, loyalty, and migration, while also upholding moral conduct in both personal and communal matters.
Surah 60: Al-Mumtahanah (Woman to be Examined): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. O you who believe! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as close allies, offering them friendship, when they have rejected the truth that has come to you, and have driven out the Messenger and yourselves only because you believe in Allah, your Lord. You secretly send them messages of affection, but I know very well what you hide and what you make public. Whoever among you does this has truly strayed from the right path.
2. If they gain the upper hand over you, they will be your enemies, and they will harm you with their hands and tongues. They wish that you would disbelieve.
3. Your relatives and your children will not benefit you on the Day of Resurrection. He will separate you from one another, and Allah is fully aware of what you do.
4. You have an excellent example in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: “We are free from you and from whatever you worship besides Allah. We reject you, and there has appeared between us and you everlasting hostility and hatred—until you believe in Allah alone.” Except for Abraham’s words to his father: “I will surely ask forgiveness for you, but I cannot protect you from Allah in any way.” They said, “Our Lord! In You we put our trust, and to You we turn, and to You is the final return.”
5. “Our Lord! Do not make us a trial for those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord. Surely You alone are the Mighty, the Wise.”
6. Indeed, in them there is a good example for you—for anyone who hopes for Allah and the Last Day. But whoever turns away, surely Allah is the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy.
7. It may be that Allah will place affection between you and those of them with whom you are now at enmity. Allah is All-Powerful, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
8. Allah does not forbid you from being kind and fair towards those who have not fought you because of your religion or driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair.
9. But Allah forbids you from taking as allies those who have fought you because of your religion, driven you out of your homes, or supported others in driving you out. Whoever takes them as allies—then they are truly wrongdoers.
10. O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, test them; Allah knows best about their faith. If you know them to be believers, then do not send them back to the disbelievers. They are not lawful for them, nor are the disbelievers lawful for them. But give the disbelievers what they spent as dowry. And there is no blame upon you to marry them when you have given them their due dowry. And do not keep hold of marriage bonds with disbelieving women. But ask for what you have spent, and let them ask for what they have spent. This is Allah’s judgment—He judges between you, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
11. If any of your wives go over to the disbelievers, and you later gain something from them, then give to those whose wives have gone away the equivalent of what they had spent. And fear Allah in whom you believe.
12. O Prophet! When believing women come to you pledging that they will not associate anything with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit adultery, that they will not kill their children, that they will not bring a false accusation they have invented between their hands and feet, and that they will not disobey you in what is right—then accept their pledge and ask Allah to forgive them. Surely Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
13. O you who believe! Do not take as allies a people with whom Allah is angry. They have no hope for the Hereafter—just as the disbelievers have no hope for those in the graves. 0 0 0
Comment
Surah Al-Mumtahanah highlights the delicate balance between faith and social ties during times of religious struggle. It warns against alliances that compromise the integrity of the Muslim community, as seen in the example of Hatib ibn Abi Balta‘ah’s letter to the Quraysh. At the same time, it encourages fairness and kindness toward non-hostile non-Muslims, showing that Islam’s approach is neither blind hostility nor blind alliance, but principled interaction rooted in justice. The examination of women migrants reflects Islam’s recognition of individual faith and personal choice, even in politically charged situations. Overall, this surah teaches the importance of loyalty to one’s faith community, ethical conduct in political matters, and the preservation of justice and compassion in dealing with others. 0 0 0
You May Like: Surah 53: An-Najm
10 Detailed FAQs on Surah Al-Mumtahanah
Q: What is Surah Al-Mumtahanah about?
A: Surah Al-Mumtahanah deals with the principles of loyalty and disloyalty in faith, relationships with non-Muslims, and the proper treatment of women who migrate to Islam. It stresses sincerity to Allah, balancing justice with compassion, and remaining firm in belief even when tested.
Q: Why is Surah Al-Mumtahanah called “The Woman to be Examined”?
A: The Surah is named after the incident of Muslim women migrating from Makkah to Madinah, where they had to be examined to confirm their sincerity in Islam. This ensured that faith, not worldly motives, guided their decision to join the Muslim community.
Q: How many verses are in Surah Al-Mumtahanah and where was it revealed?
A: Surah Al-Mumtahanah contains 13 verses and was revealed in Madinah. Like other Madinan chapters, it provides legal, social, and community-related guidance.
Q: What guidance does Surah Al-Mumtahanah give about loyalty to Allah and His Messenger?
A: The Surah instructs believers not to form secret alliances with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger. True loyalty lies in supporting the faith, even if it conflicts with family ties or personal relationships, while still treating others with fairness and justice.
Q: How does Surah Al-Mumtahanah address relationships with non-Muslims?
A: Surah Al-Mumtahanah distinguishes between non-Muslims who are peaceful and those who are hostile. Believers are encouraged to deal kindly and justly with peaceful non-Muslims, but not to ally themselves with those who actively fight against Islam. This balance promotes fairness and mutual respect.
Q: What does Surah Al-Mumtahanah say about the test of migrant women?
A: The Surah requires that women who migrated to the Muslim community be tested to ensure their sincerity in faith. If they were found genuine, they were not to be returned to their disbelieving husbands. This established the principle of protecting religious freedom and the rights of women.
Q: How does Surah Al-Mumtahanah guide Muslims on marriage and family ties?
A: The Surah permits Muslims to marry believing women who migrated for faith, even if they were previously married to disbelievers. It also establishes rules for compensating non-Muslim husbands who lost their wives through conversion, ensuring fairness and justice in family matters.
Q: What role does Prophet Ibrahim’s example play in Surah Al-Mumtahanah?
A: Prophet Ibrahim and his followers are presented as a model of loyalty to Allah, showing firm opposition to idolatry while still praying for guidance and mercy for others. This serves as a lesson for Muslims to remain steadfast in faith while balancing firmness with compassion.
Q: What lessons about justice and fairness are taught in Surah Al-Mumtahanah?
A: The Surah teaches that justice should never be compromised, even in times of conflict. Believers must avoid hatred that leads to injustice, showing that Islamic principles demand fairness, even toward opponents.
Q: How can Surah Al-Mumtahanah be applied in daily life today?
A: Surah Al-Mumtahanah guides Muslims to balance faith with social interactions wisely—showing kindness to those who are peaceful, avoiding alliances with those hostile to Islam, and protecting the rights of women and families. It inspires sincerity, justice, and loyalty to Allah in all aspects of life. 0 0 0
