Read Surah 58: Al-Mujadila (The Woman Who Disputes) with English translation and comments. Understand its guidance on family issues, the prohibition of false oaths, the importance of sincere faith, and Allah’s awareness of all secrets.
Surah 58: Al-Mujadilah (The Pleading Woman)
Introduction
Surah Al-Mujadilah is the 58th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. It was revealed in Madinah and has 22 verses. The name Al-Mujadilah means The Pleading Woman, referring to the case of a woman who came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to complain about her husband’s injustice. She was distressed by an old Arab custom called zihar, where a husband would compare his wife to his mother to separate from her without divorce. Allah heard her plea, revealed guidance to end this unjust custom, and laid down rules for correcting such situations.
The Surah addresses important matters: abolishing harmful traditions, showing that Allah hears and sees everything, warning against hypocrisy, forbidding secret plotting in sin, and commanding believers to stand united under the guidance of Allah and His Messenger. It ends by describing the people of faith as those who remain loyal to Allah even above family ties, and who will be rewarded with Paradise. 0 0 0
Surah 58: Al-Mujadilah (The Pleading Woman): Text
In the name of Alalh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
(1) Allah has indeed heard the words of the woman who argued with you, O Prophet, about her husband, and complained to Allah. Allah heard your dialogue. Surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.
(2) Those among you who declare their wives to be unlawful for them by saying, “You are to me like my mother’s back,” are not really making their mothers. Their mothers are only those who gave birth to them. What they say is an evil statement and a lie. But surely Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving.
(3) Those who declare this and then wish to go back to what they said must free a slave before they touch each other. This is what you are instructed with, and Allah is aware of what you do.
(4) But whoever cannot find a slave to free must fast for two consecutive months before they touch each other. And whoever cannot do that must feed sixty needy people. This is so that you may believe in Allah and His Messenger. These are the limits set by Allah. And for the disbelievers there is a painful punishment.
(5) Surely those who oppose Allah and His Messenger will be brought low, just as those before them were brought low. We have sent down clear revelations, and for the disbelievers there is a humiliating punishment.
(6) On the Day when Allah will raise them all together, He will inform them of what they did. Allah has kept account of it, while they forgot it. And Allah is Witness over all things.
(7) Do you not see that Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth? There is no secret counsel among three but He is the fourth, nor among five but He is the sixth, nor fewer nor more than that but He is with them wherever they may be. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did. Surely Allah is Knowing of all things.
(8) Have you not seen those who were forbidden to engage in secret counsel, yet they return to what they were forbidden, and they conspire in sin, aggression, and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you, they greet you with a greeting that Allah has not greeted you with, and they say to themselves, “Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?” Hell will be enough for them – they will burn in it, and how evil a destination it is!
(9) O you who believe! When you hold private counsel, do not conspire in sin, aggression, or disobedience to the Messenger, but conspire in righteousness and piety. And fear Allah, to Whom you will be gathered.
(10) Secret counsel is only from Satan, so that he may cause grief to those who believe. But he cannot harm them at all except by Allah’s permission. So let the believers put their trust in Allah.
(11) O you who believe! When you are told, “Make room in gatherings,” then make room; Allah will make room for you. And when you are told, “Rise up,” then rise; Allah will raise in rank those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge. And Allah is fully aware of what you do.
(12) O you who believe! When you wish to speak privately with the Messenger, offer something in charity before your private talk. That is better for you and purer. But if you do not find the means, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
(13) Are you afraid to give charity before your private talk? Since you did not do it, and Allah has forgiven you, then establish prayer, give zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.
(14) Have you not seen those who take as allies a people with whom Allah is angry? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to lies knowingly.
(15) Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Surely, what they have been doing is evil.
(16) They have taken their oaths as a cover and turned people away from the path of Allah. So for them there will be a humiliating punishment.
(17) Neither their wealth nor their children will benefit them in any way against Allah. They are the inhabitants of the Fire – they will remain there forever.
(18) On the Day when Allah will raise them all together, they will swear to Him just as they swear to you, thinking that they are upon something. No, indeed! They are liars.
(19) Satan has gained control over them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Surely, the party of Satan will be the losers.
(20) Surely those who oppose Allah and His Messenger – they will be among the most humiliated.
(21) Allah has decreed: “I and My Messengers will surely prevail.” Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty.
(22) You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they are their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their close relatives. It is they in whose hearts Allah has written faith and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. He will admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to live there forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. They are the party of Allah. Surely, the party of Allah will be successful. 0 0 0
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Comment
This Surah is a reminder that Allah is close to His servants and hears every voice, even the quietest plea for justice. The opening incident shows that no injustice is too small to be noticed by Him. The Qur’an here challenges harmful cultural practices and replaces them with laws based on fairness, compassion, and accountability.
It also addresses the spiritual dangers of hypocrisy, dishonesty, and forming alliances with those hostile to Islam. The Surah teaches that true loyalty is to Allah and His Messenger, and that faith may require difficult choices—sometimes even against one’s own relatives.
The final verse paints a beautiful picture of the believers as people whose hearts are filled with faith, strengthened by Allah’s spirit, and promised eternal bliss in gardens beneath which rivers flow. It is a chapter of justice, sincerity, discipline, and unwavering faith in Allah. 0 0 0
10 Detailed FAQs on Surah Al-Mujadila:
Q: What is Surah Al-Mujadila about?
A: Surah Al-Mujadila deals with social and moral issues, beginning with the story of a woman who came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) complaining about her husband’s unjust practice of “Zihar.” The Surah clarifies the ruling against this pre-Islamic custom, emphasizes Allah’s knowledge of all conversations (even whispered ones), and guides believers on proper manners, sincerity, and loyalty to Allah and His Messenger.
Q: Why is Surah Al-Mujadila called “The Woman Who Disputes”?
A: The name “Al-Mujadila” (The Woman Who Disputes) comes from the opening verses, which narrate the case of Khawlah bint Tha‘labah. She approached the Prophet with her grievance against her husband’s unfair declaration, and Allah revealed verses supporting her cause. This highlights the compassion of Islam toward women’s rights and justice in family matters.
Q: How many verses are in Surah Al-Mujadila, and where was it revealed?
A: Surah Al-Mujadila contains 22 verses and was revealed in Madinah. Being a Madinan Surah, it primarily addresses legal, social, and community-related issues, giving practical guidance to Muslims on how to live together in justice and faith.
Q: What does Surah Al-Mujadila say about the practice of Zihar?
A: Surah Al-Mujadila firmly condemns Zihar, the pre-Islamic practice where a man would liken his wife to his mother’s back, thus declaring her forbidden without formally divorcing her. The Surah abolishes this unjust custom and lays down specific expiations for those who commit it—such as freeing a slave, fasting for two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people—before resuming marital relations.
Q: How does Surah Al-Mujadila describe Allah’s knowledge?
A: Surah Al-Mujadila stresses that Allah hears and sees everything, even the private conversations and secret whispers between people. This reminder teaches that no matter how hidden our words or actions may be, Allah is fully aware of them, encouraging sincerity, honesty, and caution in speech and behavior.
Q: What guidance does Surah Al-Mujadila provide on private conversations?
A: The Surah discourages secret gatherings meant for sin, hostility, or disobedience. Instead, believers are instructed to hold private discussions only for good purposes—such as charity, reconciliation, and acts that bring people closer to Allah. This shows how Islam regulates even small matters of social interaction for the betterment of the community.
Q: How does Surah Al-Mujadila address loyalty to Allah and His Messenger?
A: Surah Al-Mujadila makes it clear that true believers do not ally themselves with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they are close relatives. This does not mean hostility toward non-Muslims in general, but it emphasizes that loyalty to faith must come before all worldly ties when the two are in direct conflict.
Q: What lessons about faith and hypocrisy are found in Surah Al-Mujadila?
A: The Surah contrasts the behavior of sincere believers, who submit fully to Allah’s commands, with hypocrites, who try to deceive others through false oaths and alliances. It teaches that hypocrisy leads to humiliation and Allah’s anger, while true faith brings honor, guidance, and eternal reward.
Q: What is the significance of the Surah’s emphasis on discipline and respect?
A: Surah Al-Mujadila instructs Muslims to observe proper manners in the Prophet’s presence, including not raising their voices and not crowding one another. It also encourages making room for others in gatherings and listening attentively. These teachings highlight the importance of respect, humility, and order in building a harmonious Muslim community.
Q: How can Surah Al-Mujadila be applied in daily life today?
A: Surah Al-Mujadila remains relevant by guiding Muslims to resolve family disputes with justice, avoid harmful cultural practices, speak with sincerity, and uphold loyalty to faith above all else. It also encourages good manners in meetings, honest communication, and community building, making it a practical Surah for personal character development and social harmony.
