Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This Madinan surah serves as the comprehensive code of conduct for the Islamic community. Its purpose is to establish and purify the social and moral order, defining the proper etiquette towards the Prophet (ﷺ), mandating the verification of news, regulating internal conflict between Muslims, and teaching that nobility is based solely on piety (taqwā) and not tribal lineage.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Madinan by unanimous agreement. It was revealed around 9 AH, making it one of the very late surahs.

Context: The surah descended to address specific social events that occurred in Madinah, primarily the rude behavior of the tribe of Banū Tamīm when they called out to the Prophet (ﷺ) from outside his private rooms (al-ḥujurāt), as well as the need to stabilize the community's internal relations.

Name: The surah's established name is "Sūrat al-Ḥujurāt" (The Private Apartments). It is named for the unique mention of the al-ḥujurāt [4] (the private apartments of the Prophet's wives) in the context of teaching proper etiquette for calling the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

Order: It is the 108th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Mujādilah and before al-Taḥrīm. In terms of the compiled order, it is generally considered the first of the Mufaṣṣal surahs, which span until the end of the Quran.

Ayah Count: 18 by consensus.

Surah Overview:

• Teaching the essential etiquette due to the Prophet (ﷺ) in speech, address, and interaction. [1-5]
• Mandating the verification of news to prevent social unrest and mischief. [6]
• The necessity of avoiding the characteristics of the hypocrites and disbelievers (e.g., being quick to accept false reports). [6]
• Establishing the fundamental principle that believers are brethren and detailing the procedure for resolving conflict between them. [9-10]
• Prohibiting key social sins: mockery, slander, backbiting, and suspicion. [11-12]
• Defining the proper etiquette and rules for social mixing, greeting, and visiting. [e.g., 12]
• Establishing the principle of equality, affirming that status is based solely on piety and not tribal or national origin. [13]
• Warning against adopting the superficial belief of the nomadic Arabs and defining the true characteristics of faith. [14-15]