Surah Al-Hujurat

الحجرات

Surah Al-Hujurat is a short Medinan surah of 18 verses on manners and community life, from how to speak to the Prophet ﷺ to avoiding mockery, suspicion and backbiting.

Meaning
The Rooms
Surah
49 of 114
Verses
18
Revealed in
Medina
Found in
Juz 26

What Surah Al-Hujurat is about

Surah Al-Hujurat is the 49th surah of the Quran, a Medinan surah of 18 verses. Its name, "The Rooms" or "The Private Chambers", comes from verse 4, which mentions people who called out to the Prophet ﷺ from outside his private quarters. Although short, it is one of the most practical surahs in the Quran on how believers should treat one another.

It begins with respect for Allah and His Messenger: do not put yourselves ahead of them, do not raise your voices above the Prophet ﷺ's voice, and be patient rather than calling him from outside his rooms (49:1-5). Verse 6 tells believers to check the truth of news brought by an unreliable person, so that they do not harm others out of ignorance and regret it.

Verses 9-10 deal with conflict between two groups of believers: make peace between them, act justly, and remember that believers are brothers. Verses 11-12 list behaviors that damage a community: mocking others, since they may be better, insulting and using offensive nicknames, excessive suspicion, spying and backbiting. Backbiting is compared to eating the flesh of one's dead brother, something everyone would find repulsive.

Verse 13 then addresses all of humanity: people were created from a male and a female and made into nations and tribes so that they could know one another, and the most honored in Allah's sight is the most righteous. The surah ends by distinguishing outward submission from faith that has entered the heart (49:14-15), and reminds people that guidance is a favor from Allah, not a favor they do for Him (49:17-18).

Main themes

  1. Respect for the Prophet ﷺ

    The surah teaches the companions not to rush ahead of Allah and His Messenger, to lower their voices around the Prophet ﷺ, and to wait patiently rather than shouting for him from outside his rooms.

    Verses 1–5
  2. Verify before acting

    When an untrustworthy person brings news, believers are told to investigate first. Acting on unchecked reports can harm innocent people and leave one full of regret.

    Verses 6–8
  3. Making peace between believers

    If two groups of believers fight, others must reconcile them with justice, and act against the side that keeps aggressing until it returns. The basis for this is that believers are brothers.

    Verses 9–10
  4. Guarding the tongue and the heart

    Mockery, insults, offensive nicknames, suspicion, spying and backbiting are all forbidden. The image of eating a dead brother's flesh makes backbiting feel as ugly as it is.

    Verses 11–12
  5. Nations, tribes and true honor

    All people share the same origin and were made into nations and tribes to know one another. Honor with Allah comes from righteousness, not lineage, and true faith is shown by certainty and striving rather than claims.

    Verses 13–18

Verses to know

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإٖ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ أَن تُصِيبُواْ قَوۡمَۢا بِجَهَٰلَةٖ فَتُصۡبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نَٰدِمِينَ ﴿٦﴾

O you who believe! If a troublemaker brings you any news, investigate, lest you harm people out of ignorance, and you become regretful for what you have done.
Al-Hujurat 49:6

A short command to verify news before acting on it, often cited today in discussions about rumors and online misinformation.

إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ إِخۡوَةࣱ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَ أَخَوَيۡكُمۡۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ ﴿١٠﴾

The believers are brothers, so reconcile between your brothers, and remain conscious of Allah, so that you may receive mercy.
Al-Hujurat 49:10

It states that believers are brothers and tells them to make peace between one another, one of the Quran's clearest statements of community bonds.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمࣱۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًاۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمۡ أَن يَأۡكُلَ لَحۡمَ أَخِيهِ مَيۡتٗا فَكَرِهۡتُمُوهُۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابࣱ رَّحِيمࣱ ﴿١٢﴾

O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion—some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it. So remain mindful of Allah. Allah is Most Relenting, Most Merciful.
Al-Hujurat 49:12

It forbids excessive suspicion, spying and backbiting, and compares backbiting to eating the flesh of a dead brother.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٖ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ شُعُوبٗا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرࣱ ﴿١٣﴾

O people! We created you from a male and a female, and made you races and tribes, that you may know one another. The best among you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Allah is All-Knowing, Well-Experienced.
Al-Hujurat 49:13

Addressed to all humanity, this verse says diversity of nations and tribes exists so people may know one another, and that the noblest is the most righteous.

When Surah Al-Hujurat is recited

There is no special time associated with reciting Surah Al-Hujurat. It is, however, very commonly taught and studied as a guide to Islamic manners, and its verses on mockery, suspicion and backbiting (49:11-12) and on human equality (49:13) are among the most quoted in sermons and classes.

Surah Al-Hujurat in Arabic and English

All 18 verses, with the Arabic, a transliteration to help you read it aloud, and the English translation by Talal Itani.

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

  1. 1

    يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُقَدِّمُواْ بَيۡنَ يَدَيِ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمࣱ

    Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la tuqaddimoo bayna yadayi Allahi warasoolihi waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha sameeAAun AAaleemun

    O you who believe! Do not place your opinions above that of Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

  2. 2

    يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَرۡفَعُوٓاْ أَصۡوَٰتَكُمۡ فَوۡقَ صَوۡتِ ٱلنَّبِيِّ وَلَا تَجۡهَرُواْ لَهُۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ كَجَهۡرِ بَعۡضِكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ أَن تَحۡبَطَ أَعۡمَٰلُكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَشۡعُرُونَ

    Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la tarfaAAoo aswatakum fawqa sawti alnnabiyyi wala tajharoo lahu bialqawli kajahri baAAdikum libaAAdin an tahbata aAAmalukum waantum la tashAAuroona

    O you who believe! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and do not speak loudly to him, as you speak loudly to one another, lest your works be in vain without you realizing.

  3. 3

    إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَغُضُّونَ أَصۡوَٰتَهُمۡ عِندَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱمۡتَحَنَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمۡ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰۚ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةࣱ وَأَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٌ

    Inna allatheena yaghuddoona aswatahum AAinda rasooli Allahi olaika allatheena imtahana Allahu quloobahum lilttaqwa lahum maghfiratun waajrun AAatheemun

    Those who lower their voices before Allah’s Messenger—those are they whose hearts Allah has tested for piety. They will have forgiveness and a great reward.

  4. 4

    إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنَادُونَكَ مِن وَرَآءِ ٱلۡحُجُرَٰتِ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ

    Inna allatheena yunadoonaka min warai alhujurati aktharuhum la yaAAqiloona

    Those who call you from behind the chambers—most of them do not understand.

  5. 5

    وَلَوۡ أَنَّهُمۡ صَبَرُواْ حَتَّىٰ تَخۡرُجَ إِلَيۡهِمۡ لَكَانَ خَيۡرٗا لَّهُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورࣱ رَّحِيمࣱ

    Walaw annahum sabaroo hatta takhruja ilayhim lakana khayran lahum waAllahu ghafoorun raheemun

    Had they remained patient until you came out to them, it would have been better for them. But Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

  6. 6

    يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإٖ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ أَن تُصِيبُواْ قَوۡمَۢا بِجَهَٰلَةٖ فَتُصۡبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نَٰدِمِينَ

    Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo in jaakum fasiqun binabain fatabayyanoo an tuseeboo qawman bijahalatin fatusbihoo AAala ma faAAaltum nadimeena

    O you who believe! If a troublemaker brings you any news, investigate, lest you harm people out of ignorance, and you become regretful for what you have done.

  7. 7

    وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ فِيكُمۡ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِۚ لَوۡ يُطِيعُكُمۡ فِي كَثِيرٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ لَعَنِتُّمۡ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡإِيمَٰنَ وَزَيَّنَهُۥ فِي قُلُوبِكُمۡ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡكُفۡرَ وَٱلۡفُسُوقَ وَٱلۡعِصۡيَانَۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلرَّـٰشِدُونَ

    WaiAAlamoo anna feekum rasoola Allahi law yuteeAAukum fee katheerin mina alamri laAAanittum walakinna Allaha habbaba ilaykumu aleemana wazayyanahu fee quloobikum wakarraha ilaykumu alkufra waalfusooqa waalAAisyana olaika humu alrrashidoona

    And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. Had he obeyed you in many things, you would have suffered hardship. But Allah has given you the love of faith, and adorned it in your hearts, and made disbelief, mischief, and rebellion hateful to you. These are the rightly guided.

  8. 8

    فَضۡلٗا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَنِعۡمَةٗۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمࣱ

    Fadlan mina Allahi waniAAmatan waAllahu AAaleemun hakeemun

    A grace and favor from Allah. Allah is Knowing and Wise.

  9. 9

    وَإِن طَآئِفَتَانِ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٱقۡتَتَلُواْ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَهُمَاۖ فَإِنۢ بَغَتۡ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا عَلَى ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰ فَقَٰتِلُواْ ٱلَّتِي تَبۡغِي حَتَّىٰ تَفِيٓءَ إِلَىٰٓ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن فَآءَتۡ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَهُمَا بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَأَقۡسِطُوٓاْۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ

    Wain taifatani mina almumineena iqtataloo faaslihoo baynahuma fain baghat ihdahuma AAala alokhra faqatiloo allatee tabghee hatta tafeea ila amri Allahi fain faat faaslihoo baynahuma bialAAadli waaqsitoo inna Allaha yuhibbu almuqsiteena

    If two groups of believers fight each other, reconcile between them. But if one group aggresses against the other, fight the aggressing group until it complies with Allah’s command. Once it has complied, reconcile between them with justice, and be equitable. Allah loves the equitable.

  10. 10

    إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ إِخۡوَةࣱ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَ أَخَوَيۡكُمۡۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ

    Innama almuminoona ikhwatun faaslihoo bayna akhawaykum waittaqoo Allaha laAAallakum turhamoona

    The believers are brothers, so reconcile between your brothers, and remain conscious of Allah, so that you may receive mercy.

  11. 11

    يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا يَسۡخَرۡ قَوۡمࣱ مِّن قَوۡمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُواْ خَيۡرٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ وَلَا نِسَآءࣱ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيۡرٗا مِّنۡهُنَّۖ وَلَا تَلۡمِزُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَلَا تَنَابَزُواْ بِٱلۡأَلۡقَٰبِۖ بِئۡسَ ٱلِٱسۡمُ ٱلۡفُسُوقُ بَعۡدَ ٱلۡإِيمَٰنِۚ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَتُبۡ فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ

    Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la yaskhar qawmun min qawmin AAasa an yakoonoo khayran minhum wala nisaon min nisain AAasa an yakunna khayran minhunna wala talmizoo anfusakum wala tanabazoo bialalqabi bisa alismu alfusooqu baAAda aleemani waman lam yatub faolaika humu alththalimoona

    O you who believe! No people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you slander one another, nor shall you insult one another with names. Evil is the return to wickedness after having attained faith. Whoever does not repent—these are the wrongdoers.

  12. 12

    يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمࣱۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًاۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمۡ أَن يَأۡكُلَ لَحۡمَ أَخِيهِ مَيۡتٗا فَكَرِهۡتُمُوهُۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابࣱ رَّحِيمࣱ

    Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ijtaniboo katheeran mina alththanni inna baAAda alththanni ithmun wala tajassasoo wala yaghtab baAAdukum baAAdan ayuhibbu ahadukum an yakula lahma akheehi maytan fakarihtumoohu waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha tawwabun raheemun

    O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion—some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it. So remain mindful of Allah. Allah is Most Relenting, Most Merciful.

  13. 13

    يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٖ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ شُعُوبٗا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرࣱ

    Ya ayyuha alnnasu inna khalaqnakum min thakarin waontha wajaAAalnakum shuAAooban waqabaila litaAAarafoo inna akramakum AAinda Allahi atqakum inna Allaha AAaleemun khabeerun

    O people! We created you from a male and a female, and made you races and tribes, that you may know one another. The best among you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Allah is All-Knowing, Well-Experienced.

  14. 14

    ۞قَالَتِ ٱلۡأَعۡرَابُ ءَامَنَّاۖ قُل لَّمۡ تُؤۡمِنُواْ وَلَٰكِن قُولُوٓاْ أَسۡلَمۡنَا وَلَمَّا يَدۡخُلِ ٱلۡإِيمَٰنُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمۡۖ وَإِن تُطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ لَا يَلِتۡكُم مِّنۡ أَعۡمَٰلِكُمۡ شَيۡـًٔاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورࣱ رَّحِيمٌ

    Qalati alaAArabu amanna qul lam tuminoo walakin qooloo aslamna walamma yadkhuli aleemanu fee quloobikum wain tuteeAAoo Allaha warasoolahu la yalitkum min aAAmalikum shayan inna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun

    The Desert-Arabs say, “We have believed.” Say, “You have not believed; but say, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered into your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish any of your deeds. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

  15. 15

    إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَرۡتَابُواْ وَجَٰهَدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقُونَ

    Innama almuminoona allatheena amanoo biAllahi warasoolihi thumma lam yartaboo wajahadoo biamwalihim waanfusihim fee sabeeli Allahi olaika humu alssadiqoona

    The believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, and then have not doubted, and strive for Allah’s cause with their wealth and their persons. These are the sincere.

  16. 16

    قُلۡ أَتُعَلِّمُونَ ٱللَّهَ بِدِينِكُمۡ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمࣱ

    Qul atuAAallimoona Allaha bideenikum waAllahu yaAAlamu ma fee alssamawati wama fee alardi waAllahu bikulli shayin AAaleemun

    Say, “Are you going to teach Allah about your religion, when Allah knows everything in the heavens and the earth, and Allah is aware of all things?”

  17. 17

    يَمُنُّونَ عَلَيۡكَ أَنۡ أَسۡلَمُواْۖ قُل لَّا تَمُنُّواْ عَلَيَّ إِسۡلَٰمَكُمۖ بَلِ ٱللَّهُ يَمُنُّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَنۡ هَدَىٰكُمۡ لِلۡإِيمَٰنِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ

    Yamunnoona AAalayka an aslamoo qul la tamunnoo AAalayya islamakum bali Allahu yamunnu AAalaykum an hadakum lileemani in kuntum sadiqeena

    They regarded it a favor to you that they have submitted. Say, “Do not consider your submission a favor to me; it is Allah who has done you a favor by guiding you to the faith, if you are sincere.”

  18. 18

    إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ غَيۡبَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ

    Inna Allaha yaAAlamu ghayba alssamawati waalardi waAllahu baseerun bima taAAmaloona

    Allah knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Seeing of everything you do.

Surah Al-Hujurat PDF

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Questions about Surah Al-Hujurat

How many verses are in Surah Al-Hujurat?

Surah Al-Hujurat has 18 verses. It is the 49th surah of the Quran and was revealed in Medina.

Which verse in the Quran talks about backbiting?

Verse 12 of Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12) forbids backbiting, spying and excessive suspicion, and compares backbiting to eating the flesh of one's dead brother.

Which verse says we made you into nations and tribes?

Verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13). It says humanity was created from a male and a female and made into nations and tribes to know one another, and the most honored is the most righteous.

What does Al-Hujurat mean?

Al-Hujurat means "the rooms" or "the private chambers", referring to the Prophet ﷺ's living quarters mentioned in verse 4.