Summary of Quran Chapter 58, Surah Al-Mujadilah, The Woman Who Disputes
In this passage, there are four main topics being discussed:
Zihar [Az-Zihar, is the saying of a husband to his wife that, You are to me like the back of my mother (i.e. unlawful for me to approach)] (The First Topic): This refers to a practice in pre-Islamic Arabia where a husband would say to his wife that she is like his mother's back, which was considered taboo. This chapter starts by mentioning the rules regarding this practice, which will be explained in detail in the following verses.
Secret Conspiracies (The Second Topic): Some Jews and hypocrites used to secretly engage in activities that would raise concerns among Muslims that they were plotting against them. Likewise, some honorable companions of Muhammad wanted to seek advice or discuss certain matters with him in private. In this regard, the rules regarding these confidential discussions have been explained.
Social Etiquette (The Third Topic): The chapter discusses the etiquette and conduct that Muslims should observe when participating in social gatherings.
Munafiqun (The Hypocrites - The Fourth and Final Topic): The last topic is about the hypocrites, those who outwardly claimed to be believers but secretly harbored enmity against the Muslims and aided the enemies. This chapter highlights the characteristics and actions of such hypocrites.
The name of this chapter is "Al-Mujadilah" (meaning "The Pleading Woman"), which is derived from the first verse that mentions a woman who came to plead her case. The incident involving the woman is described in the passage below.
“The revelation of this verse is about Hazrat Khawla, who was a woman married to Hazrat Aus bin Samit (may Allah be pleased with him), an elderly man. On one occasion, she said to her husband, "You are to me as the back of my mother" (meaning that she considered him like a forbidden relationship, i.e., she used a term that implied she had made him haram for herself).
When a person says such a statement to his wife, it is called "Zihar." Before Islam, as a result of such statements, husbands and wives would be permanently separated, and there was no way for them to reconcile. Although Hazrat Aus bin Samit uttered this statement impulsively, he later felt ashamed.
Distressed by the consequences, Khawla came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) seeking guidance. She asked him about the ruling in such a situation.
She repeatedly mentioned to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that her husband had not explicitly pronounced divorce. The verse was then revealed to address this issue and to provide a ruling on the matter. The verse allowed for a process to reconcile and showed that such an utterance was not an explicit divorce.
In the verse, she starts her complaint to Allah, saying, "O Allah, I appeal to You, my little children will be lost." This incident led to the clarification of the legal status of such statements and emphasized the importance of proper divorce procedures and the protection of family ties.
Dr. Israr Ahmed's Opinion:
The beginning of Surah Al-Mujadila addresses a specific family matter, but this issue is only briefly mentioned in the first four verses as an incidental topic. Afterward, the central theme of Surah Al-Hadid (The Iron) is introduced in this Surah. The central theme of Surah Al-Hadid is related to the establishment of a system of justice and equity. The establishment of this system requires organized and connected communities working together.
It's not a task for an individual or a small group of people. If it were, then Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) would have accomplished it without seeking the support of his people. When he called his people for Jihad (struggle or striving), they responded with a clear and united answer:
They said: “O Musa (Moses)! We shall never enter it as long as they are there. So go you and your Lord and fight you two, we are sitting right here.” (Quran Chapter: 5:24, Al-Maidah, The Table Spread with Food).
They said with one voice, 'At that time,
He [Musa (Moses)] said: “O my Lord I have power only over myself and my brother, so separate us from the people who are the Fasiqun (rebellious and disobedient to Allah)!”. (Quran Chapter: 5:25, Al-Maidah, The Table Spread with Food).
You were not alone; you had three other companions with you.' That is, your brothers Harun (Aaron), Joshua bin Nun, and Caleb bin Yufna were with you. Nevertheless, you expressed your dissatisfaction with deep regret to Allah, leaving the mission of divine governance incomplete.
So it becomes clear that this task is not the work of a few individuals; rather, it requires a strong and organized community to dismantle the unjust system and establish a system of justice and equity. It is evident that once this community is formed and actively engaged in completing its mission, Satan will not sit idly by; instead, he will tirelessly strive to obstruct their path, encouraging them to abandon their mission of upholding divine governance.
In this way, these two forces will stand face-to-face with each other. Therefore, in this Surah, mention is made not only of the group working towards the establishment of the system of justice and equity, known as Hizbullah (the Party of Allah) but also of the opposing group, the Hizbush-Shaytan (the Party of Satan). In this context, some useful guidelines are provided to the members of Hizbullah.
The existence of Hizbullah is a source of great concern to Satan, so he constantly strives to infiltrate it and undermine its unity. To counter such satanic attacks, the Quran provides instructions to the believers.
The purpose of the social and ethical guidelines given in Surah Al-Hujurat is also to promote unity and solidarity among Muslims and prevent any action that may harm their unity.
Clearly, such actions harm the unity and solidarity of Muslims in the end. Likewise, in Surah Al-Hujurat, believers are instructed to mediate and reconcile if two groups of believers are in conflict so that the Party of Allah remains strong and steadfast.
In any case, the central theme of Surah Al-Mujadilah is related to Hizbullah. Hizbullah is the sign of goodness and the strength of righteousness. If this group is strong, the call to goodness will be loud and clear. If it becomes weak, it is evident that the Party of Satan will gain the upper hand in society.
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