The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 60
CHAPTER 49 AL-HUJURĀT (Revealed after Hijrah) Title, Context, and Date of Revelation By common consent this is a Medinite Surah. It was revealed in the 9th year of Hijrah, after the Fall of Mecca. The Surah takes its title from its 5th verse in which calling out to the Holy Prophet from behind the Ḥujurāt (private compartments) has been strongly condemned, since shouting out to him is bad manners and is also likely to intrude upon his privacy and precious time. As with the Fall of Mecca Islam had become a great political power, and large masses of people had entered its fold, the Surah was revealed to teach good manners and morals to the newly-initiated people. The Surah also deals with some social evils which find their way into a materially advanced and wealthy society (the Muslims had become such a society after the conquest of Arabia), and speaks of the accession to Islam of great political power and material wealth. Naturally, the Surah also embodies regulations for the settlement of international disputes. Summary of Subject Matter The Surah opens with strict injunctions to Muslims to show full regard and respect to the Holy Prophet which befits his station as a Divine Messenger. They are also enjoined not to anticipate his decisions but to give unquestioning obedience to his commands. They are further enjoined not to raise their voices above his voice; this not only constitutes bad manners but also shows lack of proper respect which is calculated to undermine discipline in the Muslim Community. The Surah then warns Muslims to be on their guard against giving credence to false rumours, as such rumours, if readily accepted as true, without being subjected to sifting and searching examination, are calculated to land Muslims into very awkward situations. It further lays down, in brief words, rules, on which, if carried out with sincere intent and honest motives, a League of Nations or a United Nations Organisation can be built on sound and solid foundations. Next, the Surah, mentions some social evils which, if not effectively checked in time, eat into the vitals of a community and undermine its whole social structure. Of these social evils the common ones are suspicion, false accusation, spying, backbiting, and the most pronounced and far- reaching in its evil consequences, viz. conceit and pride born of a false sense of racial superiority. The Quran recognizes no basis of superiority save that of piety and righteous conduct. 2956