Sūrah Al-Mujādilah The Pleading Woman
المجادلة
22 verses, Madanī. Khawlah bint Thaʿlabah pleaded to Allah about the pre-Islamic ẓihār divorce Allah heard her and revealed the ruling. Those who make ẓihār must expiate before touching their wives. The believers in assemblies should make room. Those who oppose Allah and His Messenger will be disgraced. Sincere believers do not befriend enemies of Allah.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
Allah hears the complaint of Khawlah (58:1): "Allah has certainly heard the speech of the one who argues with you concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah and Allah hears your dialogue; indeed Allah is Hearing and Seeing." ʿĀʾishah reported: "Praise be to Allah whose hearing encompasses all things I was in the room and could only hear part of what Khawlah was saying about her husband Aws ibn al-Ṣāmit, but Allah heard everything and revealed verses about it." Ibn Kathīr: the most intimate divine attentiveness to a woman's private complaint.
The expiation for ẓihār (58:3–4): Ẓihār comparing one's wife to one's mother's back to divorce her was a pre-Islamic practice that left the wife in limbo: not divorced, not honoured. The Qurʾān abolished it and required expiation: free a slave; if unable, fast 60 consecutive days; if unable, feed 60 poor people before the marriage can resume. Ibn Kathīr: the expiation is deliberately difficult to discourage the practice entirely.
- Making room in assemblies (58:11): "When you are told: Make room in the gatherings make room. Allah will make room for you." Ibn Kathīr: the adab of Islamic assemblies physically making space reflects the spirit of generosity and humility. The scholars who make space for others are elevated by Allah.
- Allah elevates the knowledgeable (58:11): "Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who have been given knowledge by degrees." Ibn Kathīr: knowledge of the dīn is a specific grace that raises a person's rank with Allah the scholar who acts on his knowledge is elevated above the worshipper.
- Private counsel being from Shayṭān (58:10): "Secret counsels are from Shayṭān to cause grief to those who believe." Ibn Kathīr: when groups whisper around a believer, causing anxiety and suspicion this is a tool of Shayṭān. The believer should not be paralysed by what others privately say.
- Greeting with salutation (58:8): The Jews would greet the Prophet ﷺ with "Al-sāmu ʿalayk" (death be upon you). ʿĀʾishah responded angrily; the Prophet ﷺ said simply reply "wa ʿalayk" (and upon you). Ibn Kathīr: the prophetic composure never returning evil with more than justice; often with less.
- The party of Allah (58:22): "Those are the party of Allah and indeed the party of Allah they are the successful ones." Ibn Kathīr: Ḥizb Allah not a political group but any believer who puts loyalty to Allah and His Messenger above tribal, national, or family allegiances.