Topic
SURAH HUJURAT ITS BACKGROUND AND
BACKBITING
Introduction
Surah Hujurat is the 49th chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 18 verses. It is a Madinah Surah,
revealed during the later years of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) life. The Surah addresses
several aspects of social and moral conduct, including the importance of maintaining good
manners, fostering unity among Muslims, and adhering to Islamic teachings in interpersonal
relationships. Surah Hujurat offers a comprehensive guide to developing ethical behavior and
community harmony, making it highly relevant to both individual and collective life.
Background of Surah Hujurat
Surah Hujurat was revealed in Madinah during a period when the Muslim community was
expanding and encountering diverse cultural and social challenges. As more tribes and
individuals converted to Islam, it became essential to establish clear guidelines for maintaining
harmony and unity. The Surah was revealed to address specific incidents and misunderstandings
that arose within the Muslim community, guiding them on how to interact with each other in a
dignified and respectful manner.
One particular incident that contributed to the revelation of this Surah involved some Bedouins
who came to visit the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They called him out loudly from outside his
chambers, demanding an audience without observing the proper etiquette. This incident
demonstrated the need for manners when addressing the Prophet (PBUH) and others, prompting
verses about respectful behavior. The Surah also touches on the importance of resolving conflicts
peacefully and avoiding negative traits such as backbiting and suspicion.
Key Themes and Lessons from Surah Hujurat
1. Respect for Authority and Etiquette The first few verses of Surah Hujurat emphasize
the importance of respect, particularly toward the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It
instructs the believers not to raise their voices above the voice of the Prophet and not to
address him in a casual or loud manner. This serves as a broader lesson for Muslims to
show respect to authority figures, elders, and scholars in a community.
o Lesson: Islam promotes manners and etiquette in all forms of
communication, whether with leaders or ordinary individuals. It
highlights the importance of humility and proper behavior in
social interactions.
2. Promoting Peace and Justice Surah Hujurat encourages Muslims to act as peacemakers
within the community. If a conflict arises between two groups of believers, it instructs
them to mediate fairly and help restore peace. The principle of justice is paramount, even
when dealing with conflicts among Muslims.
o Lesson: Peace and justice are central to Islamic values. A true
Muslim is one who works to resolve conflicts and ensure fairness
in all dealings, whether within the family or in society at large.
3. Brotherhood and Equality One of the most significant themes of Surah Hujurat is the
emphasis on unity and brotherhood among Muslims. The Surah reminds believers that
they are part of one Ummah (community) and should avoid actions that cause division,
such as mockery, suspicion, and backbiting.
o Lesson: Islam teaches that all Muslims are brothers and sisters
in faith, and they must support each other. Negative behaviors
that damage relationships and sow discord are strongly
condemned in the Qur'an.
4. Avoiding Negative Traits (Backbiting, Suspicion, Mockery) Surah Hujurat highlights
the dangers of indulging in harmful social habits such as backbiting, making fun of
others, and holding unwarranted suspicions. Verse 12 clearly warns against backbiting,
equating it to "eating the flesh of one's dead brother," a graphic and powerful metaphor
meant to instill a sense of disgust and fear regarding this sin.
o Lesson: Negative traits such as gossip, slander, and mockery
are destructive not only to individuals but also to the social fabric
of a community. Islam strongly discourages such behaviors,
urging Muslims to speak and act with kindness.
5. Recognition of Diversity One of the most profound lessons from Surah Hujurat is found
in verse 13, which states, "O mankind, We have created you from male and female and
made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most
honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most righteous." This verse
underscores the idea that diversity is a part of Allah's plan, and that differences in race,
ethnicity, or tribe are not a cause for superiority or discrimination.
o Lesson: Islam recognizes and celebrates human diversity. It
teaches that the only criterion for superiority is righteousness
and piety, not ethnicity, wealth, or social status. This lesson
promotes the value of inclusion and respect for all people,
regardless of their background.
6. Faith and Action Surah Hujurat also distinguishes between superficial declarations of
faith and true, heartfelt belief. It reminds believers that faith is not merely about words,
but it must be demonstrated through actions, sincerity, and adherence to Islamic
principles.
o Lesson: True faith is shown through consistent action and good
deeds, not merely through verbal claims. Muslims are
encouraged to live their faith by embodying Islamic values in all
aspects of life.
Backbiting (Ghibah)
In Islamic jurisprudence, backbiting is defined as speaking about someone in
a manner that they would dislike if they were present. According to a famous
hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked about the definition of
backbiting, and he replied: "It is to mention something about your brother
that he would dislike." The companion then asked, "What if what I say about
my brother is true?" The Prophet (PBUH) replied, "If it is true, you have
backbitten him, and if it is false, you have slandered him" (Sahih Muslim).
This hadith clarifies that even if what is said about a person is true, it still
constitutes backbiting and is a sin. However, if what is said is false, the sin is
even more grievous as it constitutes slander ( buhtan).
Prohibition of Backbiting in Islam
Backbiting is strictly prohibited in Islam due to its harmful effects on
individuals and communities. The Qur'an vividly describes the act of
backbiting in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12, where it says: "O you who have
believed, avoid much suspicion, for indeed some suspicion is sin. And do not
spy or backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his
brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is
accepting of repentance and Merciful" (Qur'an 49:12).
This verse compares backbiting to the horrifying act of eating the flesh of a
dead brother, highlighting the repulsiveness of the sin. It emphasizes that
just as one would find the idea of cannibalism disgusting, so should one
detest the act of backbiting.
Negative Impacts of Backbiting
The prohibition of backbiting in Islam is rooted in the profound harm it
causes, including:
7. Damage to Personal Relationships: Backbiting destroys trust and bonds
between individuals, leading to discord and enmity.
8. Undermining Social Unity: In a community, backbiting fosters hatred,
division, and suspicion, weakening the social fabric.
9. Spiritual Consequences: Backbiting is not just a social evil but a major
sin that can lead to the spiritual downfall of the individual engaging in
it.
Backbiting causes emotional distress, humiliation, and a loss of reputation,
often leading to irreparable harm.
Exceptions to Backbiting in Islam
Although backbiting is generally prohibited, Islamic scholars have identified
specific exceptions based on the principles of justice, public interest, and
necessity. These exceptions are grounded in the idea that the welfare of the
community and the protection of others can, in certain circumstances,
override the prohibition. The main exceptions are:
1. Seeking Justice in Legal Matters One of the most recognized exceptions
is when a person seeks justice in a legal or judicial setting. For
instance, if someone has been wronged, they are allowed to disclose
the wrongdoing to a judge or authority figure to seek justice. The
disclosure of faults in this case is necessary to ensure justice is served.
o Example: A person may disclose the wrongful actions of another
when reporting a crime or seeking a resolution for injustice.
2. Warning Against Harm Another valid exception occurs when there is a
need to warn others about potential harm or danger. If someone is
aware that another individual poses a threat or danger to the
community, they are allowed to inform others to prevent harm.
o Example: If a person knows of someone's fraudulent business
practices or immoral behavior that could harm others, they may
warn potential victims. This could include situations such as
warning someone about a deceitful business partner, a
fraudulent marriage proposal, or dangerous behavior.
3. Seeking Advice or Counseling When seeking advice or counseling, it is
permissible to discuss the faults of others in order to receive proper
guidance or help in resolving personal conflicts or problems. In such
cases, the intention should be to seek a solution and not to defame the
individual being discussed.
o Example: A person may discuss their spouse's shortcomings with
a trusted advisor or counselor in order to seek advice on how to
improve their relationship.
Conditions for Permissible Backbiting
For backbiting to be permissible under these exceptions, several conditions
must be met:
1. Intention: The intention behind the disclosure must be pure, with the
aim of seeking justice, preventing harm, or protecting others. There
should be no malicious intent or desire to harm the individual's
reputation.
2. Necessity: The disclosure should only be made if it is necessary and no
other way exists to achieve the desired outcome. Backbiting should be
limited to what is required to address the situation.
3. Truthfulness: The information shared must be accurate and truthful. If
false information is shared, it falls under slander, which is a greater sin.
