Surah Al-Hujurat

This chapter of the Holy Qur'an starts off by educating us on the etiquette that we should observe with Allah, Most High, and with His Most Beloved Messenger ( Eternal blessings upon him and his family and companions).

1: [O you who believe! In the matters of the shari`ah do not go ahead of or take precedence before Allah and His Messenger and the Imams; and fear the punishment of Allah for such actions, and be careful of what you say or write about the shari`ah because Allah surely is All-Hearing and All-Knowing. (During the Occultation of the Present Imam, the same discipline should be observed by following the most learned mujtahid – expert of Islamic laws – of our time).]

2: [O you who believe! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet. After the death of the Prophet the believers can follow this command of Allah by not voicing their objections against the laws brought by the Prophet. And do not talk loudly to him as you talk to one another. Heed to these two commands, lest all your deeds become forfeited in such a way that you won’t even realize it.]

3: [Surely those who lower their voices in the presence of the Messenger of Allah are the people whose souls have been tested by Allah for their piety (tawqa); for them, and for all those who heed to the above command, is the forgiveness of Allah and a great reward.]

During the last years of the Prophet’s life, many individuals and groups came to Madinah to visit the Prophet. Among these visitors, the Bedouins behaved in such a way that even Allah did not like it. Whenever they entered the city of Madinah, they would all go to the Prophet’s house at the same time and call him out to see him; they did not realize that the Prophet was entitled to some privacy and rest.

4: [Surely most of the people who call you, O Muhammad, from outside the rooms, do not understand].

5: [If they waited patiently until you come out to them, this would be bet­ter for them. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.]

6: [O you who believe! If an evil-doer comes to you with important news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance (out of haste in belief and making decision), and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.]