يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَآءٌ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا۟ بِٱلْأَلْقَـٰبِ ۖ بِئْسَ ٱلِٱسْمُ ٱلْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ ٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ 11
Translations
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name [i.e., mention] of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la yaskhar qawmun min qawmin asa an yakunu khayran minhum wa la nisa'un min nisa'in asa an ykunna khayran minhunna wa la talmizu anfusakum wa la tanabazu bil-alqabi bi'sa al-ismu al-fusooqu ba'da al-imani wa man lam yatub fa-ula'ika humu al-dhalimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah forbids believers from mocking one another, whether men mocking men or women mocking women, as one cannot know that the mocked person is not superior in the sight of Allah. It further prohibits finding fault with others (al-lamz) and calling each other by derogatory nicknames (al-tanabuz), as such conduct is considered evil (fusooq) and a violation of faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this ayah addresses the destructive nature of mockery and ridicule in undermining the unity and dignity of the Muslim community, warning that those who persist in such behavior without repentance are indeed wrongdoers.
Revelation Context
This surah (Al-Hujurat) is entirely Medinan and addresses the etiquette and conduct required within the Muslim community. This particular ayah is part of a series of verses establishing moral and social standards for believers, particularly regarding their treatment of one another. The broader context reflects the need for refined interpersonal conduct as the Muslim ummah was developing its social structure in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Tirmidhi), which complements the virtue of treating others with dignity and respect rather than mockery.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that mockery and derogatory speech fragment the Muslim community and contradict genuine faith; believers must recognize that outward appearances do not reflect one's true worth before Allah, and should instead cultivate compassion, respect, and accountability in all interpersonal interactions.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Aware.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ بَيْنَ يَدَىِ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
O you who have believed, do not put [yourselves] before Allāh and His Messenger but fear Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ أَن تُصِيبُوا۟ قَوْمًۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَـٰدِمِينَ
O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَرْفَعُوٓا۟ أَصْوَٰتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَلَا تَجْهَرُوا۟ لَهُۥ بِٱلْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَن تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not.