يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ 12
Translations
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ijtanibu kathiran mina al-zanni inna ba'da al-zanni ithmun wa la tajassasu wa la yaghtab ba'dukum ba'dan ayuhibbu ahadukum an ya'kula lahma akhihi maytan fakarihtumuh wa ittaquu Allah inna Allah tawwabun rahimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses believers with four interconnected prohibitions regarding speech and conduct: avoiding excessive suspicion/conjecture (al-zann), refraining from spying/investigating others' private affairs (tajassus), and abstaining from backbiting (ghibah). The vivid metaphor of eating dead flesh of one's brother illustrates the repulsiveness and severity of backbiting. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that these sins destroy social cohesion and violate the sanctity of Muslim brotherhood, while the conclusion reminds believers of Allah's mercy and readiness to accept repentance.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Madinah and is part of Surah Al-Hujurat, which addresses etiquette and behavioral standards within the Muslim community. The surah emerged during the Prophet's time to rectify social problems and establish proper conduct among believers, particularly regarding interactions with the Prophet and within the community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Avoid suspicion, for suspicion is the most false of speech' (Sahih Bukhari 5143). Also: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Muslim 47), which relates to the prohibition of backbiting.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must guard their hearts from destructive suspicion and their tongues from harmful speech, recognizing that backbiting is as repugnant as consuming carrion. This ayah calls for cultivating trust, respecting privacy, and building compassionate communities where the sanctity of human dignity is preserved.