يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَرْفَعُوٓا۟ أَصْوَٰتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَلَا تَجْهَرُوا۟ لَهُۥ بِٱلْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَن تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ 2
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā tarfaʿū aṣwātakum fawqa sawti an-nabiyyi wa-lā tajharū lahu bil-qawli ka-jahri baʿḍikum li-baʿḍin an taḥbaṭa aʿmālukum wa-antum lā tashʿurūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to lower their voices in the presence of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and not to address him loudly as they would speak among themselves, lest their deeds become nullified without their knowledge. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this instruction establishes the proper adab (etiquette) and respect due to the Prophet, emphasizing that disrespect toward him—whether intentional or unintentional—can invalidate righteous deeds. The ayah reflects the high status of the Prophet and the need for believers to show reverence in their interactions with him.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Medina and addresses matters of proper conduct within the Muslim community. This specific ayah was revealed in response to some Bedouin companions who would speak loudly and abruptly to the Prophet without proper respect and etiquette. The surah as a whole deals with refining social manners and community relations, making this ayah part of a broader instruction on Islamic adab.
Related Hadiths
Anas ibn Malik reported that the Companions would lower their voices in the presence of the Prophet out of respect (Sunan Ibn Mājah). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari indicates that when the Prophet spoke, his companions would listen attentively and speak only when necessary, demonstrating their adherence to this principle of respect and proper etiquette.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true respect for the Prophet is demonstrated through conscious behavioral choices and proper etiquette, and that reverence for spiritual leadership is interconnected with the preservation of one's faith and deeds. For modern readers, it emphasizes that showing respect to those in positions of spiritual authority and leadership is not merely a matter of custom but a fundamental aspect of preserving the integrity of one's worship and relationship with Allah.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقُونَ
The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allāh and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allāh. It is those who are the truthful.
يَمُنُّونَ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ أَسْلَمُوا۟ ۖ قُل لَّا تَمُنُّوا۟ عَلَىَّ إِسْلَـٰمَكُم ۖ بَلِ ٱللَّهُ يَمُنُّ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ هَدَىٰكُمْ لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
They consider it a favor to you that they have accepted Islām. Say, "Do not consider your Islām a favor to me. Rather, Allāh has conferred favor upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if you should be truthful."
وَإِن طَآئِفَتَانِ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱقْتَتَلُوا۟ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ فَإِنۢ بَغَتْ إِحْدَىٰهُمَا عَلَى ٱلْأُخْرَىٰ فَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلَّتِى تَبْغِى حَتَّىٰ تَفِىٓءَ إِلَىٰٓ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن فَآءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمَا بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوٓا۟ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ
And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allāh. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allāh loves those who act justly.
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allāh that you may receive mercy.