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.