وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ صَبَرُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ تَخْرُجَ إِلَيْهِمْ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 5
Translations
And if they had been patient until you [could] come out to them, it would have been better for them. But Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Wa law annahum sabaru hatta takhruja ilayhim la kana khayran lahum. Wa Allahu Ghafurun Rahimun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah advises that if the Bedouins who came to the Prophet ﷺ had waited patiently for him to come out to them rather than calling for him from outside his rooms, it would have been better for them in terms of respect and etiquette. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir note this teaches the importance of proper adab (manners) and patience when seeking an audience with those in authority, while emphasizing that Allah's forgiveness and mercy encompass all shortcomings in conduct.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Hujurat (49), revealed in Madinah regarding the conduct of Bedouin delegations who visited the Prophet ﷺ. The specific context concerns Arabs from the desert who would loudly call out to the Prophet from outside his private chambers rather than observing proper courtesy and waiting, showing a lack of understanding of proper etiquette in Islamic society.
Related Hadiths
The general principle is reinforced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim regarding the Prophet's guidance on respect and adab. A thematically related hadith is in Sunan Abu Dawud regarding the importance of good manners as part of faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that demonstrating respect and patience in our interactions—particularly with those in positions of responsibility—reflects Islamic values and spiritual maturity. It reminds us that Allah's mercy covers our mistakes in etiquette, encouraging us to strive for better conduct while trusting in His compassion.
Related Ayahs
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
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.
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."
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.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
Indeed, Allāh knows the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. And Allāh is Seeing of what you do.