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
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَغُضُّونَ أَصْوَٰتَهُمْ عِندَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱمْتَحَنَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
Indeed, those who lower their voices before the Messenger of Allāh - they are the ones whose hearts Allāh has tested for righteousness. For them is forgiveness and great reward.
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 ٱلَّذِينَ يُنَادُونَكَ مِن وَرَآءِ ٱلْحُجُرَٰتِ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
Indeed, those who call you, [O Muḥammad], from behind the chambers - most of them do not use reason.
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.