يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا تَنَـٰجَيْتُمْ فَلَا تَتَنَـٰجَوْا۟ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَتَنَـٰجَوْا۟ بِٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ 9
Translations
O you who have believed, when you converse privately, do not converse about sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger but converse about righteousness and piety. And fear Allāh, to whom you will be gathered.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu idha tanajaytum fala tatanajaw bil-ithmi wa-al-udwani wa-muaasiyati ar-rasuli wa-tanajayw bil-birri wa-at-taqwa wa-ittaquw-allah alladhee ilayhi tuhsharuwn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs believers that when they engage in private conversation (tajannud), they must not do so to plot sin, transgression, or disobedience to the Messenger, but rather their private consultations should be devoted to righteousness and piety. Ibn Kathir explains that this addresses the hypocrites' tendency to whisper among themselves with ill intent, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the ayah establishes a principle of moral accountability even in private discourse. The closing reminder of Divine accountability on the Day of Judgment reinforces that Allah witnesses all matters, whether public or concealed.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Madinah and addresses various issues of the Muslim community, particularly concerning the hypocrites (munafiqun). This ayah specifically relates to the broader context of warning believers against secret gatherings for wrongdoing, following the pattern of hypocrites who would conspire in whispers. The surah's opening deals with a woman's complaint (hence the name), and this ayah continues the theme of proper Islamic conduct and community ethics.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When three of you are together, two of you should not speak privately to the exclusion of the third, for this saddens him' (Sahih Bukhari & Muslim). Also relevant is the hadith: 'The best gathering is where people remember Allah, and the worst is where they plot against others' (Tirmidhi), illustrating the principle that private discourse should be morally sound.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that moral conduct extends to their private conversations and secret consultations—there is no realm of life hidden from Allah's knowledge. This teaches that true piety (taqwa) means maintaining ethical standards in both public and private spheres, and that believers should use their private moments for constructive, righteous purposes rather than plotting harm or disobedience.