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Surah Al-Mujadila

Surah 58 · The Pleading Woman · 22 verses · medinan

The Woman Who Disputes — al-Mujadilah, from the woman in the opening verses who argued her case with the Prophet ﷺ and complained to Allah.

The story

A woman had a big problem and nobody could help her. So she told Allah about it — and Allah heard her from above the seven heavens and sent down a whole surah to fix it. Her name was Khawlah.

How it unfolds

  1. AYAH 1-4

    A complaint heard

    The pre-Islamic formula abolished, and a woman's persistence answered by revelation.

  2. AYAH 7

    No gathering without Him

    Never three in private but He is the fourth — nor fewer, nor more.

  3. AYAH 8-13

    Private counsel

    Whispering that excludes, and the manners of a gathering: make room, and rise when asked.

  4. AYAH 11

    Raised by degrees

    Belief and knowledge as the two things Allah raises people by.

Verses to carry

  • 58:1"Allah has certainly heard the speech of the one who argues with you." A woman's complaint answered by revelation.
  • 58:11"Allah will raise those who believe among you, and those given knowledge, by degrees."
  • 58:7"There is no private conversation of three but He is the fourth of them."

Remember this

Allah hears you even when you whisper, even when nobody else understands.

Talk about it

Khawlah told Allah her problem when no one else could help. What would you tell Allah about?

Introductions to the surah in Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Mawdudi's Tafhim al-Qur'an; ayah numbering per the Madani mushaf. 'A'ishah's report on the occasion of revelation: Nasa'i 3460, Ibn Majah 188.

Awaiting scholar review — please read alongside a trusted tafsir.

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