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 ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Aware.
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allāh that you may receive mercy.
فَضْلًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
[It is] as bounty from Allāh and favor. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَرْفَعُوٓا۟ أَصْوَٰتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَلَا تَجْهَرُوا۟ لَهُۥ بِٱلْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَن تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
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.