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Translation (Sahih International)

Here is the English translation of verses 7-14 from Surah Al-Mujadilah (The Pleading Woman), based on the Sahih International version:

Verse 7: Do you not see that Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth? If three converse privately, He is their fourth. If five, He is their sixth. Whether fewer or more, He is with them wherever they may be. Then, on the Day of Judgment, He will inform them of what they have done. Surely Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things. 42

Verse 8: Have you not seen those who were forbidden from secret talks, yet they ˹always˺ return to what they were forbidden from, conspiring in sin, aggression, and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you ˹O Prophet˺, they greet you not as Allah greets you, and say to one another, “Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?” Hell is enough for them—they will burn in it. And what an evil destination! 42

Verse 9: O believers! When you converse privately, let it not be for sin, aggression, or disobedience to the Messenger, but let it be for goodness and righteousness. And fear Allah, to Whom you will ˹all˺ be gathered. 42

Verse 10: Secret talks are only inspired by Satan to grieve the believers. Yet he cannot harm them whatsoever except by Allah’s Will. So in Allah let the believers put their trust. 42

Verse 11: O believers! When you are told to make room in gatherings, then do so. Allah will make room for you ˹in His grace˺. And if you are told to rise, then do so. Allah will elevate those of you who are faithful, and ˹raise˺ those gifted with knowledge in rank. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do. 42

Verse 12: O you who have believed, when you [wish to] privately consult the Messenger, offer before your consultation charity in the form of a charity before your private consultation. That is better for you and more purifying. But if you find not [the means] – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 42

Verse 13: Have you feared to offer before your consultation charities? So when you do not offer them, and Allah has forgiven you, then [at least] establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do. 42

Verse 14: Have you not seen those who befriend a people with whom Allah has become angry? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to untruth while they [themselves] know. 42

Tafseer (Commentary)

Below is a commentary on these verses, drawn from the Tafsir by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, a respected 20th-century scholar. I’ve organized it by verse with key points summarized for clarity:

Verse 7: Allah is fully aware of everything in the heavens and earth, including all secret conversations—no matter how few or many people are involved, He is present with them in knowledge. On the Day of Judgment, He will reveal their deeds to them, emphasizing His complete knowledge of all things. 44

Verse 8: This refers to the hypocrites who, despite being forbidden from secret whispering, continue to do so to plot sin, hostility, and defiance against the Prophet. They mockingly greet the Prophet with twisted words (e.g., implying death instead of peace) and wonder why Allah doesn’t punish them for their lies—Hell is their fitting punishment and a terrible end. 44

Verse 9: Believers are instructed to avoid secret talks aimed at sin, aggression, or disobeying the Messenger; instead, such conversations should promote virtue and piety. They should maintain fear of Allah, knowing all will return to Him for accountability. 44

Verse 10: Secret plotting stems from Satan, intended to cause distress to true believers, but Satan can only harm if Allah permits it. Believers are urged to place their full trust in Allah alone. 44

Verse 11: In assemblies, believers should make space when asked, and Allah will grant them ample provision in return. When told to rise (e.g., to allow others to sit or for important matters), they should comply. Allah elevates the ranks of the faithful and those with knowledge, and He is fully aware of all deeds. 44

Verse 12: When seeking private consultation with the Prophet, believers should offer charity beforehand, as it is better for purification of the soul. If unable to do so due to poverty, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 44

Verse 13: If believers hesitate to give charity for private consultations and Allah forgives this, they should still uphold prayer, give zakah (obligatory charity), and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah is well-informed of all actions. 44

Verse 14: This points to the hypocrites who form alliances with groups (like the Jews of Madinah) that have incurred Allah’s anger. These hypocrites don’t truly belong to either the believers or those groups, as their ties are driven by self-interest. They knowingly swear false oaths of loyalty to Islam to deceive others and create doubt about the faith. 45

Verses chapter saba 32-39

Translation (Sahih International)

Verse 32: Those who were arrogant will say to those who were oppressed, “Did we avert you from guidance after it had come to you? Rather, you were criminals.” 23

Verse 33: Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, “Rather, [it was your] conspiracy of night and day when you were ordering us to disbelieve in Allah and attribute to Him equals.” But they will [all] confide regret when they see the punishment; and We will put shackles on the necks of those who disbelieved. Will they be recompensed except for what they used to do? 23

Verse 34: And We did not send into a city any warner except that its affluent said, “Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers.” 23

Verse 35: And they said, “We are more [than the believers] in wealth and children, and we are not to be punished.” 23

Verse 36: Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it], but most of the people do not know.” 23

Verse 37: And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is [by being] one who has believed and done righteousness. For them there will be the double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers [of Paradise], safe [and secure]. 23

Verse 38: And the ones who strive against Our verses to cause [them] failure – those will be brought into the punishment [to remain]. 23

Verse 39: Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.” 23

Tafseer (Ibn Kathir)

Verses 32-33: And those who were arrogant will say to those who were deemed weak: “Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you? Nay, but you were criminals.” Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: “Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!” And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment. And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they requited aught except what they used to do?

Their leaders and masters, those who were arrogant, will say to them: “Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you?” meaning, ‘We did nothing more to you than to call you, and you followed us without any evidence or proof, and you went against the evidence and proof which the Messengers brought because of your own desires; it was your own choice.’ They will say: “…Nay, but you were criminals.” Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: “Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day…” meaning, ‘you used to plot against us night and day, tempting us with promises and false hopes, and telling us that we were truly guided and that we were following something, but all of that was falsehood and manifest lies.’ Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said: “Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day,” means, “You plotted by night and day.” Malik narrated something similar from Zayd bin Aslam. “When you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!” means, ‘To set up gods as equal to Him, and you created doubts and confusion in our minds, and you fabricated far-fetched ideas with which to lead us astray.’ “And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment.” means, both the leaders and the followers will feel regret for what they did previously. “And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved.” This is a chain which will tie their hands to their necks. “Are they requited aught except what they used to do?” means, they will be punished according to their deeds: the leaders will be punished according to what they did, and the followers will be punished according to what they did. “He will say: “For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.” (7:38). Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “When the people of Hell are driven towards it, it will meet them with its flames, then the Fire will burn their faces and the flesh will all fall to their hamstrings.” 11

Verses 34-38: And We did not send a warner to a township but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: “We believe not in what you have been sent with.” And they say: “We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.” Say: “Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts, but most men know not.” And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security. And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them, they will be brought to the torment.

Allah is consoling His Prophet and commanding him to follow the example of the Messengers that came before him. He tells him that no Prophet was ever sent to a township but those among its people who lived a life of luxury disbelieved in him, and the weaker people of the town followed him. The people of Nuh, peace be upon him, said to him: “Shall we believe in you, when the weakest (of the people) follow you?” (26:110) “nor do we see any follow you but the meanest among us and they (too) followed you without thinking” (11:27). The leaders among the people of Salih said: “to those who were counted weak – to such of them as believed: “Know you that Salih is one sent from his Lord.” They said: “We indeed believe in that with which he has been sent.” Those who were arrogant said: “Verily, we disbelieve in that which you believe in.” (7:75-76). And Allah said: “Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: “Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from among us” Does not Allah know best those who are grateful?” (6:53), “And thus We have set up in every town great ones of its wicked people to plot therein” (6:123), and “And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order to those among them who lead a life of luxury. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the Word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction” (17:16). And Allah says here: And We did not send a warner to a township meaning a Prophet or a Messenger, “but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them” means, those who enjoyed a life of riches and luxury, and positions of leadership. Qatadah said, “They are their tyrants, chiefs and leaders in evil.” “We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent.” means, ‘we do not believe in it and we will not follow it.’ Allah tells us that those who enjoyed a life of luxury and who disbelieved the Messengers said: “And they say: “We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.” meaning, they were proud of their great wealth and great numbers of children, and they believed that this was a sign that Allah loved them and cared for them, and that if He gave them this in this world, He would not punish them in the Hereafter. This was too far-fetched. Allah says: “Do they think that in wealth and children with which We enlarge them We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, but they perceive not.” (23:55-56) “So, let not their wealth nor their children amaze you; in reality Allah’s plan is to punish them with these things in the life of this world, and that their souls shall depart while they are disbelievers.” (9:55), and “Leave Me Alone (to deal) with whom I created lonely. And then granted him resources in abundance. And children to be by his side. And made life smooth and comfortable for him. After all that he desires that I should give more. Nay! Verily, he has been opposing Our Ayat. I shall oblige him to face a severe torment!” (74:11-17) And Allah has told us about the story of the owner of those two gardens, that he had wealth and crops and children, but that could not help him at all when all of that was taken from him in this world, before he reached the Hereafter. Allah says here: “Say: “Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts…” meaning, He gives wealth to those whom He loves and those whom He does not love, and He makes poor whom He wills and makes rich whom He wills. He has complete wisdom and clear proof, “but most men know not.” Then Allah says: “And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us,” meaning, ‘these things are not a sign that We love you or care for you.’ Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Allah does not look at your outward appearance or your wealth, rather He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” Muslim and Ibn Majah also recorded this. Allah says: “but only he who believes, and does righteous deeds” meaning, ‘only faith and righteous deeds will bring you closer to Us.’ “as for such, there will be multiple rewards for what they did,” means, the reward will be multiplied for them between ten and seven hundred times. “and they will reside in the high dwellings in peace and security.” means, in the lofty dwellings of Paradise, safe from all misery, fear and harm, and from any evil they could fear. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “In Paradise there are lofty rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and whose inside can be seen from the outside.” A bedouin asked, “Who are they for?” He said: “For those who speak well, feed the hungry, persist in fasting and pray at night while people are asleep.” “And those who strive against Our Ayat, to frustrate them,” means, those who try to block people from the path of Allah and from following His Messengers and believing in His signs, “they will be brought to the torment” means, they will all be punished for their deeds, each one accordingly. 11

Verse 39: Say: “Truly, my Lord expands the provision for whom He wills of His servants, and (also) restricts (it) for him…”

means, according to His wisdom, He gives a lot of provision to one, and gives very little to another. He has great wisdom in doing so, which cannot be comprehended by anyone but Him. This is like the Ayah: “See how We favor one above another, and verily, the Hereafter will be greater in degrees and greater in favour.” (17:21). This means that just as there are differences between them in this world – where one may be poor and in straitened circumstances while another is rich and enjoys a life of plenty – so they will be in the Hereafter. There one will reside in apartments in the highest levels of Paradise, whilst another will be in the lowest levels of Hell. As the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, describing the best of people in this world: “He truly succeeds who becomes Muslim and is given just enough provision and Allah makes him content with what He has given.” It was recorded by Muslim. 11