Table Of Contents

Meet the Key Figures in Surah Mujadila: Roles, Significance & Takeaways

This Character Compendium provides a definitive resource on the key archetypes and social roles within Surah Al-Mujadilah, the 58th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. A Madinan Surah, its name, “The Pleading Woman,” is derived from its opening verses, which immortalize the plea of a female companion and the direct, compassionate response from Allah. The chapter is a divine charter for the social, legal, and spiritual etiquette of the Muslim community. It addresses specific issues such as the unjust pre-Islamic practice of *zihar*, the destructive nature of secret counsels, and the proper manners for public gatherings. The entire discourse is framed within the ultimate spiritual distinction between Hizbullah (the Party of God) and Hizb al-Shaytan (the Party of Satan), defining true belief through unwavering loyalty to Allah and His community. Each character card delves into the specific portrayal of these archetypal behaviors, extracting the timeless lessons on justice, sincerity, and the true nature of allegiance.

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Al-Birr wat-Taqwa (Piety and God-Consciousness)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Birr wat-Taqwa is the composite archetype of the highest form of righteous conduct. *Al-Birr* refers to all-encompassing righteousness, goodness, and piety. *At-Taqwa* refers to God-consciousness, the reverential fear and awareness of Allah that motivates a person to obey His commands and abstain from His prohibitions. Together, they represent the entire positive scope of the Islamic moral code.

Role in the Surah

Piety and God-Consciousness are presented as the only legitimate basis for secret counsels (*najwa*). After condemning the secret counsels of the hypocrites, which are based on “sin and aggression,” the Surah gives a direct command to the believers: “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 Allah, to whom you will be gathered.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:9).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype represents **constructive, righteous, and God-conscious communication**. It is characterized by its positive and beneficial nature. A conversation based on these principles is one that encourages good, strengthens faith, and is undertaken with a deep awareness of one’s ultimate accountability to Allah.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer’s private conversations and meetings should be for a good and righteous purpose.
• The principles of *Al-Birr* and *At-Taqwa* should govern not only our public actions but also our most secret speech.
• The ultimate check on the nature of our conversations is the remembrance that we will all be gathered before Allah and held accountable for what we said.

Supporting References

This verse provides a clear and simple criterion for a believer’s communication. Before engaging in any private conversation, one should ask: “Is this conversation based on piety and righteousness, or on sin and aggression?” This principle is a powerful tool for purifying our speech and ensuring our meetings are a source of blessing, not of corruption.

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Al-Fasiqin (The Transgressors, alluded to)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Fasiqin, the transgressors or the defiantly disobedient, is the Qur’anic archetype for those who have knowingly and willfully strayed from the path of faith and obedience. Their state of *fisq* is a conscious rebellion against the commands of Allah.

Role in the Surah

While the specific word is not used to label a group, the characteristics of the *Fasiqin* are described throughout the Surah. The hypocrites who conspire in secret with sin and aggression, the people who befriend the enemies of Allah, and those who oppose the Messenger are all exhibiting the traits of this archetype. Their actions are a direct violation of the covenant of faith and are a clear sign of their corrupt inner state.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **disobedience, treachery, and a lack of loyalty to the believing community**. They are the ones who have been overcome by Shaytan and have forgotten the remembrance of Allah. They are the core members of the “Party of Satan.”

Major Lessons & Morals

• Transgression and defiant disobedience are the defining characteristics of the Party of Satan.
• A believer must avoid all actions that would place them in the category of the *Fasiqin*.
• The history of past communities shows that transgression is the primary cause of a nation’s ruin.

Supporting References

The Surah provides a clear distinction between the two parties. The Party of Allah is defined by its sincere faith and its unwavering loyalty to Allah. The Party of Satan is defined by its transgression and its treacherous alliances with the enemies of Allah. The Surah forces the reader to choose which of these two groups they will join.

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Al-Ithm wal-‘Udwan (Sin and Aggression)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Ithm wal-‘Udwan, Sin and Aggression, is the archetypal basis for the secret counsels of the hypocrites. *Ithm* refers to sin and wrongdoing in a general sense. *’Udwan* refers specifically to aggression, enmity, and transgression against others.

Role in the Surah

This pair of negative qualities is mentioned as the defining characteristic of the forbidden type of secret counsel (*najwa*). The Surah condemns the hypocrites who “conspire together for sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:8). This is the direct opposite of the praiseworthy counsel of the believers, which is based on piety and righteousness.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype represents **destructive, malicious, and seditious communication**. It is characterized by its negative and harmful purpose. A conversation based on these principles is one that plots against the community, encourages disobedience, and fosters enmity.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must avoid all forms of secret meetings or conversations that are for the purpose of sin or causing harm.
• The three signs of a satanic counsel are that it involves sin, aggression, and disobedience to the legitimate leadership.
• The ultimate check on our conversations is the knowledge that Allah is the third in any secret counsel of two, and the fourth in any of three. Nothing is hidden from Him.

Supporting References

This verse was revealed to address the behavior of the hypocrites and some Jewish tribes in Madinah, who would hold secret meetings to plot against the Muslims and to spread demoralizing rumors. The Qur’an exposed their secret activities and condemned the very foundation of their conspiracies.

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Al-Jannah (The Garden)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Jannah, The Garden, is the Qur’anic term for Paradise, the eternal abode of bliss promised to the righteous. It is a place of perfect peace, beauty, and contentment, where believers will enjoy the company of their Lord.

Role in the Surah

The Garden is mentioned as the ultimate reward for the true believers, the Party of Allah (Hizbullah). After describing them as those who have faith inscribed on their hearts and are supported by a spirit from God, the Surah gives their final outcome: “He will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide eternally therein. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:22).

Personality & Attributes

The Garden is the archetype of the **ultimate reward, divine pleasure, and perfect success**. It is characterized by its eternal nature and the state of mutual pleasure between its inhabitants and their Lord. It is the home of the successful “Party of God.”

Major Lessons & Morals

• The promise of Paradise is the ultimate motivation for a life of sincere faith and unwavering loyalty to Allah and His community.
• The greatest of all the delights of Paradise is the state of “Radwan” – the pleasure of Allah. To have Allah be pleased with you and for you to be pleased with Him is the ultimate success.
• This beautiful promise should inspire a believer to strive to be a member of the victorious Party of God.

Supporting References

The description of the reward is profound. It is not just about the physical delights of the Garden, but about the ultimate spiritual and emotional fulfillment of achieving the pleasure of Allah. The phrase “Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him” is the highest possible station a servant can achieve.

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Al-Kafirin (The Disbelievers)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Kafirin, the disbelievers, are those who reject the truth of Allah’s Oneness and deny the message of His messengers. In this Surah, they are the ones who oppose Allah and His Messenger and who will be counted among the “most debased.”

Role in the Surah

The disbelievers are mentioned as the ones for whom a “humiliating punishment” is prepared. On the Day of Judgment, they will be resurrected and informed of all their deeds, which Allah has “enumerated while they have forgotten.” They are the ultimate opponents of the Party of God, and their alliance is with the Party of Satan.

Personality & Attributes

The Disbelievers are characterized by their **opposition to the truth, their heedlessness, and their ultimate failure**. They are the ones who forget their own deeds, but who will be faced with a perfect and complete record on the Day of Judgment. They are the ones who are promised humiliation and disgrace.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The path of disbelief is a path that leads to ultimate humiliation in the Hereafter.
• A believer must never forget that all of their deeds are being recorded and will be presented to them on the Last Day.
• The struggle between the believers and the disbelievers is a struggle between the Party of God and the Party of Satan, and the ultimate victory is for the former.

Supporting References

The Surah consistently frames the conflict in terms of these two opposing parties. The disbelievers are those who have been overcome by Shaytan. Their entire worldview and their alliances are a manifestation of their allegiance to him, and their final destination will be the same as his.

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Al-Munafiqun (The Hypocrites)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Munafiqun, the Hypocrites, were a group of people in Madinah who outwardly professed Islam but inwardly harbored disbelief and enmity. They were a source of internal strife and sedition, and their primary tactic was the “secret counsel” (najwa).

Role in the Surah

The Hypocrites are the subject of a major rebuke in the Surah. They are the ones who engage in secret counsels based on “sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger.” They are the ones who greet the Prophet ﷺ with a distorted and insulting greeting. They are the ones who make false oaths and who have been overcome by Shaytan. The Surah exposes them, declaring that they are the “Party of Satan” and the ultimate “losers.”

Personality & Attributes

The Hypocrites are the archetype of **duplicity, cowardice, and sedition**. They are characterized by their love of secret plotting, their twisted speech, and their false oaths which they use as a “cover.” Their hearts are devoid of true faith, and their primary motivation is to harm the believers and undermine the community.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A key sign of hypocrisy is engaging in secret, subversive conversations that are against the well-being of the Muslim community.
• A believer must be wary of the characteristics of the hypocrites and ensure their own faith is based on sincerity and loyalty.
• The ultimate fate of the hypocrites is to be counted as members of the Party of Satan and to be among the greatest of losers.

Supporting References

The Surah’s condemnation of their “najwa” (secret counsels) is powerful. It teaches the believers that while private conversations are permissible, they become a tool of hypocrisy and a grave sin when their content is sinful and their purpose is to create discord and disobedience. The Surah cures this disease by reminding them that Allah is always the “third” in any secret meeting of two.

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Allah (The One God)

Brief Biography / Background

Allah is the proper name for the One, True God, the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all existence. Surah Al-Mujadilah is a powerful testament to His intimate knowledge, His absolute justice, and His role as the ultimate Lawgiver and Judge.

Role in the Surah

Allah is the ultimate protagonist and authority in the Surah. He is the one who **”has heard the speech”** of the pleading woman, demonstrating His intimate awareness of the plight of His servants. He is the one who knows every secret counsel, being the “third of two” and the “fifth of four.” He is the ultimate Legislator who abrogates the unjust custom of *zihar* and establishes the rules for social etiquette. He is the ultimate Judge who will resurrect all of humanity and inform them of their deeds. He is the one who defines the two ultimate allegiances: the Party of God (Hizbullah) and the Party of Satan.

Personality & Attributes

This Surah magnificently illustrates Allah’s attributes:

• As-Sami’ al-Basir (The All-Hearing, the All-Seeing): He hears the plea of the woman and sees all actions.
• Al-‘Alim al-Khabir (The All-Knowing, the All-Aware): He knows what is in the heavens and the earth and every secret counsel.
• ‘Aziz (The Exalted in Might): His command is supreme and His party is victorious.
• Ra’ufun Rahim (The Kind, the Merciful): His forgiveness is available to those who cannot afford the full expiation.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should have a profound sense of Allah’s intimate knowledge, knowing that no thought or secret conversation is hidden from Him.
• The laws of Islam are a direct mercy from the All-Knowing, All-Wise Lord, designed for the well-being of the community.
• Ultimate success and victory are only for the “Party of Allah,” those whose allegiance is exclusively to Him.

Supporting References

The Surah opens and closes with themes of divine knowledge. It begins by affirming that Allah “heard” the woman’s private complaint, and it ends by affirming that He “knows the unseen of the heavens and the earth.” This framing emphasizes that the laws and social ethics prescribed in the Surah are based on the perfect and comprehensive knowledge of the Creator, who knows what is best for His creation.

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The Believers (Al-Mu’minun)

Brief Biography / Background

The Believers are those who have sincere and unwavering faith in Allah and His Messenger. This Surah provides a powerful and definitive description of the true believers, distinguishing them from the hypocrites by the nature of their loyalty and allegiance.

Role in the Surah

The believers are the primary audience for the Surah’s commands on social and legal etiquette. They are the ones who are called to make space in gatherings, to give charity before counseling the Prophet, and to avoid the secret counsels of the hypocrites. The ultimate and defining test of a true believer is given at the end of the Surah: they are the ones whose love for Allah and the Hereafter is so strong that it overrides all other loyalties. “You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred.” (58:22).

Personality & Attributes

The Believers are the archetype of the **sincere, loyal, and successful servant**. They are characterized by their unwavering and uncompromising loyalty to Allah, His Messenger, and the believing community. They are the ones in whose hearts Allah has “inscribed faith” and whom He has “supported with a spirit from Himself.” They are the victorious “Party of Allah.”

Major Lessons & Morals

• The true test of faith is allegiance. A believer’s ultimate loyalty must be to Allah and His cause, above all ties of kinship or tribe.
• Sincere faith is a light that Allah Himself inscribes upon the heart and a spirit with which He strengthens His servant.
• The ultimate success and the pleasure of Allah are for those who are members of this loyal and sincere “Party of God.”

Supporting References

This final verse is understood to have been revealed in honor of the great companions who, in battles like Badr and Uhud, had to fight against their own close relatives who were on the side of the polytheists. Their willingness to prioritize their allegiance to Allah over their blood ties was the ultimate proof of their sincere and deeply-inscribed faith.

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The Believers who do not Befriend God’s Enemies

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the true believer whose faith has reached the highest level of certainty and loyalty. Their love and hate are entirely for the sake of Allah. They have completely oriented their affiliations and allegiances around the principle of faith.

Role in the Surah

This group is the subject of the final, powerful verse of the Surah, which provides the ultimate definition of the successful “Party of Allah.” They are described as the people who you will not find “having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:22).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **unwavering loyalty, its clear sense of allegiance, and its profound love for Allah**. Their love for God and His Messenger is so powerful that it becomes the sole criterion for their friendship and enmity. This principle is known as *al-Wala’ wal-Bara’* (Loyalty and Disavowal).

Major Lessons & Morals

• The foundation of the believing community is the principle of *al-Wala’ wal-Bara’*: loving and being loyal to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, and disavowing and having enmity towards those who openly oppose them.
• This does not mean being unjust or unkind to non-Muslim relatives, but it means that in any matter of conflict between faith and kinship, the allegiance to faith must take precedence.
• This high station of faith is the prerequisite for having faith “inscribed” on the heart and being supported by a “spirit” from God.

Supporting References

This verse is a cornerstone of the Islamic understanding of identity and community. It establishes that the bond of faith is stronger than the bond of blood. The stories of the companions are filled with examples of this principle in action, where they were forced to choose between their new family of faith and their old family of disbelief, and they consistently chose faith.

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The Believers who are Strengthened by the Spirit

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the true and sincere believer who, as a direct result of their unwavering loyalty to Allah, receives a special form of divine support. This support is described as a “spirit” from God that strengthens and aids them.

Role in the Surah

This group is mentioned as the recipient of a special divine favor, a reward for their sincere allegiance. After describing them as those who do not love the enemies of Allah, the Surah says of them: “…Those – He has inscribed in their hearts faith and supported them with a spirit from Him.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:22).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **divine support and inner strength**. They are not left to struggle on their own; Allah Himself provides them with a “Ruh” (spirit, aid, light) that strengthens their conviction, guides their actions, and gives them the fortitude to remain steadfast.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Sincere and unwavering loyalty to the cause of Allah is a direct means of receiving a special spiritual support from Him.
• A believer’s strength does not come from themselves, but from the “spirit” that Allah sends to aid them.
• This should motivate a believer to purify their allegiance, knowing that this is the key to unlocking this form of direct divine assistance.

Supporting References

The “spirit” (Ruh) in this context is understood by commentators to mean various things that all point to divine aid: the light of faith, the Qur’an itself, the Angel Jibril, or a special mercy and strength that Allah places in the heart of the believer. The core meaning is that the sincere believer is never alone; they are always accompanied by a powerful and direct support from their Lord.

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The Believers with Inscribed Faith

Brief Biography / Background

The Believers with Inscribed Faith are the archetype of the highest rank of believers. Their faith (Iman) is not a fleeting emotion or a wavering conviction, but is something that has been firmly and permanently “inscribed” or “engraved” (kataba) upon their hearts by Allah Himself.

Role in the Surah

This group is mentioned as the recipient of the ultimate divine honor, a reward for their perfect loyalty. They are the ones who do not love the enemies of Allah, and because of this sincere stance, they are granted this special status: “Those – He has inscribed in their hearts faith…” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:22).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **unshakeable, permanent, and divinely-ratified faith**. Their faith is as firm and unchangeable as an engraving in stone. It is not something they can lose, because it has been directly sealed and written upon their hearts by their Lord. This is the station of the *Siddiqin* (the most truthful).

Major Lessons & Morals

• While a believer must work to attain faith, the state of perfect, unshakeable faith is ultimately a gift that Allah inscribes upon the hearts of His most sincere servants.
• The path to achieving this station is to prove one’s sincerity through unwavering loyalty to Allah and His cause.
• A believer should pray and aspire to be one of those in whose heart Allah Himself has inscribed Iman.

Supporting References

The imagery of “inscribing” faith is powerful. It suggests a permanence and a beauty that is divinely authored. It is the ultimate spiritual security, a guarantee from God Himself that this person’s heart is sound. This is the highest reward for the one whose allegiance is purely for their Lord.

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The Caller to make space in gatherings

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the believer who understands and practices the etiquette of social gatherings. This refers to the command for believers to be considerate and to make space for others when they are in an assembly, especially the assembly of the Prophet ﷺ.

Role in the Surah

This character is the subject of a direct divine command on social manners. “O you who have believed, when you are told, ‘Make space,’ in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:11).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **generosity, humility, and consideration for others**. They are not selfish or possessive of their own space. They understand that by making physical space for their brother in this world, Allah will make spiritual and physical space for them in this life and the next.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should be generous and accommodating in any gathering, making space for newcomers.
• This simple act of good manners is a cause for receiving a great reward from Allah: He will “make space” for you, which can mean He will expand your provision, your grave, or your station in Paradise.
• Islamic etiquette is a part of the religion and is a means of earning divine pleasure.

Supporting References

This verse was revealed to address the situation in the Prophet’s mosque, which was often crowded. Some companions would be reluctant to make space for newcomers. This revelation established a beautiful principle of divine reciprocity: if you are generous with your space, Allah will be generous with His space for you.

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The Caller to rise up

Brief Biography / Background

The Caller to rise up is the archetype of the obedient and disciplined believer. This refers to the command for believers to rise up and disperse from a gathering when they are told to do so, especially when the command comes from the leader.

Role in the Surah

This character is the subject of the second divine command on the etiquette of gatherings, immediately following the command to make space. “And when you are told, ‘Arise,’ then arise. Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:11).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **discipline, its obedience, and its respect for authority**. They are not lazy or hesitant when a command is given. Their immediate response is a sign of their organized and submissive nature.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should be disciplined and obedient in a gathering, rising up promptly when the assembly is concluded or when a command is given.
• This act of obedience is a cause for being “raised” by Allah in degrees, both in knowledge and in spiritual rank.
• A successful believing community is one that is disciplined and that respects the time and the commands of its leadership.

Supporting References

This verse, like the one before it, establishes a principle of divine reciprocity. Those who make space, Allah makes space for them. Those who “rise up” in obedience, Allah “raises them up” in rank. These simple acts of good manners are transformed into profound acts of worship with immense rewards.

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The Cursed People (those who befriend the accursed)

Brief Biography / Background

The Cursed People are the archetype of the hypocrites who, despite claiming to be part of the believing community, take as their close allies and protectors a people upon whom is the “wrath of Allah.” This is a reference to the Jews of Madinah who had broken their covenants and were hostile to the Prophet ﷺ.

Role in the Surah

Their hypocrisy and foolish choice of allies is exposed. “Have you not considered those who make allies of a people with whom Allah has become angry? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to a lie while they know.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:14). Their role is to be a cautionary tale of the spiritual bankruptcy of those who seek honor and protection from the enemies of God.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **duplicity, foolishness, and a lack of identity**. They are “neither of you nor of them,” belonging to no group in reality. They are spiritual drifters whose allegiance is to the losing side. They use false oaths as a shield for their treachery.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer’s loyalty and alliance must be to Allah, His Messenger, and the believing community.
• Taking the enemies of Allah as close allies and protectors is a sign of profound hypocrisy and a path to ruin.
• One cannot simultaneously be a friend to the believers and a friend to the open enemies of the faith.

Supporting References

The Surah states that Allah has prepared a “severe punishment” for them and that they are the “Party of Satan.” This shows that the act of allying with God’s enemies is not a minor political mistake, but is a fundamental act of spiritual treason that places a person firmly in the camp of the devil.

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The Debater for Truth (The Pleading Woman)

Brief Biography / Background

The Pleading Woman (Al-Mujadilah) was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, traditionally identified as Khawlah bint Tha’labah. Her husband, Aws ibn as-Samit, had pronounced the pre-Islamic formula of divorce known as *zihar* upon her, leaving her in a state of limbo, neither married nor divorced.

Role in the Surah

She is the namesake and the catalyst for the opening verses of the Surah. She came to the Prophet ﷺ to complain about her husband and to plead her case with Allah concerning her difficult situation. Her sincere and desperate plea was heard directly by Allah. **”Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue.”** (Al-Mujadilah, 58:1). Her plea resulted in the direct revelation of the divine law that abrogated the unjust practice of *zihar* and provided a clear path for expiation.

Personality & Attributes

She is the ultimate archetype of the **sincere supplicant and the seeker of divine justice**. She is characterized by her courage to speak up against an unjust practice, her profound faith in turning to Allah with her complaint, and her respect for the authority of the Prophet. She is the model of an empowered believing woman.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should never hesitate to bring their complaints and their needs directly to Allah in sincere prayer.
• Allah is As-Sami’ (The All-Hearing); no sincere plea, no matter how quiet or desperate, is unheard by Him.
• The story is a powerful testament to the honor and access that Allah grants to the believers, where the plea of a single woman could occasion a divine law for all time.

Supporting References

Tafsir literature and the Seerah are filled with praise for this companion. ‘Aisha (RA) is reported to have been in the same room and marveled at the fact that while she could not hear all of what the woman was saying, Allah heard her from above the seven heavens. This event is a powerful, real-world example of Allah’s intimate knowledge and His responsiveness to the prayers of His servants.

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The Disobedient to the Messenger

Brief Biography / Background

The Disobedient to the Messenger is the archetype of the hypocrite whose secret counsels and conspiracies are based on a direct opposition to the clear commands and the authority of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Role in the Surah

This is one of the three evil foundations of the secret counsels of the hypocrites. They conspire for “sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger” (ma’siyatir-rasul). This is a direct challenge to the legitimate authority in the Muslim community and is a sign of their seditious intent.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **rebellion, sedition, and treachery**. They are not just committing personal sins, but are actively conspiring to undermine the unity and the leadership of the Muslim state. Their disobedience is a sign of their lack of true faith.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Obedience to the Messenger is a fundamental and non-negotiable part of the Islamic faith.
• Conspiring to disobey the legitimate Muslim leadership is a grave sin and a characteristic of the hypocrites.
• A believer’s private counsels should be based on obedience and support for the leadership, not on sedition and rebellion.

Supporting References

The Qur’an states in many places that “whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.” Therefore, the act of conspiring to disobey the Messenger is a direct act of conspiring to disobey God. This is what makes their secret counsels so sinful and so dangerous to the well-being of the community.

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The Giver of Charity before Counsel

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the sincere and devoted believer who responds immediately to a divine command, even if it is difficult. This refers to the command for the believers to offer a charity (sadaqah) before having a private consultation with the Prophet ﷺ.

Role in the Surah

This character is the one who obeyed the command: “O you who have believed, when you [wish to] privately consult the Messenger, present before your consultation a charity. That is better for you and purer.” (58:12). This command was a test to distinguish the sincere, who were willing to pay for the Prophet’s time, from the hypocrites, who would be deterred by the cost.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **immediate obedience, its generosity, and its sincere love for the Prophet**. They are the ones who proved their willingness to sacrifice their wealth for the sake of benefiting from the Prophet’s counsel. They are the ones who passed the test.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A sign of a true believer is their haste in obeying the commands of Allah, even if it involves a personal cost.
• Spending for the sake of gaining knowledge and guidance is a praiseworthy act that is “better and purer.”
• Allah tests the believers to reveal their sincerity and to elevate their ranks.

Supporting References

It is famously narrated in Tafsir literature that the only person to act on this verse before it was abrogated was ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). He gave a single dirham in charity and had his consultation. The command was then abrogated in the next verse as a mercy for the believers, but the honor of having been the only one to fulfill it remained for ‘Ali. This story makes him the primary real-world example of this righteous archetype.

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The Giver of a Corrupt Greeting

Brief Biography / Background

The Giver of a Corrupt Greeting is the archetype of the hypocrite or the disbeliever who uses the outward form of a respectful greeting but twists it into a hidden insult or a curse. This was a practice of some of the Jews and hypocrites in Madinah.

Role in the Surah

This character is the subject of a divine exposé. The Surah describes their duplicitous behavior: “Have you not considered those who were forbidden from private conversation, then they return to that which they were forbidden and conspire together for sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you, they greet you with that which Allah has not greeted you and say within themselves, ‘Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?'” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:8).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **duplicity, cowardice, and malice**. They lack the courage to show their enmity openly, so they hide it in a twisted greeting. They are arrogant in their hearts, believing that the lack of an immediate punishment is a sign that they can get away with their mockery.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must be sincere in their speech and should avoid all forms of double-talk and hidden insults.
• The lack of an immediate punishment from Allah should not be mistaken for approval; Allah gives respite, but His final punishment is certain.
• This verse exposes the inner psychology of the hypocrite: a combination of outward flattery and inward arrogance.

Supporting References

Tradition explains that they would say “As-samu ‘alayka” (Death be upon you) instead of “As-salamu ‘alayka” (Peace be upon you). The two phrases sound very similar, making it a subtle and cowardly insult. The Prophet ﷺ instructed the believers to simply respond, “Wa ‘alaykum” (And upon you), which is a just and sufficient reply that returns their ill-will back upon them without stooping to their level.

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The Heedless (overcome by Shaytan)

Brief Biography / Background

The Heedless are the archetype of those who have allowed Shaytan to gain complete mastery over them. Their primary characteristic is that they have forgotten the most important of all realities: the remembrance of Allah.

Role in the Surah

This group is identified as the “Party of Satan.” The Surah provides a profound diagnosis of their spiritual condition: “Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:19).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **heedlessness (ghaflah) and a state of being completely dominated by satanic influence**. They are the “losers.” Their forgetting of Allah is not a simple lapse of memory, but a fundamental reorientation of their entire being away from the truth and towards falsehood.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The ultimate goal of Shaytan is to make a person forget the remembrance of Allah.
• When a person abandons the remembrance of God, they become vulnerable and can be completely “overcome” by Shaytan.
• The path of heedlessness and forgetting God is the direct path to becoming a member of the losing “Party of Satan.”

Supporting References

The Qur’an teaches that the remembrance of Allah (dhikrullah) is a fortress for the believer. This verse shows the opposite reality. The one who abandons this fortress is left defenseless, and the enemy, Shaytan, can easily conquer and overcome them. This is a powerful motivation to remain in a constant state of remembrance.

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The Husband who performs Zihar

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the husband who uses the pre-Islamic formula of divorce known as *zihar*. This was the act of a man saying to his wife, “You are to me like the back of my mother,” which was intended to make her unlawful for him while not actually freeing her to remarry.

Role in the Surah

This character’s action is condemned as a “reprehensible statement and a falsehood.” He is the one whose unjust act is the cause of the Pleading Woman’s complaint. The Surah abrogates this custom and provides a clear legal path of expiation for this man if he wishes to return to his wife. This path is: freeing a slave, or if he cannot, fasting for two consecutive months, or if he cannot, feeding sixty poor people.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by his **adherence to an unjust and ignorant custom**. His statement is both a “munkar” (a reprehensible evil) and a “zur” (a lie). He is the one who must make amends for his wrongful speech through a serious act of worship.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The practice of *zihar* is a grave sin and an unjust falsehood that is strictly forbidden in Islam.
• Islam provides a path of expiation (kaffarah) for sins, which serves to both punish the wrongdoer and to purify them.
• A believer must abandon all the unjust customs of the age of ignorance and adhere strictly to the just and merciful laws of Allah.

Supporting References

The legislation concerning *zihar* is a powerful example of Islam’s legal and social reform. It took a widespread and deeply unjust custom and replaced it with a system that protected the rights of the woman, held the man accountable for his speech, and provided a clear and structured path for reconciliation.

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Hizb al-Shaytan (The Party of Satan)

Brief Biography / Background

Hizb al-Shaytan, the Party of Satan, is the Qur’anic term for the collective of all those—hypocrites, disbelievers, and the heedless—who have taken the devil as their ally, protector, and guide instead of Allah. They are defined by their allegiance to the sworn enemy of humanity.

Role in the Surah

They are identified as the ones who have been overcome by Shaytan and have forgotten the remembrance of Allah. The Surah delivers a definitive and final verdict upon them: “Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan – they will be the losers.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:19).

Personality & Attributes

The Party of Satan is the archetype of the **rebellious, the disobedient, and the ultimately losing side**. Their defining characteristic is their allegiance to the one who calls to the Fire. They are the ultimate “khasirun” (losers), who have lost both this world and the Hereafter.

Major Lessons & Morals

• There are only two parties in the ultimate sense: the party of Allah and the party of Satan. A believer must ensure they are in the former.
• The defining characteristic of the Party of Satan is that they have forgotten God.
• The absolute and certain end for the Party of Satan is complete and utter loss.

Supporting References

The Surah’s concluding verses are a powerful and direct comparison of the two parties. The Party of Satan is the losing party. The Party of Allah (Hizbullah) is the “successful” (muflihun) party. The entire Surah, with all its laws and etiquettes, is a guide on how to ensure one is a member of Hizbullah and to avoid all the characteristics of Hizb al-Shaytan.

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Hizbullah (The Party of Allah)

Brief Biography / Background

Hizbullah, the Party of Allah, is the Qur’anic term for the true believers, the righteous servants of God. Their defining characteristic is their complete and unwavering loyalty and allegiance to Allah, His Messenger, and the believing community.

Role in the Surah

They are presented at the very end of the Surah as the ultimate victors and the model of true faith. They are the ones in whose hearts Allah has inscribed faith and whom He has supported with a spirit. Their defining trait is their refusal to have affection for the enemies of Allah. The Surah delivers a definitive and final verdict upon them: “Those are the party of Allah. Unquestionably, the party of Allah – they will be the successful.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:22).

Personality & Attributes

The Party of Allah is the archetype of the **sincere, loyal, and ultimately victorious community**. Their defining characteristic is their allegiance. They are the ones who are “pleased with Allah, and He is pleased with them.” They are the ultimate “muflihun” (the successful ones).

Major Lessons & Morals

• There are only two parties in the ultimate sense: the party of Allah and the party of Satan. A believer must ensure they are in the former.
• The defining characteristic of the Party of Allah is that their love and hate are for the sake of Allah alone.
• The absolute and certain end for the Party of Allah is complete and eternal success.

Supporting References

The Surah’s concluding verses are a powerful and direct comparison of the two parties. The Party of Satan is the losing party. The Party of Allah is the successful party. The entire Surah, with all its laws and etiquettes, is a guide on how to ensure one is a member of Hizbullah and to avoid all the characteristics of Hizb al-Shaytan. To be in Hizbullah is to achieve the greatest of all victories.

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The Ignorant (those with no knowledge)

Brief Biography / Background

The Ignorant in this context are not those who are illiterate, but those who are ignorant of the ultimate realities of existence. They are the heedless disbelievers who live their lives without any certain knowledge of their Creator or their final purpose. Their actions are based on conjecture and sin.

Role in the Surah

Their state is contrasted with that of those who have been given knowledge. Allah states that He will “raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.” This implies that the ignorant are left in their low state. The hypocrites who greet the Prophet with a twisted greeting say within themselves, “Why does Allah not punish us?”, a statement born of their profound ignorance of the nature of divine respite.

Personality & Attributes

The Ignorant are the archetype of the **spiritually unaware and the heedless**. They are characterized by their lack of knowledge concerning the most important of all subjects: God, the purpose of life, and the Hereafter. They are the ones who are spiritually blind.

Major Lessons & Morals

• There is a fundamental inequality between a person who possesses true, beneficial knowledge and one who is ignorant of it.
• True knowledge is that which leads to faith and righteous action, and it is a cause for being raised in rank by Allah.
• A believer should always strive to be among “those who know” and to flee from the state of ignorance.

Supporting References

The Surah is a call to move from ignorance to knowledge. It begins with Allah declaring that He has “heard,” a statement of His absolute knowledge. It reveals the secrets of the hypocrites, a sign of His knowledge. It lays down clear laws, a source of knowledge for the believers. The entire chapter is a divine cure for the disease of ignorance.

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Jahannam (Hellfire)

Brief Biography / Background

Jahannam, Hellfire, is the eternal abode of punishment for the disbelievers and the wicked. It is a real place of immense suffering, described in vivid detail throughout the Qur’an to serve as a powerful deterrent.

Role in the Surah

Hellfire is mentioned as the promised residence for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, and for those who take the enemies of God as their allies. The hypocrites who use their oaths as a cover are promised that “for them is a humiliating punishment.” The Surah also asks a powerful rhetorical question to the hypocrites who greet the Prophet with a curse and then wonder why they are not punished: **”Sufficient for them is Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the destination.”** (58:8).

Personality & Attributes

Jahannam is the archetype of the **wretched destination and the just recompense**. It is the ultimate consequence of a life of hypocrisy and enmity towards the truth. It is the final and inescapable home of the Party of Satan.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The punishment of the Hereafter is real and severe, and one should strive to avoid it at all costs.
• The path of hypocrisy and of allying with the enemies of Allah leads directly to Hellfire.
• The Qur’an’s descriptions of Hell are a mercy, a powerful warning designed to save people from this terrible fate.

Supporting References

The Surah consistently links the actions of the hypocrites directly to their final destination. Their secret counsels of sin, their distorted greetings, their false oaths, and their treacherous alliances are all presented as tickets to this wretched abode. The warning is clear and unambiguous.

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The Knower of the Seen and Unseen

Brief Biography / Background

The Knower of the Seen and Unseen is an archetype representing Allah in His specific role as the one whose knowledge is absolute and encompasses all of reality, both that which is visible and manifest to His creation (ash-shahadah), and that which is hidden and unseen (al-ghayb).

Role in the Surah

This attribute of Allah is the ultimate foundation for all the warnings and rulings in the Surah. He is the one who knows the secret counsels of the hypocrites. He knows what is in the heavens and the earth. He is with the believers wherever they are. The Surah concludes with a definitive statement of His omniscience: **”Indeed, Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Seeing of what you do.”** (58:18).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype represents **absolute, comprehensive, and inescapable knowledge**. Allah’s knowledge is the ultimate reality that underpins the entire moral framework of the Surah. He is the witness to the secret thoughts of the hypocrite, the quiet words of the Pleading Woman, and the sincere heart of the true believer.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must live with the profound awareness that nothing is hidden from Allah.
• This understanding is the ultimate motivation for sincere and righteous conduct in both public and private.
• The fact that Allah is “Seeing of what you do” should be a source of both hope (for the righteous) and fear (for the wicked).

Supporting References

The Surah’s powerful statement that Allah is the “third of two” and the “fifth of four” in any secret counsel is a direct and visceral application of this attribute. It transforms the abstract concept of divine omniscience into a tangible and immediate reality for the listener, reminding them that they are never, ever alone and their every secret is known.

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The Losers (Al-Khasirun)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Khasirun, the Losers, are the archetype of those who have lost the ultimate transaction of life. They have traded the eternal bliss of the Hereafter for the fleeting and deceptive pleasures of this world or for a false sense of security in their misguided alliances.

Role in the Surah

This is the definitive and final title given to the Party of Satan. After describing how Shaytan has overcome them and made them forget Allah, the Surah gives the final verdict: “Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan – they will be the losers.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:19).

Personality & Attributes

The Losers are characterized by their **heedlessness, their misguidance, and their ultimate failure**. They are the ones who have made the worst possible trade. Their defining trait is their allegiance to Shaytan, which is the direct cause of their profound and eternal loss.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The path of Shaytan is the path of ultimate loss.
• A believer must flee from any allegiance or action that would place them in the party of the losers.
• True success is only with the Party of Allah, and all other parties are destined for failure.

Supporting References

The Qur’an frequently uses the language of commerce—profit (falah) and loss (khusr)—to describe the outcomes of the Hereafter. This is a powerful and relatable metaphor. The Surah makes it clear that the Party of Satan has engaged in a transaction where they have lost their most precious commodity: their own souls.

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The One with Knowledge (‘Ilm)

Brief Biography / Background

The One with Knowledge (‘Ilm) is the archetype of the person who has been granted true, beneficial knowledge, particularly the knowledge of the divine revelation. This knowledge elevates a person’s rank in the sight of Allah.

Role in the Surah

This character is mentioned as one who is raised in degrees by Allah. After commanding the believers to make space in gatherings and to rise up when told, the Surah gives the reward for this obedience: “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:11).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **wisdom, its humility, and its elevated status**. True knowledge is not just the accumulation of facts, but is a light that leads to better character and greater obedience. The truly knowledgeable are the ones who are quickest to obey the commands of Allah and His Messenger.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Seeking and possessing true, beneficial knowledge is a primary means of being raised in rank by Allah.
• There is a special and elevated status in Islam for the people of knowledge (‘ulama).
• This verse should be a powerful motivation for every believer to dedicate themselves to the pursuit of Islamic knowledge.

Supporting References

The verse honors both the believers in general and “those who were given knowledge” in particular. This shows that while all believers are raised in rank for their faith, the scholars among them who act on their knowledge are raised to even higher and more numerous degrees. It is a testament to the supreme value of knowledge in the Islamic worldview.

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The Opposers of Allah and His Messenger

Brief Biography / Background

The Opposers of Allah and His Messenger are the archetype of those who place themselves in a state of direct and active opposition (hadd) to the divine will and the authority of the Prophet ﷺ. This is a state of open warfare against the truth.

Role in the Surah

Their fate is mentioned with a sense of absolute certainty and humiliation. “Indeed, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger are among the most debased.” (58:20). They are also the group that the true believers will not show any affection for, even if they are their closest relatives. They are the ultimate “other” in the spiritual landscape.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **arrogance, its rebellion, and its ultimate disgrace**. They are the ones who have chosen to be in a direct confrontation with the Lord of the worlds. Their defining trait is their opposition, and their defining outcome is to be “debased” (adhallin).

Major Lessons & Morals

• To oppose Allah and His Messenger is to choose a path of certain and utter humiliation.
• A believer’s loyalty must be to Allah and His Messenger, and they must disavow those who are in a state of open opposition.
• This is a powerful warning against any form of speech or action that could be construed as opposing the clear commands of the religion.

Supporting References

The verse that follows this is, “Allah has written, ‘I will surely overcome, I and My messengers.'” This is the divine response to the opposers. Their opposition is futile because Allah has already decreed the ultimate victory for Himself and His messengers. The opposers are, by definition, on the losing side of history.

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The People of Secret Counsels (Najwa)

Brief Biography / Background

The People of Secret Counsels are the archetype of the hypocrites whose primary methodology is the *najwa*, the secret, private conversation or conspiracy. They use these hidden meetings to plot sin, foster aggression, and plan disobedience.

Role in the Surah

Their behavior is condemned and exposed in detail. They were forbidden from this activity, but they returned to it. Their counsels are defined by their evil content: “sin, aggression, and disobedience.” The Surah then reveals their ultimate futility and the omniscience of Allah: **”Have you not considered that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth? There is in no private conversation of three but that He is the fourth of them… Then He will inform them of what they did on the Day of Resurrection.”** (58:7).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **deceit, cowardice, and sedition**. They are too cowardly to voice their opposition openly, so they resort to secret whispers and conspiracies. They are the agents of discord who seek to undermine the community from within.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Secret counsels that are based on sin and are meant to cause harm are a defining characteristic of the hypocrites and are hated by Allah.
• A believer should never feel that their secret conversations are truly secret; Allah is always present and aware.
• This profound awareness should be the ultimate check on our speech, ensuring that we say nothing in private that we would be ashamed of in public before our Lord.

Supporting References

The Surah explains that their secret counsels are “only from Satan to grieve those who have believed.” This reveals their primary motivation: to cause psychological harm, distress, and discord among the believers. The Surah then reassures the believers that these plots cannot harm them “at all, except by permission of Allah,” a powerful call to place one’s trust in God as the ultimate protector.

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Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

Brief Biography / Background

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the final messenger of Allah, to whom the Qur’an was revealed. Surah Al-Mujadilah was revealed in Madinah, and it addresses him as the leader, judge, and teacher of the Muslim community, providing him and his followers with divine legislation for their social and spiritual lives.

Role in the Surah

He is the one to whom the Pleading Woman brings her case. He is the judge and leader whose authority is being challenged by the secret counsels and the twisted greetings of the hypocrites. He is the one whose private time is so valued that the believers are commanded to give charity before counseling him. He is the one who leads the “Party of Allah” and to whom ultimate loyalty is due. His role is that of the central human authority through whom the commands of Allah are implemented.

Personality & Attributes

As the addressee of the Surah, the Prophet ﷺ is the archetype of the **just ruler, the compassionate leader, and the beloved messenger**. He is the one who listens to the complaints of the most humble members of his society and the one whose authority is absolute. He is the living standard of proper conduct and the one to whom the believers must show the utmost respect.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Obedience to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is an inseparable part of obedience to Allah.
• The Sunnah (the way and judgments of the Prophet) is a primary source of law and guidance for the Muslim community.
• A true believing society is one that refers all its disputes to the judgment of Allah and His Messenger.

Supporting References

The Surah is a testament to his high rank. The opening verse confirms that Allah hears his dialogue with the pleading woman. The verses on private counsel show the value of his time. The closing verses establish that loyalty to him is a key part of being in the “Party of God.” The entire chapter serves to affirm his authority and to teach his community the proper etiquette that is due to him.

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The Recipient of a Wrongful Oath

Brief Biography / Background

The Recipient of a Wrongful Oath is the archetype of the wife who is the victim of the pre-Islamic practice of *zihar*. This was a formula of divorce where a husband would say to his wife, “You are to me like the back of my mother,” making her unlawful for him but also not freeing her to remarry.

Role in the Surah

This character is represented by the “Pleading Woman” (Al-Mujadilah). She is the one who has been wronged by her husband’s statement, which the Surah condemns as **”a reprehensible statement of speech and a falsehood.”** (58:2). The divine law is revealed specifically to provide a just and merciful solution for her and for all women in her situation.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is the **victim of an unjust social custom**. She is characterized by her state of being wronged and her search for a just resolution. Her story is a testament to the power of a single, sincere voice to bring about a major legal and social reform through divine intervention.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Islam came to abrogate the unjust and oppressive customs of the age of ignorance, especially those that wronged women.
• A believer should never use their words to cause injustice or to trap another person in a state of legal limbo.
• The Surah honors this woman by making her plea the occasion for a universal and eternal divine law.

Supporting References

The Surah’s response is a complete reformation. It first condemns the act as a lie. It then provides a clear and structured path of expiation for the husband to atone for his sin and to make reconciliation possible. This protects the wife, holds the husband accountable, and preserves the family unit. It is a perfect example of the justice and wisdom of Islamic law.

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Shaytan (Satan)

Brief Biography / Background

Shaytan (Satan) is the primary adversary of humanity, a rebellious Jinn whose mission is to mislead mankind from the path of Allah through whispers and deception. He is the leader of a “party” whose goal is to make people forget God.

Role in the Surah

Shaytan is identified as the ultimate source of the hypocrisy and heedlessness of the disbelievers. His complete mastery over them is described with a powerful and active verb: “Satan has overcome them (istahwadha ‘alayhim) and made them forget the remembrance of Allah.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:19). He is the leader and the defining principle of his own party: “Those are the party of Satan (Hizb al-Shaytan).”

Personality & Attributes

Shaytan is the archetype of the **deceptive master and the guide to ruin**. He is characterized by his ability to gain control over a person’s heart to the point where he can make them completely forget their Creator. He is the leader of the party that is the “greatest of losers.”

Major Lessons & Morals

• The ultimate goal of Shaytan is to make a person forget the remembrance of Allah.
• When a person abandons the remembrance of God, they become vulnerable and can be completely “overcome” by Shaytan.
• The path of heedlessness and forgetting God is the direct path to becoming a member of the losing “Party of Satan.”

Supporting References

The Qur’an teaches that the remembrance of Allah (dhikrullah) is a fortress for the believer. This verse shows the opposite reality. The one who abandons this fortress is left defenseless, and the enemy, Shaytan, can easily conquer and overcome them. This is a powerful motivation to remain in a constant state of remembrance.

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The Successful Ones (Al-Muflihun)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Muflihun, the successful ones, are those who achieve true and lasting success. The Qur’an redefines success, moving it away from the worldly metrics of wealth and power to the ultimate victory of attaining the pleasure of Allah and inheriting Paradise.

Role in the Surah

This is the definitive and final title given to the Party of Allah (Hizbullah). After describing their unwavering loyalty and the great rewards that await them, the Surah gives the final verdict: “Those are the party of Allah. Unquestionably, the party of Allah – they will be the successful.” (Al-Mujadilah, 58:22).

Personality & Attributes

The Successful Ones are the archetype of the **holistically righteous and ultimately victorious believer**. They are characterized by a complete and balanced lifestyle that integrates their duties to God and their loyalty to the community of faith. Their success is a guaranteed promise from Allah.

Major Lessons & Morals

• True success (falah) has been clearly defined by Allah, and the path to achieving it is to be a loyal and sincere member of the “Party of God.”
• Success is not just a future hope but a certain reality for Hizbullah.
• A successful life is one built upon the pillars of sincere faith, unwavering allegiance to the truth, and a willingness to prioritize the love of God over all other loves.

Supporting References

The term “falah” (success) in Arabic is comprehensive. It implies not just salvation from the Fire, but the attainment of all good, the fulfillment of all righteous desires, and an eternal state of thriving. The conclusion of Surah Al-Mujadilah is thus a divine declaration that this ultimate state of being is exclusively for the Party of Allah.

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Zihar (The Wrongful Oath)

Brief Biography / Background

Zihar is the pre-Islamic formula of divorce where a husband would say to his wife, “You are to me like the back of my mother.” This was an unjust and oppressive practice, as it made the wife unlawful for her husband but did not actually free her to remarry, leaving her in a state of permanent limbo.

Role in the Surah

The Zihar is the specific “reprehensible statement and a falsehood” that the Pleading Woman complained about. The first verses of the Surah are a direct legislation that abrogates and provides an alternative to this practice. “Those who pronounce zihar among you from their wives – they are not [in fact] their mothers. Their mothers are none but those who gave birth to them. And indeed, they are saying a reprehensible statement and a falsehood.” (58:2).

Personality & Attributes

The Zihar is the archetype of an **unjust, ignorant, and false social custom**. It is characterized by its oppressiveness, especially towards women, and its basis in a lie (a wife is not one’s mother). It is a prime example of the laws of Jahiliyyah (the age of ignorance) that Islam came to reform.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must abandon all the unjust customs of the age of ignorance and adhere strictly to the just and merciful laws of Allah.
• Speech has real and serious consequences. A statement that is a “falsehood” can cause immense social and personal harm.
• Islam came to protect the rights of women and to reform the unjust marital and divorce practices of the past.

Supporting References

The Qur’an’s refutation is based on both morality (“a reprehensible statement”) and reality (“a falsehood”). It then provides a clear, structured path of expiation (kaffarah) for the husband to atone for his sin and to make reconciliation possible. This is a perfect example of the justice and wisdom of Islamic law.