Al-Hujurat 49:13
The Rooms · Medinan · Juz 26 · Page 517
Equality
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرࣲ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ شُعُوبࣰا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرࣱ ١٣
O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
O people, We created you from a male and a female, and made you nations and tribes so that you may know one another. The noblest of you in Allah’s sight is the most God-conscious of you.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, people are equal in this respect. No one has the right to boast of their lineage or to look down on another people. Being divided into nations is not for boasting, but for knowing and helping one another.
Reflect
See meeting someone from a different culture as an opportunity.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›