Surah al-Hujurat (The Chambers ) 49 : 5

Explanatory Note

The ninth year of the Islamic calendar is called 'The year of delegations' because delegations from all over Arabia arrived in Madinah to embrace Islam and pledge their loyalty to the Prophet. The sirah refers to an incident that took place that year when the delegation of Tamim arrived. These were unrefined Bedouins. They shouted to the Prophet from outside his wives' apartments that were situated next to the mosque: "Muhammad, come out and speak to us!" The Prophet disliked their uncivilized manner. Hence, the next verse of the surah was revealed: "Those who call out to you from without your private apartments are for the most part people who do not use their reason. If they had the patience to wait until you went out to them, it would be for their own good. Still God is much forgiving, merciful." (Verses 4-5)

Thus does God describe most of them as being without reason. He censures their calling out to the Prophet in a way that is contrary to the sort of respect that should be shown to God's Messenger, the leader and educator of the community of believers. He explains to them that it better behoved them to wait patiently until the Prophet came out to them of his own accord. Furthermore, the surah highlights to them the value of repentance, making it clear that they should seek God's forgiveness and pray to Him to bestow His mercy on them.