Principles Of Ethical Conduct In Surat Al-Hujurat:A Qur’anic Framework Of Adab

An analysis of the moral norms governing the believer’s relationship with God, the Prophet and society in the forty-ninth chapter of the Qur’an

Abstract

This article examines Surat al-Hujurat, the forty-ninth chapter of the Qur’an, as a concise yet comprehensive source of Islamic ethics. It first outlines the chapter’s title, Medinan character and the occasions of revelation (asbab al-nuzul) associated with several of its verses. The study then analyses two major clusters of conduct set out in the chapter. The first concerns the believer’s obligations toward God and His Messenger, namely obedience, reverence, God-consciousness (taqwa) and forbearance. The second concerns norms regulating relations within society, including the avoidance of suspicion, the prohibition of mockery, offensive nicknames, spying and backbiting, and the preservation of brotherhood and human equality. Drawing on classical exegetical works by Ibn Kathir, al-Qurṭubi, al-Saʿdi and Ibn ʿAshur, as well as hadith collections, the article argues that the ethical principles of Surat al-Hujurat are not limited to their historical context. Rather, they offer enduring guidance for building a culture of mutual trust and respect in contemporary society.