In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
They only are true believers who believe in God and His Messenger, and who, whenever they are with him upon a matter requiring collective action, do not depart unless they have obtained his leave. Those who ask leave of you are indeed the ones who believe in God and His Messenger. Hence, when they ask your leave to attend to some business of theirs, grant you this leave to whomever of them you choose, and pray to God to forgive them. God is indeed much-forgiving, merciful.
Do not address God’s Messenger in the manner you address one another. God certainly knows those of you who would slip away surreptitiously. So, let those who would go against His bidding beware, lest some affliction or grievous suffering befall them.
To God belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. Well does He know what you are intent upon. One day, all will be brought back to Him, and then He will tell them all that they have done. God has full knowledge of everything. (Light, Al-Noor: 24: 62-64)
These are the final verses of this surah which gives clear rulings on manners that must be observed within the Muslim community, in the home and in social relations.
Last week we discussed the attitude of a true believer when a matter of concern to the community is under way. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was attending to such a matter, the proper manner for his companions was that none should leave without permission. The Prophet is given full authority to grant or deny such permission, as he balances the individual’s needs against the interests of the community.
Nevertheless, the surah makes clear that it is better for the individual to try to overcome the personal needs, so as to stay with the Prophet. Receiving permission to depart for a while means falling short on fulfilling one’s duty.
Hence, it needs that the Prophet prays to God to forgive those who needed to be absent for a time: “When they ask your leave to attend to some business of theirs, grant you this leave to whomever of them you choose, and pray to God to forgive them. God is indeed much-forgiving, merciful.” This puts a consciential check on the believer, ensuring that he would not seek leave of absence in such situations unless he has compelling reasons.
The surah then alerts the Muslims to the need to address the Prophet with respect when they seek his permission, and indeed in all situations. They should not call him by his name or nickname, as they call each other. He is to be addressed as the man God has honoured by making him His messenger: “Do not address God’s Messenger in the manner you address one another.” Indeed people must be full of respect to him as God’s messenger, so that they would respect every word he says and every directive he gives. Teachers and leaders should be held in high esteem and addressed with respect. The fact that the Prophet was very modest in his approach, easy to deal with, does not mean that it was appropriate for his companions to forget that he was their leader who educated them and refined their manners, addressing him as they would address one another. Deep in their hearts, those who are being educated should hold their educator in high regard so that they would feel ashamed if they happen to overstep the requirements of respect when dealing with him.
The hypocrites who sneaked away, covering for one another, are given a stern warning. If the Prophet could not see them, God was watching them: “God certainly knows those of you who would slip away surreptitiously.” The Arabic wording practically shows their movement as they left stealthily, like despicable cowards.
“So, let those who would go against His bidding beware, lest some affliction or grievous suffering befall them.” The warning here is stern indeed. Those who disobey the Prophet’s orders, seeking a way different from his, sneaking away in pursuit of personal gains or to avoid potential risks, should beware. They may find themselves in the midst of a situation where values and standards are blurred, the true and false are not easily distinguished and the community finds itself in disarray. In such a situation no one is sure of his own safety, as people do not abide by the law and good may not be easily distinguished from evil. Such a situation is miserable for everyone: “Lest some affliction or grievous suffering befall them.” The grievous suffering could befall people in this life or in the life to come, in retribution for disobeying God’s orders and rejecting the way of life He has laid down.
The surah is concluded with a verse that balances the warning with a statement making clear to both believers and unbelievers that God sees them all, and knows their actions and the intentions behind each action: “To God belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. Well does He know what you are intent upon. One day, all will be brought back to Him, and then He will tell them all that they have done. God has full knowledge of everything.”
Thus, the conclusion aims to remind people to remain God-fearing. Being so provides the ultimate guarantee for the fulfilment of His orders, abiding by the rules He has set, observing the manners He has outlined. We have seen many of these clearly stated in this surah, relating to different aspects of life, but all treated on equal footing.
