Surah Al-Mumtahina

Al-Mumtahina (She That Is to Be Examined) is the 60th surah of the Quran. It is a Medinan surah of 13 verses and the 91st in the traditional order of revelation, after Al-Ahzab. Its name comes from verse 10, which orders the believers to examine the faith of women who emigrated from Mecca; it is also read Al-Mumtahana, "the examined woman", and deals with loyalty and relations with non-Muslims.

Context of revelation

According to Ali ibn Abi Talib, in a hadith of al-Bukhari and Muslim, Hatib ibn Abi Balta'a secretly wrote to Quraysh to warn them of the Prophet's preparations against Mecca, hoping to protect his family there. The Prophet ﷺ sent Ali, al-Zubayr and al-Miqdad to intercept the woman carrying the letter. When Umar asked to punish Hatib, the Prophet reminded him that Hatib had fought at Badr, and the opening verse was revealed: "Do not take My enemies and yours as allies."

Themes

• The example of Abraham, who declared himself free of his people's idols (60:4–6), and the hope that God may yet place affection between the believers and their enemies (60:7).
• "God does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who have not fought you over religion nor driven you from your homes" (60:8). Asma' bint Abi Bakr asked the Prophet whether she should keep ties with her polytheist mother who came to visit, and he told her to do so (al-Bukhari and Muslim).
• The believing women who emigrated after the truce of Hudaybiya, such as Umm Kulthum bint Uqba: they were to be examined and not returned to the disbelievers (60:10–11).
• The pledge of the women (60:12): not to associate anything with God, steal, commit adultery, kill their children or bring slander. Aisha stated that the Prophet took this pledge by word alone, his hand never touching theirs (al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Related surahs

It follows Al-Hashr; the truce of Hudaybiya is the subject of Al-Fath.