Surah Al-Mumtahanah Ayat 12 (60:12) in the Quran
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ يُبَايِعْنَكَ عَلَىٰ أَنْ لَا يُشْرِكْنَ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَسْرِقْنَ وَلَا يَزْنِينَ وَلَا يَقْتُلْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ وَلَا يَأْتِينَ بِبُهْتَانٍ يَفْتَرِينَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِنَّ وَأَرْجُلِهِنَّ وَلَا يَعْصِينَكَ فِي مَعْرُوفٍ فَبَايِعْهُنَّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُنَّ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
Transliteration:
“Yā ayyuhan-nabiyyu idhā jā’akal-mu’minātu yubāyi’naka ‘alā allā yushrikna billāhi shay’an wa lā yasriqna wa lā yaznīna wa lā yaqtulna awlādahunna wa lā ya’tīna bibuhtānin yaftarīnahu bayna aydīhinna wa arjulihinna wa lā ya’sīnaka fī ma’rūfin fa bāyi’ hunna wastaghfir lahunnallāh, innallāha ghafūrun raḥīm.”
English Translation:
“O Prophet, when the believing women come to you to pledge allegiance to you, that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit adultery, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a false accusation that they invent between their hands and feet, nor will they disobey you in what is right—then accept their pledge and seek forgiveness for them from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:12)
This verse refers to the pledge of allegiance that believing women gave to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), emphasizing their commitment to faith, morality, and obedience in righteous matters.
Tafsir of Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:12):
This verse was revealed concerning the pledge of allegiance (bay’ah) that believing women took when they accepted Islam. The pledge outlined key moral and religious commitments they had to adhere to. Below is an explanation of each part of the verse:
1. “O Prophet, when the believing women come to you to pledge allegiance to you…”
This refers to the time after the conquest of Makkah when women would come to the Prophet ﷺ to declare their acceptance of Islam and commit to following its teachings. The pledge was similar to the pledge men took but tailored to the responsibilities of women.
2. “That they will not associate anything with Allah…”
The first condition of the pledge was Tawheed (monotheism). The women had to promise not to worship idols or associate partners with Allah.
3. “Nor will they steal…”
This prohibited stealing of any kind, whether it be wealth, property, or anything entrusted to them. This was a common issue in pre-Islamic Arabia, where both men and women engaged in theft.
4. “Nor will they commit adultery…”
Women had to pledge to maintain chastity and avoid fornication or adultery. Islam emphasizes modesty and moral purity for both men and women.
5. “Nor will they kill their children…”
This was a direct prohibition against the pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide, where newborn daughters were buried alive out of fear of shame or poverty. Islam condemned this cruel act and commanded the protection of children.
6. “Nor will they bring forth a false accusation that they invent between their hands and feet…”
This means they should not falsely accuse others of wrongdoing or attribute illegitimate children to their husbands. False accusations were a common form of slander in pre-Islamic society, and Islam strictly forbade it.
7. “Nor will they disobey you in what is right…”
The pledge also required women to obey the Prophet ﷺ in all righteous matters. This meant following Islamic teachings, avoiding sinful acts, and upholding moral values.
