It has been stated in the history that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) announced his prophethood at the age of forty. The selflessness in his character during these forty years made Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) the most truthful and honest man of Makkah. As Allah says in Quran that,

And indeed, you are of a great moral character – Surah Qalam, verse 4

Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) life teaches us that faith should be proven through actions, not words. And Surah Hujrat, the 49th chapter of Holy Quran is all about good deeds, social etiquettes, and instructions about how to deal with others. In this short chapter of the Quran which comprises of only 18 verses, Allah has summarized all the manners of leading a life. Here are nine golden rules from Surah Hujrat which every Muslim should follow.

1. Fa-Tabyyanu – Investigate Before Propagating A News

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. Surah Hujrat, verse 6

2. Fa-Aslihu – Make Settlement Between The Two

And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. Surah Hujrat, verse 9

3. Wa-Aqsitu – Make The Settlement Justly

And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. Surah Hujrat, verse 9

4. La-Yas’kharo – Don’t Ridicule Others

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them, nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. SurahHujrat, verse 11

5. La-Talmizo – Don’t Insult People

And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames Surah Hujrat, verse 11

6. Ijtanibu – Avoid Negative Assumptions

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is a sin. Surah Hujrat, verse 12

7. La-Tajass’asu – Don’t Spy

And do not spy –  Surah Hujrat, verse 12

8. Wa La-Yaghtab – Don’t Backbite

Don’t backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it – Surah Hujrat, verse 12

9. Inna Akramakom’ind Allah Atqaakom – Noble Is The One Who Is The Righteous

 Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you – Surah Hujrat, verse 13

May Allah make us among those who read, reflect over and act upon the Holy Quran, Ameen!