Tamimites were negotiating the release of Tamimite prisoners in Muhammad's custody, while according to Ibn Ishaq they were challenging Muhammad to a mufakhara (a boasting contest, a pre-Islamic Arabian practice). As Muhammad was sleeping, they went through the private apartments of Muhammad and his wives to seek him out. Verses 2–4 (according to Al-Waqidi) or verse 4 (Ibn Ishaq) of this chapter describe the Tamimites' behavior, while verse 5 reprimands it and instructs Muslims to be patient when seeking audience with Muhammad. Al-Waqidi dated this event as month of Muharram 9 AH, while Ibn Ishaq's account implied that it had happened in Ramadan 9 AH or later. Name The chapter is named after the word Al-Hujurat (The Private Apartments) which appeared in the fourth verse. Verses 4 and 5 instructed the Muslims to not enter the private apartments of Muhammad—at this point the ruler of most of Arabia—or his wives to search for or petition him. The word al-hujurat is the plural and definite form of hujrah which translates as room, compartment of chamber. Verse 4 of this chapter is the only use of this word in the Quran, and due to this uniqueness, the chapter is named after it. Citations Bibliography Hujraat