Al-Hujurat (, The Chambers) is the 49th chapter (surah) of the Quran with 18 verses (āyāt). The chapter contains etiquette and norms to be observed in the Muslim community, including the proper conduct towards the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, an injunction against acting on news without verification, a call for peace and reconciliation, as well as injunctions against defamation, suspicion, and backbiting. The chapter also declares a universal brotherhood among Muslims. The thirteenth verse, one of the most famous in the Quran, is understood by Muslim scholars to establish equality with regards to race and origin; only God can determine one's nobility based on his piety. The chapter is a Medinan sura, revealed in the year 9 AH (630 CE) when the nascent Islamic state under the leadership of Muhammad had extended to most of Arabia. Muslim historians linked some of the verses (either verses 2–5 or just 4–5) to the conduct of a Banu Tamim delegation to Muhammad in Medina. The chapter reprimands the delegates' behavior and then lays down protocol when interacting with Muhammad. Summary 1-5 The Prophet of God to be treated with honour and respect 6-8 Believers warned against misrepresenting any matter to the Prophet 9 10 11 The duty of peacemaking enjoined 11-13 Sundry faults of the Muslims exposed 14-18 Bedouin Arabs rebuked and warned on account of hypocrisy In general, the chapter addresses the growing Muslim community and establishes norms to be observed within it. Proper conduct towards Muhammad Verses 1 to 5 focus on the etiquette towards Muhammad, including lowering one's tone in his presence and respecting the privacy of his chambers. Unity and brotherhood within the Muslim community The following verses (6—12) emphasise the ties of brotherhood within the Muslim community (ummah) and establish social principles to maintain its unity. Verses 6 to 8 call on Muslims to not act on news before verifying its authenticity. The following two verses encourage promoting peace and reconciling quarreling parties within the community. The tenth verse is known as the Verse of Brotherhood and instructs Muslims to unite in a universal brotherhood. The next verse, verse 11, warns the members of the community against defamation, mocking and name-calling. Verse 12 calls for Muslims to avoid suspicion (zann, also translated "conjecture"), spying on others to find faults (tajassus), and backbiting (ghibah). The Quran considers backbiting (slandering someone in their absence) so sinful and abhorrent that it is