Quranic theme
Litigants
الخصم
19 verses
Mankind is formed from a mere drop of fluid, yet the moment he comes of age, he uses his voice to openly challenge his Maker (16:4). The Quran addresses the human tendency to dispute—whether in courtroom grievances, tribal divisions, or cosmic arguments against God. Litigation and rivalry are portrayed as persistent features of worldly life, requiring strict justice from judges and a wariness of smooth-talking opponents who obscure the truth.
How does the Quran instruct leaders to judge litigants?
Prophets are frequently placed in the role of arbitrator. When two men climbed into the private quarters of David, they startled him, announcing themselves simply as "two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other" (38:22). As al-Naysaburi notes (Ijaz al-bayan, 2/709), they breached his sanctuary by entering from above. Though there were only two men present in this encounter, the Arabic term khasm operates as a collective noun, meaning it can describe any number of people embroiled in a dispute, as Ibn al-Ahnaf explains (Al-Bustan, 2/306). The men presented a stark imbalance of power: one brother owned ninety-nine ewes and demanded the sole ewe of the other, successfully overpowering him with his words (38:23). In response to such worldly imbalances, the Quran commands strict impartiality. God instructs Muhammad that the Scripture was sent down so he might judge between people with truth, expressly forbidding him from acting as an advocate for those who betray trust (4:105).
How do theological disputes divide societies?
Beyond livestock and property, litigation fractures communities over matters of belief and religious authority. When the prophet Salih told the people of Thamud to worship God alone, his nation immediately split into two rival factions (27:45). Similar discord occurred historically among the caretakers of Mary; God reminds the Prophet that he was not present when they cast lots to decide who would take charge of her, nor when they argued over the decision (3:44). The text warns against being deceived by the charisma of those who argue against the truth. There are individuals whose views on worldly life sound exceptionally pleasing, and who eagerly call on God to witness what is in their hearts, even while functioning as the bitterest of opponents (2:204).
What is the ultimate outcome of human bickering?
Mankind's insistence on dispute blinds them to their fragile reality. Despite the clear signs of their origins—created from a drop of fluid—people continue to dispute openly (36:77). They argue endlessly about their Lord, splitting into two distinct kinds of people who disagree over faith (22:19). The Quran characterizes this relentless argument as a fatal distraction that will be cut short by sudden destruction. Many will be waiting for nothing more than a single blast that will overtake them while they are still in the midst of arguing with each other (36:49). For those who carry their opposition into the next life, the arguments do not cease but merely shift in location. In the hereafter, they will continue to bicker among themselves, directing their blame at the false gods they once defended (26:96), while garments of fire are tailored for them and scalding water is poured over their heads (22:19).
Verses
All 19 verses, in mushaf order.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعْجِبُكَ قَوْلُهُۥ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيُشْهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِى قَلْبِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلْخِصَامِ
There is [a kind of] man whose views on the life of this world may please you [Prophet], he even calls on God to witness what is in his heart, yet he is the bitterest of opponents.
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَـٰمَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ
This is an account of things beyond your knowledge that We reveal to you [Muhammad]: you were not present among them when they cast lots to see which of them should take charge of Mary, you were not present with them when they argued [about her].
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمًا
We have sent down the Scripture to you [Prophet] with the truth so that you can judge between people in accordance with what God has shown you. Do not be an advocate for those who betray trust.
خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ مُّبِينٌ
He created man from a drop of fluid, and yet man openly challenges Him.
۞ هَـٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ ٱخْتَصَمُوا۟ فِى رَبِّهِمْ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ
These two kinds of people disagree about their Lord. Garments of fire will be tailored for those who disbelieve; scalding water will be poured over their heads,
قَالُوا۟ وَهُمْ فِيهَا يَخْتَصِمُونَ
There they will say to their gods, as they bicker among themselves,
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَإِذَا هُمْ فَرِيقَانِ يَخْتَصِمُونَ
To the people of Thamud We sent their brother, Salih, saying, ‘Worship God alone,’ but they split into two rival factions.
مَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا صَيْحَةً وَٰحِدَةً تَأْخُذُهُمْ وَهُمْ يَخِصِّمُونَ
But all they are waiting for is a single blast that will overtake them while they are still arguing with each other.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰهُ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ مُّبِينٌ
Can man not see that We created him from a drop of fluid? Yet- lo and behold!- he disputes openly,
۞ وَهَلْ أَتَىٰكَ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَصْمِ إِذْ تَسَوَّرُوا۟ ٱلْمِحْرَابَ
Have you heard the story of the two litigants who climbed into his private quarters?
إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ دَاوُۥدَ فَفَزِعَ مِنْهُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ خَصْمَانِ بَغَىٰ بَعْضُنَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تُشْطِطْ وَٱهْدِنَآ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلصِّرَٰطِ
When they reached David, he took fright, but they said, ‘Do not be afraid. We are two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other: judge between us fairly- do not be unjust- and guide us to the right path.
إِنَّ هَـٰذَآ أَخِى لَهُۥ تِسْعٌ وَتِسْعُونَ نَعْجَةً وَلِىَ نَعْجَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ فَقَالَ أَكْفِلْنِيهَا وَعَزَّنِى فِى ٱلْخِطَابِ
This is my brother. He had ninety-nine ewes and I just the one, and he said, “Let me take charge of her,” and overpowered me with his words.’
قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلْخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبْغِى بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَّا هُمْ ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُۥدُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّـٰهُ فَٱسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُۥ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ ۩
David said, ‘He has done you wrong by demanding to add your ewe to his flock. Many partners treat each other unfairly. Those who sincerely believe and do good deeds do not do this, but these are very few.’ [Then] David realized that We had been testing him, so he asked his Lord for forgiveness, fell down on his knees, and repented:
إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَحَقٌّ تَخَاصُمُ أَهْلِ ٱلنَّارِ
This is how it will really be: the inhabitants of the Fire will blame one another in this way.
مَا كَانَ لِىَ مِنْ عِلْمٍۭ بِٱلْمَلَإِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰٓ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ
I have no knowledge of what those on high discuss:
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ
and, on the Day of Resurrection, you will dispute with one another in the presence of your Lord.
أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا۟ فِى ٱلْحِلْيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينٍ
‘Someone who is brought up amongst trinkets, who cannot put together a clear argument?’
وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَأَـٰلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هُوَ ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢا ۚ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ
saying, ‘Are our gods better or him?’- they cite him only to challenge you: they are a contentious people-
قَالَ لَا تَخْتَصِمُوا۟ لَدَىَّ وَقَدْ قَدَّمْتُ إِلَيْكُم بِٱلْوَعِيدِ
God will say, ‘Do not argue in My presence. I sent you a warning