What is the interpretation of the Noble Verse: (O you who have believed, say not "Ra'ina" but say "Unthurna")?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Muslims used to say to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Ra'ina" meaning: "Watch over us and protect us." However, in the language of the Jews, this was a derogatory term, and it was also said to mean "foolishness." So, they (the Jews) would secretly say it to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while laughing. When Sa'd ibn Mu'adh learned of this, he threatened to strike the neck of anyone who said it. Then, the verse was revealed, prohibiting Muslims from saying "Ra'ina" so that they would not resemble the Jews in using a word by which they intended a corrupt meaning.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/41947
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 41947
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy