Tafsir of Al-Mujadilah 58:11

{تفسحوا في المجالس} Make space in the gatherings; expand within them. Let some of you make room for others. It is derived from the expression: "Make room for me" (afsiḥ ‘annī), meaning: move aside, and do not crowd together. It is also recited as tafāsaḥū. The intended meaning is the gathering of the Messenger of God (ﷺ). People used to crowd together there, competing to be close to him and eager to hear his words.

It is also said: It refers to the "gathering" of battle, which are the stations of the warriors, as in His saying: {positions for battle} (Al ‘Imran: 121). It is also recited as fī al-majālis (in the gatherings). It is said that a man would come to the row and say, "Make space," but they would refuse due to their eagerness for martyrdom. It is also recited as fī al-majlisi (with a fatha on the lam), meaning the act of sitting: expand in your sitting and do not constrict one another.

{يفسح الله لكم} This is absolute, applying to everything people seek expansion in: space, provision, the chest (heart), the grave, and others.

{انشزوا} Rise up to make space for those who arrive. Or, rise from the gathering of the Messenger of God when you are commanded to do so, and do not weary the Messenger of God by remaining there. Or, rise for prayer, jihad, and good deeds when you are called to action; do not be sluggish or negligent.

{يرفع الله} He elevates the believers who comply with His commands and the commands of His Messenger, and specifically the scholars among them, {in degrees. And God is, of what you do, Acquainted}. It is recited with both the ta (you do) and the ya (they do).

Regarding the virtue of knowledge:

• ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd (ra): Whenever he recited this verse, he would say: "O people, understand this verse and let it make you desire knowledge."
• The Prophet (ﷺ): "Between the scholar and the worshiper are one hundred degrees; between each two degrees is the distance of a swift, trained horse running for seventy years."
• The Prophet (ﷺ): "The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like the superiority of the moon on the night of the full moon over all the stars."
• The Prophet (ﷺ): "Three will intercede on the Day of Resurrection: the Prophets, then the scholars, then the martyrs."
  • How magnificent is a rank that stands between Prophethood and Martyrdom, by the testimony of the Messenger of God!
• Ibn ‘Abbās: Solomon was given the choice between knowledge, wealth, and kingdom; he chose knowledge, so he was given wealth and kingdom along with it.
• The Prophet (ﷺ): "God revealed to Abraham: 'O Abraham, I am All-Knowing, and I love every knowledgeable person.'"
• A Sage: "I wish I knew what he has attained who missed out on knowledge, and what he has missed who attained knowledge."
• Al-Aḥnaf: "Scholars are almost like lords. Every honor not established by knowledge ends in humiliation."
• Al-Zubayrī: "Knowledge is masculine; none love it except the masculine among men."

{O you who have believed, when you [wish to] privately consult the Messenger, present before your consultation a charity. That is better for you and purer. But if you find not [the means] - then indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful. Have you feared to present before your consultation charities? Then if you do not [do so] and God has forgiven you, then establish prayer and give zakah and obey God and His Messenger. And God is Acquainted with what you do.}