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.

[2][3] The following verses (6—12) emphasise the ties of brotherhood within the Muslim community (ummah) and establish social principles to maintain its unity.

[7] Verse 12 calls for Muslims to avoid suspicion (zann, also translated "conjecture"), spying on others to find faults (tajassus), and backbiting (ghibah).

[8][9] The Quran considers backbiting (slandering someone in their absence) so sinful and abhorrent that it is compared to "eating the flesh of [one's] brother".

[11]Commentators on the Quran, including Abul A'la Maududi and Sayyid Qutb, argued that this verse declares the equality of mankind.

[12][13] According to the commentary of The Study Quran, this verse marked a reform of the moral order in Arabia, where previously one's worth had been determined by "lineage and grandiose displays of valor and generosity" and where fear of God had been seen as the opposite of nobility, to one which focused on "the depth of faith and piety".

[18] Muslim historians, such as Al-Waqidi and Ibn Ishaq, linked the revelation of several verses to the conduct of a delegation from the Banu Tamim when they were in Medina to meet with Muhammad.