﴿11﴾ “O you who believe, when you are told, ‘Make room in the gatherings,’ then make room, and Allah will make room for you. And when you are told, ‘Rise,’ then rise. Allah will raise in rank those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge. Allah is fully aware of all that you do.”

This is instruction in proper conduct (1) from Allah to His believing servants. When they assemble in one of their gatherings and one of them—or someone arriving—needs room to be made for him, good manners require that they make room so that this purpose may be fulfilled.

Doing so causes no harm whatsoever to the person already seated (2). His brother’s need is therefore met without any harm befalling him. The recompense is of the same nature as the deed: whoever makes room, Allah will make room for him; and whoever accommodates his brother, Allah will grant him abundance.

“And when you are told, ‘Rise,’” means: when a need arises, stand and move away from your places. “Then rise”—that is, hasten to stand so that the intended benefit may be attained. Complying in such matters is part of knowledge and faith. Allah Most High raises the people of knowledge and faith in rank according to the knowledge and faith with which He has specially favored them.

“Allah is fully aware of all that you do.” He will recompense everyone according to his deeds: good for good and evil for evil.

This verse establishes the virtue of knowledge and shows that its adornment and fruit lie in observing its proper conduct and acting in accordance with it.