يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا 70
Translations
O you who have believed, fear Allāh and speak words of appropriate justice.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ittaqu Allaha wa qulu qawlan sadida
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to fear Allah and speak truthfully and uprightly in all circumstances. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'qawlan sadidan' (a straight/right word) encompasses both truthfulness and wisdom, avoiding falsehood, vulgarity, and harmful speech. The command follows naturally from taqwa (God-consciousness), as true piety manifests in honest and beneficial speech that upholds Islamic principles.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the end of Surah Al-Ahzab, which was revealed during the Medinan period and addresses various social and moral guidelines for the Muslim community. It comes as a general directive to all believers, emphasizing the importance of ethical speech as a cornerstone of faith, particularly in a society where false accusations and harmful speech were prevalent.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'The best of you are those with the best character/speech' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), highlighting how righteous speech reflects true belief.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that sincere faith in Allah must be reflected through truthful, wise, and beneficial speech in daily interactions. This ayah reminds us that our words are a direct expression of our relationship with Allah and have real consequences in this life and the next.
Related Ayahs
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
So fear Allāh and obey me.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَسُولِهِۦ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O you who have believed, fear Allāh and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِى نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنفَعُهَا شَفَـٰعَةٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, and no compensation will be accepted from it, nor will any intercession benefit it, nor will they be aided.
قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۗ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٌ ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Say, "O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allāh is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account [i.e., limit]."