وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا 63
Translations
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace,
Transliteration
Wa 'ibādu ar-raḥmāni alladhīna yamshūna 'alā al-arḍi hawnan wa-idhā khāṭabahumu al-jāhilūna qālū salāman
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the servants of the Most Merciful (Allah) as those who walk upon the earth with humility and gentleness (hawnan), and when ignorant people address them with rudeness or provocation, they respond with peace and dignity by saying 'Salaam' (peace). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this exemplifies the highest moral character—combining humility in demeanor with gracious restraint when confronted with foolishness, reflecting the believers' consciousness of Allah's presence and their commitment to peaceful conduct.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Furqan, a Meccan chapter revealed during the period of intense persecution of early Muslims in Mecca. The surah establishes criteria (furqan) for distinguishing believers from disbelievers. This particular verse contextualizes the attributes of true believers during a time when Muslims faced constant verbal abuse and mockery from Meccan polytheists, providing guidance on maintaining moral integrity under adversity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The strong person is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the strong person is the one who controls himself while in anger' (Sahih Bukhari 5764). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized returning evil with good: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari 6018).
Themes
Key Lesson
True strength lies not in responding to provocation with harshness, but in maintaining humble dignity and responding to ignorance with grace and peace. This ayah teaches believers that controlling one's character and speech during moments of disrespect is a hallmark of genuine faith and closeness to Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous."
وَقَالُوا۟ مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِى فِى ٱلْأَسْوَاقِ ۙ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُۥ نَذِيرًا
And they say, "What is this messenger that eats food and walks in the markets? Why was there not sent down to him an angel so he would be with him a warner?
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ قَالُوا۟ وَمَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ أَنَسْجُدُ لِمَا تَأْمُرُنَا وَزَادَهُمْ نُفُورًا ۩
And when it is said to them, "Prostrate to the Most Merciful," they say, "And what is the Most Merciful? Should we prostrate to that which you order us?" And it increases them in aversion.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا
And those who say, "Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering;