وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ رَحْمَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّيْسُورًا 28
Translations
And if you [must] turn away from them [i.e., the needy] awaiting mercy from your Lord which you expect, then speak to them a gentle word.
Transliteration
Wa-immā tu'riḍanna 'anhumu ibtigḥā'a raḥmatin min rabbika tarjūhā faqul lahum qawlan maysūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs the Prophet (peace be upon him) that when he cannot fulfill the requests of poor people seeking help due to lack of resources, he should not turn away from them harshly, but instead speak to them with gentle, kind, and comforting words. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that while material provision may not always be possible, maintaining dignity and compassionate speech toward those in need is an obligatory character trait, reflecting the mercy of Allah (Raḥmah) that the believer hopes to receive.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a passage in Surah Al-Isra (a Meccan surah) that addresses the proper conduct of believers toward their parents and relatives, particularly when unable to provide material support. The broader context instructs believers on maintaining kindness and good character even when resources are limited, emphasizing internal virtue over external show.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most complete in faith among the believers is the one with the best character' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith: 'Show mercy to those on earth, and the One in the heavens will show mercy to you' (Tirmidhi) reflects the principle of compassionate speech emphasized in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
When unable to give materially, believers must never neglect the gift of kind words and respectful treatment toward those in need, as compassionate speech itself is a form of charity that costs nothing yet enriches both the giver and receiver. This teaches that true generosity encompasses not only wealth but character, kindness, and the maintenance of human dignity.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَآ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَـٰهَا تَدْمِيرًا
And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word [i.e., deserved decree] comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.
كُلًّا نُّمِدُّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مِنْ عَطَآءِ رَبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَآءُ رَبِّكَ مَحْظُورًا
To each [category] We extend - to these and to those - from the gift of your Lord. And never has the gift of your Lord been restricted.
سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ
Exalted is He who took His Servant [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] by night from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām to al-Masjid al-Aqṣā, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَلَلْـَٔاخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَـٰتٍ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلًا
Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction.