وَقُل لِّعِبَادِى يَقُولُوا۟ ٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ كَانَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا 53
Translations
And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.
Transliteration
Wa qul li-'ibadi yaqulu allatī hiya ahsan. Inna al-shaytāna yanzaghu baynahum. Inna al-shaytāna kāna lil-insāni 'aduwwan mubīnā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to instruct the believers to speak that which is best and most excellent in their discourse with one another. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this prohibition against harsh speech aims to prevent discord among the Muslim community, as Satan exploits poor communication to sow enmity and division. The ayah emphasizes that Satan is an open and manifest enemy of humanity, constantly seeking to corrupt relationships through inflammatory speech and misunderstandings.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period within Surah Al-Isra, which addresses the believers' conduct and moral behavior. The surah broadly concerns itself with proper etiquette and ethical conduct toward parents, relatives, and society. This specific instruction about speech follows the broader theme of maintaining social harmony and recognizing Satan's role in human affairs, fitting within the surah's emphasis on righteous conduct.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'A good word is a charity' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Muslim, from Abu Hurairah), which directly supports the principle of this ayah regarding choosing the best speech.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should exercise conscious awareness of their words, recognizing that kind and considerate speech is a tool for building community while harsh words invite Satan's influence in sowing discord. In an age of rapid communication, this ayah remains profoundly relevant as guidance to pause before speaking and choose words that elevate rather than diminish relationships.
Related Ayahs
أَفَأَمِنتُمْ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمْ جَانِبَ ٱلْبَرِّ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُوا۟ لَكُمْ وَكِيلًا
Then do you feel secure that [instead] He will not cause a part of the land to swallow you or send against you a storm of stones? Then you would not find for yourselves an advocate.
يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا۟ كُلَّ أُنَاسٍۭ بِإِمَـٰمِهِمْ ۖ فَمَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَقْرَءُونَ كِتَـٰبَهُمْ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا
[Mention, O Muḥammad], the Day We will call forth every people with their record [of deeds]. Then whoever is given his record in his right hand - those will read their records, and injustice will not be done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside the date seed].
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ نُوحٍ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًا
And how many have We destroyed from the generations after Noah. And sufficient is your Lord, concerning the sins of His servants, as Aware and Seeing.
وَلَوْلَآ أَن ثَبَّتْنَـٰكَ لَقَدْ كِدتَّ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْـًٔا قَلِيلًا
And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little.