ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ 18
Translations
Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allāh has guided, and those are people of understanding.
Transliteration
Alladhīna yastami'ūn al-qawla fa-yattabi'ūn ahsanahu. Ūlā'ika alladhīn hadāhum Allāh wa-ūlā'ika hum ūlū al-albāb.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those of sound intellect ('ulū al-albāb) as people who listen to speech and discourse, then follow the best (most beneficial, morally upright, or wisest) of it. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as praising those with discernment who distinguish between truth and falsehood, wisdom and foolishness, and choose the righteous path. These individuals are guided by Allah and possess genuine understanding ('aql), as they don't blindly accept all they hear but exercise critical judgment in matters of faith and reason.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Az-Zumar, which emphasizes sincere worship and monotheism. The broader context (verses 17-18) contrasts those who fear Allah in private with those who follow their desires, making this verse an appeal to listeners of the Quran itself to exercise wisdom in receiving its message rather than rejecting it out of stubbornness or tribalism.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallā Allāhu 'alayhi wa-sallam) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), emphasizing active engagement with divine speech. Additionally, 'Whoever Allah wills good for, He gives them understanding of the religion' (Sahih Bukhari 71), relating to the guidance mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are called to be thoughtful listeners who weigh teachings against wisdom and Quranic principles rather than accepting every word uncritically; this intellectual engagement combined with sincere intention is itself a form of worship and a sign of Allah's guidance in one's heart.