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.
۞ وَٱكْتُبْ لَنَا فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ عَذَابِىٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنْ أَشَآءُ ۖ وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ ۚ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You." [Allāh] said, "My punishment - I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things." So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakāh and those who believe in Our verses-
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
O you who have believed, if you fear Allāh, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ ٱلطُّورَ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
And [recall] when We took your covenant, [O Children of Israel, to abide by the Torah] and We raised over you the mount, [saying], "Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that perhaps you may become righteous."