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.