وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ 3
Translations
And they who turn away from ill speech
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina hum 'an al-laghwi mu'ridun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the believers as those who turn away from al-laghw (idle talk, falsehood, and vain speech). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this refers to abstaining from all forms of speech that lack benefit or truth—including gossip, lies, obscenities, and arguments without merit. This characteristic is highlighted as a defining quality of true believers, reflecting their commitment to purity in speech and conduct.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears early in Surah Al-Mu'minun, which delineates the essential characteristics of successful believers. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when Muslims faced intense social pressure and ridicule from the Quraysh. In this context, turning away from laghw (the vain mockery and false narratives of disbelievers) represented spiritual resilience and commitment to truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Part of the perfection of one's Islam is to leave alone that which does not concern him' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2318). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari 6018).
Themes
Key Lesson
Guarding one's tongue from idle and vain speech is a fundamental marker of genuine faith and spiritual maturity. In contemporary life, this calls believers to be mindful of their words on social media, in conversations, and in all communications—prioritizing truthfulness, beneficial discourse, and silence over participation in gossip or meaningless chatter.
Related Ayahs
وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ وَٱرْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
And, [O Muḥammad], say, "My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful."
مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُۥ مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ ۚ إِذًا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهٍۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
Allāh has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with Him any deity. [If there had been], then each deity would have taken what it created, and some of them would have [sought to] overcome others. Exalted is Allāh above what they describe [concerning Him].
وَإِنَّكَ لَتَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And indeed, you invite them to a straight path.
ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قُرُونًا ءَاخَرِينَ
Then We produced after them other generations.