۞ لَّا خَيْرَ فِى كَثِيرٍ مِّن نَّجْوَىٰهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَـٰحٍۭ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا 114
Translations
No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allāh - then We are going to give him a great reward.
Transliteration
Lā khayra fī kathīrin min najwāhum illā man amara bi-sadaqatin aw ma'rūfin aw islāhin bayna an-nās. Wa-man yaf'al dhālika ibtighā'a mardāti Allāhi fa-sawfa nu'tīhi ajran 'adhīmā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns most private conversations (najwá) among people as lacking goodness, excepting those conversations that command charity, advocate kindness, or seek reconciliation between people. According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, this refers particularly to backbiting, gossip, and plotting—common vices in any society. The verse concludes by promising immense reward to those who engage in these three righteous acts of private counsel with sincere intention to please Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa, a Medinan surah revealed during a period when the Muslim community was facing internal challenges, including disputes and social discord. The broader context addresses ethical behavior and community conduct, making this verse particularly relevant to regulating private conversations and preventing harm within the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895). Additionally, 'Whoever reconciles between two people and brings good, Allah will give him a good reward' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4919).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that our private conversations carry moral weight and divine scrutiny; we should guard our tongues and use confidential moments to encourage goodness, charity, and reconciliation rather than engaging in gossip or harm. When we act with sincere intention to please Allah rather than for worldly gain, even small acts of kindness gain immeasurable spiritual value.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا
And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allāh and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper"?
وَلِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مَوَٰلِىَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ فَـَٔاتُوهُمْ نَصِيبَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدًا
And for all, We have made heirs to what is left by parents and relatives. And to those whom your oaths have bound [to you] - give them their share. Indeed Allāh is ever, over all things, a Witness.
وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ عُدْوَٰنًا وَظُلْمًا فَسَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِ نَارًا ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًا
And whoever does that in aggression and injustice - then We will drive him into a Fire. And that, for Allāh, is [always] easy.
أَمْ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُلْكِ فَإِذًا لَّا يُؤْتُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ نَقِيرًا
Or have they a share of dominion? Then [if that were so], they would not give the people [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.