وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا۟ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَآ أَوْ رُدُّوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَسِيبًا 86
Translations
And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed Allāh is ever, over all things, an Accountant.
Transliteration
Wa-idha huyeeta bitahiyyatin fahayyu bi-ahsana minha aw rudduh. Inna Allaha kana 'ala kulli shay'in hasiba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands Muslims to respond to greetings with equal or better greetings, establishing the principle of reciprocal courteous conduct in social interactions. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh' (Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah) represents the superior greeting, and responding with the same or adding to it fulfills this command. The ayah concludes by reminding believers that Allah is cognizant of all matters, implying accountability for how we treat others.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan context of Surah An-Nisa, which addresses social organization and interpersonal ethics in the Muslim community. It reflects the Islamic emphasis on building harmonious social bonds through courtesy and good manners (adab) during the establishment of the Islamic society in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When one of you is greeted with a greeting, greet in return with a better greeting, or at least return it. Allah likes those who are best in their deeds' (Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari), emphasizing ethical speech.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islam values polite social interaction and encourages believers to exceed minimum expectations in their treatment of others, recognizing that such conduct reflects our faith and is observed by Allah. In modern contexts, this principle extends beyond verbal greetings to all forms of communication and social engagement, reminding us to respond to others' kindness with generosity and excellence.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا
Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire - and never will you find for them a helper -
رُّسُلًا مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ حُجَّةٌۢ بَعْدَ ٱلرُّسُلِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allāh after the messengers. And ever is Allāh Exalted in Might and Wise.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَـٰدِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ قَامُوا۟ كُسَالَىٰ يُرَآءُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allāh, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allāh except a little,
لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ ۚ نَصِيبًا مَّفْرُوضًا
For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share.