ٱلْخَبِيثَـٰتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَٱلْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَـٰتِ ۖ وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ ۖ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ 26
Translations
Evil words are for evil men, and evil men are [subjected] to evil words. And good words are for good men, and good men are [an object] of good words. Those [good people] are declared innocent of what they [i.e., slanderers] say. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.
Transliteration
Al-khabithatu lil-khabitheen wa-al-khabithun lil-khabithaat; wa-al-tayyibatu lil-tayyibeen wa-al-tayyibun lil-tayyibaat. Ulaika mubarraun mimma yaqulun; lahum maghfiratun wa rizqun kareem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes a divine principle of correspondence: evil women are for evil men and evil men are for evil women, while virtuous women are for virtuous men and virtuous men are for virtuous women. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this verse asserts that the righteous are cleared from the accusations of immorality, specifically addressing the false allegations against Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), and promises them forgiveness and an honorable provision. The verse emphasizes that spiritual quality naturally attracts like qualities, reflecting a cosmic moral balance ordained by Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the section in Surah An-Nur (24:11-26) that addresses the incident of al-ifk (the false accusation against Aisha). It was revealed in defense of the innocent and to establish standards of justice and moral character in Islamic society. The broader context deals with rules of modesty, evidence requirements in cases of slander, and the protection of honor.
Related Hadiths
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that when this verse was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ said to her, 'Your Lord has acquitted you,' recorded in Sahih Bukhari (3510). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi emphasizes that Allah does not accept from the wicked deeds except from the pure-hearted, reinforcing the principle of spiritual correspondence mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that virtue naturally gravitates toward virtue and that the righteous should trust in Allah's justice when falsely accused—He will vindicate the innocent and grant them honorable provision. It also encourages believers to cultivate moral excellence, knowing that their character determines their spiritual relationships and that Allah protects the honor of the pure-hearted.
Related Ayahs
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلطَّيْرُ صَـٰٓفَّـٰتٍ ۖ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُۥ وَتَسْبِيحَهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
Do you not see that Allāh is exalted by whomever is within the heavens and the earth and [by] the birds with wings spread [in flight]? Each [of them] has known his [means of] prayer and exalting [Him], and Allāh is Knowing of what they do.
فَإِن لَّمْ تَجِدُوا۟ فِيهَآ أَحَدًا فَلَا تَدْخُلُوهَا حَتَّىٰ يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱرْجِعُوا۟ فَٱرْجِعُوا۟ ۖ هُوَ أَزْكَىٰ لَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
And if you do not find anyone therein, do not enter them until permission has been given you. And if it is said to you, "Go back," then go back; it is purer for you. And Allāh is Knowing of what you do.
رِجَالٌ لَّا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَـٰرَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءِ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِ ۙ يَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا تَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهِ ٱلْقُلُوبُ وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ
[Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allāh and performance of prayer and giving of zakāh. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turn about -
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ ٱلْمُحْصَنَـٰتِ ٱلْغَـٰفِلَـٰتِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ لُعِنُوا۟ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
Indeed, those who [falsely] accuse chaste, unaware and believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter; and they will have a great punishment