Notes ❋ on the Quran
Volume I · PART IV

Rumour, Conversation, Speech

وَإِذۡ أَخَذۡنَا مِيثَٰقَ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ لَا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَانٗا وَذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَقُولُواْ لِلنَّاسِ حُسۡنٗا وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنكُمۡ وَأَنتُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ ٨٣

And (remember) when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none but Allah (Alone) and be dutiful and good to parents, and to kindred, and to orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor), and speak good to people, and perform As-Salat (the prayer), and give Zakat (obligatory charity). Then you slid back, except a few of you, while you are backsliders.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 83

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعۡجِبُكَ قَوۡلُهُۥ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَيُشۡهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِي قَلۡبِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلۡخِصَامِ ٢٠٤

And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you (O Muhammad, pbuh), in this worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart, yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 204

وَإِذَا جَآءَهُمۡ أَمۡرٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡنِ أَوِ ٱلۡخَوۡفِ أَذَاعُواْ بِهِۦۖ وَلَوۡ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰٓ أُوْلِي ٱلۡأَمۡرِ مِنۡهُمۡ لَعَلِمَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَنۢبِطُونَهُۥ مِنۡهُمۡۗ وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُۥ لَٱتَّبَعۡتُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا ٨٣

When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people); if only they had referred it to the Messenger (pbuh) or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them. Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah upon you, you would have followed Shaitan, except a few of you.

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 83

۞لَّا خَيۡرَ فِي كَثِيرٖ مِّن نَّجۡوَىٰهُمۡ إِلَّا مَنۡ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوۡ مَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ إِصۡلَٰحِۢ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ مَرۡضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ فَسَوۡفَ نُؤۡتِيهِ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا ١١٤

There is no good in most of their secret talks except him who orders Sadaqah, or Maruf, or conciliation between mankind; and he who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward.

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 114

وَقَدۡ نَزَّلَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ أَنۡ إِذَا سَمِعۡتُمۡ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يُكۡفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسۡتَهۡزَأُ بِهَا فَلَا تَقۡعُدُواْ مَعَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُواْ فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيۡرِهِۦٓ إِنَّكُمۡ إِذٗا مِّثۡلُهُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ جَامِعُ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعًا ١٤٠

And it has already been revealed to you in this Book (this Quran) that when you hear the verses of Allah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 140

۞لَّا يُحِبُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡجَهۡرَ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا ١٤٨ إِن تُبۡدُواْ خَيۡرًا أَوۡ تُخۡفُوهُ أَوۡ تَعۡفُواْ عَن سُوٓءٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوّٗا قَدِيرًا ١٤٩

Allah does not like that the evil should be uttered in public except by him who has been wronged. And Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Knower. Whether you disclose a good deed, or conceal it, or pardon an evil; verily Allah is Ever Oft Pardoning, All-Powerful.

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verses 148-149

وَإِذَا رَأَيۡتَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِيٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا فَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنۡهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُواْ فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيۡرِهِۦۚ وَإِمَّا يُنسِيَنَّكَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ فَلَا تَقۡعُدۡ بَعۡدَ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ مَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ ٦٨

And when you (O Muhammad, pbuh) see those who engage in a false conversation about Our verse (of the Quran) by mocking at them, stay away from them till they turn to another topic. And if Shaitan (Satan) causes you to forget, then after the remembrance sit not in the company of those people who are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).

Surah 6 Al-An’am Verse 68

وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ فَٱدۡعُوهُ بِهَاۖ وَذَرُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلۡحِدُونَ فِيٓ أَسۡمَٰٓئِهِۦۚ سَيُجۡزَوۡنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ١٨٠

And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do.

Surah 7 Al-Araf Verse 180

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُواْ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ ١١٩

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).

Surah 9 At-Taubah Verse 119

  1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie
  2. Whenever he promises, he breaks his promise; and
  3. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays’

وَلَا يَحۡزُنكَ قَوۡلُهُمۡۘ إِنَّ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًاۚ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٦٥

And let not their speech grieve you (O Muhammad, pbuh) for all power and honour belong to Allah. He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

Surah 10 Yunus Verse 65

ٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَٱلۡمَوۡعِظَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِۖ وَجَٰدِلۡهُم بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ ١٢٥

Invite (mankind, O Muhammad, pbuh) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path; and He is the Best Knower of those who are guided.

Surah 16 An-Nahl Verse 125

  1. The predilections and biases of the people
  2. Mental capacities and circumstances of the people
  3. Context in which the message is given to the people
  4. Diversities between different individuals and groups to whom the message is being addressed. This should be followed by a reasoned discourse that penetrates the hearts and minds of the persons concerned
  1. One should not be content with merely trying to convince people with the help of rational arguments. Instead, one should also appeal to the nobler emotions of man – as in evoking the instinctive repugnance to evil
  2. Counselling people in such a manner that one’s deep sympathy, compassion and concern for the people in question does not go unnoticed by them. The act should not emanate from the presumption of one’s own superior status, or of the inferior status of the audience
  1. Be gracious and refined
  2. Reflect the person’s higher moral stature and courteous disposition
  3. Appeal to good sense
  4. Be so couched as not to arouse obstinacy, adamance and egotistical feelings in the audience
  5. Straightforward and elegant

However, as soon as one realizes that the other party has been so provoked as to cling, out of sheer obstinacy, to his viewpoint, one should put an end to the discussion. For continuing it any further might cause the other person to veer away even further from truth

وَإِمَّا تُعۡرِضَنَّ عَنۡهُمُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ رَحۡمَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرۡجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمۡ قَوۡلٗا مَّيۡسُورٗا ٢٨

And if you (O Muhammad, pbuh) turn away from them (kindred, needy, wayfarer whom We have ordered you to give their rights, but if you have no money at the time they ask you for it) and you are awaiting a mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then, speak to them a soft, kind word (i.e., Allah will give me and I shall give you).

Surah 17 Al-Isra Verse 28

وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡ‍ُٔولٗا ٣٦

And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allah).

Surah 17 Al-Isra Verse 36

In conclusion, it means that Allah forbids speaking or acting without knowledge and only on the basis of suspicion, which is mere imagination and illusions

وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُواْ ٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ يَنزَغُ بَيۡنَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ كَانَ لِلۡإِنسَٰنِ عَدُوّٗا مُّبِينٗا ٥٣

And say to My slaves that they should (only) say those words that are best. Shaitan verily sows a state of conflict and disagreement among them. Surely, Shaitan is to man a plain enemy.

Surah 17 Al-Isra Verse 53

وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَاْيۡءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلٞ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا ٢٣ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَٱذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلۡ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَهۡدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقۡرَبَ مِنۡ هَٰذَا رَشَدٗا ٢٤

And never say of anything, ‘I shall do such and such thing tomorrow’ Except (with the saying) ‘If Allah wills!’ And remember your Lord when you forget to say: ‘It may be that my Lord guides me to a nearer way of truth than this’.

Surah 18 Al-Kahf Verses 23-24

وَإِن تَجۡهَرۡ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخۡفَى ٧

And if you (O Muhammad, pbuh) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden.

Surah 20 Ta-Ha Verse 7

ٱذۡهَبۡ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِ‍َٔايَٰتِي وَلَا تَنِيَا فِي ذِكۡرِي ٤٢ ٱذۡهَبَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ ٤٣ فَقُولَا لَهُۥ قَوۡلٗا لَّيِّنٗا لَّعَلَّهُۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوۡ يَخۡشَىٰ ٤٤

“Go you and your brother with My Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs), and do not, you both, slacken and become weak in My Remembrance. Go, both of you, to Firaun (Pharaoh), verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience and behaved as an arrogant and as a tyrant). And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allah”.

Surah 20 Ta-Ha Verses 42-44

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدۡخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ يُحَلَّوۡنَ فِيهَا مِنۡ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٖ وَلُؤۡلُؤٗاۖ وَلِبَاسُهُمۡ فِيهَا حَرِيرٞ ٢٣ وَهُدُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱلطَّيِّبِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُدُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ ٢٤

Truly, Allah will admit those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, to Gardens underneath which rivers flow (in Paradise), wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments therein will be of silk. And they are guided (in this world) unto goodly speech (i.e., La ilaha ill-Allah, Alhamdu lillah, recitation of the Quran, etc.) and they are guided to the Path of Him (i.e., Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism), Who is Worthy of all praises.

Surah 22 Al-Hajj Verses 23-24

ذَٰلِكَۖ وَمَن يُعَظِّمۡ حُرُمَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيۡرٞ لَّهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦۗ وَأُحِلَّتۡ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمُ إِلَّا مَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡۖ فَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلرِّجۡسَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَوۡثَٰنِ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ قَوۡلَ ٱلزُّورِ ٣٠

That (Manasik - prescribed duties of Hajj is the obligation that mankind owes to Allah), and whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, then that is better for him with his Lord. The cattle are lawful to you, except those mentioned to you (as exceptions). So, shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements).

Surah 22 Al-Hajj Verse 30

To take a false oath and give false evidence also come under this commandment. A tradition from the Prophet (pbuh) says: A false evidence is equal to shirk with Allah. That is why according to the Islamic Law, a false witness should be punished and disgraced. Imams Abu Yusuf and Muhammad have expressed the opinion that a person who brings a false witness in the court should be publicly exposed and sentenced to a long imprisonment. This was the actual practice in the time of Umar. According to Makhul, he said: Such a person should be whipped, his head shaved and face blackened and he should be sentenced to a long imprisonment. Abdullah bin Amir has reported from his father that a person’s false evidence was established in Umar’s court, whereupon the Caliph kept him exposed to public for a day, saying that he was so and so and a false witness so that people might recognize him, and then he imprisoned him.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو بِٱلۡإِفۡكِ عُصۡبَةٞ مِّنكُمۡۚ لَا تَحۡسَبُوهُ شَرّٗا لَّكُمۖ بَلۡ هُوَ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡۚ لِكُلِّ ٱمۡرِيٕٖ مِّنۡهُم مَّا ٱكۡتَسَبَ مِنَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِۚ وَٱلَّذِي تَوَلَّىٰ كِبۡرَهُۥ مِنۡهُمۡ لَهُۥ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٞ ١١ لَّوۡلَآ إِذۡ سَمِعۡتُمُوهُ ظَنَّ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتُ بِأَنفُسِهِمۡ خَيۡرٗا وَقَالُواْ هَٰذَآ إِفۡكٞ مُّبِينٞ ١٢ لَّوۡلَا جَآءُو عَلَيۡهِ بِأَرۡبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَۚ فَإِذۡ لَمۡ يَأۡتُواْ بِٱلشُّهَدَآءِ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلۡكَٰذِبُونَ ١٣ وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُۥ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ لَمَسَّكُمۡ فِي مَآ أَفَضۡتُمۡ فِيهِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ١٤ إِذۡ تَلَقَّوۡنَهُۥ بِأَلۡسِنَتِكُمۡ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفۡوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيۡسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞ وَتَحۡسَبُونَهُۥ هَيِّنٗا وَهُوَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمٞ ١٥ وَلَوۡلَآ إِذۡ سَمِعۡتُمُوهُ قُلۡتُم مَّا يَكُونُ لَنَآ أَن نَّتَكَلَّمَ بِهَٰذَا سُبۡحَٰنَكَ هَٰذَا بُهۡتَٰنٌ عَظِيمٞ ١٦ يَعِظُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَن تَعُودُواْ لِمِثۡلِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ ١٧

Verily! Those who brought forth the slander (against Aishah, the wife of the Prophet, pbuh) are a group among you. Consider it not a bad thing for you. Nay, it is good for you. Unto every man among them will be paid that which he had earned of the sin, and as for him among them who had the greater share therein, his will be a great torment. Why then, did not the believers, men and women, when you heard it (the slander) think good of their own people and say: “This (charge) is an obvious lie?” Why did they not produce four witnesses? Since they (the slanderers) have not produced witnesses! Then with Allah they are the liars. Had it not been for the Grace of Allah and His Mercy unto you in this world and in the Hereafter, a great torment would have touched you for that whereof you had spoken. When you were propagating it with your tongues, and uttering with your mouths that whereof you had no knowledge, you counted it a little thing, while with Allah it was very great. And why did you not, when you heard it, say? “It is not right for us to speak of this. Glory be to You (O Allah) this is a great lie”. Allah forbids you from it and warns you not to repeat the like of it forever, if you are believers.

Surah 24 An-Nur Verses 11-17

It is interesting that instead of asking believers to think good of the one who is accused of this calumny, it says they must think well of themselves. This way of speaking means that believers are of one essence, and if one of them is accused, it is as though all of them were accused. They are like the limbs of each other, if world brings harm to one of the limbs, the other limbs do not stay calm and indifferent. As one is to defend himself against accusations, one must defend his religious female and male brothers.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَرۡمُونَ ٱلۡمُحۡصَنَٰتِ ٱلۡغَٰفِلَٰتِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ لُعِنُواْ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٞ ٢٣

Verily, those who accuse believing chaste women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers – are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter, and for them will be a great torment.

Surah 24 An-Nur Verse 23

ٱلۡخَبِيثَٰتُ لِلۡخَبِيثِينَ وَٱلۡخَبِيثُونَ لِلۡخَبِيثَٰتِۖ وَٱلطَّيِّبَٰتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَٰتِۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَۖ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٞ وَرِزۡقٞ كَرِيمٞ ٢٦

Bad statements are for bad people and bad people for bad statements. Good statements are for good people and good people for good statements; such are innocent of (every) bad statement which they say; for them is forgiveness, and Rizqun Karim (generous provision i.e., Paradise).

Surah 24 An-Nur Verse 26

وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمۡشُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هَوۡنٗا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلۡجَٰهِلُونَ قَالُواْ سَلَٰمٗا ٦٣ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمۡ سُجَّدٗا وَقِيَٰمٗا ٦٤ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱصۡرِفۡ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا ٦٥ إِنَّهَا سَآءَتۡ مُسۡتَقَرّٗا وَمُقَامٗا ٦٦ وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُواْ لَمۡ يُسۡرِفُواْ وَلَمۡ يَقۡتُرُواْ وَكَانَ بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامٗا ٦٧ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدۡعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَزۡنُونَۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ يَلۡقَ أَثَامٗا ٦٨

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشۡهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّواْ بِٱللَّغۡوِ مَرُّواْ كِرَامٗا ٧٢ وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُواْ بِ‍َٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمۡ لَمۡ يَخِرُّواْ عَلَيۡهَا صُمّٗا وَعُمۡيَانٗا ٧٣ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنٖ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ٧٤

And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness. And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing. And those who say: ‘Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily, its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment’. Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to rest in. And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes). And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such person as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse – and whosoever does this, shall receive punishment…And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity. And those who, when they are reminded of the Ayat of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat. And those who say: ‘Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the Muttaqun’.

Surah 25 Al-Furqan Verses 63-68/72-74

هَلۡ أُنَبِّئُكُمۡ عَلَىٰ مَن تَنَزَّلُ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ ٢٢١ تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٖ ٢٢٢ يُلۡقُونَ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَأَكۡثَرُهُمۡ كَٰذِبُونَ ٢٢٣

Shall I inform you (O People!) upon whom the Shayatin descend? They descend on every lying, sinful person; who gives ear, and most of them are liars.

Surah 26 Ash-Shuara Verses 221-223

وَٱلشُّعَرَآءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ ٱلۡغَاوُۥنَ ٢٢٤ أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّهُمۡ فِي كُلِّ وَادٖ يَهِيمُونَ ٢٢٥ وَأَنَّهُمۡ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفۡعَلُونَ ٢٢٦ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَذَكَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرٗا وَٱنتَصَرُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا ظُلِمُواْۗ وَسَيَعۡلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَيَّ مُنقَلَبٖ يَنقَلِبُونَ ٢٢٧

As for the poets, the erring ones follow them; see you not that they speak about every subject in their poetry? And that they say what they do not do. Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and remember Allah much and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged. And those who do wrong will come to know by what overturning they will be overturned.

Surah 26 Ash Shuara Verses 224-227

Believers Poet’s followers
Known for sobriety, civilized and gentle behaviour, uprightness, fear of Allah and deep sense of responsibility No moral scruples, pass time to portray erotic adventures, arouse enmity and hatred
High degree of honesty and trust worthiness in their dealing with others Goal in life only to gratify their lusts
Extremely circumspect in speech; tongues utter nothing but good Compose juicy verses about unchaste and chaste women
Known for their devotion to high ideals for which they strive day in and day out Devoid of higher and nobler ideals of life
  1. Those who believe in Allah, in His Prophets, in His Books and in the Hereafter;
  2. Those who are pious and virtuous and live within moral bounds;
  3. Those who constantly remember Allah and whose remembrance is reflected both in their lives and in their poetry. A praiseworthy poet is one whose life is full of Allah’s remembrance and whose poetic genius, too, is devoted to the advancement of the goals of the True Path – the path of those who are conscious of Allah and hold Him in awe
  4. Those who do not subject people to satire for personal reasons; however, when the cause of truth requires, they can have recourse to their poetic talent in the manner a warrior uses his sword. Tradition has it that the Prophet (pbuh) asked the Muslim poet Ka’b ibn Malik: ‘Satirise them, for I swear by Allah in Whose Hand is my life, your satire is more severe for them than an arrow’. Prophet (pbuh) also said to Hasan ibn Thabit: ‘Satirise them. Gabriel is with you’. Prophet (pbuh) also said to Ka’b: ‘The believer wages jihad with his sword and with his tongue. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, it is as if you are attacking them with arrows’

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُواْ قَوۡلٗا سَدِيدٗا ٧٠ يُصۡلِحۡ لَكُمۡ أَعۡمَٰلَكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدۡ فَازَ فَوۡزًا عَظِيمًا ٧١

O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (pbuh), he has indeed achieved a great achievement. Surah 33 Al-Ahzab Verse 70-71

وَيَوۡمَ يُحۡشَرُ أَعۡدَآءُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَهُمۡ يُوزَعُونَ ١٩ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ سَمۡعُهُمۡ وَأَبۡصَٰرُهُمۡ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٢٠ وَقَالُواْ لِجُلُودِهِمۡ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡنَاۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَنطَقَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَيۡءٖۚ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٖ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ ٢١

And (remember) the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire, so they will be collected there (the first and the last). Till, when they reach it (Hell-fire), their hearing (ears) and their eyes, and their skins will testify against them as to what they used to do. And they will say to their skins, “Why do you testify against us?” They will say: “Allah has caused us to speak, as He causes all things to speak, and He created you the first time, and to Him you are made to return”.

Surah 41 Fussilat Verses 19-21

وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ قَوۡلٗا مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ ٣٣

And who is better in speech than he who invites (men) to Allah’s, and does righteous deeds, and says: ‘I am one of the Muslims’.

Surah 41 Fussilat Verse 33

سُبۡحَٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ٨٢ فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِي يُوعَدُونَ ٨٣ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَٰهٞ وَفِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَٰهٞۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٨٤

Glorified be the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him). So, leave them (alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of theirs, which they have been promised. It is He (Allah) Who is the only Ilah (God to be worshipped) in the heaven and the only Ilah on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.

Surah 43 Az-Zukhruf Verses 82-84

وَيۡلٞ لِّكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٖ ٧ يَسۡمَعُ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِ ثُمَّ يُصِرُّ مُسۡتَكۡبِرٗا كَأَن لَّمۡ يَسۡمَعۡهَاۖ فَبَشِّرۡهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٖ ٨

Woe to every sinful liar. Who hears the verses of Allah (being) recited to him, yet persists with pride as if he heard them not. So, announce to him a painful torment.

Surah 45 Al-Jathiyah Verse 7-8

(1) They are liars; therefore, the truth does not appeal to them.

(2) They are wrongdoers; therefore, it is very hard for them to believe in a teaching or guidance that may impose moral restrictions on them.

(3) They are involved in the conceit that they know everything, and that none can teach them anything; therefore, they do not regard as worthy of attention and consideration Allah’s revelations that are recited to them, and it is all the same for them whether they listen to them or not.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإٖ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ أَن تُصِيبُواْ قَوۡمَۢا بِجَهَٰلَةٖ فَتُصۡبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نَٰدِمِينَ ٦

O you who believe! If a Fasiq (liar, evil person) comes to you with any news verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.

Surah 49 Al-Hujurat Verse 6

إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلۡمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٞ ١٧ مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٞ ١٨

(Remember) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).

Surah 50 Qaf Verses 17-18

نَّحۡنُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيۡهِم بِجَبَّارٖۖ فَذَكِّرۡ بِٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مَن يَخَافُ وَعِيدِ ٤٥

We know best what they say. And you (O Muhammad, pbuh) are not the one to force them (to belief). But warn by the Quran him who fears my threat.

Surah 50 Qaf Verse 45

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفۡعَلُونَ ٢ كَبُرَ مَقۡتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُواْ مَا لَا تَفۡعَلُونَ ٣

O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not.

Surah 61 As-Saff Verses 2-3

إِنَّهَا لَإِحۡدَى ٱلۡكُبَرِ ٣٥ نَذِيرٗا لِّلۡبَشَرِ ٣٦ لِمَن شَآءَ مِنكُمۡ أَن يَتَقَدَّمَ أَوۡ يَتَأَخَّرَ ٣٧ كُلُّ نَفۡسِۢ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ رَهِينَةٌ ٣٨ إِلَّآ أَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلۡيَمِينِ ٣٩ فِي جَنَّٰتٖ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ ٤٠ عَنِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ ٤١ مَا سَلَكَكُمۡ فِي سَقَرَ ٤٢ قَالُواْ لَمۡ نَكُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُصَلِّينَ ٤٣ وَلَمۡ نَكُ نُطۡعِمُ ٱلۡمِسۡكِينَ ٤٤ وَكُنَّا نَخُوضُ مَعَ ٱلۡخَآئِضِينَ ٤٥ وَكُنَّا نُكَذِّبُ بِيَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤٦ حَتَّىٰٓ أَتَىٰنَا ٱلۡيَقِينُ ٤٧ فَمَا تَنفَعُهُمۡ شَفَٰعَةُ ٱلشَّٰفِعِينَ ٤٨

Verily, it (Hell Fire) is but one of the greatest (signs). A warning to mankind. To any of you that chooses to go forward or to remain behind. Every person is a pledge for what he has earned, except those on the Right. In gardens (Paradise) they will ask one another, about Al-Mujrimun (disbelievers, criminals) (and they will say to them): ‘What has caused you to enter Hell?’ They will say: ‘We were not of those who used to offer Salat (prayers), Nor we used to feed Al-Miskin (the needy); And we used to talk falsehood with vain talkers. And we used to deny the Day of Recompense. Until there came to us (death) that is certain’. So, no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them.

Surah 74 Al-Muddaththir Verse 35-48

وَيۡلٞ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٖ لُّمَزَةٍ ١ ٱلَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالٗا وَعَدَّدَهُۥ ٢ يَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُۥٓ أَخۡلَدَهُۥ ٣ كَلَّاۖ لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ فِي ٱلۡحُطَمَةِ ٤

Woe to every Humazah Lumazah; Who has gathered wealth and counted it. He thinks that his wealth will make him last forever! Verily he will be thrown into the crushing Fire.

Surah 104 Al-Humazah Verse 1-4

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