Quran Verses about Good character
Several verses of the Quran gather many traits of character at once: kindness to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor and neighbours, restraining anger and forgiving, acting justly, and avoiding indecency. They include the commands and prohibitions in Surah al-Isra, the traits of the servants of the Most Merciful in Surah al-Furqan, Luqman's counsel to his son, and the traits of believers who forgive and consult one another in Surah ash-Shura.
Commands to do good and prohibitions of indecency
۞ لَّيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَٰهَدُواْۖ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ فِي ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِۗ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ ١٧٧
Laysal-birra an tuwallū wujūhakum qibalal-mashriqi wal-maghribi wa lākinnal-birra man āmana billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhiri wal-malāʾikati wal-kitābi wan-nabiyyīna wa ātal-māla ʿalā ḥubbihī dhawil-qurbā wal-yatāmā wal-masākīna wabnas-sabīli was-sāʾilīna wa fir-riqābi wa aqāmaṣ-ṣalāta wa ātaz-zakāta wal-mūfūna biʿahdihim idhā ʿāhadū, waṣ-ṣābirīna fil-baʾsāʾi waḍ-ḍarrāʾi wa ḥīnal-baʾs, ulāʾikal-ladhīna ṣadaqū, wa ulāʾika humul-muttaqūn.
Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allāh, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakāh; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.
۞ وَسَارِعُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ مَغۡفِرَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرۡضُهَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ ١٣٣
Wa sāriʿū ilā maghfiratim mir rabbikum wa jannatin ʿarḍuhas-samāwātu wal-arḍu uʿiddat lil-muttaqīn.
And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e., Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلۡكَٰظِمِينَ ٱلۡغَيۡظَ وَٱلۡعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ١٣٤
Al-ladhīna yunfiqūna fis-sarrāʾi waḍ-ḍarrāʾi wal-kāẓimīnal-ghayẓa wal-ʿāfīna ʿanin-nās, wallāhu yuḥibbul-muḥsinīn.
Who spend [in the cause of Allāh] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allāh loves the doers of good;
۞ وَٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنٗا وَبِذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلۡجَارِ ذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡجَارِ ٱلۡجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلۡجَنۢبِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخۡتَالٗا فَخُورًا ٣٦
Waʿbudullāha wa lā tushrikū bihī shayʾā, wabil-wālidayni iḥsānaw wabidhil-qurbā wal-yatāmā wal-masākīni wal-jāri dhil-qurbā wal-jāril-junubi waṣ-ṣāḥibi bil-janbi wabnis-sabīli wa mā malakat aymānukum, innallāha lā yuḥibbu man kāna mukhtālan fakhūrā.
Worship Allāh and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side,1 the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allāh does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful,
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., those whose acquaintance you have made. Also interpreted as the wife.
۞ قُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ أَتۡلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡۖ أَلَّا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنٗاۖ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَكُم مِّنۡ إِمۡلَٰقٖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُكُمۡ وَإِيَّاهُمۡۖ وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلۡفَوَٰحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا وَمَا بَطَنَۖ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ ١٥١
Qul taʿālaw atlu mā ḥarrama rabbukum ʿalaykum, allā tushrikū bihī shayʾā, wabil-wālidayni iḥsānā, wa lā taqtulū awlādakum min imlāqin naḥnu narzuqukum wa iyyāhum, wa lā taqrabul-fawāḥisha mā ẓahara minhā wa mā baṭan, wa lā taqtulun-nafsal-latī ḥarramallāhu illā bil-ḥaqq, dhālikum waṣṣākum bihī laʿallakum taʿqilūn.
Say, "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allāh has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason."
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡكَيۡلَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۖ وَإِذَا قُلۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡدِلُواْ وَلَوۡ كَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰۖ وَبِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡفُواْۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ ١٥٢
Wa lā taqrabū mālal-yatīmi illā bil-latī hiya aḥsanu ḥattā yablugha ashuddah, wa awful-kayla wal-mīzāna bil-qisṭ, lā nukallifu nafsan illā wusʿahā, wa idhā qultum faʿdilū wa law kāna dhā qurbā, wabiʿahdillāhi awfū, dhālikum waṣṣākum bihī laʿallakum tadhakkarūn.
And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best [i.e., intending improvement] until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you speak [i.e., testify], be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allāh fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.
خُذِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ ١٩٩
Khudhil-ʿafwa waʾmur bil-ʿurfi wa aʿriḍ ʿanil-jāhilīn.
Take what is given freely,1 enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.
Footnotes (1)
- From the dispositions of men or from their wealth. In other words, be easy in dealing with them and avoid causing them difficulty.
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَٰنِ وَإِيتَآيِٕ ذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَيَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَٱلۡبَغۡيِۚ يَعِظُكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ ٩٠
Innallāha yaʾmuru bil-ʿadli wal-iḥsāni wa ītāʾi dhil-qurbā wa yanhā ʿanil-faḥshāʾi wal-munkari wal-baghy, yaʿiẓukum laʿallakum tadhakkarūn.
Indeed, Allāh orders justice and good conduct and giving [help] to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.
Commands and prohibitions in Surah al-Isra
۞ وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنًاۚ إِمَّا يَبۡلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلۡكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوۡ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفّٖ وَلَا تَنۡهَرۡهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوۡلٗا كَرِيمٗا ٢٣
Wa qaḍā rabbuka allā taʿbudū illā iyyāhu wabil-wālidayni iḥsānā, immā yablughanna ʿindakal-kibara aḥaduhumā aw kilāhumā falā taqul lahumā uffiw wa lā tanharhumā wa qul lahumā qawlan karīmā.
And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff,"1 and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.
Footnotes (1)
- An expression of disapproval or irritation.
وَٱخۡفِضۡ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحۡمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرۡحَمۡهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرٗا ٢٤
Wakhfiḍ lahumā janāḥadh-dhulli minar-raḥmati wa qul rabbirḥamhumā kamā rabbayānī ṣaghīrā.
And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."
رَّبُّكُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا فِي نُفُوسِكُمۡۚ إِن تَكُونُواْ صَٰلِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لِلۡأَوَّٰبِينَ غَفُورٗا ٢٥
Rabbukum aʿlamu bimā fī nufūsikum, in takūnū ṣāliḥīna fa innahū kāna lil-awwābīna ghafūrā.
Your Lord is most knowing of what is within yourselves. If you should be righteous [in intention] - then indeed He is ever, to the often returning [to Him], Forgiving.1
Footnotes (1)
- For those who intend righteousness, hastening to repent from sins and errors committed through human weakness, Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) promises forgiveness.
وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلۡمِسۡكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرۡ تَبۡذِيرًا ٢٦
Wa āti dhal-qurbā ḥaqqahū wal-miskīna wabnas-sabīli wa lā tubadhdhir tabdhīrā.
And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully.1
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., on that which is unlawful or in disobedience to Allāh.
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓاْ إِخۡوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورٗا ٢٧
Innal-mubadhdhirīna kānū ikhwānash-shayāṭīn, wa kānash-shayṭānu lirabbihī kafūrā.
Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.
وَإِمَّا تُعۡرِضَنَّ عَنۡهُمُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ رَحۡمَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرۡجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمۡ قَوۡلٗا مَّيۡسُورٗا ٢٨
Wa immā tuʿriḍanna ʿanhumubtighāʾa raḥmatim mir rabbika tarjūhā faqul lahum qawlam maysūrā.
And if you [must] turn away from them [i.e., the needy] awaiting mercy from your Lord which you expect,1 then speak to them a gentle word.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., if you have not the means to give them at present.
وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ يَدَكَ مَغۡلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبۡسُطۡهَا كُلَّ ٱلۡبَسۡطِ فَتَقۡعُدَ مَلُومٗا مَّحۡسُورًا ٢٩
Wa lā tajʿal yadaka maghlūlatan ilā ʿunuqika wa lā tabsuṭhā kullal-basṭi fataqʿuda malūmam maḥsūrā.
And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck1 or extend it completely2 and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.
Footnotes (2)
- i.e., refusing to spend.
- i.e., being extravagant.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرَۢا بَصِيرٗا ٣٠
Inna rabbaka yabsuṭur-rizqa limay yashāʾu wa yaqdir, innahū kāna biʿibādihī khabīram baṣīrā.
Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, Aware and Seeing.
وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَكُمۡ خَشۡيَةَ إِمۡلَٰقٖۖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُهُمۡ وَإِيَّاكُمۡۚ إِنَّ قَتۡلَهُمۡ كَانَ خِطۡـٔٗا كَبِيرٗا ٣١
Wa lā taqtulū awlādakum khashyata imlāq, naḥnu narzuquhum wa iyyākum, inna qatlahum kāna khiṭʾan kabīrā.
And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin.
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةٗ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلٗا ٣٢
Wa lā taqrabuz-zinā, innahū kāna fāḥishataw wa sāʾa sabīlā.
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse.1 Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., avoid all situations that might possibly lead to it.
وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظۡلُومٗا فَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلۡطَٰنٗا فَلَا يُسۡرِف فِّي ٱلۡقَتۡلِۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورٗا ٣٣
Wa lā taqtulun-nafsal-latī ḥarramallāhu illā bil-ḥaqq, wa man qutila maẓlūman faqad jaʿalnā liwaliyyihī sulṭānan falā yusrif fil-qatl, innahū kāna manṣūrā.
And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right.1 And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority,2 but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].
Footnotes (2)
- i.e., through legal justice or during jihād.
- Grounds for legal action.
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعَهۡدِۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَهۡدَ كَانَ مَسۡـُٔولٗا ٣٤
Wa lā taqrabū mālal-yatīmi illā bil-latī hiya aḥsanu ḥattā yablugha ashuddah, wa awfū bil-ʿahd, innal-ʿahda kāna masʾūlā.
And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best,1 until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., to improve or increase it.
وَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡكَيۡلَ إِذَا كِلۡتُمۡ وَزِنُواْ بِٱلۡقِسۡطَاسِ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمِۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيۡرٞ وَأَحۡسَنُ تَأۡوِيلٗا ٣٥
Wa awful-kayla idhā kiltum wazinū bil-qisṭāsil-mustaqīm, dhālika khayruw wa aḥsanu taʾwīlā.
And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even [i.e., honest] balance. That is the best [way] and best in result.
وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولٗا ٣٦
Wa lā taqfu mā laysa laka bihī ʿilm, innas-samʿa wal-baṣara wal-fuʾāda kullu ulāʾika kāna ʿanhu masʾūlā.
And do not pursue1 that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., do not assume and do not say.
وَلَا تَمۡشِ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَحًاۖ إِنَّكَ لَن تَخۡرِقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَلَن تَبۡلُغَ ٱلۡجِبَالَ طُولٗا ٣٧
Wa lā tamshi fil-arḍi maraḥā, innaka lan takhriqal-arḍa wa lan tablughal-jibāla ṭūlā.
And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.1
Footnotes (1)
- Man, for all his arrogance, is yet a weak and small creature.
Traits of the servants of the Most Merciful
وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمۡشُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هَوۡنٗا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلۡجَٰهِلُونَ قَالُواْ سَلَٰمٗا ٦٣
Wa ʿibādur-raḥmānil-ladhīna yamshūna ʿalal-arḍi hawnaw wa idhā khāṭabahumul-jāhilūna qālū salāmā.
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily,1 and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace,2
Footnotes (2)
- i.e., gently, with dignity but without arrogance.
- Or "safety," i.e., words free from fault or evil.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمۡ سُجَّدٗا وَقِيَٰمٗا ٦٤
Wal-ladhīna yabītūna lirabbihim sujjadaw wa qiyāmā.
And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱصۡرِفۡ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا ٦٥
Wal-ladhīna yaqūlūna rabbanaṣrif ʿannā ʿadhāba jahannam, inna ʿadhābahā kāna gharāmā.
And those who say, "Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering;
إِنَّهَا سَآءَتۡ مُسۡتَقَرّٗا وَمُقَامٗا ٦٦
Innahā sāʾat mustaqarraw wa muqāmā.
Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence."
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُواْ لَمۡ يُسۡرِفُواْ وَلَمۡ يَقۡتُرُواْ وَكَانَ بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامٗا ٦٧
Wal-ladhīna idhā anfaqū lam yusrifū wa lam yaqturū wa kāna bayna dhālika qawāmā.
And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate
وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدۡعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَزۡنُونَۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ يَلۡقَ أَثَامٗا ٦٨
Wal-ladhīna lā yadʿūna maʿallāhi ilāhan ākhara wa lā yaqtulūnan-nafsal-latī ḥarramallāhu illā bil-ḥaqqi wa lā yaznūn, wa may yafʿal dhālika yalqa athāmā.
And those who do not invoke1 with Allāh another deity or kill the soul which Allāh has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.
Footnotes (1)
- Or "worship."
وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشۡهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّواْ بِٱللَّغۡوِ مَرُّواْ كِرَامٗا ٧٢
Wal-ladhīna lā yashhadūnaz-zūra wa idhā marrū bil-laghwi marrū kirāmā.
And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمۡ لَمۡ يَخِرُّواْ عَلَيۡهَا صُمّٗا وَعُمۡيَانٗا ٧٣
Wal-ladhīna idhā dhukkirū biʾāyāti rabbihim lam yakhirrū ʿalayhā ṣummaw wa ʿumyānā.
And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنٖ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ٧٤
Wal-ladhīna yaqūlūna rabbanā hab lanā min azwājinā wa dhurriyyātinā qurrata aʿyuniw wajʿalnā lil-muttaqīna imāmā.
And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes1 and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous."
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., a source of happiness due to their righteousness.
Luqman's counsel to his son
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا لُقۡمَٰنَ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ أَنِ ٱشۡكُرۡ لِلَّهِۚ وَمَن يَشۡكُرۡ فَإِنَّمَا يَشۡكُرُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٞ ١٢
Wa laqad ātaynā luqmānal-ḥikmata anishkur lillāh, wa may yashkur fa innamā yashkuru linafsih, wa man kafara fa innallāha ghaniyyun ḥamīd.
And We had certainly given Luqmān wisdom [and said], "Be grateful to Allāh." And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allāh is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
وَإِذۡ قَالَ لُقۡمَٰنُ لِٱبۡنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَٰبُنَيَّ لَا تُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٞ ١٣
Wa idh qāla luqmānu libnihī wa huwa yaʿiẓuhū yābunayya lā tushrik billāh, innash-shirka laẓulmun ʿaẓīm.
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Luqmān said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allāh. Indeed, association [with Him] is great injustice."
وَوَصَّيۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيۡهِ حَمَلَتۡهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهۡنًا عَلَىٰ وَهۡنٖ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ فِي عَامَيۡنِ أَنِ ٱشۡكُرۡ لِي وَلِوَٰلِدَيۡكَ إِلَيَّ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ ١٤
Wa waṣṣaynal-insāna biwālidayhi ḥamalathu ummuhū wahnan ʿalā wahniw wa fiṣāluhū fī ʿāmayni anishkur lī waliwālidayka ilayyal-maṣīr.
And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.
وَإِن جَٰهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُشۡرِكَ بِي مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞ فَلَا تُطِعۡهُمَاۖ وَصَاحِبۡهُمَا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَعۡرُوفٗاۖ وَٱتَّبِعۡ سَبِيلَ مَنۡ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّۚ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ ١٥
Wa in jāhadāka ʿalā an tushrika bī mā laysa laka bihī ʿilmun falā tuṭiʿhumā, wa ṣāḥibhumā fid-dunyā maʿrūfā, wattabiʿ sabīla man anāba ilayy, thumma ilayya marjiʿukum fa unabbiʾukum bimā kuntum taʿmalūn.
But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge,1 do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
Footnotes (1)
- See footnote to 29:8.
يَٰبُنَيَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٖ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٖ فَتَكُن فِي صَخۡرَةٍ أَوۡ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ أَوۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَأۡتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٞ ١٦
Yābunayya innahā in taku mithqāla ḥabbatim min khardalin fatakun fī ṣakhratin aw fis-samāwāti aw fil-arḍi yaʾti bihallāh, innallāha laṭīfun khabīr.
[And Luqmān said], "O my son, indeed if it [i.e., a wrong] should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allāh will bring it forth. Indeed, Allāh is Subtle1 and Aware.
Footnotes (1)
- Refer to footnote of 6:103.
يَٰبُنَيَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَٱنۡهَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ ١٧
Yābunayya aqimiṣ-ṣalāta waʾmur bil-maʿrūfi wanha ʿanil-munkari waṣbir ʿalā mā aṣābak, inna dhālika min ʿazmil-umūr.
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] resolve.1
Footnotes (1)
- For the reason that they are enjoined by Allāh.
وَلَا تُصَعِّرۡ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمۡشِ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَحًاۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخۡتَالٖ فَخُورٖ ١٨
Wa lā tuṣaʿʿir khaddaka lin-nāsi wa lā tamshi fil-arḍi maraḥā, innallāha lā yuḥibbu kulla mukhtālin fakhūr.
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people1 and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allāh does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.
Footnotes (1)
- Rather, respect them by directing your face and attention to them.
وَٱقۡصِدۡ فِي مَشۡيِكَ وَٱغۡضُضۡ مِن صَوۡتِكَۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلۡأَصۡوَٰتِ لَصَوۡتُ ٱلۡحَمِيرِ ١٩
Waqṣid fī mashyika waghḍuḍ min ṣawtik, inna ankaral-aṣwāti laṣawtul-ḥamīr.
And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."
Traits of the believers: forgiving, consulting and defending themselves justly
فَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيۡءٖ فَمَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ٣٦
Famā ūtītum min shayʾin famatāʿul-ḥayātid-dunyā, wa mā ʿindallāhi khayruw wa abqā lil-ladhīna āmanū wa ʿalā rabbihim yatawakkalūn.
So whatever thing you have been given - it is but [for] enjoyment of the worldly life. But what is with Allāh is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَٰٓئِرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٰحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ ٣٧
Wal-ladhīna yajtanibūna kabāʾiral-ithmi wal-fawāḥisha wa idhā mā ghaḍibū hum yaghfirūn.
And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive,
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لِرَبِّهِمۡ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَمۡرُهُمۡ شُورَىٰ بَيۡنَهُمۡ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ ٣٨
Wal-ladhīnastajābū lirabbihim wa aqāmuṣ-ṣalāta wa amruhum shūrā baynahum wa mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn.
And those who have responded to their Lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend,
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَابَهُمُ ٱلۡبَغۡيُ هُمۡ يَنتَصِرُونَ ٣٩
Wal-ladhīna idhā aṣābahumul-baghyu hum yantaṣirūn.
And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they retaliate [in a just manner].1
Footnotes (1)
- Restoring their rights and not allowing aggressors to take advantage of them out of weakness.
وَجَزَٰٓؤُاْ سَيِّئَةٖ سَيِّئَةٞ مِّثۡلُهَاۖ فَمَنۡ عَفَا وَأَصۡلَحَ فَأَجۡرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ ٤٠
Wa jazāʾu sayyiʾatin sayyiʾatum mithluhā, faman ʿafā wa aṣlaḥa fa ajruhū ʿalallāh, innahū lā yuḥibbuẓ-ẓālimīn.
And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allāh. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.
وَلَمَنِ ٱنتَصَرَ بَعۡدَ ظُلۡمِهِۦ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ مَا عَلَيۡهِم مِّن سَبِيلٍ ٤١
Wa lamanintaṣara baʿda ẓulmihī fa ulāʾika mā ʿalayhim min sabīl.
And whoever retaliates after having been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame].
إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَظۡلِمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَيَبۡغُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ ٤٢
Innamas-sabīlu ʿalal-ladhīna yaẓlimūnan-nāsa wa yabghūna fil-arḍi bighayril-ḥaqq, ulāʾika lahum ʿadhābun alīm.
The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment.
وَلَمَن صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ ٤٣
Wa laman ṣabara wa ghafara inna dhālika lamin ʿazmil-umūr.
And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.1
Footnotes (1)
- On the part of those seeking the reward of Allāh.