Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Isra Verse 23

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and do good to parents. If any one of them or both of them reach old age, do not say to them: uff (a word or expression of anger or contempt) and do not scold them, and address them with respectful words,

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honour your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them ˹even˺ ‘ugh,’ nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully.

Ruwwad Translation Center

Your Lord has ordained that you worship none but Him, and show kindness to parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, do not say to them a word of annoyance nor scold them, rather speak to them noble words,

A. J. Arberry

Thy Lord has decreed you shall not serve any but Him, and to be good to parents, whether one or both of them attains old age with thee; say not to them 'Fie' neither chide them, but speak unto them words respectful,

Abdul Haleem

Your Lord has commanded that you should worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say no word that shows impatience with them, and do not be harsh with them, but speak to them respectfully

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And thy Lord hath decreed that ye shall Worship none but Him, and unto parents shew kindness; and if either of them or both of them attain old age with thee, Say not unto them: pooh: And browbeat them not, and Speak unto them a respectful speech.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.

Abul Ala Maududi

Your Lord has decreed: (i) Do not worship any but Him; (ii) Be good to your parents; and should both or any one of them attain old age with you, do not say to them even "fie" neither chide them, but speak to them with respect,

Ahmed Ali

"So your Lord has decreed: Do not worship anyone but Him, and be good to your parents. If one or both of them grow old in your presence, do not say fie to them, nor reprove them, but say gentle words to them

Ahmed Raza Khan

And your Lord has ordained that you do not worship anyone except Him, and treat your parents with kindness; if either of them or both reach old age in your presence, do not say “Uff”* to them and do not rebuff them, and speak to them with the utmost respect. (* Any expression of disgust.)

Ali Quli Qarai

Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship anyone except Him, and [He has enjoined] kindness to parents. Should any of them or both reach old age at your side, do not say to them, ‘Fie!’ And do not chide them, but speak to them noble words.

Ali Ünal

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him alone, and treat parents with the best of kindness. Should one of them, or both, attain old age in your lifetime, do not say "Ugh!" to them (as an indication of complaint or impatience), nor push them away, and always address them in gracious words.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Your Lord has enjoined you to worship none but Him and to be good to parents. If either or both attain old age (while living) with you, never say to them, `Fie!´ (- any word expressive of disgust or dislike), nor reproach them (by your action). Rather address them with kind and respectful words (always).

English Literal

And your Lord passed judgment/ordered that you not worship except (only) Him, and with the (B) parents/father and mother a goodness if the old age reaches (E) one of them or both of them at/by/near you ,so do not say to them (B): "Ugh !" And do not deprive/yell at them (B) , and say to them (B) a gracious/kind saying/word.

Faridul Haque

And your Lord has ordained that you do not worship anyone except Him, and treat your parents with kindness; if either of them or both reach old age in your presence, do not say "Uff"* to them and do not rebuff them, and speak to them with the utmost respect. (* Any expression of disgust.)

Hamid S. Aziz

Your Lord has decreed that you serve none other than Him; and that you show kindness to parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, say not unto them, "Fie!", nor repulse them, but speak to them graciously and kindly.

Hilali & Khan

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Associate not any other god with Allah, lest thou sit down despised, forsaken.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him, and (that ye show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not "Fie" unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word.

Muhammad Sarwar

Your Lord has ordained that you must not worship anything other than Him and that you must be kind to your parents. If either or both of your parents should become advanced in age, do not express to them words which show your slightest disappointment. Never yell at them but always speak to them with kindness.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Your Lord has ordered you to worship none except Him, and to be good to your parents. If either or both of them attain old age with you, do not say: "Fieon you", nor rebuke them, but speak to them with words of respect.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And your Lord has Qada [decreed] that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor reprimand them but address them in terms of honor.

Wahiduddin Khan

Your Lord has commanded that you should worship none but Him, and show kindness to your parents. If either or both of them attain old age with you, say no word of contempt to them and do not rebuke them, but always speak gently to them

Talal Itani

Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to your parents. If either of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, nor scold them, but say to them kind words.

Tafsir jalalayn

And your Lord has decreed, He has commanded, that you worship none save Him, and, that you show, kindness to parents, by being dutiful to them. If they should reach old age with you, one of them (ahaduhum is the subject [of the verb]) or both (a variant reading [for yablughanna] has yablughn, `both [should] reach', in which case ahaduhum would be substituting for the [dual indicator] alif [of yablughn]) then do not say to them `Fie' (read uffan or uffin, uffa or uffi, a verbal noun meaning tabban, `perish!' or qubhan, `evil!') nor repulse them, but speak to them gracious words, fair and gentle [words].

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Command to Worship Allah Alone and to be Dutiful to One's Parents

Allah says,

وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ

And your Lord has Qada (decreed) that you worship none but Him.

Allah commands us to worship Him alone, with no partner or associate.

The word Qada (normally having the meaning of decree) here means "commanded".

Mujahid said that;

وَقَضَى
(And He has Qada) means enjoined.

This is also how Ubayy bin Ka`b, Ibn Mas`ud and Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim recited the Ayah as;

وَوَصَّي رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ


"And your Lord has Wassa (enjoined) that you worship none but Him."

The idea of worshipping Allah is connected to the idea of honoring one's parents.

Allah says;

وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا

And that you be dutiful to your parents.

Here He commands good treatment of parents, as He says elsewhere;

أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ الْمَصِيرُ

give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination. (31;14)

إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَهُمَا فَلَ تَقُل لَّهُمَأ أُفٍّ

If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect,

means, do not let them hear anything offensive from you, not even say "Uff!" which is the mildest word of disrespect,

وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا

and do not reprimand them,

means, do not do anything horrible to them.

Ata' bin Rabah said that it meant,

"Do not raise your hand against them."

When Allah forbids speaking and behaving in an obnoxious manner, He commands speaking and behaving in a good manner, so He says;

وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلاً كَرِيمًا



but address them in terms of honor.

meaning gently, kindly, politely, and with respect and appreciation