Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Isra Verse 28

Mufti Taqi Usmani

And if you turn away from them looking for a bounty from your Lord you are expecting, then speak to them in polite words.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

But if you must turn them down ˹because you lack the means to give˺—while hoping to receive your Lord’s bounty—then ˹at least˺ give them a kind word.

Ruwwad Translation Center

But if you must turn away from them [those in need] while hoping to receive bounty from your Lord, then say to them words of comfort.

A. J. Arberry

But if thou turnest from them, seeking mercy from thy Lord that thou hopest for, then speak unto them gentle words.

Abdul Haleem

but if, while seeking some bounty that you expect from your Lord, you turn them down, then at least speak some word of comfort to them.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And if thou turnest away from them awaiting a mercy from thy Lord which thou hopest, then speak unto them a gentle speech.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

And even if thou hast to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from thy Lord which thou dost expect, yet speak to them a word of easy kindness.

Abul Ala Maududi

(v) And when you must turn away from them - (that is, from the destitute, the near of kin, the needy, and the wayfarer) - in pursuit of God's Mercy which you expect to receive, then speak to them kindly.

Ahmed Ali

If you neglect (your parents) while seeking the bounty of your Lord, of which you are hopeful, speak to them softly.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And if you turn away from these*, expecting the mercy of your Lord, for which you hope, then speak to them an easy word. (* The companions of the Holy Prophet, who sought his assistance.)

Ali Quli Qarai

And if you have to hold off from [assisting] them [for now], seeking your Lord’s mercy which you expect [in the future], speak to them gentle words.

Ali Ünal

But if you (must) turn away from those (who are in need, because you are yourself in need, and) seeking mercy from your Lord in hopeful expectation, then (at least) speak to them gently and well-meaning.

Amatul Rahman Omar

If you have to turn away from them seeking the mercy from your Lord that you hope for, even then speak to them a kind word.

English Literal

And If/whenever you object/turn away (E) from them asking/desiring mercy you hope/expect for it from your Lord, so say to them: "An easy/little saying/word ."192

Faridul Haque

And if you turn away from these *, expecting the mercy of your Lord, for which you hope, then speak to them an easy word. (* The companions of the Holy Prophet, who sought his assistance.)

Hamid S. Aziz

But if you do turn away from them to seek after mercy from your Lord, which you hope for, then speak to them in easy words (kindly and reasonably).

Hilali & Khan

And if you (O Muhammad SAW) turn away from them (kindred, poor, wayfarer, etc. 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 unto them a soft kind word (i.e. Allah will give me and I shall give you).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Surely the squanderers are the devil’s brethren. And the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And if you turn away from them to seek mercy from your Lord, which you hope for, speak to them a gentle word.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

But if thou turn away from them, seeking mercy from thy Lord, for which thou hopest, then speak unto them a reasonable word.

Muhammad Sarwar

If you are not able to assist them, at least speak to them in a kind manner.

Qaribullah & Darwish

But if you turn away from them to seek the Mercy of your Lord, hoping to attain it, then speak to them with gentle words.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And if you turn away from them and you are awaiting a mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then, speak unto them a soft, kind word.

Wahiduddin Khan

but if, while waiting for your Lord's bounty which you are expecting, you turn them down, then at least speak to them kindly.

Talal Itani

But if you turn away from them, seeking mercy from your Lord which you hope for, then say to them words of comfort.

Tafsir jalalayn

But if you [have to] overlook them, that is, the kinsmen and the others mentioned, and do not give to them, seeking mercy from your Lord, [a mercy] which you expect [in the future], that is, [you do not give to them] because of a request for provision which you are waiting to come to you [from your Lord], before you give to them, then speak to them gentle words, pleasant and reasonable [words], promising them that you will give to them when the provision [from God] arrives.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ابْتِغَاء رَحْمَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ

And if you turn away from them and you are awaiting a mercy from your Lord,

`If your relatives and those to whom We have commanded you to give, ask you for something, and you do not have anything, and you turn away from them because you have nothing to give,

تَرْجُوهَا

for which you hope,

i.e. a mercy from your Lord,

فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلاً مَّيْسُورًا



then, speak unto them a soft, kind word.

meaning, with a promise.

This was the opinion of Mujahid, Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Al-Hasan, Qatadah and others