Al-Qur'an Surah Luqman Verse 6

Mufti Taqi Usmani

There is a man among the people who buys discourses of distracting amusements, so that he may mislead (people) from the Way of Allah, and make a mockery of it. For such people there is a disgraceful punishment.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

But there are some who employ theatrics,[[ Some pagan Arabs used to utilize singing, dancing, chanting, etc. to distract people’s attention from listening to the recitation of the Quran. ]] only to lead others away from Allah’s Way—without any knowledge—and to make a mockery of it. They will suffer a humiliating punishment.

Ruwwad Translation Center

There are some among people who engage in a discourse of amusements in order to lead people away from the way of Allah without knowledge, and to make mockery of it. For such there will be a humiliating punishment.

A. J. Arberry

Some men there are who buy diverting talk to lead astray from the way of God without knowledge, and to take it in mockery; those -- there awaits them a humbling chastisement.

Abdul Haleem

But there is the sort of person who pays for distracting tales, intending, without any knowledge, to lead others from God’s way, and to hold it up to ridicule. There will be humiliating torment for him!

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And of mankind is one who purchaseth an idle discourse, that he may mislead from Allah's way without knowledge, and taketh it by way of mockery. These! for them shall be a torment ignominious.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge (or meaning), to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the Path); for such there will be a Humiliating Penalty.

Abul Ala Maududi

There are some human beings who purchase an enchanting diversion in order to lead people away from the way of Allah without having any knowledge, who hold the call to the Way of Allah to ridicule. A humiliating chastisement awaits them.

Ahmed Ali

But among men are also those who spread frivolous stories to mislead (others) from the way of God, without any knowledge, and take it lightly. For such as these the nemesis will be shameful.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And some people buy words of play, in order to mislead from Allah’s path, without knowledge; and to make it an article of mockery; for them is a disgraceful punishment.

Ali Quli Qarai

Among the people is he who buys diversionary talk that he may lead [people] astray from Allah’s way without any knowledge, and he takes it in derision. For such there is a humiliating punishment.

Ali Ünal

Among the people is one who pays for idle tales and diverting talk to lead people astray from (the Qur’an, which is) God’s way, without knowledge, and makes a mockery of it (the Qur’an). For such (a man) there is a shameful, humiliating punishment.

Amatul Rahman Omar

(On the other hand) there are some people who follow ways of causing diversion (from guidance), with the result that they, in their ignorance, lead (people) astray from Allâh´s path and treat it (- Allâh´s path) as something of least importance. A humiliating punishment awaits such people.

English Literal

And from the people who buys the information`s/speeches` amusement/fun to misguide from God`s way/path without knowledge, and He takes it mockingly/making fun, those, for them (is) a humiliating/degrading torture.

Faridul Haque

And some people buy words of play, in order to mislead from Allah’s path, without knowledge; and to make it an article of mockery; for them is a disgraceful punishment.

Hamid S. Aziz

These are in true guidance from their Lord, and these are the Successful.

Hilali & Khan

And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allah, the Verses of the Quran) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Who keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and who are certain of the Hereafter.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And of men is he who takes instead frivolous discourse to lead astray from Allah's path without knowledge, and to take it for a mockery; these shall have an abasing chastisement.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And of mankind is he who payeth for mere pastime of discourse, that he may mislead from Allah's way without knowledge, and maketh it the butt of mockery. For such there is a shameful doom.

Muhammad Sarwar

(In an attempt to show that God's revelations are only ancient legends) some people pay for meaningless tales to draw others attention away from the Quran without knowledge and treat as a matter of fun. They will suffer a humiliating torment.

Qaribullah & Darwish

There are some people who would purchase distracting talk, to lead astray from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and take it in mockery; for those is a humiliating punishment.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk (Lahw Al-Hadith) to mislead from the path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment.

Wahiduddin Khan

But among men there are some who spend their time in idle diversions only to lead people astray from the path of God, and without knowledge, hold it up to ridicule: for such there is a humiliating punishment in store.

Talal Itani

Among the people is he who trades in distracting tales; intending, without knowledge, to lead away from God’s way, and to make a mockery of it. These will have a humiliating punishment.

Tafsir jalalayn

And among people there is he who purchases idle talk, in other words, that [part of it] which diverts [people] from its [true] significance, that he may lead [people] astray (read li-yadilla; or li-yudilla) from the way of God, the religion of Islam, without knowledge and take it (read [subjunctive] wa-yattakhidhah as a supplement to yudilla, `that he may lead astray'; or [indicative] wa-yattakhidhuh as a supplement to yashtar, `who buys') in mockery, as something to be mocked. For such there will be a humiliating chastisement, one of abasement.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Doomed are preoccupied with Idle Talk and They turn away from the Ayat of Allah

Allah says;

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ


And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk (Lahw Al-Hadith) to mislead from the path of Allah without knowledge,

When Allah mentions the blessed -- who are those who are guided by the Book of Allah and benefit from hearing it, as He says;

اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَـباً مُّتَشَـبِهاً مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ

Allah has sent down the Best Statement, a Book, its parts resembling each other (and) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. (39;23)

He connect that with mention of the doomed, those who turn away from the Qur'an and do not benefit from hearing the Words of Allah. Instead, they turn to listening to flutes and singing accompanied by musical instruments. As Ibn Mas`ud commented about the Ayah;

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ


And of mankind is he who purchases Lahu Al-Hadith to mislead (men) from the path of Allah,

he said, "This -- by Allah -- refers to singing."

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ


And of mankind is he who purchases Lahw Al-Hadith to mislead (men) from the path of Allah without knowledge,

Qatadah said;

"By Allah, he may not spend money on it, but his purchasing it means he likes it, and the more misguided he is, the more he likes it and the more he prefers falsehood to the truth and harmful things over beneficial things."

It was said that what is meant by the words
يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيث
(purchases idle talks) is buying singing servant girls.

Ibn Jarir said that it means all speech that hinders people from seeing the signs of Allah and following His path.

His saying;
لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّه
(to mislead (men) from the path of Allah) means,

he does this to oppose Islam and its followers.

وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا


and takes it by way of mockery.

Mujahid said,

"This means mocking the path of Allah and making fun of it."

أُولَيِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ



For such there will be a humiliating torment.

Just as they showed no respect to the signs and path of Allah, so they will be shown no respect on the Day of Resurrection, and they will be subjected to a painful, ongoing torment.

Then Allah says