سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 28
وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ رَحْمَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّيْسُورًا ﴿28﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And if you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) turn away from them (kindred, poor, 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 unto them a soft kind word (i.e. Allâh will give me and I shall give you).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِمَّا
wa-immā
And if
تُعْرِضَنَّ
tuʿ'riḍanna
you turn away
عَنْهُمُ
ʿanhumu
from them
ٱبْتِغَآءَ
ib'tighāa
seeking
رَحْمَةٍۢ
raḥmatin
mercy
مِّن
min
from
رَّبِّكَ
rabbika
your Lord
تَرْجُوهَا
tarjūhā
which you expect
فَقُل
faqul
then say
لَّهُمْ
lahum
to them
قَوْلًۭا
qawlan
a word
مَّيْسُورًۭا
maysūran
gentle
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 28) ➊ {وَ اِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ابْتِغَآءَ رَحْمَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ … :’’ اِمَّا ‘‘ ’’ إِنْ ‘‘} and {’’ مَا ‘‘} are combined, in which { ’’مَا‘‘ ’’إِنْ ‘‘ } is for emphasis, therefore the translation is "if ever," meaning that turning away (showing indifference) from the near of kin, the needy, and the wayfarer out of miserliness is never permissible; it is only permissible in one situation: when you have nothing to give at that time. However, if you hope for Allah’s mercy (lawful and abundant provision) (from which it is never permissible to despair), then apologize to them in words that are gentle and easy. The word {’’ مَيْسُوْرًا ‘‘} generally comes in the passive form, as it is said: {’’ يُسِرَ فُلاَنٌ فَهُوَ مَيْسُوْرٌ، عُسِرَ فُلَانٌ فَهُوَ مَعْسُوْرٌ، نُحِسَ فُلَانٌ فَهُوَ مَنْحُوْسٌ، سُعِدَ فُلاَنٌ فَهُوَ مَسْعُوْدٌ ‘‘}. For further explanation of this verse, see Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261), and to see what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say in such situations, see Surah At-Tawbah, Ayah (9:92).
➋ Al-Mahaimi (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned another meaning: if you turn away from the aforementioned people because in turning away from them you hope for the mercy of your Lord, for example, you know that if you give him wealth, he will spend it on intoxicants, adultery, or some sin, then even in that case, apologize to him gently and courteously. The words of the verse also allow for this meaning.
➋ Al-Mahaimi (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned another meaning: if you turn away from the aforementioned people because in turning away from them you hope for the mercy of your Lord, for example, you know that if you give him wealth, he will spend it on intoxicants, adultery, or some sin, then even in that case, apologize to him gently and courteously. The words of the verse also allow for this meaning.
