سُوْرَةُ لُقْمَانَ
Surah Luqman (31) — Ayah 18
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ ﴿18﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
"And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allâh likes not any arrogant boaster.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَا
walā
And (do) not
تُصَعِّرْ
tuṣaʿʿir
turn
خَدَّكَ
khaddaka
your cheek
لِلنَّاسِ
lilnnāsi
from men
وَلَا
walā
and (do) not
تَمْشِ
tamshi
walk
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the earth
مَرَحًا ۖ
maraḥan
exultantly
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
لَا
lā
(does) not
يُحِبُّ
yuḥibbu
like
كُلَّ
kulla
every
مُخْتَالٍۢ
mukh'tālin
self-conceited
فَخُورٍۢ
fakhūrin
boaster
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 18) ➊ {وَ لَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ : ’’صَعَرٌ‘‘} A disease that affects camels, causing them to keep their necks turned to one side. Here, the verb form “tafe’il” is used to indicate affectation, meaning to deliberately keep one’s face turned to one side. This style is used to express contempt. ‘Amr bin Hunayy Taghlibi addressed some of his kings, saying:
{وَ كُنَّا إِذَا الْجَبَّارُ صَعَّرَ خَدَّهُ ¤ أَقَمْنَا لَهُ مِنْ مَيْلِهِ فَتَقَوَّمَا}
“And we were such that when any tyrant twisted his cheek, we straightened his twist, so you too straighten yourself.” ({فَتَقَوَّمَا} is an imperative form (Abu Ubaid), and the final alif is for prolongation.)
➋ After advising about rulings, Luqman (peace be upon him) gave some instructions regarding manners and character. He said: Do not turn your cheek away from people, meaning do not treat them with contempt as arrogant and proud people do, but adopt humility and gentleness, as is the way of wise people. Forbidding this manner of contempt also includes, even more so, forbidding contempt through the tongue or hand. This is similar to the statement: « {فَلَا تَقُلْ لَّهُمَاۤ اُفٍّ} » [ بني إسرائیل : ۲۳ ] “Do not say ‘uff’ to your parents.” The intent is to prohibit causing any kind of harm.
➌ {وَ لَا تَمْشِ فِي الْاَرْضِ مَرَحًا :} Here is a question: walking is done only on the earth, so what is the wisdom in mentioning it specifically? The answer is that, like all people, your origin is from this earth, you will be buried in it, and all other people also walk on this earth. Then how does it befit you to consider others inferior and yourself superior to them, and to walk arrogantly? (And Allah knows best.) In Surah Bani Isra’il (37), this subject is explained in more detail.
➍ {اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُوْرٍ :} For its explanation, see Surah An-Nisa (36).
{وَ كُنَّا إِذَا الْجَبَّارُ صَعَّرَ خَدَّهُ ¤ أَقَمْنَا لَهُ مِنْ مَيْلِهِ فَتَقَوَّمَا}
“And we were such that when any tyrant twisted his cheek, we straightened his twist, so you too straighten yourself.” ({فَتَقَوَّمَا} is an imperative form (Abu Ubaid), and the final alif is for prolongation.)
➋ After advising about rulings, Luqman (peace be upon him) gave some instructions regarding manners and character. He said: Do not turn your cheek away from people, meaning do not treat them with contempt as arrogant and proud people do, but adopt humility and gentleness, as is the way of wise people. Forbidding this manner of contempt also includes, even more so, forbidding contempt through the tongue or hand. This is similar to the statement: « {فَلَا تَقُلْ لَّهُمَاۤ اُفٍّ} » [ بني إسرائیل : ۲۳ ] “Do not say ‘uff’ to your parents.” The intent is to prohibit causing any kind of harm.
➌ {وَ لَا تَمْشِ فِي الْاَرْضِ مَرَحًا :} Here is a question: walking is done only on the earth, so what is the wisdom in mentioning it specifically? The answer is that, like all people, your origin is from this earth, you will be buried in it, and all other people also walk on this earth. Then how does it befit you to consider others inferior and yourself superior to them, and to walk arrogantly? (And Allah knows best.) In Surah Bani Isra’il (37), this subject is explained in more detail.
➍ {اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُوْرٍ :} For its explanation, see Surah An-Nisa (36).
