سُوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ
Surah Al-Muminoon (23) — Ayah 96
ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ ۚ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ ﴿96﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Repel evil with that which is better. We are Best-Acquainted with the things they utter.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱدْفَعْ
id'faʿ
Repel
بِٱلَّتِى
bi-allatī
by that
هِىَ
hiya
which
أَحْسَنُ
aḥsanu
(is) best
ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ ۚ
l-sayi-ata
the evil
نَحْنُ
naḥnu
We
أَعْلَمُ
aʿlamu
know best
بِمَا
bimā
of what
يَصِفُونَ
yaṣifūna
they attribute
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
96. Respond with what is best [93], for We know well what they say.
[93] That is, although We have the power to make them taste the punishment We have promised them even during your lifetime, yet that time has not come. For now, the best strategy for you is to respond to the bad behavior and unpleasant, bitter words of these polytheists with goodness. There are still many among them for whom guidance has been destined. In terms of the context, this is the meaning intended here as explained above. However, for the caller to truth, this is an extremely valuable principle, and its result is always pleasant. The Quran has stated this same principle at another place as follows: Respond to evil with that which is better; thus, your enemy will become your close friend. [41: 34]
Furthermore, this sentence is a universal truth, the pleasant effects of which every person, in every situation and every era, has experienced and can continue to benefit from. It should also be remembered that although this principle is as beneficial as it is, acting upon it is equally difficult. It is not something everyone can do; only a person of determination can act upon it.
[93] That is, although We have the power to make them taste the punishment We have promised them even during your lifetime, yet that time has not come. For now, the best strategy for you is to respond to the bad behavior and unpleasant, bitter words of these polytheists with goodness. There are still many among them for whom guidance has been destined. In terms of the context, this is the meaning intended here as explained above. However, for the caller to truth, this is an extremely valuable principle, and its result is always pleasant. The Quran has stated this same principle at another place as follows: Respond to evil with that which is better; thus, your enemy will become your close friend. [41: 34]
Furthermore, this sentence is a universal truth, the pleasant effects of which every person, in every situation and every era, has experienced and can continue to benefit from. It should also be remembered that although this principle is as beneficial as it is, acting upon it is equally difficult. It is not something everyone can do; only a person of determination can act upon it.
