Al-Isra · Makki · ayah 28 of 111

Al-Isra 17:28

وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ رَحْمَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّيْسُورًا

“And if you [must] turn away from them [i.e., the needy] awaiting mercy from your Lord which you expect,[738] then speak to them a gentle word.”

Saheeh International

Essence

When you have nothing to give, do not turn your face away in silence; give a gentle word, and keep hoping in your Lord's provision.

A reflection

When he had nothing to give

Picture the scene one commentary preserves. Bilal, Suhayb, Khabbab and others among the poorest believers come to the Prophet ﷺ. They need things: food, clothing, the basics. Sometimes he has nothing. And when he has nothing, he turns his face aside and says nothing at all.

Why the silence? The commentaries give the reason: ḥayāʾ, shame and delicacy. He could not bear to say no. A Companion later summed up his character in one line. The Messenger of Allah was never once asked for something and answered: no (Sahih Muslim). When giving was impossible, silence was the only way to avoid the word.

The ayah, on this account, came for exactly that moment. If you must turn away from them, seeking a mercy from your Lord that you hope for, then speak to them a gentle word. Do not leave them with silence. Give them speech.

It is a striking thing to be taught. The most generous of people is told that even his gentle silence can be improved upon. Silence protects the giver's feelings. It leaves the asker guessing. Was he angry? Did I offend him? Will he ever help? Another report, tied to a different occasion, has a group who came asking for mounts leave in tears. They feared his refusal came from displeasure. Speech would have told them otherwise.

The reports about the occasion differ, and one commentator notes a difficulty: some describe events after this Makki surah came down. But the lesson does not depend on any one report. Silence, however kind its motive, is not the kindest answer.

Most of us know the urge. A friend asks for help we cannot give, and we leave the message unread for days. We tell ourselves it is gentler than saying no. The ayah disagrees.

The full entry has 6 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.