سورة النِّسَاء
Surah Al-Nisâ’ 4:86
The Women · Verse 86 of 176
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُمْ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا
Abdul Mannan Omar
And whenever you are greeted with a prayer greet you with a better prayer or (at least) return the same. Verily, Allâh takes account of everything.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.
Ahmed Ali
When you are greeted with a greeting, then greet with one fairer, or repeat the same greeting. For God takes account of all things.
12 more translations
Ali Unal
When (whether traveling or at home, or in war or at peace) you are greeted with a greeting (of peace and goodwill), answer with one better, or (at least) with the same. Surely God keeps account of all things.
Daryabadi
And when ye are greeted with a greeting, then greet back with one better than that or return that; verily Allah is of everything the Reckoner.
Faridul Haque
And when you are greeted with some words, greet back with words better than it or with the same; indeed Allah will take account of everything.
Maulana Muhammad Ali
And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it, or return it. Surely Allah ever takes account of all things.
Maulvi Sher Ali
And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet ye with a better greeting or at least return it. Surely ALLAH takes account of all things.
Muhammad Asad
But when you are greeted with a greeting [of peace], answer with an even better greeting, or [at least] with the like thereof. Verily, God keeps count indeed of all things.
Muhammad Musin Khan
When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things.
Muhammad Pickthall
When ye are greeted with a greeting, greet ye with a better than it or return it. Lo! Allah taketh count of all things.
Muhammad Sarwar
Answer a greeting in kinder words than those said to you in the greeting or at least as kind. God keeps account of all things.
Muhammed ali Shakir
And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with a better (greeting) than it or return it; surely Allah takes account of all things.
Rashad Khalifa
When greeted with a greeting, you shall respond with a better greeting or at least an equal one. GOD reckons all things.
Shabbir Ahmed
When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in a better manner or return with similar regards. God reckons all things.
Commentary 4:86 Huyyîtum حُيِّيتُم, Tahayyatuتَحِيَّةٍ and Hayyû حَيُّوا are derived from hayya حيٌ that has a broad meaning (see 2:258; 2:260; 3:49). Here it can mean to…
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ
4:86 Huyyîtum حُيِّيتُم, Tahayyatuتَحِيَّةٍ and Hayyû حَيُّوا are derived from hayya حيٌ that has a broad meaning (see 2:258; 2:260; 3:49). Here it can mean to greet a person, treat a person well, or do good to a person. In verse 11:69, we see a practical example of how Abraham replied to the greeting salâman سلاماً with a better greeting of salâmun سلامٌ, which according to Arabic grammar is a higher form. The verse suggests that if someone does well towards a person, the beneficiary should attempt to repay the kindness, if possible, in a better form.