An-Nur 24:53
The Light · Medinan · Juz 18 · Page 356
Do Not Swear
۞وَأَقۡسَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ جَهۡدَ أَيۡمَٰنِهِمۡ لَئِنۡ أَمَرۡتَهُمۡ لَيَخۡرُجُنَّۖ قُل لَّا تُقۡسِمُواْۖ طَاعَةࣱ مَّعۡرُوفَةٌۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ ٥٣
They swear by Allah solemnly that, if thou order them, they will go forth. Say: Swear not; known obedience (is better). Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
They swore their strongest oaths; say: “Do not swear; known obedience is better.”
Insight
According to Elmalılı, the strongest oath is by Allah; yet they swore only to appear obedient.
Reflect
Instead of swearing, show obedience through action.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›