Tafsir Al-Jalalayn: Fussilat, Ayah 34

Fussilat · Ayah 34 · View Ayah
وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌۭ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌۭ
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.

Common Words

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تستوى1x
ٱلحسنة1x
ٱلسيئة1x
ٱدفع1x
بٱلتى1x
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فإذا1x
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بينك1x
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Al-Jalalayn Commentary

And they are not equal the good deed and the evil deed even with respect to their subdivisions because any number of such good deeds are always above any number of the latter. Repel the evil deed with that in other words with that trait which is better such as repelling anger with endurance ignorance with forbearance and the intention to inflict harm with pardon then behold he between whom and you there was enmity will be as though he were a dear friend in other words then your enemy will become like a close friend in terms of his affection for you if you act in such a way alladhī ‘he … whom’ is the subject; ka-annahu ‘as though’ is the predicate; idhā is an adverbial particle for expressing the comparative import.

Other Scholars on This Ayah

Tafsir

76%43%48%Al-JalalaynIbn AbbasIbn Kathir
Scholars offer complementary perspectives

(The good deed) the call to Allah's divine Oneness by the Prophet (pbuh) (and the evil deed are not alike) and the call to idolatry by Abu Jahl are not alike; it is also said that this means: the testimony that there is no deity save Allah and ascribing partners to Allah are not alike. (Repel) O Muhammad, lest he tries, (the evil deed) idolatry from Abu Jahl (with one which is better) with " there is no deity save Allah " ; it is also said that this means: repel evil from Abu Jahl with that which is better, i.e. with good words, greetings and kindness, if you do that (then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity) regarding religion, i.e. Abu Jahl ((will become) as though he was a bosom friend) as though he is of the same religion or a close relative.

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