Surah An-Nisaa 4:86 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 86
Arabic Text
وَاِذَا حُيِّيۡتُمۡ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوۡا بِاَحۡسَنَ مِنۡهَاۤ اَوۡ رُدُّوۡهَاؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ حَسِيۡبًا
Transliteration
Wa-itha huyyeetum bitahiyyatinfahayyoo bi-ahsana minha aw ruddoohainna Allaha kana AAala kulli shay-in haseeba
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
An-Nisa 4:86 establishes the divine etiquette for Islamic greetings and responses, commanding: "When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with better than it or at least return it equally. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant." According to classical Islamic scholarship, 'tahiyyah' originally meant prayers for long life (hayyakallah - may Allah keep you alive), but Islam transformed this into the comprehensive greeting of 'Assalamu Alaikum' meaning 'peace be upon you.' The verse mandates that responding with a better greeting is recommended (mustahabb) while returning equally is obligatory (fard). Authentic hadith from Imam Ahmad records Prophet Muhammad ﷺ demonstrating this: when someone said 'Assalamu Alaikum,' he responded 'Wa alaikumus-salam wa rahmatullah' (adding Allah's mercy), and when they added 'wa rahmatullah,' he responded with 'wa barakatuh' (adding blessings). The Prophet ﷺ said the complete greeting brings thirty rewards, with ten for each component. Ibn Arabi explains that 'Salam' being one of Allah's beautiful names means the greeter places the other under Allah's protection. This Islamic greeting system creates a unique spiritual bond, combining remembrance of Allah, expression of love, prayer for safety, and a commitment that the greeted person is safe from any harm from the greeter.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 86 will be available soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 86
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What is the meaning and significance of Quran 4:86 regarding Islamic greeting etiquette?
An-Nisa 4:86 establishes divine guidelines for Islamic greetings, stating: 'When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with better than it or at least return it equally.' The verse teaches that responding with a better greeting is recommended (mustahabb) while returning equally is obligatory (fard). 'Tahiyyah' originally meant prayers for long life, but Islam transformed this into 'Assalamu Alaikum' (peace be upon you), creating a comprehensive spiritual greeting that combines Allah's remembrance, community bonding, and mutual protection.
❓What are the historical context and circumstances of revelation for this verse about greetings?
This verse was revealed in Madinah as part of Surah An-Nisa's guidance on social conduct and community building. It addressed the need to establish proper Islamic social etiquette distinct from pre-Islamic Arabian customs. Before Islam, Arabs used various greetings like 'hayyakallah' (may Allah keep you alive), but Islam standardized 'Assalamu Alaikum' as the primary Islamic greeting, creating a unique identity for the Muslim community while promoting universal principles of peace and brotherhood.
❓What is the linguistic and spiritual significance of Islamic greetings according to this verse?
The word 'tahiyyah' derives from 'hayya' meaning life, originally expressing prayers for longevity. 'Salam' comes from the root s-l-m meaning safety and peace. Ibn Arabi explains that since 'Salam' is one of Allah's beautiful names, saying 'Assalamu Alaikum' means placing the person under Allah's protection. The greeting creates multiple spiritual dimensions: remembrance of Allah, expression of love, prayer for safety, and a commitment that the greeted person is safe from any harm from the greeter, making it both worship and social bonding.
❓What are the jurisprudential rules and obligations regarding Islamic greeting responses?
Islamic law establishes clear guidelines: (1) Returning a greeting is obligatory (fard) - failing to respond without valid excuse is sinful; (2) Responding with better words is recommended (mustahabb); (3) The complete greeting has three levels: 'Assalamu Alaikum' (10 rewards), adding 'wa rahmatullah' (20 rewards), and adding 'wa barakatuh' (30 rewards); (4) Valid excuses for not responding include being in prayer, giving religious sermon, or attending to urgent needs; (5) Special rules apply for greetings from non-Muslims - they should be returned equally but not initiated by Muslims.
❓How does this verse connect to the broader themes of Surah An-Nisa regarding social justice?
Within An-Nisa's framework of community welfare and social justice, this verse demonstrates that even small social interactions carry moral weight and divine accountability. It follows discussions about intercession and advocacy, showing that building righteous community relationships starts with basic courtesy and respect. The verse emphasizes that Allah is 'Haseeban' (Accountant) over all things, including social manners, connecting daily interactions to divine oversight and reinforcing the surah's theme that all aspects of Muslim social life must reflect Islamic values of justice, kindness, and accountability.
❓What are the spiritual and social benefits of proper Islamic greeting practices?
Proper Islamic greetings bring multiple benefits: (1) Spiritual rewards - authentic hadith promises 10-30 rewards based on greeting completeness; (2) Community building - Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said spreading Salam creates love among believers and is a path to Paradise; (3) Social harmony - greetings break social barriers and create familiarity between strangers; (4) Remembrance of Allah - each greeting includes divine names and prayers; (5) Mutual protection - the greeting implies safety and security from harm; (6) Character development - encourages humility, kindness, and social consciousness in daily interactions.
❓How can the principles of this verse be applied in modern multicultural societies?
Modern applications include: (1) Maintaining Islamic greeting identity while respecting cultural contexts; (2) Using appropriate greetings in professional settings while preserving Islamic values; (3) Teaching children proper greeting etiquette for identity and character building; (4) Building bridges with non-Muslim neighbors through respectful interactions; (5) Using digital platforms to spread Salam and build online Muslim community; (6) Applying the principle of 'better response' to all social interactions, not just greetings; (7) Creating inclusive environments where Islamic greetings are understood and respected; (8) Demonstrating Islamic social values through consistent, kind interactions.
❓What does it mean that Allah is 'Haseeban' and how does this apply to social interactions?
Allah being 'Haseeban' means He is the ultimate Accountant who precisely records and judges all actions, including seemingly minor social interactions like greetings. This divine attribute encompasses complete knowledge, perfect justice, and comprehensive accountability. It teaches that no interaction is too small for divine notice - every greeting given or withheld, every response offered or denied, carries moral weight. This accountability encourages excellence in social conduct, knowing that Allah observes intentions behind our courtesy or rudeness, and that building community through proper greetings is both a social responsibility and spiritual opportunity for rewards.
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Resources & References
Related verses, scholarly sources, and contextual information.