Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with better than it, or return it; God takes account of all things.

وَاِذَا حُيّ۪يتُمْ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِاَحْسَنَ مِنْهَٓا اَوْ رُدُّوهَاۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَس۪يباً
Wa-itha huyyeetum bitahiyyatinfahayyoo bi-ahsana minha aw ruddoohainna Allaha kana AAala kulli shay-in haseeba
#wordmeaningroot
1wa-idhāAnd when
2ḥuyyītumyou are greetedحيي
3bitaḥiyyatinwith a greetingحيي
4faḥayyūthen greetحيي
5bi-aḥsanawith betterحسن
6min'hāthan it
7awor
8ruddūhāreturn itردد
9innaIndeed
10l-lahaAllah
11kānaisكون
12ʿalāof
13kullieveryكلل
14shayinthingشيا
15ḥasībanan Accountantحسب
  • Aisha Bewley

    When you are greeted with a greeting, return the greeting or improve on it. Allah takes account of everything.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And if you are greeted with a greeting, then return an even better greeting or return the same. God is Reckoning over all things.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Good deeds that contribute to the well being of the society begin with kindness (2:177). When someone greets you, respond with similar or more courteous greetings. Allah reckons all things. Anyone who contributes towards peace and betterment of life, do as much or better for him.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with better than it, or return it; God takes account of all things.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And if you are greeted with a greeting, then return an even better greeting or return the same. God is Reckoning over all things.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    If you are greeted with a greeting, then return an even better greeting or return the same. God is Reckoning over all things.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    When greeted with a greeting, you shall respond with a better greeting or at least an equal one. GOD reckons all things.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    When you are greeted with a greeting, then greet with one fairer, or repeat the same greeting. For God takes account of all things.

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it or return it . Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant.

  • Muhammad Asad

    But when you are greeted with a greeting , answer with an even better greeting, or with the like thereof. Verily, God keeps count indeed of all things.

  • Marmaduke 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.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    When you are greeted with a salutation then return it with a better one, or at least the same.* Surely Allah takes good count of everything.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    When you are greeted with words or gestures, acknowledge the greeting with a more courteous recognition or at least return the same formula; it is an obligation. Allah has always taken account of all things and all actions.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    When you are greeted in a courteous manner , your response should be at least equal, if not more courteous. God thus takes into consideration the least of your behavior.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allâh is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things.

  • 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.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    And when you are greeted, respond with a better greeting or at least similarly. Surely Allah is a ˹vigilant˺ Reckoner of all things.

  • Taqi Usmani

    When you are greeted with a salutation, greet with one better than it, or return the same. Surely, Allah is the One who takes account of everything.

  • Abdul Haleem

    But when you are offered a greeting, respond with a better one, or at least return it: God keeps account of everything.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    And when you are greeted with a greeting greet with a fairer than it, or return it; surely God keeps a watchful count over everything.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    And when ye are saluted with a salutation, salute with a better than it, or return it;- verily, God of all things takes account.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And when you are greeted with a good (courteous, friendly, beneficial) salutation, salute with a better one, or return it; verily, Allah takes account of all things.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And when you are greeted with a greeting, then greet a fairer one than it, or give it back again; surely Allah has been Ever-Reckoner over everything.

  • George Sale

    When ye are saluted with a salutation, salute the person with a better salutation, or at least return the same; for God taketh an account of all things.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, follow it with an even more courteous greeting, or (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.

  • Amatul Rahman 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.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    When you are greeted with a salute, greet with a better one than it, or return it; indeed Allah takes account of all things.