Turning Away

At a glance

Turning away (al-i'rad) is a powerful Quranic theme that shapes how a believer directs their heart, energy, and conduct. In the Quran, turning away is not simply an outward physical motion. It is a profound stance of the soul. Depending on its target and motive, turning away can be a noble virtue of wisdom and restraint, or a devastating spiritual illness that brings ruin in this life and the next. Praiseworthy turning away is an act of spiritual discipline. Allah commands His prophets and the faithful to turn away from vain arguments, ignorant insults, and the toxic schemes of hypocrites, choosing instead patience, kindness, and focus on divine purpose. Conversely, blameworthy turning away occurs when a person ignores the Quran, dismisses the signs of creation, and abandons gratitude toward their Creator. Understanding this distinction empowers you to guard your heart, disengaging from what harms your soul while drawing ever closer to Allah's guidance.

Key verses

1. Ta-Ha 20:124: The paper explains that abandoning Allah's reminder and scripture leads to a narrow, anxious life in this world and physical blindness upon resurrection in the Hereafter.
2. Al-Isra 17:67: This verse illustrates the human tendency toward ungratefulness, turning solely to Allah in severe sea peril but immediately turning away from monotheism once safe on dry land.
3. Al-Qamar 54:2: The paper highlights how determined rejectors react to undeniable cosmic miracles, such as the splitting of the moon, by turning away and dismissing truth as continuous magic.

Words to know

الإعراض al-i'rad

Turning away or departing from something, whether physically or with the heart, used in the Quran in both praiseworthy and blameworthy contexts.

Appears 79 times in the Quran.

Most common forms: أَعْرَضَ (32), مُعْرِض (19), عَرَضَ (11), عَرَض (6), عَرْض (4)

Root: ع ر ض

الانصراف al-insiraf

Turning something away from its face and direction, or departing and fleeing from an issue, being narrower in scope than i'rad.

التولي al-tawalli

Turning the physical back to leave, differing from i'rad which primarily indicates the inner aversion of the heart.

Root: و ل ي

الصد al-sadd

Turning away out of aversion and hatred, or actively preventing and turning others away from the path of Allah.

Root: ص د د

Those commanded to turn away in the Quran

From the paper: «المأمورون بالإعراض في القرآن»

The Quran instructs prophets and believers to turn away in specific situations, showing that stepping back can be an act of spiritual discipline and wisdom. Allah directs His messengers to disengage when necessary: He commanded Ibrahim to turn away from disputing over the impending destruction of the people of Lot once divine decree was finalized Hud 11:76. In the story of Yusuf, he was told to turn away from mentioning the accusation against him to preserve privacy and dignity Yusuf 12:29.

Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad was repeatedly instructed to turn away from the opposition of disbelievers. He was told to proclaim the message openly while disregarding their mocking and hostility Al-Hijr 15:94, backed by divine protection Al-Hijr 15:95. He was guided to follow divine revelation and overlook their resistance Al-An'am 6:106, to leave those devoted solely to worldly pursuits An-Najm 53:29, and to pardon graciously while ignoring foolish provocations Al-A'raf 7:199. In his personal life, his sublime character was reflected in overlooking parts of a private disclosure to spare embarrassment At-Tahrim 66:3, and in speaking kindly when turning away from requests he could not materially fulfill Al-Isra 17:28.

Believers are likewise called to turn away from unproductive discourse. They disregard vain talk and foolish provocation, answering with dignity and peace Al-Mu'minun 23:3, Al-Qasas 28:55. They are also warned against being deceived by hypocrites, who fear creation more than Allah An-Nisa 4:108, Al-Hashr 59:13, commanding believers to shun their deceitful pretenses with moral detachment At-Tawbah 9:95.

Praiseworthy turning away

From the paper: «أولًا: الإعراض المحمود»

The Quran distinguishes between two opposing types of turning away: praiseworthy disengagement and blameworthy rejection. Praiseworthy turning away is an intentional choice commanded by Allah to protect faith, uphold dignity, and deter wrongdoing. Believers are not responsible for forcing faith upon others; their duty is sincere conveyance, and they are instructed to step back when their message is persistently rejected Ali 'Imran 3:20, Ash-Shura 42:48, As-Sajdah 32:30, relying entirely on Allah against covert deceit An-Nisa 4:81.

This constructive turning away appears across several relationships:

• Regarding non-Muslim claimants: Muslim authorities are given discretion either to judge between them or decline, provided that if they judge, they do so with strict justice Al-Ma'idah 5:42, while preventing societal harm Al-Baqarah 2:205 and applying divine law where required Al-Ma'idah 5:49.
• Regarding hypocrites: Believers are instructed to overlook their bodily presence without punishment, offering profound admonition An-Nisa 4:63, placing trust in Allah An-Nisa 4:81, and avoiding their deceitful influence At-Tawbah 9:95.
• Regarding the ignorant and foolish: True servants of the Merciful respond to hostility with words of peace, exercising restraint and choosing character over retaliation Al-A'raf 7:199, Al-Furqan 25:63.
• Regarding idle talk (laghw): Righteous believers deliberately distance themselves from falsehood and abusive speech, refusing to adopt the manners of the vulgar Al-Furqan 25:63, Al-Qasas 28:55.
• Regarding those who repent from moral offenses: When individuals turn away from indecency and reform, the community is commanded to turn away from reproaching, shaming, or humiliating them, honoring divine mercy An-Nisa 4:16.

Blameworthy turning away

From the paper: «ثانيًا: الإعراض المذموم»

Blameworthy turning away represents the deepest spiritual ruin: deliberately turning one's back on Allah, His guidance, and His signs. The paper details several forms of this destructive attitude:

• Abandoning the Quran: Those who turn away from Allah's revealed reminder carry crushing burdens of guilt on the Day of Resurrection Ta-Ha 20:100, Az-Zukhruf 43:44, bringing hardship in this life and blindness in the next Ta-Ha 20:124. They risk severe, mounting punishment Al-Jinn 72:17, committing the utmost injustice by forgetting their past misdeeds and dismissing divine warnings Al-Kahf 18:57, even while confronted by a momentous message Sad 38:67-68 confirmed across earlier scriptures An-Nahl 16:43.
• Denying cosmic signs and miracles: Many people pass by the celestial and terrestrial wonders of creation, such as the preserved sky and celestial bodies, without reflection Yusuf 12:105, Al-Anbiya 21:32. Even when confronted by undeniable clear proofs and extraordinary miracles, like the historical splitting of the moon, stubborn hearts dismiss them as passing magic Al-Qamar 54:1-2, habitually turning away from every renewing sign Al-An'am 6:4, Ya-Sin 36:46.
• Betraying sincere devotion (tawhid): When hardship strikes at sea, people call sincerely upon Allah alone, yet the moment He rescues them safely to shore, they turn back to associating partners with Him Al-Isra 17:67.
• Rejecting gratitude: The people of Saba neglected gratitude for their prosperous gardens, bringing a devastating flood that replaced fruitful groves with bitter, barren brush Saba 34:15, Saba 34:16. This mirrors humanity's tendency to become self-satisfied in prosperity while falling into despair in times of adversity Al-Isra 17:83, Fussilat 41:51.
• Evading righteous judgment: Hypocrites avoid submitting to the judgment of Allah and His Messenger when truth stands against their personal desires An-Nisa 4:60-61, An-Nur 24:48. A related, permissible form occurs when a spouse emotionally withdraws, where the Quran encourages peaceful reconciliation An-Nisa 4:128.

Consequences of turning away

From the paper: «عاقبة الإعراض»

Turning away yields profound outcomes in both worlds, depending entirely on what one turns away from. The Prophet illustrated this through three individuals at an assembly: one sought shelter with Allah and was sheltered, another showed modesty and Allah accommodated him, while the third turned away, and Allah turned away from him, withholding His special mercy and acceptance.

In this worldly life, praiseworthy turning away grants divine sufficiency, inner serenity, and protection against mockers and adversaries Al-Hijr 15:94-95, Al-Ma'idah 5:42, while securing ultimate spiritual success through guarding oneself against frivolous talk Al-Mu'minun 23:1-3. Conversely, blameworthy turning away brings devastating penalties. It strips away communal well-being and replaces prosperity with calamity, as seen with the people of Saba Saba 34:16. It places veils upon hearts and heaviness in ears, rendering the soul incapable of perceiving guidance Al-Kahf 18:57, Fussilat 41:4-5. Most painfully, it produces a narrow, constricted existence filled with anxiety, where life feels suffocating regardless of outward wealth Ta-Ha 20:124.

In the Hereafter, the consequences of blameworthy turning away culminate in severe suffering. Rejectors will carry heavy, unbearable loads of sin that break their backs Ta-Ha 20:99-101. They face targeted divine retribution As-Sajdah 32:22, enduring disgrace without any helper Fussilat 41:16. Having blinded their spiritual sight to Allah's signs on earth, they will be raised literally blind, deaf, and mute on their faces Ta-Ha 20:124, Al-Isra 17:97, abandoned to punishment just as they abandoned divine remembrance in this life.

Takeaways

1. Overlook petty insults with noble restraint

   The Quran instructs believers to meet vulgar speech and foolish provocation with dignity and peace rather than reciprocal bitterness Al-A'raf 7:199, Al-Qasas 28:55.

2. Protect your heart from spiritual neglect

   Turning away from divine remembrance causes inner constriction and anxiety, while staying connected to Allah brings tranquility and purpose Ta-Ha 20:124.

3. Do not shame those who sincerely repent

   Once a person turns away from past sins and rectifies their conduct, the community must cease reproaching or humiliating them An-Nisa 4:16.

4. Let your turning away be for Allah's sake

   Stepping away from sinful gatherings and toxic disputes protects faith, preserves honor, and secures divine aid Al-Hijr 15:94-95, An-Nisa 4:81.

Reflect

• In what situations do you find yourself reacting to insults instead of gracefully turning away from foolishness?
• Are there areas of your daily routine where worldly distractions are causing your heart to turn away from the Quran?
• How can you practice speaking kind and gentle words when you are unable to fulfill someone's request?

Go deeper

Linguistic meaning

The root letters (ع-ر-ض) refer fundamentally to breadth or width, the opposite of length. From this base derives the meaning of presenting one's side, turning one's face aside, or departing and creating distance from something.

Technical meaning

In technical usage, turning away is the deliberate refusal to pay attention to something in order to distance oneself from it, or turning away from something with the heart.

How it differs from related terms

الانصراف Turning aside (Al-Insiraf)

While both al-i'rad and al-insiraf indicate rejection and withholding acceptance, al-i'rad is broader in scope, whereas al-insiraf refers specifically to diverting a thing from its course or fleeing from it.

التولي Turning back (Al-Tawalli)

Although some scholars treat them as interchangeable, many distinguish between them: al-tawalli is physical departure with the body, whereas al-i'rad is an aversion rooted in the heart. Because of this, a person who merely turns their body away may return more easily upon regret than one whose heart has turned away.

الصد Turning away with aversion or hindering others (Al-Sadd)

Both terms share the meaning of personal diversion away from something, but al-sadd carries the specific connotation of intense hatred and dislike. Furthermore, al-sadd can be transitive, meaning to actively prevent or obstruct others from following the truth, which is exclusively blameworthy.

Every verse in the paper

All 61 verses the research paper discusses, grouped under its own headings.

Turning away in Quranic usage «الإعراض في الاستعمال القرآني»

17:67, 54:2, 11:76, 46:3, 4:128

Related terms «الألفاظ ذات الصلة»

Technical meaning of turning back «التولي اصطلاحًا»

21:57, 9:25

Linguistic meaning of averting «الصد لغة»

27:43

Technical meaning of averting «الصد اصطلاحًا»

4:61, 16:88

Those commanded to turn away in the Quran «المأمورون بالإعراض في القرآن»

The messengers, peace be upon them «أولًا: الرسل عليهم السلام»

11:76, 12:29, 15:94, 15:95, 6:106, 53:29, 7:199, 66:3, 17:28

The believers «ثانيًا: المؤمنون»

23:3, 28:55, 9:95, 4:108, 59:13

Types of turning away «أنواع الإعراض»

Praiseworthy turning away «أولًا: الإعراض المحمود»

42:48, 3:20, 32:30, 4:81, 5:42, 5:49, 2:205, 4:63, 9:95, 7:199, 25:63, 28:55

Turning away from harming those who repent of immorality «خامسًا: الإعراض عن إيذاء من تاب من الفاحشة»

4:16

Blameworthy turning away «ثانيًا: الإعراض المذموم»

20:100, 43:44, 16:43, 20:124, 72:17, 18:57, 38:67-68, 12:105, 21:32, 6:4, 54:1-2, 36:46, 17:67, 34:16, 34:15, 17:83, 41:51, 24:48, 4:60-61, 4:128

Consequences of turning away «عاقبة الإعراض»

Consequences for those who turn away in this world «أولًا: عاقبة أهل الإعراض في الدنيا»

15:94-95, 5:42, 23:1-3, 34:16, 18:57, 41:4-5, 20:124

Consequences of blameworthy turning away in the hereafter «ثانيًا: عاقبة أهل الإعراض المذموم في الآخرة»

20:99-101, 32:22, 41:16, 20:124, 17:97

About this source

Volume

2

Research paper

«الإعراض» (Turning Away)

Read the full paper (Arabic)

Encyclopedia of Thematic Tafsir of the Noble Quran, published by the Tafsir Center for Quranic Studies.

This study guide summarizes the Arabic research paper. For full scholarly detail, refer to the original. This preview has not been reviewed yet.

Related topics

• Arrogance الاستكبار
• Obedience الطاعة
• Hypocrisy النفاق