What does « Idle talk » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Idle talk (لغا) in the Quran, with 9 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

لغا

Idle talk

Root: ل - غ

Creed (aqida) 9 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 3 min read

Definition of Idle talk

Al-Laghw refers to vain and useless speech.

The Almighty says: 'And who turn away from ill speech' (Al-Mu'minun 3).

Laghā means to say worthless words.

Believers avoid laghw in their speech.

Idle talk in the Quran (9)

Meccan: 7 Medinan: 2

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Baqara 1

Al-Maida 1

Maryam 1

Al-Mu'minun 1

Al-Furqan 1

Al-Qasas 1

At-Tur 1

Al-Waqi'a 1

An-Naba 1

Surah Al-Baqara : 225 Medinan

﴿لَّا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغْوِ فِىٓ أَيْمَـٰنِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا كَسَبَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌۭ﴾

Allah does not impose blame upon you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He imposes blame upon you for what your hearts have earned. And Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.

Surah Al-Maida : 89 Medinan

﴿لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغْوِ فِىٓ أَيْمَـٰنِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ ٱلْأَيْمَـٰنَ ۖ فَكَفَّـٰرَتُهُۥٓ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَـٰكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍۢ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَـٰثَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّـٰرَةُ أَيْمَـٰنِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ۚ وَٱحْفَظُوٓا۟ أَيْمَـٰنَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾

Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.

Surah Maryam : 62 Meccan

﴿لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَـٰمًۭا ۖ وَلَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ فِيهَا بُكْرَةًۭ وَعَشِيًّۭا﴾

They will not hear therein any ill speech - only [greetings of] peace - and they will have their provision therein, morning and afternoon.

Surah Al-Mu'minun : 3 Meccan

﴿وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ﴾

And they who turn away from ill speech

Surah Al-Furqan : 72 Meccan

﴿وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا۟ بِٱللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا۟ كِرَامًۭا﴾

And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.

Surah Al-Qasas : 55 Meccan

﴿وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱللَّغْوَ أَعْرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا۟ لَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ لَا نَبْتَغِى ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ﴾

And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, "For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you; we seek not the ignorant."

Surah At-Tur : 23 Meccan

﴿يَتَنَـٰزَعُونَ فِيهَا كَأْسًۭا لَّا لَغْوٌۭ فِيهَا وَلَا تَأْثِيمٌۭ﴾

They will exchange with one another a cup [of wine] wherein [results] no ill speech or commission of sin.

Surah Al-Waqi'a : 25 Meccan

﴿لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًۭا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا﴾

They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin -

Surah An-Naba : 35 Meccan

﴿لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًۭا وَلَا كِذَّٰبًۭا﴾

No ill speech will they hear therein or any falsehood -