What does « To speak softly » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To speak softly (خفت) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

خفت

To speak softly

Root: خ - ف - ت

Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of To speak softly

Allah says: 'They speak in whispers (yatakhâfatûn) among themselves' (Tâ-Hâ: 103).

And: 'Do not speak too loudly nor too softly (lâ tukhâfit)' (Al-Isrâ': 110).

Al-khaft: lowering the voice.

Moderation is recommended in prayer.

To speak softly in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Isra 1

Ta-Ha 1

Al-Qalam 1

Surah Al-Isra : 110 Meccan

﴿قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا۟ فَلَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَٱبْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا﴾

Say, "Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.

Surah Ta-Ha : 103 Meccan

﴿يَتَخَٰفَتُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا عَشْرًا﴾

They will murmur among themselves, "You remained not but ten [days in the world]."

Surah Al-Qalam : 23 Meccan

﴿فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَٰفَتُونَ﴾

So they set out, while lowering their voices,