Quran 31:18 Meaning: Luqman’s Advice to His Son on Arrogance
Surah Luqman 31:18–19 in Arabic with English meaning: Luqman's advice against arrogance, about humility, a moderate walk and a lowered voice, in the context of his full advice (31:12–19).
Last updated: 2026-10-09
Quran 31:18 is part of one of the most loved passages of the Quran: the advice of the wise man Luqman to his son in Surah Luqman (31). It is about manners — how a person carries himself among people — and is often quoted on humility.
Quran 31:18–19 in Arabic with English meaning
وَلَا تُصَعِّرۡ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمۡشِ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَحًاۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخۡتَالࣲ فَخُورࣲ ١٨ وَٱقۡصِدۡ فِي مَشۡيِكَ وَٱغۡضُضۡ مِن صَوۡتِكَۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلۡأَصۡوَٰتِ لَصَوۡتُ ٱلۡحَمِيرِ ١٩ 31:18And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful
31:19And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys
What the ayahs teach
- Do not turn your cheek away from people. The Arabic image is of a person turning his face aside out of contempt — refusing to look at or listen to others because he thinks himself above them.
- Do not walk on the earth exultantly. Strutting, showing off and boasting are named as signs of arrogance, which God does not like.
- Be moderate in your pace and lower your voice (ayah 19). Neither rushing nor parading, and speaking without shouting.
Luqman’s full advice (31:12–19)
The passage begins by saying that God gave Luqman wisdom and that gratitude to God is for one’s own good (31:12). Luqman’s advice then moves from belief to worship to character:
- Do not associate partners with God — the greatest wrong (31:13).
- Two ayahs about kindness and gratitude to parents, even when one must refuse them in matters of faith (31:14–15).
- Even a deed the weight of a mustard seed, hidden in a rock or in the heavens or the earth, God will bring it forth (31:16).
- Establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient with what befalls you (31:17).
- Humility and good manners — ayahs 18 and 19.
The order is often pointed out: faith first, then worship and duties to others, then character. The manners of ayahs 18–19 are presented as the fruit of the earlier advice, not as etiquette on its own.
Who was Luqman?
The Quran names Luqman and describes him as given wisdom, but does not give his history. Early commentators described him as a wise man, possibly from Africa; most scholars held that he was a righteous wise man rather than a prophet. The surah is named after him.
Read Surah Luqman (31) with its English meaning, or make a video of Luqman’s advice to share.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Quran 31:18 about?
- It is part of Luqman's advice to his son: not to turn his cheek away from people in arrogance and not to walk on the earth boastfully, because God does not like the arrogant boaster.
- Who was Luqman?
- A wise man after whom surah 31 is named. The Quran says God gave him wisdom. Most scholars hold that he was a righteous wise man, not a prophet.
- What does 31:19 add?
- To be moderate in one's walk and to lower one's voice.
This article explains common understanding and history for general readers; it is not a religious ruling. For questions of practice, consult a qualified scholar. See the disclaimer.
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