Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:28

"And if you turn away from them..."

If you turn away from the relative, the needy, and the wayfarer out of shyness to refuse them, then "say to them a gentle word"—meaning, do not leave them unanswered when they ask you.

The Prophet (ﷺ), when asked for something he did not possess, would turn away from the asker and remain silent out of shyness.

"Seeking mercy from your Lord"

This may relate to the response of the conditional clause, placed before it. That is: "Say to them a gentle, soft word and promise them a beautiful promise, out of mercy for them and to comfort their hearts, seeking the mercy of your Lord." This means: seek the mercy of Allah, which you hope for, through your mercy toward them.

Alternatively, it may relate to the condition itself. That is: "If you turn away from them due to a lack of provision from your Lord that you hope He will open up for you"—naming provision as "mercy"—"then turn them away with a beautiful response." Here, "seeking" (ibtigha') is placed in the position of "lacking" (faqd), because one who lacks provision is a seeker of it. Thus, the lack is the cause of the seeking, and the seeking is the effect; the effect is placed in the position of the cause.

It is also permissible that the meaning of "And if you turn away from them" is: if you do not benefit them and do not alleviate their poverty due to inability. It does not mean turning away with the face, but rather it is a metonymy for refusing them, because whoever refuses to give turns away with his face.

It is said that "gentle" (maysur) is like "fortunate" (sa'd) and "unfortunate" (nahs), so it is in the form of a passive participle. It is also said that the meaning is: "May Allah provide for us and you from His bounty," as a supplication for them to ease their poverty. It is as if the meaning is: "a word containing ease," meaning a supplication that brings ease.

"And do not keep your hand chained to your neck, nor extend it completely, so that you sit blamed and regretful."