Tafsir of Al-Furqan 25:72

"And those who do not bear witness..."

It is possible that this means they shun the gatherings of liars and the assemblies of sinners, neither attending them nor approaching them. This is to remain aloof from mixing with evil and its people, and to protect their religion from what might blemish it.

For witnessing falsehood is to participate in it. Thus, it has been said regarding those who watch anything not permitted by the Sharia: "They are partners with the doers in the sin." This is because their presence and observation are evidence of their approval of it, a cause for its existence, and a reason for its increase; for what emboldens the doer is the spectators' appreciation and their desire to watch. In the sermons of Jesus, son of Mary (peace be upon him), it is said: "Beware of the gatherings of sinners."

It is also possible that it means they do not bear false witness (shahādat al-zūr), where the noun being possessed (shahāda) is omitted and the possessor (al-zūr) takes its place.

• Qatada said: It refers to the gatherings of falsehood.
• Ibn al-Hanafiyya said: It refers to idle play (lahw) and singing.
• Mujahid said: It refers to the festivals of the polytheists.

"And when they pass by idle talk (al-laghw)..."

Al-laghw is everything that ought to be discarded and cast aside. The meaning is: when they pass by those engaged in idle talk, they pass by with dignity, turning away from them, honoring themselves by not stopping for them or engaging with them.

This is like the Almighty’s saying: "And when they hear idle talk, they turn away from it and say, 'For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace be upon you; we seek not the ignorant'" (Al-Qasas: 55).

• Al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Acts of disobedience do not make them foolish."
• It is also said: When they hear insults or harm from the disbelievers, they turn away and forgive.
• It is also said: When they mention sexual intercourse, they use euphemisms.

"And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind."