4. Sura an-Nisa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِذَا حُيِّيْتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا...   

4: 86.  When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, (at least) of equal courtesy.

... إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا ﴿٨٦﴾

Allah takes careful account of all things.

C605. The necessary correlative to the command to fight in a good cause is the command to cultivate sweetness and cordiality in our manners at all times. For fighting is an exceptional necessity while the sweetness of daily human intercourse is a normal need.

Further, we give kindness and courtesy without asking, and return it if possible in even better terms than we received, or at least in equally courteous terms. For we are all creatures of One God, and shall be brought together before Him.

Others Version:

4: 86

Asad But when you are greeted with a greeting [of peace], answear with an even better greeting, or [at least] with the like thereof. Verily, God keeps count indeed of all things.

Yusuf Ali When a (courteous) greeting is offered you meet it with a greeting still more courteous (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.

Pickthall When ye are greeted with a greeting, greet ye with a better than it or return it. Lo! Allah taketh count of all things.

Wa iza_ huyyitum bi tahiyyatin fa hayyu_ bi ahsana minha_ au ruddu_ha_, innalla_ha 'ala_ kulli syai'in hasiba_(n).

[[ Ruby’s note – This is revealed in the context of war and God commanding fighting resolutely in a war, etc. Then God is mentioning about the greeting which may seem trivial or mundane thing compare to war, but for a life to be successful big and small all things count and God notes all the details. Even greeting may seem a small matter, this is one of the most repeated events in life. Greeting is also important from social aspect: it helps to have a courteous and better relationship among the people one lives with and make others feel welcome and at home. These small acts often go a long way in helping contribute towards bigger events and achievements including making one a better, caring and courteous member of a family and a society.]]

Other version

When you are greeted with a greeting, return the greeting or improve on it. Allah takes account of everything.