Many families have a favourite piece of advice passed from parent to child. In the Qur’an there is a whole passage of it. Luqman’s advice to his son fills a handful of verses in Surat Luqman, and it covers gratitude, humility, patience and even how to walk and speak.
We know very little about Luqman himself, and this post makes no claims beyond the Qur’an’s own words: that Allah gave him wisdom. What the passage gives us is a model of how to teach, and seven lessons we can apply today.
Quick answer
Short answer: In Qur’an 31:12-19, Luqman gives his son a series of short, warm instructions: be grateful, do not associate anything with Allah, remember that nothing is hidden from Him, pray and be patient, treat people with humility, walk moderately and keep your voice low. Three pieces of the advice begin with “O my son”, which makes the passage a lasting picture of loving instruction within a family.
The passage at a glance
About these verses
- Where: Surat Luqman, Qur’an 31:12-19, read here in the Sahih International translation.
- Opening: Allah says He gave Luqman wisdom and told him to be grateful (31:12).
- Tone: three pieces of advice open with “O my son” (31:13, 31:16, 31:17).
- A hadith link: Sahih al-Bukhari 32 connects 31:13 to a question the Companions asked; the collection is regarded as sahih.
Every quotation below is from the Sahih International translation, with a link to the verse, and the rest is retold in our own words. It is a reflection on the text, not a ruling or a commentary on questions of law.
1. Begin with gratitude
The passage opens by saying that Allah gave Luqman wisdom and told him to be grateful. It adds that gratitude benefits the one who shows it. Before any rules, the first note is thankfulness.
If you read this alongside our post on shukr (gratitude) in classical Sufi teaching, you will see how closely the two fit.
2. Speak to your child first about what matters most
Luqman’s first words to his son are a warning against associating anything with Allah. The Qur’an gives them as: “do not associate [anything] with Allāh” (Qur’an 31:13, Sahih International), and describes such association as a great injustice.
A related hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari says that when a verse about those who “do not mix their belief with injustice” (Qur’an 6:82, Sahih International) was revealed, the Companions asked: “Who is amongst us who had not done injustice (wrong)?” The narration says Allah then revealed 31:13 (Sahih al-Bukhari 32, sunnah.com translation). We simply note the link here; for its explanation, please study with a teacher.
3. Nothing is lost
Next, Luqman tells his son that even a wrong the size of “the weight of a mustard seed” (Qur’an 31:16, Sahih International), hidden inside a rock or anywhere in the heavens or earth, is known to Allah, Who is Subtle and Aware.
For a young person, this is a gentle reminder that private choices matter, and that small things are not too small to notice. It is a call to honesty with ourselves, not to fear.
4. Stay steady in prayer and patience
Luqman then tells his son to establish prayer and to be patient over what befalls him (31:17). The verse also mentions enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; for how that applies in practice, ask a qualified teacher. It describes all of this as among the matters requiring resolve.
Patience here is not passive. It is steadiness through change, which is why our guide to sabr in the Sufi tradition is a good companion read.
5. Face people with humility
The passage next turns from worship to manners. In the Qur’an’s words, “do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people” (Qur’an 31:18, Sahih International). How we treat others is part of wisdom, and contempt, however small, closes hearts.
6. Walk without arrogance, and 7. lower your voice
The last two lessons are the most practical. The same verse tells him not to “walk through the earth exultantly” (31:18), and to “be moderate in your pace and lower your voice” (Qur’an 31:19, Sahih International).
These lines describe everyday habits of calm and self-restraint. Raised voices and swagger rarely help a household, a workplace or a mosque.
| Common habit | The pattern in the passage |
|---|---|
| Ordering without explanation | Short advice, often with its reason attached |
| Harshness | Gentle address: “O my son” |
| Rules only | Gratitude, belief, manners and patience together |
Putting it into practice
A simple family practice
1
Choose one lesson from the seven for the week.
2
Say it warmly, in your own words, at a calm moment rather than in the middle of a quarrel.
3
Model it first. Children notice a lowered voice more than a lecture.
4
Invite a question and listen before you answer.
5
Revisit it at the end of the week with a short, kind check-in.
Tip
If you are a young adult reading this, try the passage as advice to yourself: which of the seven do you find hardest, and what is one small step you could take today?
Study with a teacher
This post reflects on verses and one hadith reference; it is not a commentary or a ruling. For the meaning of the verses in detail, including those about parents (31:14-15), study with a qualified teacher.
FAQ
Who was Luqman?
The Qur’an names Luqman and says Allah gave him wisdom (31:12). It gives no further biography, so this post does not add details.
Where is Luqman’s advice in the Qur’an?
In Surat Luqman, verses 12 to 19, which you can read on Quran.com.
What does “O my son” show us?
Three pieces of advice are introduced with it. It reflects a warm, personal style of teaching within the family.
Is this post a ruling or tafsir?
No. It is a short reflection on the text. For rulings or detailed interpretation, ask a qualified scholar.
Last checked: 15 October 2026 against Qur’an 31:12-19 and 6:82 (Sahih International translation) (linked above) and Sahih al-Bukhari 32 (linked above). Educational reflection only, not a religious ruling.