Wikipedia's first sentence called it “important attribute for being a successful muslim as described in sura mu’minun”. Today it says “ugly”.
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The opening as it read in October 6, 2023
Laghw ( ) means "evil vain talk" , vain, dirty , false , falsehood , nonsensical, meaningless and anything forbidden by Allah . It refers to anything which serves no purpose or goal in a proper Muslim life.1 According to the Al-Furqan Sura (chapter) of the Qur'an , Muslims are to avoid such things and pay them no mind; "... if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity". Avoiding Laghw is an important attribute for being a successful Muslim as described in Sura Mu’minun (The Believers) of the Qur'an 23: 1–9.2 Who offer Salat with all solemnity and full submissiveness. Those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil & forbidden speech). Except from their wives or that their right hands possess, - for then, they are free from blame. But whosoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to their amanat (Duties ordered by Allah, honesty, trust) and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their prayers (5 prayers at fixed times)” 23: 1-9 References to Laghw in the Qurʾān : Sura 56 - Al-Waqia (MAKKA) : Verse 25 No Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk) will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech (like backbiting). Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting)[] . Verily, Allâh is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful. Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty (to Allah). Translation : Eng-Pickthal-Audio v t e v t e3
This is Wikipedia's own text, saved in our repository. Their copy of it is revision 1060694762.
The opening as it stood in 2010
In Islamic context, Laghw ( ) means "evil vain talk" , vain, dirty , false , falsehood , nonsensical, meaningless and anything forbidden by Allah . It refers to anything which serves no purpose or goal in a proper Muslim life. According to the Al-Furqan Sura (chapter) of the Qur'an , Muslims are to avoid such things and pay them no mind; "... if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity". Avoiding Laghw is an important attribute for being a successful Muslim as described in Sura Mu’minun (The Believers) of the Qur'an 23 1:9. Who offer Salat with all solemnity and full submissiveness. Those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil & forbidden speech). Those who pay Zakat Those who guard there chastity. Except from their wives or that there right hands possess, - for then, they are free from blame. But whosoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to their amanat ( Duties ordered by Allah, honesty, trust) and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their prayers ( 5 prayers at fixed times)” 23 1:9
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 353685427.
The opening as it stood in 2015
In Islamic context, Laghw ( ) means "evil vain talk" , vain, dirty , false , falsehood , nonsensical, meaningless and anything forbidden by Allah . It refers to anything which serves no purpose or goal in a proper Muslim life. According to the Al-Furqan Sura (chapter) of the Qur'an , Muslims are to avoid such things and pay them no mind; "... if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity". Avoiding Laghw is an important attribute for being a successful Muslim as described in Sura Mu’minun (The Believers) of the Qur'an 23: 1-9. Who offer Salat with all solemnity and full submissiveness. Those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil & forbidden speech). Those who pay Zakat Those who guard there chastity. Except from their wives or that there right hands possess, - for then, they are free from blame. But whosoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to their amanat ( Duties ordered by Allah, honesty, trust) and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their prayers ( 5 prayers at fixed times)” 23: 1-9 References to Laghw in the Qurʾān : Sura 56 - Al-Waqia (MAKKA) : Verse 25 No Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk) will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech (like backbiting).Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins.And spy not, neither backbite one another.Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?You would hate it (so hate backbiting)[] .Verily, Allâh is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful.Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime.And spy not, neither backbite one another.Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother?Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)!And keep your duty (to Allah).
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 634641511.
The opening as it stood in 2020
In Islamic context, Laghw ( ) means "evil vain talk" , vain, dirty , false , falsehood , nonsensical, meaningless and anything forbidden by Allah . It refers to anything which serves no purpose or goal in a proper Muslim life. According to the Al-Furqan Sura (chapter) of the Qur'an , Muslims are to avoid such things and pay them no mind; "... if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity". Avoiding Laghw is an important attribute for being a successful Muslim as described in Sura Mu’minun (The Believers) of the Qur'an 23: 1–9. Who offer Salat with all solemnity and full submissiveness. Those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil & forbidden speech). Those who pay Zakat Those who guard there chastity. Except from their wives or that there right hands possess, - for then, they are free from blame. But whosoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to their amanat (Duties ordered by Allah, honesty, trust) and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their prayers (5 prayers at fixed times)” 23: 1-9 References to Laghw in the Qurʾān : Sura 56 - Al-Waqia (MAKKA) : Verse 25 No Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk) will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech (like backbiting). Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting)[] . Verily, Allâh is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful. Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty (to Allah).
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 944948657.
The opening as it stood in 2025 14 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
In Islam , Laghw ( Arabic : لغو ) refers to all forbidden forms of speech; it includes nonsense, lies, and talk that is ugly, useless, or indecorous.Laghw is believed to obstruct good and invite evil, and to be excluded from paradise. According to the Al-Furqan Sura (chapter) of the Qur'an , Muslims are to avoid such things; "... if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity". Avoiding Laghw is an important attribute for success as a Muslim as described in Sura Mu’minun (The Believers) of the Qur'an 23: 1–9.Successful indeed are the believers. Who offer Salat with all solemnity and full submissiveness. Those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil & forbidden speech). Except from their wives or that their right hands possess, - for then, they are free from blame. But whosoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to their amanat (Duties ordered by Allah, honesty, trust) and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their prayers (5 prayers at fixed times) bin Tyeer, Sarah R (10 September 2016).The Qur'an and the Aesthetics of Premodern Arabic Prose .
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 1255866974. This is our newest snapshot; the live article may have moved again since.
Today
Wikipedia's first sentence called it “important attribute for being a successful muslim as described in sura mu’minun”. Today it says “ugly”. Read the current article and compare.
2010
2015
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Oct '23
2025
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What Wikipedia says this is
Every article opens by defining its subject. This one was redefined since 2010, and today's defining sentence is their current revision.
Then
important attribute for being a successful muslim as described in sura mu’minun
Now
ugly
Struck red text is no longer in the article; dotted amber text was rewritten. Every revision id links to Wikipedia's copy; the text shown is our own saved copy. Data: /data. Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA; quoted for the record; not affiliated with Wikipedia.