وَوَجَدَكَ عَآئِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ 8
Translations
And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient.
Transliteration
Wa-wajadaka 'a'ilan fa-aghna
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah finding the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a state of poverty or need and enriching him with sustenance and blessings. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's provision for the Prophet, both materially through the wealth he gained and spiritually through the Qur'an and prophethood. The ayah emphasizes divine mercy and generosity toward those who are humble and dependent upon Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ad-Duhaa, revealed during the Meccan period when the Prophet faced hardship and persecution. The surah was revealed to console the Prophet during a period when revelation had temporarily ceased (known as the period of fatra), reassuring him of Allah's care and favor. This specific ayah contextualizes the broader theme of the surah: reminding the Prophet of Allah's continuous blessings despite external difficulties.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of Khadijah (the Prophet's first wife) in Sahih Bukhari describes how she supported the Prophet materially and spiritually in his early prophetic mission. Additionally, Tirmidhi records hadith regarding the Prophet's reliance on Allah's provision and his contentment with what Allah provided.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah is aware of our needs and provides for us according to His wisdom, encouraging complete trust in Allah's providence rather than anxiety about material circumstances. It also reminds us to remain grateful for blessings and recognize that all provision comes from Allah alone.