وَفِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ 19
Translations
And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived.
Transliteration
Wa fee amwālihim haqqun lil-sāil wa-al-maḥrūm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that within the wealth of believers, there exists a mandatory right for the needy petitioner (as-sāil) and the deprived who do not ask (al-maḥrūm). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to Zakat and general charitable obligations, emphasizing that wealth is not the absolute property of the individual but carries inherent social responsibilities toward the vulnerable in society.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Adh-Dhariyat, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes divine signs, the Day of Judgment, and moral obligations. Within the context of verses 15-19, which describe the qualities of the righteous who fear Allah, this ayah highlights that true piety includes fulfilling financial obligations to the poor, making it part of the portrait of the God-conscious believer.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'In every wealth, there is a right due (other than Zakat)' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari states that the Prophet emphasized caring for the poor and needy as a fundamental aspect of Islamic practice.
Themes
Key Lesson
Wealth in Islam is not merely personal property but a trust entrusted by Allah with inherent obligations toward society's vulnerable members. Believers should recognize that fulfilling the rights of the poor and needy is not optional charity but a fundamental religious duty that purifies both wealth and the soul.