Adh-Dhariyat · Ayah 57

مَآ أُرِيدُ مِنْهُم مِّن رِّزْقٍ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَن يُطْعِمُونِ 57

Translations

I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me.

Transliteration

Maa ureed minhum mir rizqin wa maa ureed an yut'imun

Tafsir (Explanation)

Allah declares that He requires no sustenance from His creation, nor does He desire that they feed Him. This ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute self-sufficiency (ghina) and complete independence from all creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this refutes the false beliefs of pagan Arabs who thought their offerings and sacrifices were necessary for Allah, establishing that worship is for the benefit of humans, not Allah.

Revelation Context

This ayah appears in Surah Adh-Dhariyat, which addresses fundamental Islamic beliefs about Allah's oneness and attributes. The surrounding verses (51:56-58) establish that Allah created humanity solely to worship Him, and this particular verse clarifies that such worship is not for Allah's need or benefit, but for the spiritual benefit of humanity itself.

Related Hadiths

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is when you are in need yet you give,' which reflects the principle that our actions benefit us, not Allah. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet states that Allah says: 'O My servants, you cannot please Me nor harm Me.'

Themes

Divine Self-Sufficiency (Ghina)Allah's Independence from CreationThe Purpose of WorshipRefutation of Pagan BeliefsDivine Attributes

Key Lesson

Understanding Allah's complete independence from our actions liberates us from performing worship for transactional purposes or seeking Allah's approval through material offerings. Instead, we should recognize that all worship and obedience ultimately benefit our own souls and bring us closer to our Creator.

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Related Ayahs

39:7Az-Zumar

إِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ ۖ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا۟ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

If you disbelieve - indeed, Allāh is Free from need of you. And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves [i.e., likes] it for you; and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you about what you used to do. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

47:38Muhammad

هَـٰٓأَنتُمْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ تُدْعَوْنَ لِتُنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَمِنكُم مَّن يَبْخَلُ ۖ وَمَن يَبْخَلْ فَإِنَّمَا يَبْخَلُ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْغَنِىُّ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْفُقَرَآءُ ۚ وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُونُوٓا۟ أَمْثَـٰلَكُم

Here you are - those invited to spend in the cause of Allāh - but among you are those who withhold [out of greed]. And whoever withholds only withholds [benefit] from himself; and Allāh is the Free of need, while you are the needy. And if you turn away [i.e., refuse], He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you.

14:8Ibrahim

وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِن تَكْفُرُوٓا۟ أَنتُمْ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ

And Moses said, "If you should disbelieve, you and whoever is on the earth entirely - indeed, Allāh is Free of need and Praiseworthy."