ٱلَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ وَيَأْمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلْبُخْلِ ۗ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ 24
Translations
[Those] who are stingy and enjoin upon people stinginess. And whoever turns away - then indeed, Allāh is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.
Transliteration
Al-ladhina yabkhaloona wa ya'muroona an-nasa bil-bukhli. Wa man yatawalla fa-inna Allaha huwa al-ghaniyu al-hamid.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who are stingy with their wealth and moreover command others to be stingy, representing a double transgression against the virtue of generosity. Ibn Kathir notes that such behavior contradicts the nature of faith and Allah's commands for charity and compassion. The conclusion emphasizes that whoever turns away from Allah's guidance will find that Allah is completely self-sufficient and praiseworthy, needing nothing from creation, thereby highlighting the futility of hoarding wealth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hadid's discussion of spending in the path of Allah and the contrast between believers and disbelievers. The surah was revealed in Medina during a period when the Muslim community was being tested regarding their willingness to spend their wealth for Islamic causes and the needy. This specific ayah addresses the spiritual disease of miserliness that opposes Islamic principles of generosity and social responsibility.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895), emphasizing generosity within and beyond the family. Additionally, 'Whoever withholds good has withheld it from himself' (Ibn Majah), directly relating to the concept of stinginess condemned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should cultivate generosity as a core character trait and actively encourage others toward charitable giving, recognizing that withholding wealth both harms society and demonstrates spiritual weakness. Understanding that Allah needs nothing from us while we depend entirely on Him should inspire grateful spending and remove the illusion that hoarding wealth brings security.