Al-Isra · Ayah 29

وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ ٱلْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًا مَّحْسُورًا 29

Translations

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

Transliteration

Wa lā taj'al yadaka maghlūlatan ilā 'unuqika wa lā tabsutuhā kulla al-basṭi fataqʿuda malūman maḥsūrā

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah commands moderation in spending and financial conduct, forbidding both excessive stinginess (binding one's hand to one's neck) and reckless extravagance (spreading it out completely). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the metaphor of the bound hand represents miserliness that prevents beneficial expenditure, while completely outstretched spending leads to regret and exhaustion. The ayah establishes the Islamic principle of balanced spending (wasaṭiyyah), neither depriving oneself and others nor squandering wealth in ways that leave one blameworthy and regretful.

Revelation Context

This ayah appears in Surah Al-Isra, which contains moral and ethical teachings revealed during the Meccan period. It is part of a series of divine commandments (17:23-39) addressing proper conduct in family relations, worship, and financial dealings. The broader context emphasizes balanced living and avoiding extremes in all matters of life.

Related Hadiths

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: 'The best charity is when one gives while in poverty' (Sunan Ibn Mājah). Also, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' emphasizes balanced care for dependents without wastefulness.

Themes

financial ethicsmoderation and balanceavoiding extremesdignity and self-respectsocial responsibilitywealth management

Key Lesson

True righteousness lies in the middle path: neither hoarding wealth in selfish miserliness nor spending recklessly, but rather giving generously according to one's means while maintaining dignity and responsibility. This principle extends beyond finances to all aspects of life, teaching Muslims to avoid extremism and seek balance in their daily conduct.

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Related Ayahs

17:9Al-Isra

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَهْدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا

Indeed, this Qur’ān guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward

17:93Al-Isra

أَوْ يَكُونَ لَكَ بَيْتٌ مِّن زُخْرُفٍ أَوْ تَرْقَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَن نُّؤْمِنَ لِرُقِيِّكَ حَتَّىٰ تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا كِتَـٰبًا نَّقْرَؤُهُۥ ۗ قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّى هَلْ كُنتُ إِلَّا بَشَرًا رَّسُولًا

Or you have a house of ornament [i.e., gold] or you ascend into the sky. And [even then], we will not believe in your ascension until you bring down to us a book we may read." Say, "Exalted is my Lord! Was I ever but a human messenger?"

17:64Al-Isra

وَٱسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُم بِصَوْتِكَ وَأَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِم بِخَيْلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ وَعِدْهُمْ ۚ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا

And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them." But Satan does not promise them except delusion.

17:51Al-Isra

أَوْ خَلْقًا مِّمَّا يَكْبُرُ فِى صُدُورِكُمْ ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ مَن يُعِيدُنَا ۖ قُلِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ فَسَيُنْغِضُونَ إِلَيْكَ رُءُوسَهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هُوَ ۖ قُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَرِيبًا

Or [any] creation of that which is great within your breasts." And they will say, "Who will restore us?" Say, "He who brought you forth the first time." Then they will nod their heads toward you and say, "When is that?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon -