وَإِذَا رَأَوْا۟ تِجَـٰرَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا ٱنفَضُّوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَآئِمًا ۚ قُلْ مَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ ٱلتِّجَـٰرَةِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ 11
Translations
But [on one occasion] when they saw a transaction or a diversion, [O Muḥammad], they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, "What is with Allāh is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allāh is the best of providers."
Transliteration
Wa-idha raa'aw tijaratun aw lahwan infaddoo ilayha wa-tarakook qa'iman. Qul ma 'inda Allahi khayrun min al-lahwi wa-min al-tijarah. Wa-Allahu khayru al-rraziqin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rebukes the companions who abandoned the Prophet (peace be upon him) during Friday prayer when they heard the sound of trade and entertainment approaching Madinah. The ayah establishes the principle that worldly gains—whether commercial or recreational—are insignificant compared to the spiritual benefit of worship and proximity to the Prophet. Ibn Kathir notes this represents a test of faith, as the believers prioritized temporary worldly interests over the eternal guidance being delivered. Allah reassures the believers that His provision and blessings far exceed any material gain they might pursue, and that He is the Best of providers (Khayru al-Rraziqin).
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Madinah regarding a specific incident during Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah) when a caravan arrived with trade goods and drums were heard. Some companions left the congregational prayer to attend to commerce and entertainment. The broader context of Surah Al-Jumu'ah emphasizes the importance of responding to the Friday call to prayer and prioritizing spiritual obligations over worldly pursuits.
Related Hadiths
1) Sahih Bukhari (909): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding those who leave Friday prayer: 'Whoever leaves three Friday prayers consecutively out of negligence, Allah will seal their heart.' 2) Sunan Abu Dawud (1047): Narrated about the caravan incident, emphasizing that the Prophet continued his khutbah undisturbed despite companions leaving.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true success lies in maintaining our commitment to worship and spiritual growth, even when worldly opportunities present themselves compellingly. We must trust that Allah's provision is guaranteed and superior to any temporal gain we might pursue at the expense of our religious duties.