لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ 25
Translations
For the petitioner and the deprived -
Transliteration
Lil-sa'ili wal-mahrum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah specifies the rightful recipients of Zakat (obligatory charity), namely 'the asker' (as-sa'il) - those who openly request assistance, and 'the deprived' (al-mahrum) - those who are too dignified to ask but are in genuine need. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that both categories represent the deserving poor, and fulfilling their rights through Zakat is a religious obligation that purifies wealth and demonstrates compassion for the vulnerable.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Ma'arij's broader context describing the characteristics of true believers and their responsibilities toward society. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period and addresses both spiritual devotion and social obligations, particularly emphasizing the duty of the wealthy toward those in economic hardship.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is when you are in need yet you give' (related theme, various collections). Also relevant: 'Whoever conceals the poverty of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his poverty on the Day of Judgment' (Sunan Ibn Majah), highlighting the dignity of those too modest to ask openly.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith manifests through recognizing and meeting the needs of both the visibly struggling and the quietly dignified poor, encouraging believers to look beyond surface appearances and fulfill their social responsibilities with compassion and respect for human dignity.