وَلَمْ نَكُ نُطْعِمُ ٱلْمِسْكِينَ 44
Translations
Nor did we used to feed the poor.
Transliteration
Wa lam naku nutʿīmu al-miskīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of the speech of the people of Hell describing their failures on earth, specifically their neglect of feeding the poor and needy. The verse expresses their shameful admission that they did not fulfill the obligation of caring for the destitute, a cardinal sin in Islamic ethics. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this statement highlights the severe consequences of withholding charity and compassion from those in need, as it is counted among the major omissions that lead to punishment.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Muddaththir was revealed in the early Meccan period and addresses the Prophet's mission and the reality of the Day of Judgment. This specific ayah (74:44) appears within the description of the inmates of Hell (verses 39-47), where they recount their sins and failures in the worldly life, emphasizing the importance of social responsibility and charity in Islam.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need themselves' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim states: 'Whoever feeds a hungry person will be fed by Allah on the Day of Judgment.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that the measure of our faith is reflected in how we treat the vulnerable and poor among us; neglecting their needs is a grave sin that will be reckoned on the Day of Judgment. We must actively cultivate compassion and generosity in our hearts and actions toward those in need.
Related Ayahs
۞ فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا
But there came after them successors [i.e., later generations] who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil -
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَىٰ ثَلَـٰثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلَآ أَدْنَىٰ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ ۖ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Have you not considered that Allāh knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth? There are not three in a private conversation but that He is the fourth of them, nor are there five but that He is the sixth of them - and no less than that and no more except that He is with them [in knowledge] wherever they are. Then He will inform them of what they did, on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed Allāh is, of all things, Knowing.
وَأَنْ أَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّقُوهُ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
And to establish prayer and fear Him." And it is He to whom you will be gathered.
وَقُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ سَيُرِيكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ فَتَعْرِفُونَهَا ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
And say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allāh. He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."