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
يَعْتَذِرُونَ إِلَيْكُمْ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ قُل لَّا تَعْتَذِرُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكُمْ قَدْ نَبَّأَنَا ٱللَّهُ مِنْ أَخْبَارِكُمْ ۚ وَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
They will make excuses to you when you have returned to them. Say, "Make no excuse - never will we believe you. Allāh has already informed us of your news [i.e., affair]. And Allāh will observe your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger; then you will be taken back to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do."
وَمَن لَّا يُجِبْ دَاعِىَ ٱللَّهِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُعْجِزٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَيْسَ لَهُۥ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءُ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
But he who does not respond to the Caller of Allāh will not cause failure [to Him] upon earth, and he will not have besides Him any protectors. Those are in manifest error."
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ تُسْـَٔلُونَ
And indeed, it is a remembrance for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.
أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّن يَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ
Does he think that never will anyone overcome him?