أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ 24
Translations
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."
Transliteration
An la yadkhulannaha al-yawma alaikum miskeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of the parable of the two gardens, where the owner of the blessed garden makes a vow that no poor person shall enter his garden on that day. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as reflecting the arrogance and stinginess of the garden's owner, who boasts of his wealth and denies charity to the needy. The statement reveals his heedlessness of Allah's blessings and his neglect of the obligatory duty of caring for the poor, ultimately leading to his garden's destruction as divine punishment for his transgression.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Qalam (68:17-33), a Meccan surah that presents parables of those who reject Allah's signs and rely upon their worldly possessions. The broader context describes two men with gardens—one grateful and humble, the other arrogant and ungrateful—illustrating the consequences of different responses to divine blessings.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet still gives' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Whoever withholds charity from the needy while possessing abundance will find their wealth a burden on the Day of Judgment' (related themes in various collections regarding the obligation of Zakat and sadaqah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns against allowing wealth to breed arrogance and cause us to forget our obligations to the poor and needy. True blessing from Allah comes with the responsibility to share with others; withholding charity due to pride invites divine displeasure and loss, reminding us that generosity and humility are marks of true faith.