وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَن يَغُلَّ ۚ وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ 161
Translations
It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.
Transliteration
Wa mā kāna li-nabiyyin an yaghullo wa man yaghlul ya'ti bi-mā ghalla yawma al-qiyāmah thum tuwaffā kullu nafsin mā kasabat wa hum lā yuẓlamūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that it is impossible for a prophet to commit ghulul (embezzlement or misappropriation of war booty), as prophets are protected from such betrayal by Allah. The verse then affirms the universal principle that whoever commits theft—whether prophet, believer, or disbeliever—will bear what they stole on the Day of Judgment, and every soul will receive the full recompense of their deeds without any injustice. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize this as both a vindication of the prophets' integrity and a stern warning to all believers about accountability before Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the Battle of Uhud (3:121-180). It follows verses addressing the defeat at Uhud and appears to refute rumors or accusations that some might have leveled against the leadership or soldiers regarding the distribution of booty, while simultaneously affirming the absolute trustworthiness of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Jihad) where the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned soldiers against ghulul, stating it is one of the greatest sins. Additionally, a hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud describes the Prophet carrying wood on his back and forbidding anyone from taking even the smallest item from the spoils without permission, demonstrating his absolute integrity.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true leadership—especially in religious and communal matters—demands absolute integrity and honesty, as all deeds will be accounted for before Allah. It should inspire both leaders to maintain the highest ethical standards and followers to trust in divine justice, knowing that no dishonesty, however hidden, will escape accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e., Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous
فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَـٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, "O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allāh. Indeed, Allāh provides for whom He wills without account."
يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَتِ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ وَٱلْإِنجِيلُ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
O People of the Scripture, why do you argue about Abraham while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Then will you not reason?
إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
If Allāh should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allāh let the believers rely.