۞ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا عَبْدًا مَّمْلُوكًا لَّا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَمَن رَّزَقْنَـٰهُ مِنَّا رِزْقًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ يُنفِقُ مِنْهُ سِرًّا وَجَهْرًا ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوُۥنَ ۚ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ 75
Translations
Allāh presents an example: a slave [who is] owned and unable to do a thing and he to whom We have provided from Us good provision, so he spends from it secretly and publicly. Can they be equal? Praise to Allāh! But most of them do not know.
Transliteration
Daraba Allahu mathalan abdan mamluukan la yaqdir ala shay'in wa man razaqnahu minna rizqan hasanan fahuwa yunfiq minhu sirran wa jahran hal yastawun alhamdu lillahi bal aktharu-hum la ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah presents a parable contrasting two persons: a slave who possesses nothing and cannot control anything, and a free person whom Allah has blessed with good provision and who spends it both secretly and openly. The ayah rhetorically asks whether these two can be equal, implying they are not—this serves as a parable for the believers and disbelievers, or those who follow guidance versus those who follow falsehood. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as emphasizing the superiority of the believer who recognizes Allah's blessings and uses them in obedience, in contrast to those who remain heedless of divine truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl (Meccan period) within a series of parables aimed at helping the Meccans understand the fundamental differences between those who accept monotheism and those who reject it. The context addresses the Quraysh's rejection of the message, using vivid comparisons to illustrate spiritual and moral distinctions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet still gives' (related to spending from provision). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi emphasizes: 'Wealth and children are adornments of life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2329), connecting to the theme of proper use of blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize our blessings from Allah and use them as a means of obedience and charity, understanding that true freedom lies not in material wealth but in faith and guidance. We should reflect on how we utilize our provisions—whether secretly or openly—as both are forms of worship that distinguish the guided believer from those who remain heedless of divine truth.
Related Ayahs
جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ لَهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآءُونَ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
Gardens of perpetual residence, which they will enter, beneath which rivers flow. They will have therein whatever they wish. Thus does Allāh reward the righteous -
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
But if they turn away, [O Muḥammad] - then only upon you is [responsibility for] clear notification.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ فِى ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ۖ وَلَأَجْرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
And those who emigrated for [the cause of] Allāh after they had been wronged - We will surely settle them in this world in a good place; but the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if only they could know.
تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
By Allāh, We did certainly send [messengers] to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds attractive to them. And he is their [i.e., the disbelievers] ally today [as well], and they will have a painful punishment.