۞ 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
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Then, indeed your Lord, to those who have done wrong out of ignorance and then repent after that and correct themselves - indeed, your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.
مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ ۖ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ بَاقٍ ۗ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوٓا۟ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Whatever you have will end, but what Allāh has is lasting. And We will surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.
يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
They recognize the favor of Allāh; then they deny it. And most of them are disbelievers.
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ ٱلسَّبْتُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
The sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.