إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِى بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًا ۖ وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًا 10
Translations
Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze [i.e., Hellfire].
Transliteration
Inna alladhina ya'kuluna amwala al-yatama zulman innama ya'kuluna fi butunihim nara wa-sayislawna saira
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah severely condemns those who consume the wealth of orphans unjustly, declaring that they are essentially consuming fire into their bellies and will face the blazing punishment of Hell. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this represents one of the gravest sins in Islam, as it combines both oppression (zulm) and exploitation of the vulnerable. The metaphor of 'eating fire' indicates the spiritual corruption and divine punishment that inevitably follows such transgression.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa, which addresses women's rights and social justice in the Islamic community. It was revealed in Medina during a period when the Muslim society needed guidance on protecting vulnerable groups, particularly orphans whose guardians were often tempted to misuse their wealth. The context follows regulations about orphans' wealth and reflects the Qur'an's emphasis on ethical treatment of dependents.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The best house among the Muslims is a house where orphans are treated well, and the worst house is one where orphans are treated badly' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the Prophet warned, 'Avoid the seven destructive sins,' listing the consumption of orphans' wealth as one of them (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that financial wrongdoing, especially against those who cannot defend themselves, incurs severe divine punishment and corrupts the soul. It serves as a powerful reminder that true wealth lies in ethical conduct, and that exploiting the weak—whether orphans, minors, or the vulnerable—carries grave spiritual and moral consequences in both this life and the Hereafter.
Related Ayahs
وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ عُدْوَٰنًا وَظُلْمًا فَسَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِ نَارًا ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًا
And whoever does that in aggression and injustice - then We will drive him into a Fire. And that, for Allāh, is [always] easy.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِٱلْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
O mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve - then indeed, to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And ever is Allāh Knowing and Wise.
مَّا يَفْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَءَامَنتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًا
What would Allāh do with [i.e., gain from] your punishment if you are grateful and believe? And ever is Allāh Appreciative and Knowing.
مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِۦ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَٱسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَٰعِنَا لَيًّۢا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِى ٱلدِّينِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَٱسْمَعْ وَٱنظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَقْوَمَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] places [i.e., usages] and say, "We hear and disobey" and "Hear but be not heard" and "Rāʿinā," twisting their tongues and defaming the religion. And if they had said [instead], "We hear and obey" and "Wait for us [to understand]," it would have been better for them and more suitable. But Allāh has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few.