يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا 29
Translations
O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allāh is to you ever Merciful.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la ta'kulu amwalakum baynakum bil-batili illa an takouna tijaratun an taradin minkum wa la taqtulu anfusakum inna Allaha kana bikum rahiman
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah forbids believers from consuming each other's wealth through unlawful means such as usury, fraud, theft, and gambling, while permitting trade conducted with mutual consent. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'al-batil' (the false/unlawful) encompasses all transactions devoid of genuine benefit or based on deception. The prohibition against killing oneself extends to all forms of self-harm and suicide, with classical scholars noting that harming others unjustly is also forbidden as it corrupts the Muslim community (ummah).
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during the formation of Islamic society, this ayah addresses the diverse economic practices and tribal customs of the early Muslim community. It comes within Surah An-Nisa's broader framework of establishing just social and financial regulations, providing clear ethical guidelines for commerce and interpersonal dealings among believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best earnings are from one's own hands and from honest trade' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent' relates to avoiding harm, and the Prophet warned: 'Each of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges' (Sahih Bukhari), emphasizing accountability in financial matters.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah establishes that true prosperity comes through ethical conduct and honest dealings rather than exploitation, and reminds believers that their lives and wealth belong to Allah, to be used in ways that benefit themselves and their community. For modern readers, it underscores the Islamic imperative for financial honesty, fair trade practices, and the protection of both physical and psychological well-being in pursuit of a just society.
Related Ayahs
لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًا
Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allāh, nor would the angels near [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant - He will gather them to Himself all together.
لَّعَنَهُ ٱللَّهُ ۘ وَقَالَ لَأَتَّخِذَنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِكَ نَصِيبًا مَّفْرُوضًا
Whom Allāh has cursed. For he had said, "I will surely take from among Your servants a specific portion.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا۟ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِى سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغْتَسِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janābah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [i.e., had sexual intercourse] and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allāh is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
وَإِذًا لَّـَٔاتَيْنَـٰهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّآ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
And then We would have given them from Us a great reward.