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
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَـٰقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِم بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ ٱلْأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌۢ ۚ بَلْ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And [We cursed them] for their breaking of the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allāh and their killing of the prophets without right and their saying, "Our hearts are wrapped" [i.e., sealed against reception]. Rather, Allāh has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few.
ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۖ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦٓ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا
Look how they invent about Allāh untruth, and sufficient is that as a manifest sin.
وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ ٱقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ أَوِ ٱخْرُجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِكُم مَّا فَعَلُوهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ مِّنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا۟ مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِۦ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا
And if We had decreed upon them, "Kill yourselves" or "Leave your homes," they would not have done it, except for a few of them. But if they had done what they were instructed, it would have been better for them and a firmer position [for them in faith].
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَٱتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۗ وَٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ خَلِيلًا
And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allāh while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allāh took Abraham as an intimate friend.