أَمْ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُلْكِ فَإِذًا لَّا يُؤْتُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ نَقِيرًا 53
Translations
Or have they a share of dominion? Then [if that were so], they would not give the people [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.
Transliteration
Am lahum nasibun min al-mulki fa-iza lā yu'tūn an-nāsa naqīrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah sarcastically questions the polytheists' claim to a share in Allah's dominion, suggesting that if they possessed such authority, they would give people nothing—not even the smallest amount (a naqir, the crack in a date pit). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as Allah's rebuke to those who associate partners with Him and deny His absolute sovereignty, highlighting the absurdity of their position. The ayah emphasizes that true power and generosity belong to Allah alone, and those who reject monotheism demonstrate stinginess and unworthiness of divine blessing.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of polytheism and the attributes of Allah. It specifically addresses the disbelievers' false claims about possessing a share in divine authority and their denial of Allah's complete control. The verse uses rhetorical sarcasm characteristic of Quranic refutation of polytheistic beliefs prevalent in Meccan and early Medinan Arabia.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need' (Tirmidhi). While not directly related, this hadith contrasts with the stinginess described in the ayah, emphasizing the virtue of generosity that reflects belief in Allah's provision.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize Allah's absolute authority and reject any notion that others share in His dominion, while also reminding us that true generosity flows from faith in Allah's limitless provision. For modern readers, it serves as a humbling reminder that worldly power is transient and that genuine wealth comes from submission to Allah's will, not from arrogant claims to autonomy.
Related Ayahs
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muḥammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.
وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَبَدَّلُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ بِٱلطَّيِّبِ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حُوبًا كَبِيرًا
And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُ ٱللَّهُ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَعِظْهُمْ وَقُل لَّهُمْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ قَوْلًۢا بَلِيغًا
Those are the ones of whom Allāh knows what is in their hearts, so turn away from them but admonish them and speak to them a far-reaching [i.e., effective] word.