فَـَٔاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ 38
Translations
So give the relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveler. That is best for those who desire the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh, and it is they who will be the successful.
Transliteration
Fa-ati dhal-qurbā ḥaqqahu wa-al-miskīna wa-abna al-sabīl. Dhālika khayrun li-alladhīna yurīdūna wajha Allāh. Wa-ulā'ika hum al-muflihūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands giving the rights of relatives, the poor, and travelers their due, emphasizing that such charity done with sincere intention for the pleasure of Allah constitutes the path to true success and prosperity. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse establishes a hierarchy of rights—beginning with kinship obligations—and that the key distinction separating righteous giving from mere philanthropy is the sincere intention (niyyah) to seek only Allah's pleasure, not worldly recognition or reward.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rum is a Meccan surah addressing the early Muslim community during a period of persecution, emphasizing divine signs and moral principles. This particular ayah occurs within a section (ayat 36-39) discussing various moral and ethical obligations, contextualizing charity and family rights as foundational principles of Islamic practice during the challenging early Meccan period.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet gives' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, 'The best of deeds is to bring joy to a Muslim's heart' relates to the broader theme of caring for relatives and the poor (At-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
True success (falah) comes not merely from giving materially, but from giving with genuine sincerity for Allah's sake alone, prioritizing those closest to us while remaining compassionate to all in need. This ayah reminds modern believers that righteous action paired with pure intention transforms ordinary generosity into a means of spiritual elevation and divine blessing.