لَّيْسَ عَلَى ٱلضُّعَفَآءِ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْمَرْضَىٰ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۚ مَا عَلَى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلٍ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 91
Translations
There is not upon the weak or upon the ill or upon those who do not find anything to spend any discomfort [i.e., guilt] when they are sincere to Allāh and His Messenger. There is not upon the doers of good any cause [for blame]. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Laysa 'ala ad-du'afa wa la 'ala al-marda wa la 'ala alladhina la yajiduna ma yunfiqun harajun idha nasahu lillahi wa rasulih. Ma 'ala al-muhsinin min sabil. Wa-Allahu ghafurun raheem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah exempts the weak, the sick, and those who lack financial means from the obligation of Jihad (striving in the cause of Allah), provided their intention and sincerity toward Allah and His Messenger remain pure. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that Allah removes hardship (haraj) for those who cannot fulfill obligations due to legitimate impediments, while reaffirming that those who do good deeds (muhsinin) will face no blame or punishment. The ayah concludes with Allah's attributes of forgiveness and mercy, underscoring His compassion toward human limitations.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah At-Tawbah (Medinan), which addresses the obligation of Jihad and the reasons some believers were unable to participate in the Tabuk expedition. It reflects the practical Islamic principle of removing burden (taissir) from those facing genuine hardship, demonstrating Islam's flexibility in accommodating human weakness while maintaining moral accountability.
Related Hadiths
The principle is supported by the hadith: 'There is no sin upon the blind, nor upon the lame, nor upon the sick' (Sunan Abu Dawud 2548). Additionally, the hadith emphasizing intention: 'Actions are by intentions' (Sahih Bukhari 1) relates to the condition that sincere intention toward Allah remains intact despite inability to fulfill external obligations.
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah does not burden His servants beyond their capacity; sincere intention and effort within one's means are valued equally to those with greater ability. This teaches believers that spiritual worth is measured by sincerity and ihsan (excellence) rather than external circumstances alone.
Related Ayahs
وَمِنْهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ ۚ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And among them are those who abuse the Prophet and say, "He is an ear." Say, "[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allāh and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you." And those who abuse the Messenger of Allāh - for them is a painful punishment.
يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْا۟ عَنْهُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَرْضَوْا۟ عَنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَرْضَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
They swear to you so that you might be satisfied with them. But if you should be satisfied with them - indeed, Allāh is not satisfied with a defiantly disobedient people.
ٱشْتَرَوْا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا فَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
They have exchanged the signs of Allāh for a small price and averted [people] from His way. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing.
۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَـْٔذِنُونَكَ وَهُمْ أَغْنِيَآءُ ۚ رَضُوا۟ بِأَن يَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْخَوَالِفِ وَطَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
The cause [for blame] is only upon those who ask permission of you while they are rich. They are satisfied to be with those who stay behind, and Allāh has sealed over their hearts, so they do not know.