وَمِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ مَغْرَمًا وَيَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمُ ٱلدَّوَآئِرَ ۚ عَلَيْهِمْ دَآئِرَةُ ٱلسَّوْءِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 98
Translations
And among the bedouins are some who consider what they spend as a loss and await for you turns of misfortune. Upon them will be a misfortune of evil. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Wa mina al-a'rabi man yattakhidhu ma yunfiqu maghrama wa yatarabbbasu bikumu ad-da'ira 'alaihim da'iratu as-su' wa-Allahu Samee'un 'Aleem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to certain Bedouin Arabs who viewed their contributions to the Islamic state as a burden (mughram) rather than a privilege, and who waited for misfortunes to befall the Muslims so they could benefit or feel vindicated. Allah warns that such ill-wishes and hypocrisy will ultimately bring ruin upon themselves. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that these individuals possessed weak faith and sought worldly gain rather than sincere support for the Islamic community.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the Medinan period, this ayah is part of Surah At-Tawbah's broader discussion of hypocrisy and the conditions of those who claimed to support Islam yet lacked genuine faith. It addresses the reality of some Bedouin tribes whose allegiance was conditional and mercenary, contrasting with the sincere believers who supported the Prophet's mission wholeheartedly.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari 13). This contrasts sharply with the attitude described in 9:98, where individuals harbored ill-wishes toward the Muslim community.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith requires sincerity in intention and genuine concern for the Muslim ummah; those who give charity or support only for show or with resentment, or who secretly wish harm upon believers, will face divine retribution. Believers should cultivate honest intentions and earnest brotherhood rather than outward compliance.