إِن يَسْـَٔلْكُمُوهَا فَيُحْفِكُمْ تَبْخَلُوا۟ وَيُخْرِجْ أَضْغَـٰنَكُمْ 37
Translations
If He should ask you for them and press you, you would withhold, and He would expose your hatred [i.e., unwillingness].
Transliteration
In yassalukumuha fa-yuḥfīkum tabkhalū wa-yukhridj aḍghānakum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the hypocrisy of those who, when asked to spend in charity or for the cause of Allah, refuse and show stinginess, thereby revealing the hidden grudges and enmity in their hearts. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as a test of sincerity—true believers give willingly without revealing their inner malice, while the hypocrites' refusal to give exposes their concealed rancor and lack of genuine faith.
Revelation Context
Surah Muhammad addresses the qualities and behaviors of believers versus hypocrites during the Medinan period. This specific ayah appears in the context of discussing the hypocrites' reluctance to support the Muslim community and the Prophet, revealing their true nature through their unwillingness to spend in Allah's cause.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46, hadith-related theme). Also relevant is the hadith from Sahih Muslim where the Prophet warned against stinginess: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that our true character and spiritual condition are revealed through our willingness (or reluctance) to sacrifice and give for noble causes; believers should examine their hearts to ensure their giving is sincere and free from hidden malice toward others.
Related Ayahs
ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَيْمَـٰنَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
They have taken their oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allāh. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing.
وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.
كَيْفَ وَإِن يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ لَا يَرْقُبُوا۟ فِيكُمْ إِلًّا وَلَا ذِمَّةً ۚ يُرْضُونَكُم بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَتَأْبَىٰ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ
How [can there be a treaty] while, if they gain dominance over you, they do not observe concerning you any pact of kinship or covenant of protection? They satisfy you with their mouths, but their hearts refuse [compliance], and most of them are defiantly disobedient.
مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّآ أَضَآءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُۥ ذَهَبَ ٱللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ
Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allāh took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see.