وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ مَعَكُمْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ 75
Translations
And those who believed after [the initial emigration] and emigrated and fought with you - they are of you. But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of all things.
Transliteration
Wa alladhīna āmanū min ba'du wa hājarū wa jāhadū ma'akum fa-ulāʾika minkum wa ulū al-arhām ba'duhum awlā bi-ba'din fī kitāb Allāh innā Allāha bi-kulli shayʾin 'alīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that believers who embrace faith after the Prophet's migration to Medina, perform hijrah (emigration), and participate in jihad are considered part of the Muslim community (ummah) with full rights and responsibilities. The second part clarifies the principle of inheritance law: blood relatives (dhū al-arhām) have priority over others in inheriting from one another according to Allah's ordinance, superseding the earlier Medinan practice of inheritance based on the covenant of brotherhood. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this represents the final ruling on inheritance, overriding earlier arrangements made between the Muhajirun and Ansar.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the early Medinan period as part of Surah Al-Anfal's discussion of communal bonds and legal frameworks. It comes after the establishment of brotherhood between Muhajirun and Ansar and clarifies that while this spiritual brotherhood was important, blood kinship takes precedence in matters of inheritance—reflecting the evolution of Islamic law as the Muslim community matured.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain ties of kinship' (Sahih Bukhari 5987). Additionally, the inheritance rules outlined here are detailed in multiple hadiths regarding the distribution of estates (farāʾid) found in Sunan Ibn Majah and Sunan Abu Dawud.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that sincere faith combined with sacrifice (emigration and struggle) grants full membership in the Muslim community, while also establishing that natural family bonds remain sacred and legally binding—teaching us that spiritual brotherhood complements but does not replace familial responsibilities and loyalty.