فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ 13
Translations
It is the freeing of a slave
Transliteration
Fakku raqabah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase means 'freeing a slave' or 'liberating a captive,' referring to one of the highest and most virtuous deeds in Islam. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes the spiritual and moral significance of emancipating enslaved persons, which was considered among the most meritorious acts that expiate sins and bring one closer to Allah. Al-Qurtubi notes that this act of mercy directly demonstrates one's belief in and submission to the Divine, as it reflects compassion and justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Balad, a Meccan surah that addresses the difficulty of the spiritual path and distinguishes between righteous and unrighteous conduct. Verse 90:13 is part of a passage (ayat 11-20) that delineates the concrete actions that constitute true piety and righteousness, emphasizing practical charity and mercy as essential markers of sincere faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah will free every limb of his body from the Fire in return for every limb of the slave's body' (Sahih Bukhari 3012). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' relates to the broader theme of mercy and justice (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
In modern contexts, this ayah teaches that genuine faith must be expressed through concrete actions of liberation, compassion, and freeing others from oppression—whether literal enslavement or metaphorical bondage such as ignorance, poverty, or injustice. True devotion to Allah is measured not merely by belief but by tangible deeds that uplift the vulnerable and marginalized in society.