أَوْ إِطْعَـٰمٌ فِى يَوْمٍ ذِى مَسْغَبَةٍ 14
Translations
Or feeding on a day of severe hunger
Transliteration
Aw itʿāmun fī yawmin dhī masghaba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes feeding the hungry during a time of severe famine or scarcity as one of the noble deeds that leads to liberation from the Fire. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'masghaba' (severe hunger/famine) indicates feeding others during difficult circumstances, when food is precious, makes the act more meritorious. The ayah is part of a passage describing the path to righteousness and freeing oneself from spiritual bondage through compassion and social responsibility.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Balad, a Meccan chapter that addresses fundamental moral obligations and the contrast between those who follow the path of righteousness and those who reject it. The surah emphasizes the ease of the path to guidance for those willing to follow it, and this ayah exemplifies one such path—charitable feeding of the poor.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet gives, and the best fast is that observed by one who finds it difficult' (related themes in various collections). Also relevant: 'Whoever feeds a hungry believer, Allah will feed him from the fruits of Paradise' (Sunan Ibn Majah and other sources).
Themes
Key Lesson
Giving charity—especially providing food to the hungry during times of scarcity—is a transformative act of worship that reflects true faith and releases one from spiritual poverty and bondage. Modern readers should recognize that genuine compassion requires sacrificing during one's own times of difficulty, not merely giving excess.