وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلْإِيمَـٰنَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّآ أُوتُوا۟ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ 9
Translations
And [also for] those who were settled in the Home [i.e.,al-Madīnah] and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what they [i.e., the emigrants] were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina tabawwa'u al-dara wa-al-imana min qablihim yuhibbuna man hajara ilayhim wa la yajiduna fi sudurihim hajatan mimma utuw wa yu'thiruna ala anfusihim wa law kana bihim khasa-asah wa man yuqq shuhha nafsih fa-ula'ika hum al-muflichun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah praises the Ansar (helpers of Medina) who established their faith before the Muhajirun (emigrants from Mecca) arrived, showing genuine love for them without jealousy or resentment at the emigrants receiving divine gifts. The Ansar prioritized the needs of the Muhajirun over their own wealth and well-being, embodying the highest form of selflessness and sacrifice. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as a paradigm of genuine brotherhood and freedom from greed (shuhh), which leads to true success and prosperity in both worlds.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina, this ayah is part of Surah Al-Hashr which discusses the expulsion of Banu Nadir. The context addresses the distribution of their wealth among the Muhajirun and Ansar, highlighting the admirable conduct of the Ansar who willingly gave priority to the emigrants despite their own needs, contrasting their virtue with the underlying tensions that could have arisen from such wealth distribution.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), which resonates with the theme of prioritizing others' needs. Also relevant: 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Muslim 45), capturing the spirit of brotherhood mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
True success (falah) in life is achieved not through accumulating wealth but through purifying the heart from greed and resentment, and through genuine concern for others' welfare even at personal cost. This ayah calls believers to examine their hearts for hidden jealousy and to cultivate sincere brotherhood based on faith rather than material gain.