وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ ٱلْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًا مَّحْسُورًا 29
Translations
And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.
Transliteration
Wa lā taj'al yadaka maghlūlatan ilā 'unuqika wa lā tabsutuhā kulla al-basṭi fataqʿuda malūman maḥsūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands moderation in spending and financial conduct, forbidding both excessive stinginess (binding one's hand to one's neck) and reckless extravagance (spreading it out completely). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the metaphor of the bound hand represents miserliness that prevents beneficial expenditure, while completely outstretched spending leads to regret and exhaustion. The ayah establishes the Islamic principle of balanced spending (wasaṭiyyah), neither depriving oneself and others nor squandering wealth in ways that leave one blameworthy and regretful.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Isra, which contains moral and ethical teachings revealed during the Meccan period. It is part of a series of divine commandments (17:23-39) addressing proper conduct in family relations, worship, and financial dealings. The broader context emphasizes balanced living and avoiding extremes in all matters of life.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: 'The best charity is when one gives while in poverty' (Sunan Ibn Mājah). Also, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' emphasizes balanced care for dependents without wastefulness.
Themes
Key Lesson
True righteousness lies in the middle path: neither hoarding wealth in selfish miserliness nor spending recklessly, but rather giving generously according to one's means while maintaining dignity and responsibility. This principle extends beyond finances to all aspects of life, teaching Muslims to avoid extremism and seek balance in their daily conduct.