وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا 21
Translations
And when good touches him, withholding [of it],
Transliteration
Wa-idha massahu al-khayru manuʿa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how when good fortune touches a stingy person, he withholds it and does not share it with others. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this refers to the character of the miser who, when blessed with wealth or goodness, becomes miserly and refuses to help those in need or contribute to charitable causes. The word 'manuʿa' (withholding/stingy) emphasizes the refusal to distribute or share blessings that Allah has granted.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'arij, which describes the traits of ungrateful and selfish people in contrast to the righteous. The surah was revealed in Mecca and addresses the characteristics of those who reject faith and deny the Day of Judgment. This particular ayah falls within a passage (70:19-25) that catalogs the negative traits of the disbeliever, including miserliness as a sign of spiritual corruption.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet gives, and the worst person is he who is miserly even when he has abundance.' (Related to themes in Jami' at-Tirmidhi on generosity). Additionally, Surah Al-Ma'arij 70:24-25 immediately follows with mention of those who fulfill their trusts and keep their promises.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true faith manifests in generosity and gratitude; withholding blessings from others is a sign of spiritual disease and ingratitude to Allah. We should examine our hearts to ensure that when Allah grants us good, we share it willingly rather than becoming enslaved to material possessions.