ءَأَشْفَقْتُمْ أَن تُقَدِّمُوا۟ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ نَجْوَىٰكُمْ صَدَقَـٰتٍ ۚ فَإِذْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا۟ وَتَابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ 13
Translations
Have you feared to present before your consultation charities? Then when you do not and Allāh has forgiven you, then [at least] establish prayer and give zakāh and obey Allāh and His Messenger. And Allāh is Aware of what you do.
Transliteration
A-ashfaqtum an tuqaddimū bayna yadī najwākum sadaqāt? Fa-idhā lam taf'alū wa tāba Allāhu 'alaykum fa-aqīmū as-salāh wa ātu az-zakāh wa atī'ū Allāha wa rasūlahu. Wa-Allāhu khabīrun bimā ta'malūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the initial ruling requiring those who wished to have private consultation (najwá) with the Prophet (ﷺ) to give charity beforehand, which was revealed to test the companions' sincerity and prevent frivolous questioning. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that when the companions hesitated due to financial hardship, Allah abrogated this requirement and replaced it with the general obligations of prayer, zakah, and obedience to Allah and His Messenger as a means of spiritual purification.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Mujadila (The Pleading Woman), revealed in Medina regarding the practice of najwá (private consultation with the Prophet). The surah begins with the story of a woman (Khawlah bint Tha'labah) who pleaded with the Prophet about her husband's unjust treatment. The context addresses the etiquette of approaching the Prophet with personal matters.
Related Hadiths
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that this verse was revealed regarding the companions' hesitation to spend for private consultation with the Prophet. The ruling was later abrogated, as mentioned in Tafsir Ibn Kathir. Additionally, authentic hadith collections emphasize the importance of the five pillars (prayer and zakah) as foundational to faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah's legislation is merciful and responsive to the needs of His servants; when a ruling becomes burdensome, He replaces it with what is more achievable and beneficial. The foundation of a believer's relationship with Allah rests on fulfilling the fundamental obligations of prayer and zakah while maintaining sincere obedience to divine guidance.