أَنِ ٱغْدُوا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰرِمِينَ 22
Translations
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
Transliteration
An ighdu 'ala harthikum in kuntum sārimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah, part of the parable of the garden owners in Surah Al-Qalam, records their statement as they resolved to harvest their orchard early without giving charity to the poor. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the phrase means 'Go early to your harvest if you are determined (to withhold charity),' reflecting their arrogant intention to deprive the needy of their rightful share. The ayah highlights how their hearts were hardened by greed and heedlessness of divine commands regarding alms and social responsibility.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of the wealthy garden owners (verses 17-33) in Al-Qaram, a Meccan surah addressing idolaters and rejectors of the message. The context illustrates the consequences of wealth without piety and serves as a warning against miserliness and ingratitude, themes central to Meccan revelation which emphasized moral rectitude and social justice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Wealth and children are the adornment of this life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Sahih Bukhari 4:545). Additionally, 'The best charity is when one is in need yet gives' relates to the spirit of this ayah's criticism of those who refuse to share their abundance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that wealth is a trust from Allah and includes the rights of the needy; true success lies not in accumulating possessions while harboring greed, but in balanced livelihood earned with gratitude and shared with compassion. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that prosperity without generosity and social consciousness invites divine displeasure and worldly ruin.