فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَـٰفَتُونَ 23
Translations
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
Transliteration
Faintalaqu wa hum yatakhaftun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts the people of the garden departing in hushed, whispered conversation after they broke their oath to give to the poor. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, their whispering reflects their shame, guilt, and secret plotting to prevent the poor from receiving their promised charity. The mention of their concealed speech emphasizes their hypocrisy and the internal conflict between their oath and their actual intentions.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the parable of the garden owners (Surah Al-Qalam 68:17-33), a Meccan surah that illustrates the consequences of greed, broken oaths, and ingratitude toward Allah's blessings. The broader context depicts wealthy individuals who tested by Allah through abundance, yet failed morally by reneging on their charitable commitments.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of people are those who are most useful to people' (Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about those who make oaths but break them, emphasizing that broken covenants incur divine displeasure.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that attempting to hide wrongdoing through secrecy and whispering cannot escape Allah's knowledge, and warns against allowing greed to corrupt charitable intentions once pledged. It reminds believers that integrity and fulfilling promises—especially regarding charity—are essential marks of faith.