۞ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا عَبْدًا مَّمْلُوكًا لَّا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَمَن رَّزَقْنَـٰهُ مِنَّا رِزْقًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ يُنفِقُ مِنْهُ سِرًّا وَجَهْرًا ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوُۥنَ ۚ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ 75
Translations
Allāh presents an example: a slave [who is] owned and unable to do a thing and he to whom We have provided from Us good provision, so he spends from it secretly and publicly. Can they be equal? Praise to Allāh! But most of them do not know.
Transliteration
Daraba Allahu mathalan abdan mamluukan la yaqdir ala shay'in wa man razaqnahu minna rizqan hasanan fahuwa yunfiq minhu sirran wa jahran hal yastawun alhamdu lillahi bal aktharu-hum la ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah presents a parable contrasting two persons: a slave who possesses nothing and cannot control anything, and a free person whom Allah has blessed with good provision and who spends it both secretly and openly. The ayah rhetorically asks whether these two can be equal, implying they are not—this serves as a parable for the believers and disbelievers, or those who follow guidance versus those who follow falsehood. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as emphasizing the superiority of the believer who recognizes Allah's blessings and uses them in obedience, in contrast to those who remain heedless of divine truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl (Meccan period) within a series of parables aimed at helping the Meccans understand the fundamental differences between those who accept monotheism and those who reject it. The context addresses the Quraysh's rejection of the message, using vivid comparisons to illustrate spiritual and moral distinctions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet still gives' (related to spending from provision). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi emphasizes: 'Wealth and children are adornments of life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2329), connecting to the theme of proper use of blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize our blessings from Allah and use them as a means of obedience and charity, understanding that true freedom lies not in material wealth but in faith and guidance. We should reflect on how we utilize our provisions—whether secretly or openly—as both are forms of worship that distinguish the guided believer from those who remain heedless of divine truth.
Related Ayahs
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ
And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect from every nation a witness [i.e., their prophet]. Then it will not be permitted to the disbelievers [to apologize or make excuses], nor will they be asked to appease [Allāh].
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تِبْيَـٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves [i.e., their prophet]. And We will bring you, [O Muḥammad], as a witness over these [i.e., your nation]. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.
وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَـٰكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَلَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And if Allāh had willed, He could have made you [of] one religion, but He sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And you will surely be questioned about what you used to do.
وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلرِّزْقِ ۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا۟ بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ ۚ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
And Allāh has favored some of you over others in provision. But those who were favored [i.e., given more] would not hand over their provision to those whom their right hands possess [i.e., slaves] so they would be equal to them therein. Then is it the favor of Allāh they reject?