يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا 29
Translations
O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allāh is to you ever Merciful.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la ta'kulu amwalakum baynakum bil-batili illa an takouna tijaratun an taradin minkum wa la taqtulu anfusakum inna Allaha kana bikum rahiman
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah forbids believers from consuming each other's wealth through unlawful means such as usury, fraud, theft, and gambling, while permitting trade conducted with mutual consent. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'al-batil' (the false/unlawful) encompasses all transactions devoid of genuine benefit or based on deception. The prohibition against killing oneself extends to all forms of self-harm and suicide, with classical scholars noting that harming others unjustly is also forbidden as it corrupts the Muslim community (ummah).
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during the formation of Islamic society, this ayah addresses the diverse economic practices and tribal customs of the early Muslim community. It comes within Surah An-Nisa's broader framework of establishing just social and financial regulations, providing clear ethical guidelines for commerce and interpersonal dealings among believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best earnings are from one's own hands and from honest trade' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent' relates to avoiding harm, and the Prophet warned: 'Each of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges' (Sahih Bukhari), emphasizing accountability in financial matters.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah establishes that true prosperity comes through ethical conduct and honest dealings rather than exploitation, and reminds believers that their lives and wealth belong to Allah, to be used in ways that benefit themselves and their community. For modern readers, it underscores the Islamic imperative for financial honesty, fair trade practices, and the protection of both physical and psychological well-being in pursuit of a just society.
Related Ayahs
۞ إِنَّآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ كَمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَـٰرُونَ وَسُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ زَبُورًا
Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book [of Psalms].
۞ وَمَن يُهَاجِرْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ يَجِدْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُرَٰغَمًا كَثِيرًا وَسَعَةً ۚ وَمَن يَخْرُجْ مِنۢ بَيْتِهِۦ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allāh will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allāh and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allāh. And Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ۚ وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
What comes to you of good is from Allāh, but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself. And We have sent you, [O Muḥammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allāh as Witness.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱفْتَرَىٰٓ إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا
Indeed, Allāh does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allāh has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.