۞ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا وَبِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلْجَارِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْجَارِ ٱلْجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلْجَنۢبِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا 36
Translations
Worship Allāh and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allāh does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful,
Transliteration
Wa'budullaha wa lā tushrikū bihī shay'ā wa bil-wālidayn ihsānan wa bidhī al-qurbā wal-yatāmā wal-masākīn wal-jāru dhī al-qurbā wal-jāru al-junub wa as-sāhib bil-janb wa ibnu as-sabīl wa mā malakat aymānukum. Inna Allāha lā yuhibbu man kāna mukhtālan fakhtūr.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes a comprehensive ethical framework rooted in Tawhīd (monotheism), commanding worship of Allah alone while outlining the rights of various categories of people deserving kindness and good treatment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse delineates the vertical relationship with Allah (first command) and horizontal relationships with creation (remaining commands), making it a foundational text for Islamic social ethics. The concluding prohibition against arrogance and boastfulness indicates that true piety is incompatible with pride, making humility a prerequisite for fulfilling these obligations.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during a period of intensive community building, this ayah addresses the nascent Muslim society's need for clear social guidelines. It appears within Surah An-Nisa, which extensively addresses familial and social relationships, providing practical ethical instruction for the growing Islamic community beyond mere ritualistic worship.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest' relates to the ayah's command regarding neighbors and travelers (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that authentic faith in Allah necessarily manifests in compassionate treatment of all people regardless of their social status, and that sincere worship is inseparable from ethical conduct. For modern readers, it provides a timeless reminder that spirituality and social responsibility are interconnected pillars of Islamic practice.