إِلَّا ٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا 98
Translations
Except for the oppressed among men, women, and children who cannot devise a plan nor are they directed to a way -
Transliteration
Illa al-mustadʿafīna mina ar-rijāli wa-an-nisāʾi wa-al-wildāni lā yastaṭīʿūna ḥīlatan wa-lā yahtadūna sabīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah provides an exception to the prohibition of remaining behind during migration (hijrah), exempting the weak and vulnerable—men, women, and children—who lack the ability to find a way forward or discern a path. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as Allah's mercy toward those genuinely incapable of migration due to physical weakness, poverty, imprisonment, or mental incapacity. The phrase 'lā yastaṭīʿūna ḥīlatan wa-lā yahtadūna sabīlā' (neither can they find a way nor can they find a path) emphasizes both material inability and intellectual/spiritual incapacity to undertake the journey.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa (Medinan) and appears in the context of verses discussing migration (verses 97-100). It responds to those who remained in Mecca without legitimate excuse, providing the Divine standard for determining who could be excused. The broader context addresses the obligation of hijrah during the early Islamic period and establishes that only the truly helpless are exempt from this duty.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of Umm Kulthum bint Uqbah in Sahih Bukhari describes how she migrated despite her guardian's opposition, illustrating the seriousness of the migration obligation. Additionally, Sunan An-Nasai contains narrations about the Prophet's treatment of those who could not migrate due to legitimate reasons.
Themes
Key Lesson
Islam recognizes human limitations and does not impose obligations beyond one's genuine capacity; believers should extend compassion to the weak and marginalized, understanding that Allah judges intentions and circumstances, not merely external actions. This principle extends beyond migration to all Islamic obligations, teaching us mercy in religious practice.
Related Ayahs
بَشِّرِ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment -
مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقِيتًا
Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share [i.e., reward] therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a portion [i.e., burden] therefrom. And ever is Allāh, over all things, a Keeper.
أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَىٰ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۖ فَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَآ ءَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُم مُّلْكًا عَظِيمًا
Or do they envy people for what Allāh has given them of His bounty? But We had already given the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom.
وَٱبْتَلُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغُوا۟ ٱلنِّكَاحَ فَإِنْ ءَانَسْتُم مِّنْهُمْ رُشْدًا فَٱدْفَعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَآ إِسْرَافًا وَبِدَارًا أَن يَكْبَرُوا۟ ۚ وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيًّا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيرًا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِذَا دَفَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فَأَشْهِدُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ حَسِيبًا
And test the orphans [in their abilities] until they reach marriageable age. Then if you perceive in them sound judgement, release their property to them. And do not consume it excessively and quickly, [anticipating] that they will grow up. And whoever, [when acting as guardian], is self-sufficient should refrain [from taking a fee]; and whoever is poor - let him take according to what is acceptable. Then when you release their property to them, bring witnesses upon them. And sufficient is Allāh as Accountant.