وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَلْمِزُكَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا۟ مِنْهَا رَضُوا۟ وَإِن لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا۟ مِنْهَآ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ 58
Translations
And among them are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.
Transliteration
Wa minhum man yalmiuzuka fi as-sadaqati fa-in u'tū minhā radū wa in lam yu'taw minhā idhā hum yaskhatūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes hypocrites (munāfiqūn) who find fault with the Prophet Muhammad's distribution of Zakat and charitable donations, becoming pleased only when they receive a share themselves, and becoming discontent when they are not given anything. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to those whose hearts are diseased, who judge the Prophet's decisions based on personal gain rather than divine wisdom, revealing their hypocrisy and lack of true faith.
Revelation Context
Revealed during the Medinan period when the Prophet was organizing collections of Zakat and war contributions. This ayah is part of a section in Surah At-Tawbah addressing the characteristics of hypocrites and their behavior towards the Prophet's leadership and distribution of communal resources.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet said, 'Whoever is pleased with Allah as Lord, Islam as religion, and Muhammad as Messenger has tasted the sweetness of faith' (Sahih Muslim). Related to this ayah's theme of conditional loyalty: 'The most despicable of people is one whose loyalty and enmity depend upon worldly gain' (referenced in various adab collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers against allowing personal material interests to influence their judgment of leadership decisions and their faith commitment, teaching that true belief is unconditional and not contingent upon personal worldly gain. It reminds us to examine our own hearts to ensure our loyalty to Islamic principles stems from sincere belief rather than selfish motivation.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۖ فَعَسَىٰٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
The mosques of Allāh are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allāh and the Last Day and establish prayer and give zakāh and do not fear except Allāh, for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided.
مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا۟ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ خَـٰلِدُونَ
It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allāh [while] witnessing against themselves with disbelief. [For] those, their deeds have become worthless, and in the Fire they will abide eternally.
ٱنفِرُوا۟ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allāh. That is better for you, if you only knew.
قَـٰتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ وَيَنصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Fight them; Allāh will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts [i.e., desires] of a believing people