وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَضُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ سَيُؤْتِينَا ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ رَٰغِبُونَ 59
Translations
If only they had been satisfied with what Allāh and His Messenger gave them and said, "Sufficient for us is Allāh; Allāh will give us of His bounty, and [so will] His Messenger; indeed, we are desirous toward Allāh," [it would have been better for them].
Transliteration
Wa law annahum radū mā ātāhum Allāhu wa rasūluh wa qālū hasbunā Allāh sayuʾtīnā Allāhu min fadlih wa rasūluh inna ilā Allāh rāghbūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses those who complained about the distribution of war booty and charitable funds, instructing them that contentment with Allah's provision through His Messenger, coupled with trust in His future bounty, is the righteous path. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse teaches believers to find sufficiency in Allah (hasbunallah) and to maintain hope in His grace rather than harboring discontent or jealousy. The phrase 'Indeed, to Allah we turn in desire' (inna ilā Allāh rāghbūn) reinforces that ultimate reliance and aspiration should be directed solely toward the Divine.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the distribution of the khums (one-fifth of war booty) after various expeditions, where some Companions expressed dissatisfaction with their shares. It is part of Surah At-Tawbah's broader treatment of obligations, sincerity in warfare, and proper conduct within the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The hadith 'Wealth and children are adornments of life, but the everlasting good deeds are better in reward' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46) relates thematically to contentment. Additionally, the Prophet's (ﷺ) teaching 'Whoever wakes up secure in his property, healthy in his body, with food for the day has been given the entire world' (Jami' At-Tirmidhi) echoes the contentment encouraged in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true wealth lies in contentment with Allah's decree and unwavering trust in His provision, rather than in material abundance or comparison with others. In contemporary life, it encourages Muslims to cultivate gratitude for what they have while maintaining hopeful supplication to Allah, recognizing that sustainable peace comes from turning one's desires exclusively toward the Divine.