وَمِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ قُرُبَـٰتٍ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَصَلَوَٰتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهَا قُرْبَةٌ لَّهُمْ ۚ سَيُدْخِلُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 99
Translations
But among the bedouins are some who believe in Allāh and the Last Day and consider what they spend as means of nearness to Allāh and of [obtaining] invocations of the Messenger. Unquestionably, it is a means of nearness for them. Allāh will admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Wa mina al-a'rabi man yu'minu bi-llahi wa-l-yawmi al-akhiri wa-yattakhidhu ma yunfiqu qurbatan 'inda-llahi wa-salawati ar-rasuli. Ala inna-ha qurbatun lahum. Sayudkhiluhumu-llahu fi rahmatih. Inna-llaha ghafurun rahimun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah highlights that among the Bedouins (Arab nomads), some possess sincere faith in Allah and the Last Day, and they view their charitable expenditures as means of drawing closer to Allah and seeking the Prophet's supplication for them. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi note this verse counters the implication in previous ayat that the Bedouins were universally hypocritical or weak in faith. Allah promises that their intentions and charitable acts are indeed acts of worship that bring them closer to Him, and He will admit them into His mercy, as He is the All-Forgiving and All-Merciful.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter section of Surah At-Tawbah (The Repentance), a Medinan surah dealing with hypocrites and believers during the early Islamic period. The context discusses various categories of people—believers, hypocrites, and those whose faith is mixed—providing a nuanced view of the Bedouins rather than wholesale condemnation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need' (related to the spirit of sincere giving). Additionally, Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet emphasized that Allah looks at the heart and intention in deeds, not merely the outward action—directly supporting this ayah's focus on sincere intention (niyyah) in charity.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere faith and charitable intention matter far more than one's social status or background; a Bedouin with genuine taqwa (God-consciousness) and pure intention is closer to Allah than a wealthy urbanite lacking sincerity. It reminds believers that when we give charity or perform good deeds with the intention of drawing near to Allah, He recognizes and rewards this intention, encompassing us in His infinite mercy.