Surah Al-Hashr 59:7
سُورَةُ الحَشۡرِ · Medinan · Verse 7 of 24
مَّآ أَفَآءَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰ فَلِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ كَىْ لَا يَكُونَ دُولَةًۢ بَيْنَ ٱلْأَغْنِيَآءِ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
Translation
Whatever gains God has turned over to His Messenger from the inhabitants of the villages belong to God, the Messenger, kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, the traveller in need- this is so that they do not just circulate among those of you who are rich––so accept whatever the Messenger gives you, and abstain from whatever he forbids you. Be mindful of God: God is severe in punishment.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse from Surah Al-Hashr opens by addressing how certain war-acquired wealth, specifically `fay'`, which Allah bestowed upon His Messenger from the people of the villages, should be distributed. This refers to wealth obtained without direct battle, riding horses or camels, or any arduous combat. It's a provision granted by Allah directly. The verse then lays down a foundational principle for believers regarding obedience to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in all matters.
The Nature of `Fay'`
The verse begins with `مَّآ أَفَآءَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ مِن أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰ` (What Allah has bestowed upon His Messenger from the people of the villages). The word `أَفَآءَ` (afa'a) is significant. It describes wealth that "returned" to the Muslims without them having to exert effort in battle. Unlike `ghanimah` (spoils of war acquired through fighting), `fay'` represents a different kind of acquisition, a concession from Allah to His Messenger. As Zamakhshari notes, this implies it was "made a special fay' for him." Ibn Ashur further clarifies that this `fay'` was specifically from villages like those of Banu Nadir, which surrendered without a fight, differentiating it from spoils of war where significant effort was exerted. This distinction in wording underscores that its distribution would follow a specific divine directive, not the general rules of spoils of war.
Preventing Wealth Concentration
The verse then states the purpose of this unique distribution: `كَيْ لَا يَكُونَ دُولَةًۢ بَيْنَ ٱلْأَغْنِيَآءِ مِنكُمْ` (so that it does not become a thing circulated among the rich among you). The word `دُولَةً` (dawlah), as explained by scholars like al-Razi and Ibn Ashur, refers to something that revolves or is passed around. The emphasis here is on preventing wealth from becoming exclusive to the affluent. Historically, as Ibn Ashur details, pre-Islamic Arab customs allowed military leaders to take large, specific portions of spoils. This verse abolishes such practices, ensuring that the `fay'` benefits a broader segment of the Muslim community, especially the needy. The distribution channels specified (Allah, His Messenger, relatives, orphans, the needy, and wayfarers) demonstrate this intention to spread wealth and alleviate poverty.
Universal Obedience to the Messenger
The latter part of the verse, `وَمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ ۚ` (And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and what he forbids you from, abstain), is a profound, all-encompassing command. While it arises in the context of wealth distribution, scholars like Zamakhshari, al-Razi, and Ibn Ashur emphasize its general application. The wording `آتَىٰكُمُ` (atakum - gave you) and `نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ` (nahakum anhu - forbade you from) isn't just about material things. It refers to *everything* the Messenger brought: his teachings, commands, and prohibitions, whether in speech or action. Ibn Ashur beautifully describes "giving" here as a metaphor for conveying divine instruction and "taking" as accepting it with obedience and satisfaction. This phrasing elevates the Messenger's directives to a primary source of guidance, stressing that his words are not merely advice but binding commands from Allah. The concluding warning, `وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ` (And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in punishment), reinforces the gravity of this obedience, connecting true piety directly to compliance with the Messenger's way.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Hashr 59:7 is discussed in 23 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- Economy (Iqtisad) (key verse)
- Society (Mujtama') (key verse)
- Zakat
- Orphans (Yateem)
- Reconciliation (Silm)
- Fasting (Siyam)
- Weakness (Da'f)
- Excellence (Ihsan)
- Divinity (Uluhiyyah)
- Kinship (Rahim)
- Prophetic Household (Bayt al-Nubuwwah)
- Contemplation (Tadabbur)
- Warfare (Harb)
- Rights (Huquq)
- Debt (Dayn)
- Fitnah
- Fighting (Qital)
- Women (Nisa')
- Divine Revelation (Wahy)
- Governance (Siyasah)
- Social Relations (Alaqat Ijtima'iyyah)
- Deeds (Amal)
- Jewish Expeditions (Ghazawat Ma'a al-Yahud)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Hashr 59:7 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.