Surah Al-Hashr 59:9
سُورَةُ الحَشۡرِ · Medinan · Verse 9 of 24
وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلْإِيمَٰنَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةًۭ مِّمَّآ أُوتُوا۟ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌۭ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
Translation
Those who were already firmly established in their homes [in Medina], and firmly rooted in faith, show love for those who migrated to them for refuge and harbour no desire in their hearts for what has been given to them. They give them preference over themselves, even if they too are poor: those who are saved from their own souls’ greed are truly successful.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse describes the exemplary qualities of the Ansar, the residents of Medina who welcomed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muhajirun (migrants) from Makkah. It illuminates their profound faith and unparalleled generosity through careful word choices.
Dwelling in Faith
Allah describes them as "وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلْإِيمَٰنَ" (those who settled in the Home and Faith). The beauty of this phrasing, as scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur point out, lies in its unusual structure. While one can "settle" in a home (the city of Medina), one doesn't literally "settle" in faith. This pairing suggests a deeper meaning. Some understand it to mean they settled in the Home *and sincerely committed to* Faith, implying an omitted verb for brevity and eloquence. Ibn Ashur offers another perspective: the Arabic particle "wa" (و) here can mean "along with," so they settled in the Home *along with* Faith. This highlights that Medina itself, for them, became the dwelling place of both physical migration and unwavering belief, making it a unique sanctuary unlike any other city.
No Trace of Envy
The verse continues, "وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةًۭ مِّمَّآ أُوتُوا۟" (and they find no *hajatan* in their chests regarding what was given [to the Muhajirun]). The word *hajatan* (حاجة) literally means "need" or "desire." However, in this context, scholars like al-Razi and Ibn Ashur explain it signifies something deeper: they felt no envy, bitterness, or longing for the material wealth (like spoils of war) that was given to the Muhajirun. Their hearts were utterly pure of any resentment, despite the Muhajirun receiving things the Ansar themselves might have found useful. This absence of *hajatan* in their hearts speaks to an extraordinary spiritual cleanliness.
True Selflessness
Their generosity is further emphasized: "وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌۭ" (and they prefer [others] over themselves, even if there was *khasasah* with them). The phrase "ولو كان بهم خصاصة" (even if there was *khasasah* with them) is crucial. *Khasasah* (خصاصة), derived from gaps or holes, means severe need or poverty. The "even if" (walaw) here highlights the extreme degree of their selflessness. They would prioritize others, giving away what they had, even when they themselves were in dire need. This is the pinnacle of generosity, not giving from abundance, but from scarcity.
The Root of Success
The verse concludes with a universal truth: "وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ" (And whoever is protected from the greed of his soul, then those are the successful ones). Scholars differentiate between *shuhh* (شح) and *bukhl* (بخل). *Bukhl* is the act of stinginess, the outward withholding. *Shuhh*, as explained by al-Razi, is the deeper, internal state: the covetousness, the burning desire to cling to wealth, the ingrained meanness within the soul itself. The verse specifies "shuhh of his soul" because it is a deeply embedded human inclination. To be "protected" (yuqa) from it is to master this internal struggle against greed with divine help. Those who achieve this inner victory over *shuhh* are declared by Allah to be "the successful ones," emphasizing that true success lies not in accumulating wealth, but in purifying the soul from its avarice.
The specific word choices in this verse beautifully illustrate the profound, internal, and often challenging virtues of the Ansar, offering timeless lessons on faith, selflessness, and the path to genuine success.
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 59:9 is discussed in 20 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- The Ansar (key verse)
- Miserliness (Bukhl) (key verse)
- Voluntary Acts (Tatawwu) (key verse)
- Success (Falah) (key verse)
- Spending (Infaq)
- The Companions (Sahabah)
- Giving (Ata')
- Defrauding (Bakhs)
- Luxury (Taraf)
- Encouragement (Targhib)
- Striving (Jihad)
- Fitnah
- The Heart (Qalb)
- The Self (Nafs)
- Purity (Taharah)
- Love (Mahabbah)
- Society (Mujtama')
- Praise (Madh)
- Racism (Unsariyyah)
- Foreign Relations (Alaqat Dawliyyah)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Hashr 59:9 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.