Surah An-Nahl — Verse 75

Word Meanings:

• "عَبْدًا مَّمْلُوكًا": A slave who is owned by another, having no freedom or authority over himself.
• "لَّا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ": He has no power or ability to do anything, not even to dispose of his own affairs.
• "رِزْقًا حَسَنًا": A good, lawful, and pure provision granted by Allah.
• "سِرًّا وَجَهْرًا": Secretly and openly — spending in both hidden and public ways.

Tafsir (Explanation):

Allah, the Most High, strikes a profound and vivid parable to expose the folly of shirk (associating partners with Allah). He presents two men: one is a powerless slave, owned by another, who possesses nothing and has no authority over himself or his wealth — he cannot give, spend, or act freely. The other is a free man whom Allah has blessed with a good, lawful provision, and he has full freedom to spend from it as he wishes, both in secret and in public, doing good with it.

Now, can any rational person say these two men are equal? Absolutely not! The difference is immense and undeniable. Yet, the polytheists commit a far greater error: they equate Allah — the Creator, the Owner of all, the One who controls everything and gives freely to His creation — with their powerless idols and false gods, which can neither benefit nor harm anyone. How can the Almighty, who sustains all, be compared to lifeless statues that possess nothing?

All praise belongs to Allah alone, for He alone deserves all gratitude and worship. He is the source of every blessing, and none shares His sovereignty. But most of the polytheists do not know this truth, because they have turned away from reflection and reason. They attribute His favors to others and worship what cannot hear, see, or help them.

This parable carries a profound lesson for every soul: recognize the immense gap between the Creator and the creation, and let your heart overflow with gratitude to Allah alone, who has given you everything you own. Spend from His blessings secretly and openly, for this is the mark of a grateful servant. And know that your wealth, your freedom, and your very existence are all from Him — so direct your worship, your thanks, and your love to Him alone, and you will find true success in this life and the next.