Surah Al-Hadid — Verse 24

Word Meanings:

• Yabkhalūn (يَبْخَلُونَ): Those who withhold and are miserly, refusing to spend what they are obligated to give—whether wealth, knowledge, or influence.
• Al-Bukhl (الْبُخْلِ): Stinginess; the act of withholding what should rightfully be given.
• Yatawallā (يَتَوَلَّ): Turns away; abandons obedience and refuses to comply with Allah’s commands.
• Al-Ghanī (الْغَنِيُّ): The Self-Sufficient; the One who is free of all need from His creation.
• Al-Ḥamīd (الْحَمِيدُ): The Praiseworthy; the One deserving of all praise for His perfect attributes and beautiful actions.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This verse exposes a deeply blameworthy trait—miserliness that is not only practiced but actively promoted. The people described here are those who withhold what they are obligated to give, whether it be their wealth, their knowledge, or their position of influence, and then go a step further: they beautify stinginess for others and command them to adopt the same attitude. This is the height of moral corruption—to be miserly yourself is bad enough, but to encourage others toward it is to spread a disease that harms the entire community.

The verse then delivers a powerful, liberating truth: whoever turns away from Allah’s command and refuses to spend in His cause harms no one but himself. Allah is completely unaffected by our obedience or disobedience. He is Al-Ghanī—the Self-Sufficient, who stands in need of nothing from His creation. And He is Al-Ḥamīd—the Praiseworthy, whose perfection and excellence are inherent to His very nature, regardless of whether humanity acknowledges Him or not.

Imagine the profound comfort in this: your worship, your charity, your kindness—these are not favors you do for Allah. They are gifts you give to yourself. When you spend in His path, you are the one who gains. When you withhold, you are the one who loses. Allah’s glory remains untouched, His majesty undiminished.

So let this verse free you from the chains of greed. Open your hand, give generously, and know that every act of giving is an investment in your own soul. And if others choose to turn away, let them—for you are not doing Allah a favor by your generosity; rather, you are doing yourself the greatest favor imaginable. Allah is rich beyond all need, and He is worthy of all praise—so be among those who praise Him with their hearts, their tongues, and their wealth.