عَٰمِلِينَ

39:75.

Commentary:

When a man truly turns to God, after committing a sin, and sincerely repents of his misdeeds, he is forgiven by God. The verse makes it further clear that forgiveness is only the first stage. God leads those who repent to higher stages of spiritual progress and promises them Heaven.

Important Words:

صدقات (alms) is the plural of and here signifies Zakah. See also 4:5.

الفقراء (the poor) is the plural of فقیر which is derived from) فقر (faqara) which means, he dug the ground or he dug a well to draw forth water; or he bored or perforated beads, etc. فقر البعیر means, he made an incision in the nose of the camel to render it tractable. فقرہ also means, he broke the فقار or vertebrae of his back. فقر (faqura) or فقر (faqira) or افتقرmeans, he was or became poor or needy. فقر (faqrun) means, poverty, want or need; the state of a man when he has only what suffices for his household. فقیر means, poor or needy; one having only what suffices for his household; one who has only a bare sufficiency of food; one who is crippled by disease; one who has no trade or has only a mean trade. The word (one who possesses only what is barely sufficient) differs from مسکین (for which see below) which means, one who possesses nothing, altogether destitute. Some authorities however differ from this view (Lane). See also 2:269.

المساکین (the needy) is the plural of مسکین which is derived from سکن which means, he or it was or became still, motionless or stationary or quiet or clam. مسکین means, lowly, humble or submissive; low, abject or in a state of humiliation; weak, subdued or suppressed; poor; destitute, i.e. possessing nothing; or possessing somewhat; rendered by poverty to have little power of motion. Authorities differ as to who is in a worse condition—فقیر or مسکین (Lane).

Commentary:

In the previous verse reference was made to the displeasure of the hypocrites if they were not given a share in the Zakah. The present verse defines the objects for which Zakah is to be spent and these, as the verse explains, are eight in number.

The first-mentioned class, i.e. فقراء (the poor), signifies those broken or perforated with poverty or disease, whereas, the second-mentioned class, i.e. مساکین (the needy) signifies those rendered motionless through want of means, e.g. the unemployed, or those possessing the ability to work but lacking the means thereof.

The words, those employed in connection therewith, signify those who are employed in collecting Zakah, or in keeping an account thereof or in the performance of any other duty connected therewith.

The words, whose hearts are to be reconciled, mean those whose hearts are sincerely inclined towards Islam but who, owing to their having become disconnected with their former society, stand in need of monetary help. The term extends to new converts also.

The word, slaves, signifies, besides actual slaves, captives and such persons as are called upon to pay blood money to secure their freedom.

The expression, for those in debt, means those who are unable to pay their debts or those who have suffered an extraordinary loss in trade, etc.

The words, for the cause of Allah, imply every good or pious work commanded by God.

The term ابن السبیل (the wayfarer) includes those stranded on a journey for lack of money; or those who travel in search of knowledge or for promoting social relations. See also 2:178.

25:76; 34:38.

Important Words:

غرفا (lofty mansions) or غرفات is the plural of غرفة which is derived from غرف (gharafa). They say غرف الماء i.e. he took the water with his hand. غرفة means, a handful of water; an upper hand; a chamber or a chamber in the upper or uppermost storey of a house (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

In this verse believers are promised in clear and unequivocal terms that those who leave their homes in the cause of God, and then remain steadfast in their belief and do good deeds, the reward they get far exceeds that which they lose for God’s sake. This Divine promise was fulfilled to the very letter in the case of the Companions of the Holy Prophet.

1:2; 7:44; 37:183.

Commentary:

When believers see the promises of success and prosperity, made to them by the Prophet of God in the hour of severe tribulation, being literally fulfilled, their hearts become full of gratitude and they sing Divine praises from the inmost depths of their being. The words "the earth" in the sentence "and has given us the earth to inherit" may refer to the Holy Land, and the verse may particularly apply to the Holy Prophet’s Companions who had to wait for only a few years to see the fulfilment of the promise that the Holy Land would fall into their possession. The Muslims conquered Palestine in the caliphate of ‘Umar and it remained in their hands for more than 1300 years with the exception of a brief period of about 90 years. The present possession of Palestine by the Jews seems to be only a temporary phase.