Tafsir of Al-Mujadilah 58:12

(O you who believe, when you consult the Messenger privately)—meaning: when you intend to hold a private consultation with him—peace and blessings be upon him—regarding any matter, (then offer before your private consultation a charity)—that is, give charity before it. In this expression, there is a metaphorical representation (isti'arah tamthiliyyah). The origin of this construction is used for one who has two hands. Alternatively, it may be a metaphorical attribution (istiarah makniyyah), likening the private consultation to a human being and establishing "hands" for it as an act of imagery (takhayyul). The word "before" (bayna yaday) acts as an enhancement (tarshih) according to some. Its meaning is "prior to."

In this command, there is an exaltation of the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—a benefit for the poor, a distinction between the sincere and the hypocrite, and between the lover of the Hereafter and the lover of this world. It also serves as a deterrent against crowding him—peace and blessings be upon him—without any important need. It has been narrated from Ibn Abbas and Qatadah that a group of Muslims would frequently consult the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—privately without necessity, merely to demonstrate their status. As he—peace and blessings be upon him—was generous and would not turn anyone away, this verse was revealed.

It is narrated from Muqatil that the wealthy would come to the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and monopolize his private time, overcoming the poor for seating, until he—peace and blessings be upon him—disliked the length of their staying and their private consultations; thus, this verse was revealed.

There is a difference of opinion as to whether the command is for recommendation or obligation, but it was abrogated by His saying, "Have you feared..." and so on. Although this follows it in recitation, it is not connected to it in terms of revelation. It is also said that it was abrogated by the verse of Zakat. The relied-upon view is the former. No specific amount for the charity was stipulated, so that both much and little would suffice. Al-Tirmidhi—who classified it as hasan—and a group others narrated from Ali—may Allah honor his face—who said: "When 'O you who believe, when you consult the Messenger' was revealed, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—asked me: 'What do you think of a dinar?' I replied: 'They cannot afford it.' He asked: 'Half a dinar?' I replied: 'They cannot afford it.' He asked: 'Then how much?' I replied: 'A barley-corn.' He said: 'You are indeed stingy.' When the verse 'Have you feared...' was revealed, he—peace and blessings be upon him—said: 'Allah has lightened the burden for this nation.'" It is famously held that no one acted upon it except him—may Allah honor his face.

Al-Hakim—who authenticated it—Ibn al-Mundhir, Abd ibn Humayd, and others narrated from him—may Allah honor his face—that he said: "There is a verse in the Book of Allah that no one before me acted upon, nor will anyone after me act upon: the verse of private consultation ('O you who believe, when you consult the Messenger'). I had a dinar, so I sold it for ten dirhams. Every time I consulted the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—privately, I would give a dirham as charity before my consultation. Then it was abrogated, and no one acted upon it."

It is said that this, based on the opinion of obligation, is interpreted as meaning that the wealthy did not have occasion for private consultation during the period the ruling remained in effect. There is a difference of opinion regarding the duration of its validity; Muqatil said it was ten nights, and Qatadah said it was for an hour of the day. Others say it was abrogated before it was ever acted upon, but that is not correct due to what was authenticated earlier.

It was read as sadaqat (charities) in the plural, to correspond to the plural of the addressees. (That)—meaning the offering of charity—(is better for you) due to the reward it contains, (and purer) and more cleansing for your souls, because of the habit it instills of not being attached to wealth and the weakening of the bond of love for it, which pollutes the soul. There is also an indication that this prepares the soul for greater effusion from the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—during the private consultation.

The speech carries an indication of the recommendation of offering charity, but His saying: (But if you do not find, then indeed Allah is Forgiving, Merciful)—meaning for the one who does not find [the means], for He—the Almighty—has permitted him to consult privately without charity—is more explicit in indicating the obligation.