Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:28

Commentary

What an unusual moral training is being given here in this verse through the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) to the entire Muslim community! It is being said to them: If people needing help come to you and you have nothing to give to them, and for that reason you are compelled to turn away from them, even then, this act of turning away or excusing yourself should not be with an air of indifference, or with an attitude that could be insulting for the addressee. In fact, this turning away or seeking of excuse should be coupled with an expression of your inability or constraint.

Regarding the background of the revelation of this verse, a report from Sayyidna Ibn Zaid (رض) says that some people used to ask for finan¬cial help from the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) and he knew what would be given to them would be spent in the spreading of disorder. Therefore, he refused to give it to them, for this refusal was a device to stop them from indulg¬ing in disorder. Thereupon, this verse was revealed. (Qurtubi)

In the Musnad of Said ibn Mansur, it has been mentioned on the au¬thority of Sayyidna Saba' ibn Hakam (رض) that the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) had received some supply of cloth. He distributed it over those deserving. After that came some others when the supply was finished and he had nothing to give. It was about the later that this verse was revealed.