Tafsir of Muhammad 47:37

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 37

Original Text Segment:

Translation:

If He should ask you for all of it, then He would exhaust you (or be severe with you).

The Fā’ (then) in the phrase {فَيُحْفِكُمْ} (then He would exhaust you) indicates that the severity/exhaustion follows immediately upon the request, clarifying the stinginess of the souls. This is because conjunction with wāw (and) can indicate similarity, whereas conjunction with fā’ (then) only indicates sequence or a relationship where one thing is dependent on the other. It is as if the Almighty clarified that the severity occurs right after the request, because a person does not give anything merely upon being asked.

And His statement {تَبْخَلُوا وَيُخْرِجْ أَضْغَانَكُمْ} (you become stingy, and He will bring out your malice) means: even if He asked, and insisted upon the request, you would still be stingy. How could you not be stingy when you are stingy with the little, yet you are not stingy with the much?

And His statement {وَيُخْرِجْ أَضْغَانَكُمْ} (and He will bring out your malice) means: because of this [stinginess]. For the requester—who is the Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions—asks you, and due to your love of wealth and the stinginess of your souls, you refuse. This refusal leads to fighting, and through it, the hidden malice is revealed.

Original Text Segment (Verse 37):

Translation (Verse 37):

Behold, you are those who are called upon to spend in the way of Allah, yet among you are those who are stingy. And whoever is stingy is only stingy with himself. And Allah is the Self-Sufficient (Al-Ghaniyy), while you are the needy (Al-Fuqara'). And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people, and they will not be like you.