Tafsir of Al-Ma'aarij 70:24

Al-Ma'arij: (24) And those who in their wealth...

There is a difference of opinion regarding the meaning of "the known right" (al-Haqq al-Ma'lūm):

1. It refers to the obligatory Zakat (alms-tax). This is the view of Ibn Abbas, Al-Hasan, and Ibn Sirin.
   • Ibn Abbas said: "Whoever pays the Zakat due on his wealth, there is no blame upon him if he does not give voluntary charity."
   • The evidence that this refers to the obligatory Zakat is twofold:
     • First: The "known right" (al-Haqq al-Ma'lūm) is fixed and quantified (i.e., Zakat), whereas voluntary charity is not quantified.
     • Second: Since Allah mentions this right as an exception to those He condemns, it indicates that whoever withholds this right is blameworthy. No other right fits this description except Zakat.

2. It refers to something other than Zakat. This right is given out of recommendation and desirability (i.e., voluntary charity). This is the view of Mujahid, 'Ata', and Al-Nakha'i.

Regarding the recipients:

• "For the asker" (li-l-sā'il): This means the one who explicitly asks.
• "And the deprived" (wa-l-mahrūm): This refers to the one who refrains from asking out of modesty, leading people to think he is wealthy and thus he is deprived [of aid].