**"There is no blame upon the blind..." (An-Nūr: 61)**
Believers used to take the weak and those with disabilities to the homes of their spouses, children, relatives, and friends to feed them. Both the hosts and the guests felt uneasy about this, fearing it might be a sin or an unlawful consumption of wealth, contrary to the verse: "Do not consume one another's wealth unjustly" (Al-Baqarah: 188).
It was then revealed: "There is no blame upon the weak, nor upon yourselves"—meaning, there is no sin upon you or those in your condition among the believers.
Reasons for the unease:
- Ikrima: The Ansar were naturally refined and would not eat from these houses if they were self-sufficient.
- Social discomfort: Some avoided eating with others, fearing the host might dislike it. The blind might accidentally reach for what their companion is eating; the lame might take up too much space; the sick might have unpleasant odors or wounds.
- The absent warriors: Warriors would leave the weak in their homes, giving them keys and permission to eat, yet the weak felt guilty.
- Example: Al-Harith ibn ‘Amr left Malik ibn Zayd in his home. Upon returning, he found Malik exhausted. When asked why, Malik replied, "I had nothing, and it was not lawful for me to eat from your wealth." The verse clarified that there is no blame on the weak for eating, nor on you for eating from these houses.
Interpretation:
This is a sound statement. It also implies that the weak are not blamed for staying behind from battle, nor are you blamed for eating from these houses—both groups are absolved of blame. It is like a traveler asking about breaking the fast, and a pilgrim asking about shaving before the sacrifice; you answer both in one breath.
"From your houses":
Why were children not mentioned? They are included under "your houses" because a man’s child is part of him. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The best of what a man eats is from his own earnings." Children are closer than other relatives; if kinship is the reason for the license, the closest are the most entitled.
"Or those whose keys you possess":
This refers to a man’s wealth when he has a steward or agent guarding it—he may eat from his orchard’s fruit or his livestock’s milk. "Possessing the keys" means having them in one's hand and care. Others say it refers to the homes of slaves, as the slave’s wealth belongs to the master.
"Or your friend":
Meaning the homes of your friends. "Friend" (ṣadīq) can be singular or plural.
- Anecdote: Al-Hasan once entered his house to find friends eating delicacies from under his bed. He laughed and was delighted, saying, "This is how we found them [the Companions]." They would enter a friend's house in his absence, take what they needed, and if the owner later learned of it, he would be so pleased he might even free his servant for allowing it.
- Ja'far al-Sadiq: "It is part of the sanctity of friendship that God made a friend a source of comfort and trust, like one's own self, father, brother, or son."
- Ibn Abbas: "A friend is greater than parents; when the people of Hell cry out, they do not call upon fathers or mothers, but say: 'We have no intercessors, nor a close friend' (Ash-Shu'ara: 101)."
"Together or separately":
This was revealed regarding the Banu Layth ibn ‘Amr, who felt it a sin to eat alone, waiting all day for someone to join them. Others say it refers to the Ansar, who would not eat unless a guest was present.
"So when you enter houses... greet one another with a greeting from God":
When entering these houses to eat, begin by greeting the inhabitants who share your faith and kinship. It is a "greeting from God"—established by His command and ordained by Him. It is a prayer for the safety and life of the one greeted, blessed and pure, as it is a believer’s prayer for a brother, seeking God’s increase in goodness and provision.
- Anas (ra): "I served the Prophet (ﷺ) for ten years. He never asked me why I did something or why I broke something. Once, while I was pouring water on his hands, he said: 'Shall I teach you three things? When you meet anyone from my Ummah, greet them, and your life will be lengthened. When you enter your house, greet them, and the goodness of your house will increase. And perform the Duha prayer, for it is the prayer of the righteous.'"
If no one is in the house, say: "Peace be upon us from our Lord, peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of God, peace be upon the people of the house and the mercy of God."
